The Quaker Settlement

     For the first part of our trip we are staying at a quaker settlement in the city of Wanganui. The Quaker settlement is a very interesting place. They were quick to point out to us that they are not a commune and are what can be called an intentional living community. the main difference being that they still have a ton of contact with the outside world. By this I mean that many of them work out in the town, and contribute to the city in the same way that anybody might. It might be helpful to think of it more as a neighborhood that has some shared living spaces like a community type center, a pool, gardens, pasture for sheep, parks as well as what I can only describe as a sleeping building for guests.
     There are nearly 10 houses on the settlement with about 30 people who live there permanently. Their were extra houses for our program leaders and their family. For the most part they carryout their lives separately apart from some morning prayer/ discussion, the occasional group meal and planning for how life on the settlement is to be conducted. In all it's a very neat place. Oh and as quakers they have a fairly strict no alcohol policy on the settlement itself. but other than that nothing seems to be all that intrusive or controlling over the individuals life. Thanks for reading, and until next time.