October 15th-17th

Ola Bloggers!

Cómo va la semana de todos? (How is everyone's week going?) Haha, I am finally starting to learn some Spanish. Not much of it, and I still get flustered when it comes time to actually try to converse with people, but I did manage to buy a pineapple on my own, and even asked for a larger one than he initially gave me. Progress people, progress!

At the office today, enjoying a nice cup of lemon green tea...that could potentially have some aunt residue as Lydia found a few ants in her tea....Yum... It's been a good week so far, I managed to finish a presentation due November 5th that discusses the legal framework and politics of seeds. All I can say is wow...I never imagined to be so interested in the topic, in fact when I first discovered that was what we would be researching, I wasn't too excited. Now that I have done quite a bit of research, I find myself reading articles about the subject on my own time, and talking about it with my peers (even when they don't want to listen to me!). Seeds are essential to this earth, they are the reason that humans have food in their bellies, and because of some bio-tech giants, they are also the reason many people do not. Developing countries all over the world rely on farming to ensure their livelihoods and feed their families, and these companies are coming in and creating GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds, along with toxic herbicides and pesticides.  Previously, farmers just replanted their own seeds and exchanged them among themselves, this is now an illegal practice in many parts of the world, and is causing devastating effects. These companies sue farmers who are not using their patent seeds, or who are "seed saving"  thus sending small-scale farmers into a horrible world of mass debt and inability to provide for their families. These "government regulated" seeds are completely eliminating entire indigenous varieties of seeds. You know all those interesting looking heirloom vegetables you find once in awhile?  A lot of heirloom varieties are by definition not identical. That is what makes them so valuable for the resilience of our agricultural systems – they have genetic changeability that can adapt to small environmental changes. These are steadily becoming extinct, and will soon be impossible to find leaving us all with the same cookie-cutter, genetically modified, pesticide riddled produce. Not only is this bad news for vegetables, but it's bad news for our health. Numerous studies have shown that GMO'S have negative long term health effects. In the United State's alone 90% of the wild bee population has been wiped out due to the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. This is stuff humans are ingesting...keep that in mind.

Don't let these beautiful tomatoes disappear!

Awareness is crucial if a change is to be made. I know that not everyone can completely modify their diet to organic foods, believe me, I know how hard it is! Especially because in North America it is a challenge to really be sure that what you buy IS in fact organic. In Halifax we have an incredible market called the "Seaport Market" which gives buyers access to farm fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs etc. and the chance to at least change some aspects of your diet. Find a local market and talk to them, ask them where the produce comes from, I'm sure they will be happy to tell you. Previous to my trip here, I made small attempts to buy organic produce from my grocery store but due to higher costs and other excuses, I was not always consistent. However, now that I have been able to see firsthand some of these heartbreaking struggles farmers and families are going through in developing worlds, I will be extremely conscious of the food I am buying, and I hope my family will be as well!


This weekend is going to be a good one I think! My new friend Gustavo told us about a Wine Festival happening here in Cochabamba, that has over 80 different selections of wine for us to try, along with some really great cheese ( I LOVE cheese).  I'll be sure to fill you all in :)