by geography and generations, these girls, their Guiders and the women who bonded at Our Cabaña all those decades ago, came together at the Canadian reunion to enjoy an afternoon of laughter, wisdom, inspiration and mutual admiration.
Travel Advice There were plenty of tips for the first-time travelers, including advice from most of the original Our Cabaña group to learn some Spanish. Former Australian Senator Kay Patterson told Pathfinder Frida Symons-Swann, “Don’t expect it to be like home. Have a sense of adventure, and get a sense of what it’s like to live there.” When Pathfinder Nyah Clarke admitted to feeling a little nervous about making new friends at Our Cabaña, both Tricia and American artist and author Julie Dawson advised, “Just sit down with someone you don’t know, and think about what things you’re curious about.” Ranger Anusha Khare is excited about travelling to her first World Centre, and about making this trip without her family. “I learned how to pack only what I will need, and about the tourist sites the older women visited,” she said. “And I loved the songs they sang. It was beautiful.”
Bridging Generations As the girls and women spoke, the upcoming trip’s Guider, Laura Riggs, reflected on being between the two generations. “I was really moved by the experience,” she said. “While watching the Our Cabaña group interact with our girls, I felt proud to belong to such a unifying organization. I thought to myself how modern and inclusive the Guiding sisterhood has become, and how the core traditions and principles have remained unwavering since 1963.” Laura also mentioned what she calls a Guiding geek-out moment, when a couple of the Our Cabaña reunion women in the room described different instances where they had met Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting co-founder Lady Olave Baden-Powell. “What an incredible piece of Guiding history that CANADIAN GUIDER | WINTER 2020
was,” she exclaimed. “I can’t wait to see who we’ll meet from other WAGGGS Member Organizations at Our Cabaña and Ticalli!” (Ticalli, which means “Your Home” in Nahuatl – the language of the ancient Aztecs – is a hotel open to Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the world.) “I also can’t wait to see Our Cabaña’s iconic blue door open, to reveal the beautiful oasis of its grounds,” she said. “Those grounds took my breath away on my first trip in 2014, and I’m looking forward to seeing the same reaction on the girls’ faces on this trip.” Pathfinder Ely Toncic is already looking forward to meeting people from all around the world. In meeting the older women, what stood out for her was their lasting friendship. “I found it incredible how they’re still close friends after all this time.” she said. “It was amazing to listen to their stories and learn about their life experiences.”
Unbreakable Bonds Although these women have very diverse backgrounds, cultures, professions and perspectives, they have such a good time together! It’s heart-warming to know that they’re still friends after all this time. Ely and Pathfinder Amarah Ali asked the women about this friendship. Japanese author Keiko Kimura attributed it to everyone’s open-mindedness. It was heartwarming to witness these remarkable women renewing their bonds, as they sang their favourite songs (and grumbled a little in good humour when asked to wear matching hats). Then, watching as they created new bonds with younger Guiding members was, as GGC Guider Sandra Kuchta said, “A moment of living the worldwide sisterhood of Guiding and Scouting.” For all of us, it was pure Girl Guide magic! Kathryn Lyons is a Guider in Ottawa, and a member of the Canadian Guider Editorial Committee. Special thanks to Pathfinders and Rangers Amarah Ali, Nyah Clarke, Anusha Khare, Frida Symons-Swann and Ely Toncic, and Guiders Sandra Kuchta and Laura Riggs, for their collaboration on this article.
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