While in Ireland, for the Awakening Conference, we as well as all of the other squads, competed in a dance off. My squad, N-squad won : )
But, more than that, we as a squad got closer during the time of practicing for this dance off, than any other time on the race. We all really enjoyed ourselves while practicing and hanging out with one another. We were strangers in the beginning who were put on a squad and team to people now who are family. We know what it is to love each other’s uniqueness and support one another. Interesting what one year of your life with complete strangers will do : ) It is interesting what you are forced into and what the end product can be if you are willing to work for it. I am so proud of our teams and individual who have proven to me that they are willing to love and it has taught me a lot. Thank you N-Squadders…you have changed my life and given me an incredible year.
Our very own, Jesse Marquez & Caleb Dufresne, created this little diddy : ) as well as several other crazy people on our squad. Emily Conner and several others helped with costumes : )
The last part of the dance, the Haka, is something we did in memory of our first month on the race. We learned of the Haka in New Zealand from the indigenous people there called the Maori’s. We did this in honor of them. The dance or better yet, the warrior cry is something the Maori’s do to breathe life into people. It is an incredible story of the Maori culture and heritage. The Maori’s are a people I will never forget whether it be because of the Haka or the many other things they taught us while there.
Hope you enjoy this video : )
Also, check out my squadmate Caleb’s blog about the Awakening Dance Off. He does a much better job of explaining it : ) www.calebdufresne.theworldrace.org
