Casa Robino

The Russian hitchhiking guru and travel guide writer Anton Krotov has been implementing short-term nomad bases in various places for some time now. Over the years he has developed a systematic way of planning and maintaining these bases, which he recently announced on his LiveJournal. In order to bring these developments in the Russian-language nomadic community to the wider world, I've translated Krotov's long post.

ABOUT THE "HOUSE FOR EVERYONE" PROJECT

Anyone who lives nomadically and has a passion for writing might find this interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/library/books/082800aciman-writing.html

Recently I spoke with a person who wondered if the Nomadbase project would ultimately be too tied to the values of Casa Robino to appeal much to creators of other nomadic spaces. I thought this concern was worth a forum post.

Will a focus on environmental concerns be a requirement to offer one's space? I enjoy making my own home into a base for nomadic travelers, but I honestly don't share the kind of "change the world" and "sustainability" outlook of Casa Robino. Vegetarianism, for example, is a choice I support mainly because it saves everyone money, not because of any ethical or environmental principles. Ditto for dumpster diving.

On Sunday, 6th of December, SHE is at Ganas, in Staten Island, NY.

People gather in one open space to speak about how nomadism could contribute to broader society and how it could connect to respect for the environment.

Following the minutes of the un-conference
_______________________________________________________________________________________

4.00 pm: Open Space A

How does a culture of nomadism contribute to broader society?

- Daryl: It breaks down barriers that communities establish and the sense of Western individualism for a culture of sharism.

- James: Nomad movement could be considered part of socialism.

- Matt: Nomadism can spread through word of mouth; person to person; electronic capabilities.

On Sunday, 6th of December, SHE is at Ganas, in Staten Island, NY.

To open the un-conference, a group of friends decides to connect with Robino, who is in Brussels, to see how did he find HER in Berlin.

Following the report of the call.

3:00pm – Skype Conference Call with Robin, in Brussels

-Robin:
Berlin SHE conference recap – goal is to plant seeds for nomadic hospitality
-There at least 40-50 people involved, staying in a place called Tea House – sot of a potential model for nomad base – business selling tea and food in front, sleeping space in back

-Question by Dan: further recap of Berlin conference?
Robin:
-Aim of creating infrastructure for a new culture, gathering ideas, brainstorming outloud

Hey, here some drafts/minutes of the SHE is in NY for Saturday and Friday.
You can also find them at http://sharewiki.org/en/She_nyc/minutes

Friday:

Expectation from base:

Jamie: radically self reliant, radically self expressive, relatively sober, leave no trace. No references, no requirements. Nomad can pay fear amount. no free loader. legally run. division guest/host.

**********************

Saturday, 5th
Introduction (3pm)

-Distinction between Tourist, Traveler, & Nomad
-Nomads want to create (art, etc.)

-Berlin Conference re-cap:

-Nomad base goal, creating places where nomads can find a place to rest, sense of home
-What are our expectations and hopes from a nomad base?

-Participation & Contribution as essential values

http://www.gonomad.com is aimed at a higher-budget non-sustainable crowd, but it has some fantastic links. Some of my favorites:
- David Byrne (lead singer of The Talking Heads, "Burning Down the House" among other songs) talks about cycling in various cities all over the world.
- Tips for living abroad with kids
- Dead Goat Polo: National Sport of Kyrgyzstan

http://www.gonomad.com/features/0911/kyrgyzstan-goat-polo.html !!

As a follow up of the Berlin unconference, a group of burning man and woman, people living in intentional communities, nomads, radical hosts, train-hoppers, hit-hikers and facilitators are meeting in NY to discuss abot nomad bases and sustainable nomadism.

Here the program:

*********************************
Friday, 4th:

19 pm Pre-meeting at Brooklyn Urban Sanctuary (Bergen
Street. Walking distance from train station C, B,Q, 2, 3): Park
Slope.)

Participants of the gathering get to know each other: tea, and
dumpster diving.

*********************************

Saturday, 5th 12.00 pm:

meeting Brooklyn Urban Sanctuary (778 Bergen St: map here)

Nomads and long term hosts get to

Nomads and friends from all over the world are gathering to share experiences and address important issues that affect us. Explore different models for living and traveling together, create new knowledge, network and document practices experiences for everyone's benefit.

• Friday and Saturday at 14:00 a plenary session for our Open Space agenda-setting. We sit in a circle, introduction to the day and open space process, do a round of people (introduce yourself and share your intentions of why you are here) and set the agenda.
• We end at 20:00-21:00 with dinner. 'Evening News' is at 21:00: short coming together in 1 room and people will share what they feel like sharing. Read more for full schedule.