Thursday, January 14, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
rios claros y bonitos
Upon waking I feel a renewed excitement for our work and adventures here. We have just begun our work. Yesterday! We are focussing on two distinct projects....
On one hand we have solidified an internship with an experienced certified organic farmer/organizer with several acres of yuca, tomato, peppers, onion, banana, plantain and coffee amoung many other local semi wild beans and fruits. He maintains his own small farm and manages/organizes a few others that all together supply organic produce to Balú, a natural health food store in the capital, Bogotá. Balú is the name of tree, which I believe is native to this region, that has edible beans. His wife offered us a very delicious Balú custard. Delightful. Their certified organic farm is set in the mountains with breath-taking views all around. We just got notice that we can pick up the keys to a small cabin and live there while we are interning on the farm. It will be heaven to have a space to call my own! I want to clean and cook and decorate and cook some more!!!! It is challenging being a vegetarian here when very sweet and caring people are preparing your food, or when you are in a small village.
On the other hand we are helping with an organic farming project that is just budding. In fact, we have just attended the priliminary planning and cleaning "meetings." This is very exciting as well because we have so much agricultural, country living, and life experience to share with these young Rasta brothers and sisters. This location is truly paradise, set in the mountains with running water coming from a fresh mountian spring, the sounds of water crashing on rocks is heard from all directions. There are rivers and streams in every direction. A half hour hike down the mountain is a crisp, clean river. A half hour trek down river is a glorious series of waterfalls, slides, and cristal-blue pools that tumble down through the jungle, sparkling in the sun, joining the larger river. The main challenge so far is that it is a hour and a half hike to the nearest tiny little pueblo to buy water and some veggies and dried beens and rice. Otherwise we have to boil the water before we drink it. One think I will always bring next time is a fancy water filter.
On one hand we have solidified an internship with an experienced certified organic farmer/organizer with several acres of yuca, tomato, peppers, onion, banana, plantain and coffee amoung many other local semi wild beans and fruits. He maintains his own small farm and manages/organizes a few others that all together supply organic produce to Balú, a natural health food store in the capital, Bogotá. Balú is the name of tree, which I believe is native to this region, that has edible beans. His wife offered us a very delicious Balú custard. Delightful. Their certified organic farm is set in the mountains with breath-taking views all around. We just got notice that we can pick up the keys to a small cabin and live there while we are interning on the farm. It will be heaven to have a space to call my own! I want to clean and cook and decorate and cook some more!!!! It is challenging being a vegetarian here when very sweet and caring people are preparing your food, or when you are in a small village.
On the other hand we are helping with an organic farming project that is just budding. In fact, we have just attended the priliminary planning and cleaning "meetings." This is very exciting as well because we have so much agricultural, country living, and life experience to share with these young Rasta brothers and sisters. This location is truly paradise, set in the mountains with running water coming from a fresh mountian spring, the sounds of water crashing on rocks is heard from all directions. There are rivers and streams in every direction. A half hour hike down the mountain is a crisp, clean river. A half hour trek down river is a glorious series of waterfalls, slides, and cristal-blue pools that tumble down through the jungle, sparkling in the sun, joining the larger river. The main challenge so far is that it is a hour and a half hike to the nearest tiny little pueblo to buy water and some veggies and dried beens and rice. Otherwise we have to boil the water before we drink it. One think I will always bring next time is a fancy water filter.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
cascadas
Today we walked for over an hour up and down a jungle path with banana trees, coffee and guava on either side. Streams, chirping birds, a sparkling waterfall and beautiful rainbow. We dropped our drawers and swam in the crisp mountain river. Mangos hanging from the trees everywhere.
Mango leaves are long and narrow and the trees grow tall and wide as an oak but I haven't seen a mango trunk that I couldn't reach my arms around. The mango fruits hang in bunches of 5 to 15 rippening in the hot sun.
Mango leaves are long and narrow and the trees grow tall and wide as an oak but I haven't seen a mango trunk that I couldn't reach my arms around. The mango fruits hang in bunches of 5 to 15 rippening in the hot sun.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
elder --> sauco
The elder plant is known here as sauco, and is used medicinally to remedy respitory problems. Steep elder flowers in steaming hot water, cover head with a towel and breathe the elder steam. So says Lucy, the sheep woman.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Elderberrys
This morning in El Tiempo we read that Colombia is the second most biodiverse country, following Brazil. Walking Gorkie, el perro de la tia, in the park we were shaded by eucaliptus. The majority of the trees, bushes and plants are all in bloom. Ever color and shape and size. Even in the capital city of Bogotá we are surrounded by diversity and impressive foliage.
A very popular ornamental tree, found in the small front yards and lining the streets, is the elder. I first recognized the leaves but was doubtful because the trunk measured a 10 or 12 inches in diameter. Then I noticed the flowers and was immediately convinced. It wasn´t til I found a berry and tasted it that I felt confident enough to announce it!!! This city is covered with elder plants... but their precious Vitimin C is not a scarce resource down here like it is in the north. My first investigation... what is the name and does anyone use it for food or medicine???
I am well and feel at peace. I ate papaya for breakfast. Give thanks.
A very popular ornamental tree, found in the small front yards and lining the streets, is the elder. I first recognized the leaves but was doubtful because the trunk measured a 10 or 12 inches in diameter. Then I noticed the flowers and was immediately convinced. It wasn´t til I found a berry and tasted it that I felt confident enough to announce it!!! This city is covered with elder plants... but their precious Vitimin C is not a scarce resource down here like it is in the north. My first investigation... what is the name and does anyone use it for food or medicine???
I am well and feel at peace. I ate papaya for breakfast. Give thanks.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
blanket of white
A comforting, calming, blanket of white descends upon my quite home as I prepare for the journey ahead of me. Slowly completing the necessary steps of winding down for winter, today we get to check 2 simple tasks of the list. A green house for our red russian kale, and to clean up the front yard. We are getting serious.
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