how was the 2004 national rainbow gathering?

i just got back and i am wondering how others felt about this gathering.
i ended up leaving early (on the fourth of july during the big party) because the whole event was negative compared to other national gatherings. i felt like the energy just wasnt strong this year . there were a lot of people who were there who dont have the rainbow spirit. "loving you" sounded fake when it was said and it was rarely said. people were reluctant to hug and love eachother. i heard a lot of arguing and saw a lot of frowns. it was very hard to get into the gathering if you came from madeline. the directions were absolutely terrible. we ran into about 20 cars at 1am that had been driving around for hours on this dirt road trying to figure out where to go because the directions were so bad. A-camp was directing the parking of cars in the sage brush and boulders while drunk. the om circle was not one big circle but instead it was many concentric circles with people feebly giving their om. the main meadow was sage so it was hard to sit at dinner circle in between the sage.
overall, i just noticed more people there who were there for the party than for the spiritual experience. people unwilling to help, smile, or even pick up their trash. i will definately think twice before going to a west coast national again where just any random hippie can easily get to the gathering because there is free food and easy thieving.

 

I've kinda noticed that vibe in the scene everywhere. Maybe its because there are so many young brothers and sisters new to the family who haven't really settled into the community. Then its up to us to help guide a few along. Give them another year or 2 and maybe the family gatherings will be as sweet as they were just a few years ago.

'A' camp directing parking?? Now that's just trouble waiting to happen.

I noticed a bit of internal trouble among the old timers this year though. They had a difficult time pulling this one off. They had a hard time finding a location too but that's about every year. But don't give up on the gatherings! We need you!

 

I really wouldn't be suprised if less and less family started going to nationals, and there were just alot more small reigonals and things. Honestly, I think that may be the way to go, less people, you get to know them alot better and all that stuff, but then, I've never been to nationals, and I missed this year, so I can't really say, lol.