What most affected me during the time of the visit?  Positively, the bond of friendship that developed between and among the participants and the obvious care they grew to have for each other.  Negatively, the way a couple of the men abused the hospitality of the community.  Were I a guest in someone else's home, I would never dream of such impolite behavior.
 
The affect of the experience now that there has been some time and perspective:  I find myself surprised by how intrigued people seem to be about monasteries and monastic life and the relevance of the monastic message in such a decadent and materialistic world.