As the days slowly become shorter and cooler, our family house gets cosier. Pacha and Yani snuggle on the rug in the morning as the sun comes in from the north. It’s comfortable sitting on Ollie’s warm bare back, riding in the forest, not needing hats to protect us from the sun. We start to collect some firewood for the few days that it gets cold enough to light up our pot-belly stove, cooking soup and toasting marshmallows over the embers).
Building projects have slowed down a little, and the garden needs attention. The possums and wallabies have taken a liking to all the greenery - with the sweet potatoes, strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes and capsicum eaten up over two nights. Luckily they can't reach the big bunch of bananas, that I have protected from the hungry fruit bats! I must build an enclosure to protect our vegie garden food source!
Recently our good friends visited us for a couple of days. I first met Karen in Kanazawa, Japan, where she had started a café/bar: 'Offshore'. She was a young Australian woman, not speaking any Japanese, who didn’t pay much attention to the people who said it was ‘impossible’ to do what she was doing. She managed to find a way to make it work - bringing a little ray of Australian warmth and sunshine into Kanazawa. Sometimes I would sing at her café/bar and once I even looked after the cafe while she was away for a week – a totally new experience! While Karen is not what you would normally call an activist – I think we have a lot in common in our general attitude to life; anything is possible if you put your mind/heart to it and stay positive. Experiences, relationships and finding meaning in life is more important than the accumulation of wealth – and that approach is something she shares with her family as well.
Now Karen lives in a ‘Heidi’ village in the Austrian Alps with her husband and children, in the house his Father built with his own hands from the trees carefully harvested from the mountain. It is a small, traditional community with age-old customs and habits, formed from watching and learning from the environment they live in. It seems to be a very Slow life, self-sufficient in many ways, but under threat from outside pressures. It is the ‘thinking’ that is changing – short-term ‘now’ culture rather than long term care to ensure the children and their children will be able to maintain this lifestyle and care for the environment that has sustained them. Land that was held as a collective for the whole community, is now beginning to be cut up and sold off. Traditional houses are left to disintegrate through neglect, while people look for modern convenience. It reminds me a great deal of ‘inaka’ in Japan. Karen and her husband plan to ‘rescue’ one of these old houses and restore it, redesigning it to become more energy efficient and sustainable, rather than tearing it down to build something new.
What seems to be the greatest challenge for me right now, is introducing new ideas without threatening other people’s established routines and systems. I am coming across entrenched, conformist views embedded in the school system and struggle to find ways to gently, positively and safely promote more earth friendly ways of thinking and behaving. The only way I feel I can send my children to a conventional, public school, is if I am involved and supporting the children in new ways of thinking. Now my friend Tina and I have taken on the school choir, along with the school food gardens, because if we didn’t do this, these activities wouldn’t be available for the kids.
Sometimes it seems like too much – but if not me: who? If not now: when?
2010-05-22
2010-05-18
5/10：和訳
パチャとヤニは昨日の朝、両手いっぱいの手作りの母の日のカードを持って私を起こしました。パチャは「母の日の1日、奴隷になります」という一言メッセージを書いていました。なんということ！ 娘は私が一番欲しいものは奴隷だと考えているのかしら? 彼女は誰かが自分の奴隷となることを夢見ているのかしら？他人をコントロールしたり、支配したりすることは、果たして人間の本質なのでしょうか。
とにかく、私にとって、母の日はいつも厄介です。 いまだに、人々がより多くのものを買うようけしかける日でもあるからです。(平和と友好の誓いとして始まったものであるらしいのですが)。まるであなたが買物に費やす金額が、相手への愛の深さを証明するかのように。復活祭、クリスマス、ハロウィーン・・・。私たちはたくさんの「買物をする日」に囲まれています。こういう日がやってくると、私はとげとげした気分になります。
心が乱れ、機嫌が悪くなるので、子どもとマントラを唱えて心を静めます。「祝福しましょう、家族といることを。コミュニティとともにあることを。」
本当に大切なものは何か。私たちは、もう一度、オカネやモノではかる以外のモノサシを取り戻す必要があるようです。
しかし、現実の私は、学校でＰＴＡ会長に再選され、子どもたちのために「母の日用売店」を取りまとめなければなりませんでした。「お母さんを愛そう、地球を愛そう、自分を愛そう」というキャッチコピーを思いついたのですが、さすがの私もそれを売店のバナーに書く勇気がありませんでした。
既に、リサイクルの品を扱うことについて(表立ってではないけれど)不満の声（自分の子どもに「古い」ものを買わせたくない)が何人かの親たちからありました。それでも私たちは商品が魅力的に見えるように鉢植えの植物を準備したり、価格をとっても低く(1ドル)したり、手作りのテーブルをセッティングしたりと自分たちに出来るベストを尽くしました。
ここ最近、私のアイデアは新しすぎて、主流社会にとっては革新的で急進的であることを思い知らされています。まるで私の経験と能力がコミュニティの調和への妨げであるかのよう。他の言語を話したり、他の国に住むことが「怪しく」思われているのでしょう。ありのままの自分でいること、自由な意志と個の思想を持ち、質問したり、考えをわかちあったり、疑問を投げかけたり、ポジティブな社会変化を促していくことが、一部の人にとっては脅威に感じるようです。私のそれらの行動が、地球への深い愛から来ていることは、彼らにとってまったく問題ではない…。まあ、他人はともかく、私は自分に忠実に、謙虚さと慈悲を求めて、導かれる道を歩んでいきましょう。
さて、母の日の顛末ですが、パチャは終日、私の「奴隷」となり、ヤニは宣言した割には30分しか続きませんでした。
別の休日には、馬のオリーを連れて散歩にでかけたり、隣人を訪ねたり、馬糞(子供たちはお小遣い用にそれを袋に入れて売るんです)を拾ったりと、いつもスローライフを楽しみながら、素晴らしい秋の気候の中、素敵な日々を過ごしています。
【翻訳：田中みのり】
2010-05-17
5/10
Pacha and Yani woke me yesterday morning with an armful of handmade Mother’s
day cards. Pacha wrote a note saying that she would ‘be my slave’ for the
day…My gosh – is that what she thinks I want the most? Is that what she
herself dreams of - having someone as her 'slave'? Is the human condition
really that geared to controlling and dominating others?
Anyway, Mother’s Day is always hard for me. It is yet another day that
encourages people to buy more stuff (even though it apparently started as a
declaration of Peace and Goodwill). As though the amount of money you spend
correlates to the love you have for someone. It makes me feel more cynical.
Like all the other ‘buy more stuff days’ like Easter, Christmas, Halloween –
I feel generally confused and a little bit grumpy and try to keep convincing
myself (and my children) with the mantra: ‘it’s all about celebration, it’s
all about family, it’s all about community’. There is so much we need to
reinvent in our culture.
But, since I am the re-elected president of the school P and C, I was
obligated to organise a Mother’s Day Stall, so kids could buy things to give
to their Mothers. I came up with a slogan: ‘Love your Mother, Love the
Earth, Love your Self’ – but didn’t have the courage to put it on a banner
for the stall. There were already rumblings of disapproval (not openly
declared) among some of the parents about using ‘recycled’ gifts (“I don’t
want my kids to buy ‘old’ stuff”). We did the best we could do, preparing
potted plants as well, keeping the prices very low ($1), and setting up a
craft table to go along with the products.
Recently I feel like I am being constantly reminded that my ideas are too
new, innovative and radical for mainstream society. It seems my experiences
and skills are a set back to ‘fitting in’; speaking other languages or
living in other countries regarded as somewhat suspicious. Just being who I
am; of free will and independent mind, asking questions, sharing thoughts,
challenging assumptions, encouraging positive change, seems to make some
people feel threatened. It doesn’t seem to matter that my deepest motivation
comes from love. Oh well, I can only be true to myself and continue on,
asking for humility and compassion to guide the way…
So, Pacha was my ‘slave’ for Mother’s day and Yani lasted for about half an
hour. We enjoyed another glorious day here with this lovely autumn weather,
taking Ollie the horse for a walk, visiting neighbours, picking up horse
manure (the kids sell it in bags on the roadside for pocket money) and
generally enjoying our slow life.
day cards. Pacha wrote a note saying that she would ‘be my slave’ for the
day…My gosh – is that what she thinks I want the most? Is that what she
herself dreams of - having someone as her 'slave'? Is the human condition
really that geared to controlling and dominating others?
Anyway, Mother’s Day is always hard for me. It is yet another day that
encourages people to buy more stuff (even though it apparently started as a
declaration of Peace and Goodwill). As though the amount of money you spend
correlates to the love you have for someone. It makes me feel more cynical.
Like all the other ‘buy more stuff days’ like Easter, Christmas, Halloween –
I feel generally confused and a little bit grumpy and try to keep convincing
myself (and my children) with the mantra: ‘it’s all about celebration, it’s
all about family, it’s all about community’. There is so much we need to
reinvent in our culture.
But, since I am the re-elected president of the school P and C, I was
obligated to organise a Mother’s Day Stall, so kids could buy things to give
to their Mothers. I came up with a slogan: ‘Love your Mother, Love the
Earth, Love your Self’ – but didn’t have the courage to put it on a banner
for the stall. There were already rumblings of disapproval (not openly
declared) among some of the parents about using ‘recycled’ gifts (“I don’t
want my kids to buy ‘old’ stuff”). We did the best we could do, preparing
potted plants as well, keeping the prices very low ($1), and setting up a
craft table to go along with the products.
Recently I feel like I am being constantly reminded that my ideas are too
new, innovative and radical for mainstream society. It seems my experiences
and skills are a set back to ‘fitting in’; speaking other languages or
living in other countries regarded as somewhat suspicious. Just being who I
am; of free will and independent mind, asking questions, sharing thoughts,
challenging assumptions, encouraging positive change, seems to make some
people feel threatened. It doesn’t seem to matter that my deepest motivation
comes from love. Oh well, I can only be true to myself and continue on,
asking for humility and compassion to guide the way…
So, Pacha was my ‘slave’ for Mother’s day and Yani lasted for about half an
hour. We enjoyed another glorious day here with this lovely autumn weather,
taking Ollie the horse for a walk, visiting neighbours, picking up horse
manure (the kids sell it in bags on the roadside for pocket money) and
generally enjoying our slow life.
2010-04-23
4/21：和訳
私ほど「スロー・ブログ大賞」にふさわしい人はいないのではないかしら。 この4カ月間、時間があっという間に過ぎていって、こうやってパソコンの前に座り、みなさんと意見を共有する時間をとれなかったんです! 私たちのスローライフ・アドベンチャーの続報を心待ちにしてくれていた人、ごめんなさい。 以下が最新の情報です。
昨年12月、日本での「森の声キャンペーン」中に、ケイボー（辻信一）と、スローとディープエコロジーについて、長く、深い会話を交わしました。そのときのやりとりが、来月「ゆっくりノートブックシリーズ」として出版されるそうです（『しんしんと、ディープ・エコロジー～アンニャと森の物語』）。私たちの数日間に渡るディスカッションは、私が長い間意識してこなかった感情や思い出たちを思い起こさせてくれるよい機会となりました。また、今回の対話を通じて、私が何者で、どうしてここにいるかが明らかになり、未来に向けての新たなビジョンをもたらしてくれました。
オーストラリアに戻って私が新しく決めたことの1つは、家族のために馬を探すことでした。 実は、私は幼いころから馬にずっと魅了され続けてきたのです。自分でもどうしてかわからないのですが、多分それは、本能が求めたコミュニケーション、つまり、馬と触れることによって「野性の」パワーとつながりたかったのだと思います。エクアドルにいたときにも、パチャとヤニが私たちの馬（シャンティ）と同じ生きものとして交流しているのを見て、祝福の気持ちでいっぱいになりました。そのときの体験は、子どもたちが自然との信頼関係を深める（ディープ・トラスト）きっかけとなったと思います。
今、窓から外を眺めると、美しい野性の馬オリーが見えます。私たちの家の近くにあるガイフォークス国立公園(http://www.guyfawkesheritagehorse.com/)から連れ去られ、処分されようとしていたのを譲ってもらいました。毎日、私たちはオリーとの散歩が待ち遠しくてたまりません。森林の中や雨の中、日光、おいしい空気。彼は私たちにとても多くのことーー敬うこと、慈しむこと、理解すること、「群れる」こと(優しく、謙虚に、社会と相互に関わり合うこと)、さらに責任やケアの精神について、私たちに教えてくれます。
オリーは私たちにとって特別な生きもの。凛として、やさしくて、安らかで、広い心で接してくれます。パチャとヤニはもちろん、 近所の子どもたちも愉しませてくれます。オリーをなでたり、ブラッシングしたり、彼にまたがって森へ出かけたりすることによって、子どもたちは生きものと「つながり」を持つことができるのです。
また、彼は日常の小さなストレスに対する素晴らしい解毒剤、いわば私たちの生活‘療法でもあります。私の小さなストレスというのは、morinokoeキャンペーンで忙しかったり（www.morinokoe.comを見てください）、どうすればより効果的にインターネットを使用できるかを研究したり（ウェブページ等www.anjalight.orgを見てください）、定収入を得る方法を探したり（まだとってもスローだけど！）、PTA会長に再選されコミュニティをサポートしたり、家づくりを続けたり・・・と言ったことです。
家を建てること。それは、私にとって、最高の「癒し」であり、見た目にも生産的な活動です。今、上の階には断熱材を敷き、パチャのすてきな部屋も完成しました。 新しい台所もできたので、みなさんが我が家を訪れたら、ゆったりくつろぐことができるでしょう。敷地内にフェンスを作ったので、週末を馬と共に過ごすこともできます。
最近オーストラリアのメディアが、この低価格で持続可能な住宅プロジェクトに関心を寄せ、記事としてオーストラリアの大衆雑誌に掲載されました。この記事に感動した読者たちから「自分たちもこんなエコハウスを建てたい！」という投稿があったと聞きました。
持続可能で幸せな生活をどう実現していくのか。具体的なアイデアや解決策への関心にはまだまだ個人差があるようです。理論や哲学はもちろん重要です。けれど行動しなくっちゃ！みなさんはどんな風に取り組んでいますか？
もちろん、私たちも今のライフスタイルに辿りつくまでには長い道のりがありました。もしかしたら、このスローで、スモールで、シンプルなライフスタイルが、これから多くの人たちにより魅力的に映っていくのかもしれませんね。 自然の中で、いのちを祝福しながら、自由に暮らしていく。私たちにとって、これ以上に素晴らしいことはありません。
【翻訳：田中みのり】
4/21
I think I get the prize for the slowest blog. My life has been so fast over
the past 4 months that sitting down to share reflections just hasn't
happened! My apologies if you have been waiting for some word about our
latest slow life adventures. Here, finally, is an update.
The visit to Japan last December involved a long, deep conversation with
Keibo ・one that is forming the basis of a new book to be published this
May: Slow and Deep Ecology. Our discussion, over several days, revealed
thoughts and feelings and memories I hadn't visited for a long time. It
clarified, one again, who I was and why I am here ・and it brought new
realisations and resolutions for the future.
One of the things I decided was to look for a horse for our family. From my
early childhood I have been quite obsessed with horses, I'm not sure why--
perhaps that sense of communication by instinct, that connection to the
power of Child's nature a horse can bring. During our time in Ecuador, I
watched and celebrated the link that Pacha and Yani had with our horse
(Shanti) there ・that I think helped them deepen their trust and connection
with nature.
Now, from my window, I look out to a beautiful brumby (wild horse), Ollie,
rescued from slaughter by being taken out of the Guy Fawkes National Park,
which is near where we live (http://www.guyfawkesheritagehorse.com/).
Everyday
we have a wonderful added reason to be outside, in the forest, in the rain,
in the sunshine, in the fresh air. He teaches us so much: respect,
compassion an understanding of a "Herd" instinct (gentle, humble and
socially interactive) and a sense of responsibility and care. He is an
exceptional creature, solid, gentle and stable, with a big heart. Not only
have Pacha and Yani been enjoying every moment they spend with him, many
children in the neighbourhood have been able to 祖onnect・with him,
stroking, brushing or riding in the forest.
He is also a wonderful antidote to every day little stresses. ・our living
Therapy・ I've been busy with the morinokoe campaign (see・
www.morinokoe.com) , studying how to use the internet more effectively (web
pages etc, see www.anjalight.org), finding a way to get a regular income
(still very slow!!), supporting the local school as the re-elected President
of the Parent and Teachers Association and in continuing the building of our
house.
Building the house is by far the most therapeutic and visibly productive
activity. Now upstairs has insulation and Pacha has her own lovely room. The
new kitchen is complete and people can have a very comfortable stay here
when they visit. I built a fence so our horse can stay here with us on
weekends.
There has been some interest by media in Australia in this low cost,
sustainable housing project, with an article in one of the most popular
magazines here recently. I heard that people have written in to the magazine
saying it was one of the most inspiring stories and they also want to build
their own eco-house.
There seems to be a building wave of interest in practical ideas and
solutions about how actually to live a sustainable, happy life. Theories
and philosophies are important, but how do you actually do it? While we
still have a long way to go here, perhaps our slow, small, simple lifestyle
will become more attractive to everyday people. For us, it is a truly
wonderful existence; living in nature and living in freedom; celebrating
Life.
2009-12-07
12/9
9th December, 2009
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well. Thanks for your support for our ‘slohas’ tour
last year. I’d like to let you know I will be visiting Japan again next week
and hope you can let your friends and networks know. You can find more
information about my schedule at http://www.sloth.gr.jp/top/top.html
During this short visit, the Sloth Club, Keke the Koala (
http://keke.sblo.jp/ ) and I will be launching ‘morinokoe’ - a movement to
protect the worlds remaining native forests.
Twenty years ago, I first visited Japan. I was following the trees being
cut down in Sarawak, Borneo. I quickly realised that most people in Japan
did not really understand or think about where the products they were using
every day came from. Most people were so busy just trying to live.
Ten years ago, we started the Sloth Club. We wanted to make it fun and
enjoyable, empowering and inspiring to be involved in the environment
movement. We encouraged people to consume less and enjoy life more. And
there are many positive changes, as more and more people are feeling
empowered enough to find true happiness without destroying life.
But the world’s last native forests are still being cut down and we’re
probably the last generation that can save them. In the case of Australia,
almost all the trees are turned into woodchips sent to Japan to make paper
products like tissues, toilet paper and office paper. So we are asking for
your help to use less paper and to ask paper companies to please import only
woodchips from plantations. After the 20th December, please check out
www.morinokoe.com to find out more.
Pacha, Yani and I live in Australia now (
http://anjaslowmotherdiary.blogspot.com/) in our ‘slohas’ house (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ2fgaz5se8), but my heart (like yours) is
beating for the whole Earth. It is challenging time and an exciting time.
People are hungry for positive solutions - models of a lifestyle that is
gentle to the Earth and is full of joy and happiness. We are creating new
cultures together by having the courage to face the truth of the global
crisis.
I look forward to staying in contact with you,
For Life,
Anja Light
PS. If you do twitter, you may have fun following "kekethesloth".
2009-11-28
11/27
November 2009
My head and heart are bursting - I’m on the rollercoaster of campaigning
again and its not very slow. Over the past few months, I’ve done less house
building and put more energy into trying to protect our native forests. It’s
a familiar feeling, after 20 years of campaigning, with lots of highs and
lows. It’s empowering and frustrating at the same time, and I am so lucky to
have my children, a beautiful place to live and my garden to bring me back
down to Earth when it all seems too much to bear.
The great news is that our house is almost complete. The composting toilet
is running well (no smell) and the solar panels on the roof produce more
electricity than we use in the house. Our garden is feeding many native
animals (possums, kangaroos, bandicoots) – and even we get some of the
produce from it! There are many projects for the New Year, including a
pirate ship treehouse and chicken coop (anyone want to come and help me
build it?!). I’ve had some wonderful Sloth visitors (Tomoko, Hikaru, Kai and
Sara) recently and we fantasize about future projects here: miso making,
straw bale constructions, a forest rotenburo – really, we can do anything!
(Actually Hikaru even made a great little video about the house construction
so far – here’s the link: )
Pacha and Yani love their little school and they are progressing well,
despite their unusual life experiences! I had an enjoyable time as the
President of the P and C Association this year being able to set up the
school food gardens, and sharing many ideas about alternative approaches to
education. The children absolutely love the garden and we have shared some
of the vegies. We cut up and shared one perfect organic tomato into 17
pieces for every class member, yummm! We were also able to feature the food
gardens in our little action to support the 350 climate change campaign –
growing our own vegies is such a practical and life-enhancing response to
the climate crisis.
In October, Pacha, Yani and I travelled to Tasmania and to Australia’s South
East to visit the forests being cut down to be sent to Japan as woodchips. I
went back to the magnificent forests I visited last year and saw that they
have now been smashed to produce tissues, toilet paper and office paper. We
were all very sad, but determined to do something positive and we feel very
lucky that we can offer to share this message in Japan. Please help us with
our campaign and check in with the Sloth Club to find out more. I’m
including some photos of our journey and you can see Yani talking about
forests on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ZYG3Miork Actually,
I have been trying to learn more about video editing and youtube and am
starting to get a few more clips on line. You might also want to check out
the movie we have about El Milagro in Ecaudor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67f0QBUOkBE
The Australian forest Japan consumer campaign and the 10th anniversary of
the Sloth Club is bringing me back to Japan in less than 2 weeks! It is very
exciting, the campaign will be fun and light-hearted and I look so much
forward to meeting my Sloth friends again! Looking forward to seeing you,
For Life, anja
My head and heart are bursting - I’m on the rollercoaster of campaigning
again and its not very slow. Over the past few months, I’ve done less house
building and put more energy into trying to protect our native forests. It’s
a familiar feeling, after 20 years of campaigning, with lots of highs and
lows. It’s empowering and frustrating at the same time, and I am so lucky to
have my children, a beautiful place to live and my garden to bring me back
down to Earth when it all seems too much to bear.
The great news is that our house is almost complete. The composting toilet
is running well (no smell) and the solar panels on the roof produce more
electricity than we use in the house. Our garden is feeding many native
animals (possums, kangaroos, bandicoots) – and even we get some of the
produce from it! There are many projects for the New Year, including a
pirate ship treehouse and chicken coop (anyone want to come and help me
build it?!). I’ve had some wonderful Sloth visitors (Tomoko, Hikaru, Kai and
Sara) recently and we fantasize about future projects here: miso making,
straw bale constructions, a forest rotenburo – really, we can do anything!
(Actually Hikaru even made a great little video about the house construction
so far – here’s the link: )
Pacha and Yani love their little school and they are progressing well,
despite their unusual life experiences! I had an enjoyable time as the
President of the P and C Association this year being able to set up the
school food gardens, and sharing many ideas about alternative approaches to
education. The children absolutely love the garden and we have shared some
of the vegies. We cut up and shared one perfect organic tomato into 17
pieces for every class member, yummm! We were also able to feature the food
gardens in our little action to support the 350 climate change campaign –
growing our own vegies is such a practical and life-enhancing response to
the climate crisis.
In October, Pacha, Yani and I travelled to Tasmania and to Australia’s South
East to visit the forests being cut down to be sent to Japan as woodchips. I
went back to the magnificent forests I visited last year and saw that they
have now been smashed to produce tissues, toilet paper and office paper. We
were all very sad, but determined to do something positive and we feel very
lucky that we can offer to share this message in Japan. Please help us with
our campaign and check in with the Sloth Club to find out more. I’m
including some photos of our journey and you can see Yani talking about
forests on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ZYG3Miork Actually,
I have been trying to learn more about video editing and youtube and am
starting to get a few more clips on line. You might also want to check out
the movie we have about El Milagro in Ecaudor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67f0QBUOkBE
The Australian forest Japan consumer campaign and the 10th anniversary of
the Sloth Club is bringing me back to Japan in less than 2 weeks! It is very
exciting, the campaign will be fun and light-hearted and I look so much
forward to meeting my Sloth friends again! Looking forward to seeing you,
For Life, anja
2009-05-21
5/21
The rain is causing a percussive symphony on the shed roof, the wind adding whining and roaring in the background. In the spaces where there is stillness, the crashing of the waves in the ocean fills the air. It is a perfect reason to sit here with a cup of dandelion tea and catch up with some story telling about our adventures in Woombah.
Over the past month there has been a lot of activity here. Taka has been helping us as a WWOOFer and we have been visited by Hiroko (from Yakushima and Tasmania) and Misako and daughter 3 year old Hanaka.
It’s kind of embarrassing to say that the building project here is still going on and is taking so much time and will probably go on forever! Even though I am supposed to be a Sloth, I have deeply programmed conditioning to ‘achieve’ and ‘produce’ and ‘progress’. I make impossible deadlines to get building done using recycled materials, very little money and being highly creative dealing with the authorities and the regulations needed to be followed in this kind of project. There has been wonderful help from local handy people who give their skills and creative ideas for very little cost and let me do whatever I can to help.
Over the past month we have:
Travelled 20 hours by train to Ayr in north QLD to hold a garage sale that cleared out most of our belongings and check on our old house there, Continued with the permaculture plan in Woombah, putting together banana circles and swaling to help capture and direct the water flows on the land (Yani has been especially helpful in gardening and figuring out the best place for a pond).
Had a big cement tank delivered for the grey water system, Put in cedar shutters inside the house to be able to allow for airflow and light between rooms, Installed another louvre window, Created the framing and inner cladding for the bathroom (and found a nice deep tub to put in there), Picked up a big truckload of assorted bits and pieces of recycled materials (sliding doors, tiles, splashback, pavers, staircase stringers, doors, etc, etc) from the Gold Coast – a huge adventure (and not possible without the help of Taka).
Built a staircase to the mezzanine floor using metal stringers from the dump, hardwood treads from a local salvage timber yard and our own wattle trees for the handrails.
Set up a ‘dance floor’ area upstairs for Pacha and Yani in front of two huge wardrobe mirrors on the extra carpet our neighbour Mick gave us a couple of days ago.
Last week came the excellent news from the local council that I have had the
building approval for my design in converting this shed into a dwelling. I am now an official ‘owner-builder’ with the legal right to create a home made from things that find their way to the dumps and secondhand shops.
Though sometimes frustrating, it is also immensely satisfying to be doing things this way, creatively, originally, organically. The design moves and shifts depending on what I have been able to scrounge and scavange. Last week I saw a pile of thrown away building materials beside a new house construction. I timidly asked if I could recycle some of the material – no problem. On our fishing trip to the local beach, I picked up a few pieces of driftwood to make a towel rack.
As the weather cools down there is a little more urgency in putting in the insulation and interior cladding (and a bathtub!) – yet, the temperature is still so mild here (10 to 20 C), that we can really just put some extra layers of clothes on.
Pacha and Yani are coping wonderfully well with everything and are still enjoying school very much. The Iluka Public school is lucky to have some specially talented teachers and assistants, including their dance teacher, Mandy, who directed them in a prize winning dance competition last week. As the President of the P and C, I have not been able to do much yet, once our bathroom is done I hope to get onto the school gardens.
Yani changes his life ambition at least once per week. Last week, when our neighbours gave him a hand repaired fishing rod, he wanted to be a ‘fisher’, this week when there was a school presentation about cane toads, he wanted to be a wildlife ranger...
This past month was also about ‘visitors’. We are lucky to have friends who don’t mind a ‘simple life’. Both Taka (for a months), then Misako and Hanaka (for a few days), stayed in the caravan and I hope they were comfortable there. For Taka it was the first visit to Australia and the first experience of Wwoofing (willing workers on organic farms). He was great with Pacha and Yani and tried his best to adjust to a completely new lifestyle. I pushed him pretty hard to ask more questions and try to learn more about where he was and what he was doing. I realised that my childhood was probably much more ‘hands-on’ than a normal person in Japan where academic success is probably the most important achievement.
I remember looking at Taka after we had just spent 14 hours loading secondhand materials onto a truck, driving 4 hours in it, then unloading in the dark and the rain in Woombah and asking him ‘do you think your mother would ever do this?’ He answered: ‘I don’t think so’… Yes, I admit, our lives are a little bit out of the
ordinary…
One the day Taka left for the Jarlanbah permaculture community in Nimbin, Misako and 3 year old Hanaka arrived in Woombah. I think it was love at first sight with Hanaka to Pacha (and vice versa) – as the girls danced and sang and jumped all over the place. I will never forget the look of sheer joy and abandon as Hanaka ran down the beach at Shark Bay with Yani and Pacha – her spirit flying free! This is the feeling that connects us with Life – everyone should make the opportunity to do this whenever they can! I seriously think that Pacha could guide groups of young people from cities in Japan about how to ‘set their inner wild child free’!
We are very much looking forward to more visitors to nurture and be inspired by this part of the world.
For Life, anja, pacha and yani
2009-03-26
3/26
Dear Friends,
The sounds of nature around Pacha, Yani and I have changed. Kookaburra’s
laughter has replaced the shrieking of the Cock of the Rock in Intag,
Ecuador. The roaring of the river has changed to the sound of occasional
cars, playing kids and lawnmowers. The trees are taller and sleeker and not
covered by bromiliads and other epyphites. The smell is of eucalyptus and
clean, dry air - no longer the moist, rich air of the cloud forest.
Kangaroos replace horses and cows grazing on our front lawn. We miss our
raw, wild life in Ecuador, but life is much easier for us here in Australia.
We are still in the process of moving here permanently. I have been busy as
a builder, drawing up plans to convert the big shed into a house and
applying for permission from the local council. It has been a big learning
experience and again, very different from our lives in Ecuador where there
are far less rules! Hopefully within a month we will have permission to
build a bathroom and composting toilet that will make our lives here more
comfortable. (Luckily we are well trained in simplicity from our lives in
Ecuador!).
I have finally been able to connect onto the internet here in our
‘semi-house’ and am excited to be able to share this next stage of our life
adventure! Last year was wonderful, but exhausting, it seems like we have
been moving for years. I am trying to trace the fragments and people, my
global family, of the past 20 years, that have been scattered over many
countries and many places in those countries. I am longing to plant and
nurture the trees that the children will be able to pick fruit from in 10
years, in one place. It seems, right now, that Woombah, in northern NSW, is
that place.
It’s hard to imagine a place that is more like the paradise I grew up in on
the Gold Coast 37 years ago – river, ocean, forest, mangrove, rainforest,
sacred Aboriginal sites, small school, small community where people really
know each other and enough space to provide food for ourselves. Our
neighbours are kind and always helpful and we share seeds and plant
cuttings. We’re starting a local seed network and many people have joined
the call to put solar panels on their roof for electricity production. It’s
good…really good.
And Pacha and Yani seem very happy. They love going to school and, to my
surprise, don’t seem to be behind the other kids in schoolwork, despite not
having formal schooling for most of last year. I did a little bit of home
schooling in Ecuador, but it seems the excitement of travel and new
experiences and new languages has stimulated that part of their brain where
learning happens. It has confirmed to me that while formal school is
important, real learning happens in many different ways. The challenges of
the world that our children are growing up in makes new demands - of
adaptability, flexibility, creativity and knowing what ‘enough’ is. Pacha,
Yani and I learning and growing in this quest to find a happy, healthy life
in this changing world.
A big part of my happiness comes from being of service - and it seems that I
still can’t say ‘no’ to an active campaign. This month I ran for the Greens
in the state election for Queensland (I am still officially living there).
It’s always pretty tough, and we never have money to spend on the campaigns,
but I think it was worth it to offer a Green choice to voters on election
day. A highlight was running this campaign with my sister, Inge, who also
juggled her campaigning with her duties as a parent to 3 children. We did
well considering what we could put in, though generally people seem more and
more disconnected from politics - busier in their own lives, in despair that
there will ever be a real change. But society is changing – shouldn’t
politics reflect that? Maybe we just have to wait a little longer.
I didn’t win the state election for the Greens, though I was recently
elected President of the Parents and Citizen’s association of the Iluka
Public School! And, who knows, maybe this will have a more positive outcome
in the long run. I am so excited to work on establishing food gardens and
putting solar panels on the roof – there are so many ways that parents can
become involved in making school a place where children learn not only
reading and writing, but how to live. As always, the hardest part is
finding enough time to do it all!
Love to all, For Life, anja, pacha and yani.
2008-10-14
10/13和訳
世界経済の市場は危機的状態です。しかしいったいそれが何だというのでしょう？私がいる山深いコミュニティからはグァバの木や植林されたばかりの庭が見えます。そんな社会問題はとても遠くの出来事に感じられます。
ここでは、世界経済の混乱よりも地球温暖化の方がはるかに生活に直接的な打撃を及ぼします。気候変動は種まきや収穫を左右する大問題。今後変化していく可能性もありますが、インタグのコミュニティは、都会の消費依存型のコミュニティより、確実に生きるための本能的な知恵が豊かと言えるでしょう。
ここエル・ミラグロでの先週からの仕事といえば、種を植えることでした。一粒の種から百あるいは千もの種になり、それが私たちの食料になるだけでなく、地球に豊かさを取り戻すことを心に描きながら、植えていきます。
私たちのDNAの奥深くに刻まれた、本質的な「生きるための知恵」は、「経済成長神話」に依存してきた結果、失われつつあります。 「限りない成長」という経済至上主義が本質を乗っ取り、自然を迫害してしまった。でも、お金はただの紙切れなんです。アメリカの先住民たちは前から言っていました、「お金は食べられない」ということを。
インターネットをするために訪れたオタバロの町で、私はオバマとマケインのアメリカ大統領選挙演説を見ました。全体的にどちらの候補者も、地球の直面する問題への現実味のある新しい可能性や勇気のある決断を持っていなく、私は落胆してしまいました。
しかしながら、バラク・オバマ氏の一言が私の心に響きました。このように言っていたと思います； ９／１１以降ブッシュ政権は単純に民衆にこう言うだけでした。 すべて丸く収まるであろう。すべてのことにおいての責任を政府がとるのであるから、民衆はただひたすら「購入」し続けることでアメリカ経済を強くささえていればよいのだ、と。
問題に直面した国としての建設的な決断を下す絶好の機会が失われたときでした。裕福な国に住む人々は、ようやく自らの人生に意義をもたらすかもしれない犠牲を払う心の準備をととのえたかもしれませんが。このたった一つの望みのようなもの
が経済破綻という結末をもたらしたかもしれない、と私は考えるのです。
私たちのような裕福な国に生まれた人間には、もはやスローで、より小規模でシンプルに生きる事しか選択の余地はないのでしょうね。そんな今こそ自信を持って、私たちは手を取り合い地球の生態系を考慮した、持続可能な、お金にそんなに頼らない幸せな生活を営みましょう。
まず、とても基本的な事として実用レベルでの新しい生活習慣のためのお手本が必要になってきますので皆さんで地球への負担を出来るだけ軽くするためのアイデア、日々出来る事などなど話し合ってください。
SLOHASの時です！
それではエル・ミラグロへもどりましょう
２、３週間前私の大親友のナマケモノ倶楽部の世話人中村隆市さんが日本から新旧の素晴らしい友人たちをつれてエクアドルへAACRI （インタグ有機コーヒー生産者協会）の１０周年のお祝いをかねて訪問に来てくれました。わだあやさんがエクアドルの典型的な遅延状況にも関わらず、１０日間の滞在期間すべての手配と準備をしてくれました。
パチャとヤニと私は１０日間のすべての行程に参加しました。（皆さんの寛大さに感謝！）というのも出来る限りのお手伝いをしたかったし、友人たちとつながり分かち合えるチャンスだったからです。
皆さんが到着する前、ここエル・ミラグロでは新しくコーヒーの育つ森を育成するための区画を広げました。そして果実やコーヒーの苗木をみなさんが植えられるような準備を整えることに励みました。これは持続可能な発展のお手本としてのエル・ミラグロの展望を強く、新たなものにするべき素晴らしい機会となりました。
私自身ここを訪れたすべての人がエル・ミラグロの役割を良き思想の反映と、平和、静穏の場所であり、持続可能な生活習慣のお手本である事に気がついてくれていると感じます。というのも「本格的」なSLOHASは「現代社会」に戻ったときの持続可能な生活習慣への変換をラクにする手助けをしてくれるからです。
ここで生活していてとても楽しいと感じるもののなかに、イケる、イケてないそれぞれありますが、新しい食材や、植物、デザインを試すことに挑戦し続けているというのがあります。なぜそんな事をしているかというと、いつもここで育てている物を使おうと心がけているからなのです。
私は今日キャベツと青パパイヤのサラダを昼食に作りました（もちろん定番の豆と米も一緒）。これがとってもおいしかったんです！子供たちもおかわりに戻ってくるほどでした。こんな新発見をルイスや地元の人たちに教えることが、私の何よりの楽しみです。多分これは地球上どこでもつながりの深い小さなコミュニティでは同じだと思いますが、ほとんどの人が本来自分の行ってきた事をそのままやり続けているだけです。外の人間が入ってくるか自身で外に出て行くかしない限り何かが変わる事はありません。
パチャはどこに行っても敬愛に満ちて楽しそうに動物たちとの新しい接し方を試しています。今日は馬のシャンティが休んで横になっている所に一緒に座って、シャンティに一曲歌ってあげながら優しく頭をなでていました。その光景がどんなに美しかったか、教えていないのに自ら自然にふるまう彼女をどんなに誇りに思ったことでしょう。
ここでは馬たちは他の動物と同じく重い荷物を運んだり、人間に支配され労働を強いられています。それは仕方のない事なのですが、それでもすべての生き物を尊敬と愛情を持って接する方が素晴らしい生き方ではないでしょうか？
生と死はこちらではより身近な事です。日本の皆さんが滞在していた間に、川向いに住むロベルトとノルマ夫妻の幼い娘で、４歳のエメリーに悲しい事件が起きてしまいました。パチャとヤニとよく遊んでいた明るく美しい女の子、駆け回り、笑い、 滝で遊んでいました。２週間ほど前に、彼女はコタカチ近郊でタクシーにひき逃げされ命を奪われてしまいました。残された家族、プラザギテレスのコミュニティ、サンタ・ロサとプカラのコミュニティにとって深い悲しみとなりました。
パチャ、ヤニそして私は３人にとって人生初のお葬式で、家族や他の参列者たちと、かつて彼女が短い人生の中で遊んだ美しい森の風景を背に地中に沈んでいく姿に嘆きました。カトリックのお葬式では、私は、信仰というものは、誰でも知っている事をみなで一緒にすること、例えばみなで同じ歌を歌ったり同じ形式や儀式を行う事を通じて、 ショックに直面したときや死のトラウマ（心的外傷）から人々を精神的に救えるという重要な役わりを持つ事に気がつきました。
人間はこのような宗教的な儀式を必要としているのではないか、人間以上の存在の力を求めているのではないかと私は考えるのです。例えばお香や聖水を用いたりすることなど、宗教的な形を全く持たずにこのような儀式や慣習を行うことがはたしてできるのでしょうか？「私たちの信仰こそが唯一の神である」と主張したりせず、すべての信仰の根底にある真実を受け入れるべきではないでしょうか？このようなことこそ強いコミュニティを作る為の本質であり、人類として今立ち向かわなければならない大きな挑戦なのではないかと私には思えました。
地中深く棺が沈むその前、最後に一度だけ棺が開けられた時、ヤニは棺のそばにいました。彼女の姿がすっかり変わってしまったとヤニは言っていました。私たち人間は体から魂や精神が抜けてしまった事を感じ取ることができます。人は彼女は天使になったんだよとか、姿は見えないけれど時々は遊びにきてくれるよと言ったりします。
私たちは一緒に楽しく過ごした時を心に刻んで前を向かなければなりません。生きる事は過去の出来事よりもほんの少しだけ大切なものなのです。子供たちも道路は危ない場所にもなり得ること、そして死がこんなに近くに存在する事を前より理解してくれるでしょう。
日本とオーストラリアに行くまでの６週間の計画を立てている時点で、私たちのエル・ミラグロでの時間はもうそろそろ終わりに近づいてきました。私たちは今月（１０月中）海岸部とアマゾンを旅して、その後エル・ミラグロでの最後の数週間は新しい長期ボランティアのカリンにここでの生活に早くなれ親しんでもらうことと、コミュニティに彼女を紹介する手伝いをしたいと思っています。ボランティアの人たちの為の食物がたくさんこれから育って来年になる頃には収穫できるし、日本の「お風呂」（星や蛍を眺めながらお風呂につかれる日が待ち遠しい！）も作り始めています。どのくらいで帰れるか分かりませんが、健やかで新調されたような気持ちでエル・ミラグロを離れることはとっても気持ちがいいです。
いのちのために
アンニャ・ライト
2008-10-13
10/13
The world's financial markets are in crisis. What does that mean? From here, looking out at the guava trees and newly planted gardens, the distant community of Plaza Guiterez in the mountain above, the problem seems far away. To these communities the climate crisis has had a more direct impact than global economic chaos so far – predicting the weather is vital for sowing and harvesting crops. This, of course, may change – but the communities of Intag definitely know more about basic survival than our consumer dependent communities in the cities.
Over the past week most of our work here at El Milagro has been in planting seeds – knowing that one seed can produce not only food for us but produce hundreds or thousands more seeds to replenish the Earth. Perhaps this is what the 'great economy myth' has 'banked' on – suspecting that deep within our DNA is the knowledge that life is abundant, even seemingly infinite – so
it is easy to substitute the 'infinite growth' model of financial markets to our innate knowledge of the abundance of nature. But money is just paper. And as the native American prophecy fortells, we can't eat it.
On a brief visit to Otavalo for the internet, I watched a US Presidential debate between Obama and McCain. Overall it left me quite depressed – neither seemed to offer a real alternative or courageous response to the crisis our planet faces. Though one thing Barak Obama said struck me. He said something like this: that after 9/11 Bush basically told people that everything would be alright, the 'government' would take care of everything
and all they needed to do was to keep 'buying' to keep the American economy strong. An opportunity for a positive collective response to a crisis was lost. People in wealthy countries may finally be ready to make sacrifices - it may even give their lives more meaning. To me this is one great hope that may come of the financial crisis – we, in the rich countries, may have no
choice but to live slower, smaller and more simple lives. It's time to feel confident that together we can live more ecological, sustainable and happier lives without depending so much on money. On a very basic, practical level people need examples of new and alternative lifestyles – please share your ideas and inspiration and daily practices in living more lightly on the Earth. Its time for SLOHAS!
Anyway, back to El Milagro.
A couple of weeks ago our good friend and Sloth Club founder, Ryuichi Nakamura, brought a group of wonderful old and new friends from Japan to Ecuador to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the community coffee association in Intag - AACRI and to visit Intag. Aya Wada managed to organise a ten day visit despite the typical Ecuadorean changes and delays in preparing things. Pacha, Yani and I joined most of the tour (thanks for everyone's patience!) - hoping to help where we could and having the chance to share and connect with our friends.
Here at El Milagro we had a great incentive in getting everything in order before the group came to visit, preparing a new site to extend the agroforestry/coffee growing area, so participants could help plant some new coffee and fruit trees. It was a wonderful opportunity to reinforce and renew our vision for El Milagro as a model for sustainable development. I think most people who came could sense the role of El Milagro as a place for reflection, peace, tranquility and a place to practice a sustainable lifestyle – the 'hardcore' slohas that helps make it easier to make sustainable lifestyle changes when returning to 'civilization'.
One of the most enjoyable parts about living here has been trying new things; experimenting with new recipes, new plants, new designs – some work, some don't. Because we try always to use food that we have growing here - today I made a cabbage and green papaya salad for lunch (along with the usual beans and rice) – it worked very well! Even the kids came back for more helpings. I especially love sharing these new discoveries with Luis and other local visitors. Perhaps it is the same in all small, tight knit
communities, all around the Earth, but most people do things the way they have always done and until either they go outside of these boundaries, or someone comes in from the outside, things don't change.
Pacha has been demonstrating a new way to connect with animals everywhere she goes, respectful, loving, playful. Today she sat with her horse Shanti as he was lying down resting, composing a song to sing for him and stroking his head softly. How beautiful it was and how proud I feel for something I have not really taught her, but comes naturally from her own heart. Here horses are treated, like most animals, as beasts of burden, to be controlled
and forced by humans to work. That's fine – but isn't life more beautiful when we treat all living things with respect and love?
Life and death seem closer to us here. During the time the group visited from Japan, a terrible tragedy happened to a little girl, Emely, the daughter of Roberto and Norma who live on the other side of the river. Pacha and Yani would often play with this happy, beautiful 4 year old, running, laughing, playing at the waterfall. About 2 weeks ago she was killed by a hit and run taxi near Cotacachi. The grief of her family and the communities of Plaza Guiterrez, Santa Rosa and Pucara continues. Pacha, Yani and I went
to the funeral - the first one that any of us had been to in our lives, and cried with the family and many other mourners as her body was lowered into the Earth on the mountainside – with a view to the beautiful forests she had played in all her short life. It was a Catholic memorial service, and I recognised the important role that a collective spiritual belief has in helping people face the shock and trauma of death – everyone knew the same songs and phrases, the same rituals and forms – they knew what to do. I
think we have a need for rituals like this, invoking powers greater than us, using incense, holy water, earth…Can we create these ceremonies and rituals without the dogma of exclusive religion? Accepting the essential truths of all spiritual beliefs without claiming that 'ours is the only and true way to God'? It seems to me that something like this is essential in building strong communities in the great challenge we face as a human species right
now.
Yani was near the casket and before they lowered it into the earth they opened the lid one last time. Yani says she looked different. We can all sense when the soul, the spirit, Life has left the body. They both say she is an angel now and sometimes comes to play but we can't see her. We remember the joyful times we had together and try to keep positive. Life is that little more precious. The kids understand a little more how dangerous the roads can be and how quickly death can come.
Our time here at El Milagro is running out as we make our plans for the next 6 weeks before our return to Australia and Japan. We will travel to the coast and to the Amazon this month, then settle in for the last few weeks mostly at El Milagro, helping our new long term volunteer Karin get used to the place and introducing her to the communities here. There will be a lot of food growing here for volunteers, ready to harvest over the next year or so and we have started building the Japanese 'ofuro' (looking very much forward to a hot bath under the stars and fireflies!) It is a good feeling
to leave El Milagro refreshed and renewed for however long it will be before we return.
For Life,
Anja Light
2008-09-15
9/15
This message is powered by the sun! Yes, finally the solar panels are connected to the inverter and charging up the laptop. Like everything in Ecuador it took about three times longer than expected. And now that I have the computer here, ready to write, I find it so hard to stop doing the hundred other small but important tasks that keep El Milagro and our simple lives ticking along – picking coffee, harvesting peas, de-husking peas, washing clothes, making paths, planting, digging, pruning, cooking, helping the kids with school work, washing clothes (yes, again!), putting on roofs,
fixing toilet houses…there is never really 'nothing to do'. Yet most of the activities are somewhat like meditation – mundane and repetitive so that my mind to drift backwards and forwards in time, reflecting and then making plans and then being blissed by the sight of an incredible looking insect or bird.
It's interesting to look back on the first lists I made of things that needed to be done here and to watch as the priorities have changed. First I thought we would really need to put glass in all the windows where we sleep/live upstairs in the stone house. Then we had a morning visit by a beautiful hummingbird and at night the fireflies flash in different parts of the room – so the glass has remained packed in cardboard and we put an extra blanket on for the cool nights.
We did meet one important priority - replacing the sugarcane grass roof of the round house. Hooray – its finished! Between Luis and I and about 4 other occasional workers, over the course of about 4 weeks, we stripped off the old roof – to be used as mulch for the new gardens. In Australia sugar cane mulch is bought in the big hardware stores by aspiring city gardeners – here they would have burnt it if I had not stopped them and assured them that it would be good for the garden. It seems that summer has finally arrived –
more than a month late – and it will be good to keep more moisture around the new seedlings (brocoli, silverbeet, chili, tomato, coriander, parsley, white carrot) that we have recently planted out.
The unusually wet weather was the main topic of conversation by most of the people here for weeks. People had never remembered another time like it. It affected the flowering and harvest of important local crops including coffee, peas and beans. Local people commented on the impact of climate change – and I bristled at the knowledge that this problem, caused by us rich consumers in the energy wasting 'developed' countries, means suffering for the poorest of the poor. We can go out and buy our food, while people
here have less choice, if the harvest fails because of too much rain, they don't have enough product to sell and they have less to eat.
Everyday we are reminded that we are truly in one of the most beautiful parts on the planet. Pacha and Yani are always discovering new bugs which they bring to me in glee. The sight of a big spider (even in the house) is not cause for alarm but an exclamation of surprise and joy. We have seen a few snakes, including a big false coral snake, resplendent in orange, red
and black and a small black snake that Pacha brought to me wrapped around a stick. I guess she thought that my directive never to touch a snake didn't apply to snakes less than a meter in length!
Anyway, it didn't seem to be dangerous and we quickly put it back where we found it. We have seen the famous cock of the rock bird near the river, flashing red in the trees. We watch the squirrels in the trees sharing the hundreds of guavas with us and our horse Shanti. Yesterday morning we saw what must have been an opossum
ambling along the newly laid stone path. And about a week ago Pacha saved a baby duckling at the river side. Its mother (or father) was a beautiful orange and grey blue colour and turns out to be very rare here. A dog (puppy really and very cute that the kids named ´fluffy´) that had been following us to our regular swim in the river ran ahead and grabbed the duckling in its mouth, Pacha wrestled it out. We tied up the dog (with my Thai pants which promptly broke as the dog eventually struggled free) and put the
duckling back by the stream, observing from a distance as its parent came back…
Pacha and Yani have both been practising their riding skills on Shanti everyday. Despite being a fullblooded stallion, Shanti follows Pacha around like a dog and waits every morning at the gate in the paddock for Pacha to bring him a bucket of guavas that have fallen during the night. Local people here have never seen horses that get brushed daily and cuddled and kissed…but then, they also do not expect stallions to be so placid with small children. This morning we saw Shanti do a hilarious thing. He stood outside the round house where there is a large window and he can see his own
reflection. He started neighing and whinnying and trying to nip the window – I guess Shanti sometimes feels lonely here with only ocassional visits of other horses for company.
During the past month we have also been able to meet up with many old cherished friends from Intag. A few weeks ago we got a lift with our neighbour Carlos Zorilla and a car load of other neighbours to the hotsprings at Nangulvi (about 30 mins away by car) . The occasion was an agro-ecology fair (organised by the 'consortio' made up of DECOIN, AACRI and the Women's association) that reminded me strongly of the expos we had
organised in Cotacachi.
About 50 stalls with information, ecological products and delicious food, talks, local musicians and of course the hotsprings. Pacha and Yani spend 3 hours in the water while I met many old friends from the past. So many wonderful new initiatives have been happening here, despite (or because of?) the threat of mining. It has been hard for many people, yet I felt a sense of real optimism and solidity about the initiatives.
Projects like the coffee and kabuya handicrafts have proved to be a real success and there are a range of new initiatives that mean more diversity in the potential to provide a sustainable income and healthier lifestyle. It was a great fair, though too expensive for many local people to participate ($2 per person when a daily wage is only about $7 per day) and it was hard to reach the fair without your own transport (only a few overloaded buses travel the road each day).
After Pacha and Yani could finally be coaxed out of the water we ate lunch served on non disposable plates – a real reflection of commitment to minimising environmental impact, pretty unusual in Ecuador.
Every two weeks or so we have made the 1 hour walk and 2 hour journey by bus on the dirt road to the market town of Otavalo. We book a room at a cheap but clean hostel, where we shed the sweaty muddy clothes and shoes, soak in a steaming hot shower and where the kids watch discovery kids in Spanish (one of the best ways they have been able to pick up some of the language) while I work on the first floor in the internet café, reconnecting with the world.
We emerge to have $1 pizza at the restaurant on the corner and the
kids start to beg me for the multitude of temptations we have not seen in the cloud forest – ice cream, lollies, toys, hair clips, shoes, gloves…and I remember why it is so very peaceful in El Milagro!
Sept.21
I'm finishing this up as the kids are sleeping here in Otavalo. For most of the past week one of us (Pacha, Yani or I ) have been running a fever – some kind of nasty flu. I made the decision to take the kids out to Otavalo in case any of us got any worse and we needed medical attention. I ended up taking Pacha to see the doctor as her fever entered a 5th day.
Normally I see a fever as a good sign that the body is defending itself, but Pacha just doesn't have the energy to spare. A couple of earlier rounds of diarrohea have left her underweight, So for the next couple of months my main focus will be on nourishing my children. And that's how it seems to go for us in Ecuador – a pendulum swing of wonderful, life enhancing experiences, then a sense of fear and vulnerability. We will make it, but it is sometimes tough to live a hardcore slohas life!
2008-08-25
8/21和訳
パチャ、ヤニとともに、エル・ミラグロの霧雲森からコタカチのインターネットカフェへと出てきました。エクアドルでの各プロジェクトについて近況をお伝えしたいと思います！
●ロス・セドロス生態保護区
ロス・セドロスを拠点に雲霧林の保護活動に取り組む写真家、マレー・クーパーや彼の家族と一緒に過ごし、プロジェクトの近況を聞くことができました。
相変わらず境界線争いが最大の問題ではありますが、プロジェクトはそれなりに順調に進んでいるようです。ただボランティアたちがとても大変そうです。一番近い村までプロジェクト地まで６時間は歩かなくてはならないのですから。
今でも是非様子を見に行きたいのですが、プロジェクトリーダーのホセ・デ・クーからいつ都合がいいのか等の連絡がありません。
マレーは鳥の素晴らしい写真集を最近出版しました。相変わらず積極的に動き回っています。日本やオーストラリアの皆さんによろしくお伝えくださいとのことです。
●エスメラルダス州、オルメド、サン・ロレンソ
パチャ、ヤニの父親であるマルセロは、現在パトリシオ・タマリスとエクアドル沿岸地域のコミュニティ/持続可能/エコツーリズムを目的とした活動を行っており、最近エスメラルダスに出向いたそうです。
マルセロが言うには、サン・ロレンソのマドレ・セルバはまるで見捨てられてしまったかのようだそうです。ＲＩＣ（熱帯雨林情報センター）のジョンとルスが、一体この地に何が起こったのかを知るべく情報収集中です。私がここにいる間、このプロジェクトに関して何かやってほしいことがあれば知らせてください。
また、マルセロは、エクアドルが誇るマリンバ奏者で、かつてナマケモノ倶楽部の招きで来日も果たしたパパ・ロンコンを探そうとしていますが、見つからないようです。しかしながら、カルロス・ルビオには会ったようです。みなさんによろしくとのことです。
察するに、ルース・デル・アルバはもうそこにはいないのではないかと思われます。オルメドでのツーリズムロジェクトも継続しているのか確かではありません。別の基金をもとに立ち上げようとしているプロジェクトがもう一つあります。
マルセロは、ナマケモノ倶楽部発足前夜、１９９９年２月にみなで訪れたパトリシオ・タンバコにも会うことができなかったそうです。タンバコ農場は完全に閉鎖されていたとのことです。
彼が言うには、最長のマングローブの木々が、近くのエビ養殖場建設のせいで枯れてしまったとのことです。とても悲しいニュースですが私たちにはもうこれ以上何もできないのが現状です。
●セロ・セコ、バイーア・デ・カラケス、リオ・ムチャーチョ
以前にも報告したとおり、ニコラ、パトリシオ・タマリス、フロール・マリア、プラネット・ドラム・ファンデーション、マルセロといった人たちは、それぞれのプロジェクトを継続していますし、エクアドルの他地域に比べてもバイーア地区は比較的環境意識の高いところでもあります。
エコシティとしての１０周年記念やマングローブディ（２００９年２月）も近づいています。このような機会にエコアクションが盛り上がるよい機会かもしれません。
セロ・セコ保護区は動いていて、ボランティアも募集中です。今では地方の自治体と組んでエコツールズムプロジェクトや環境教育を進めています。ベラ・ビスタ近くのコミュニティでは、ごみの分別とコミュニティ運営の素晴らしさで賞をとりました。
リオ・ムチャーチョにも行ってきました。いろいろなことが順調に進んでいるようでした。庭も広くなって、ワークショップもたくさん行われていて、ボランティアもたくさん来ています。学校の運営も変わらず順調です。（ナマケモノ倶楽部やその他支援してくださった方々のおかげです。きっとアミからもっと情報が来るでしょう）
●エル・ミラグロ、プカラ、インタグ
エル・ミラグロでは、ここ数週間、ラウンドハウスのサトウキビの葉をつかった屋根葺き替えに力を入れています。 日本から２人、インドから１７歳のボランティアが現在滞在しています。
１１月からの長期ボランティアを希望しているドイツ人のカリンともメールを通じて話し合っています。将来の提携についても、エコビレッジプロジェクトのピーター・シアーと連絡を取っているところです。その他、プカラでアミとパートナー渡辺さんの助けを借りて、大豆のワークショップを企画しています。
地元の人たちは天候に不安を感じています。本来は暖かい乾期なはずなのに、ずっと雨が降っているからです。豆類には乾期が必要です。それに乾期はコーヒー豆を乾かすのにもとても大切です。実際は、雨が多すぎてどちらも不作です。
先週、コタカチでアウキ知事夫人のアルカマリに会いました。地元学校での英語教師採用の面接のお手伝いをしてきたのです。オルタナティブスクールをめざし、コタカチ郡が行政としていろいろな点で協力してくれているようですが、私としては
込み入った事情もよくわかります。
９０年代にエクアドルに関わってから、今までずっと見てきて、インタグは、コミュニティ機能や環境意識が、コタカチ郡のどの地域よりも高いと感じています。ＮＧＯによる自発的な活動が多く見られますし、進化し続ける地元インタグ新聞やラジオ放送が、一般市民への環境意識を高めるのに大きく影響しているように思われます。
いのちのために
アンニャ、パチャ、ヤニ
【翻訳：中島由美子】
●ロス・セドロス生態保護区
ロス・セドロスを拠点に雲霧林の保護活動に取り組む写真家、マレー・クーパーや彼の家族と一緒に過ごし、プロジェクトの近況を聞くことができました。
相変わらず境界線争いが最大の問題ではありますが、プロジェクトはそれなりに順調に進んでいるようです。ただボランティアたちがとても大変そうです。一番近い村までプロジェクト地まで６時間は歩かなくてはならないのですから。
今でも是非様子を見に行きたいのですが、プロジェクトリーダーのホセ・デ・クーからいつ都合がいいのか等の連絡がありません。
マレーは鳥の素晴らしい写真集を最近出版しました。相変わらず積極的に動き回っています。日本やオーストラリアの皆さんによろしくお伝えくださいとのことです。
●エスメラルダス州、オルメド、サン・ロレンソ
パチャ、ヤニの父親であるマルセロは、現在パトリシオ・タマリスとエクアドル沿岸地域のコミュニティ/持続可能/エコツーリズムを目的とした活動を行っており、最近エスメラルダスに出向いたそうです。
マルセロが言うには、サン・ロレンソのマドレ・セルバはまるで見捨てられてしまったかのようだそうです。ＲＩＣ（熱帯雨林情報センター）のジョンとルスが、一体この地に何が起こったのかを知るべく情報収集中です。私がここにいる間、このプロジェクトに関して何かやってほしいことがあれば知らせてください。
また、マルセロは、エクアドルが誇るマリンバ奏者で、かつてナマケモノ倶楽部の招きで来日も果たしたパパ・ロンコンを探そうとしていますが、見つからないようです。しかしながら、カルロス・ルビオには会ったようです。みなさんによろしくとのことです。
察するに、ルース・デル・アルバはもうそこにはいないのではないかと思われます。オルメドでのツーリズムロジェクトも継続しているのか確かではありません。別の基金をもとに立ち上げようとしているプロジェクトがもう一つあります。
マルセロは、ナマケモノ倶楽部発足前夜、１９９９年２月にみなで訪れたパトリシオ・タンバコにも会うことができなかったそうです。タンバコ農場は完全に閉鎖されていたとのことです。
彼が言うには、最長のマングローブの木々が、近くのエビ養殖場建設のせいで枯れてしまったとのことです。とても悲しいニュースですが私たちにはもうこれ以上何もできないのが現状です。
●セロ・セコ、バイーア・デ・カラケス、リオ・ムチャーチョ
以前にも報告したとおり、ニコラ、パトリシオ・タマリス、フロール・マリア、プラネット・ドラム・ファンデーション、マルセロといった人たちは、それぞれのプロジェクトを継続していますし、エクアドルの他地域に比べてもバイーア地区は比較的環境意識の高いところでもあります。
エコシティとしての１０周年記念やマングローブディ（２００９年２月）も近づいています。このような機会にエコアクションが盛り上がるよい機会かもしれません。
セロ・セコ保護区は動いていて、ボランティアも募集中です。今では地方の自治体と組んでエコツールズムプロジェクトや環境教育を進めています。ベラ・ビスタ近くのコミュニティでは、ごみの分別とコミュニティ運営の素晴らしさで賞をとりました。
リオ・ムチャーチョにも行ってきました。いろいろなことが順調に進んでいるようでした。庭も広くなって、ワークショップもたくさん行われていて、ボランティアもたくさん来ています。学校の運営も変わらず順調です。（ナマケモノ倶楽部やその他支援してくださった方々のおかげです。きっとアミからもっと情報が来るでしょう）
●エル・ミラグロ、プカラ、インタグ
エル・ミラグロでは、ここ数週間、ラウンドハウスのサトウキビの葉をつかった屋根葺き替えに力を入れています。 日本から２人、インドから１７歳のボランティアが現在滞在しています。
１１月からの長期ボランティアを希望しているドイツ人のカリンともメールを通じて話し合っています。将来の提携についても、エコビレッジプロジェクトのピーター・シアーと連絡を取っているところです。その他、プカラでアミとパートナー渡辺さんの助けを借りて、大豆のワークショップを企画しています。
地元の人たちは天候に不安を感じています。本来は暖かい乾期なはずなのに、ずっと雨が降っているからです。豆類には乾期が必要です。それに乾期はコーヒー豆を乾かすのにもとても大切です。実際は、雨が多すぎてどちらも不作です。
先週、コタカチでアウキ知事夫人のアルカマリに会いました。地元学校での英語教師採用の面接のお手伝いをしてきたのです。オルタナティブスクールをめざし、コタカチ郡が行政としていろいろな点で協力してくれているようですが、私としては
込み入った事情もよくわかります。
９０年代にエクアドルに関わってから、今までずっと見てきて、インタグは、コミュニティ機能や環境意識が、コタカチ郡のどの地域よりも高いと感じています。ＮＧＯによる自発的な活動が多く見られますし、進化し続ける地元インタグ新聞やラジオ放送が、一般市民への環境意識を高めるのに大きく影響しているように思われます。
いのちのために
アンニャ、パチャ、ヤニ
【翻訳：中島由美子】
2008-08-21
8/21
Pacha, Yani and I have just emerged from the cloud forest once again and will be in communication with the world for the next 30 hours before returning to El Milagro - so here´s a quick update about a few of our mutual projects in Ecuador.
Los Cedros Biological Reserve :
I stayed with Murray Cooper and his family recently and at least had a bit of an update about Los Cedros. It seems that things are going reasonably well there, though the biggest issue is still with boundary protection. It seems that volunteers have a hard time sticking with things up there (which I can understand - 6 hours walk from the nearest village is a pretty remote location. I would still like to go and visit but haven´t heard from Jose De Coux when and how would best suit. I´ll let you know (John and Ruth) when
things become clearer.
Murray has recently published an amazing book of photographs of birds and is as positive and active as always - he sends his warmest regards to all his friends from Japan and Australia.
Esmeraldas, Olmedo, San Lorenzo.
Marcelo is now working with Patricio Tamariz on community/sustainable/eco tourism initiatives for the coast of Ecuador and recently travelled to this area. He reports that Madre Selva in San Lorenzo looks abandoned. John and Ruth have you kept in any contact with Martha Mondragon (I heard she is in the USA) to see what has happened with the deeds to this land? If there is anything you would like me to try to do with this project while I am here - please let me know.
Marcelo tried to find Papa Roncon but couldn´t find him but did meet Carlos Rubio who sends his greetings to all. It seems that Luz De Alba no longer lives in the area and I´m not sure if the tourism project in Olmedo is continuing. There is another one started up with assistance from a different foundation. Marcelo couldn´t find Patricio Tumbaco at his farm near Olmedo and it looked all boarded up. He says one of the tallest mangrove trees has died due to the construction of a shrimp farm nearby. It´s sad news to hear...we just couldn´t do anything more with this and all the other projects...
Cerro Seco/Bahia/Rio Muchacho
As I have mentioned, people like Nicola, Patricio, Flor Maria, Planet Drum and Marcelo have continued on their respective projects and there is still a higher eco-awareness in Bahia compared to other parts of Ecuador. It is coming up to the 10th anniversary of the Eo-city and Mangrove day (Feb 2009) - and this may be a good opportunity to encourage more eco-action here. The Cerro Seco reserve still exists, is still welcoming volunteers, is collaborating with the local municipality on eco-tourism projects and environmental education and the nearby comunity of Bella Vista have won some prizes for separation of rubbish and as a well managed community. I visited Rio Muchacho and things look excellent there, the gardens have expanded, there are many workshops and volunteers and the environmental school is still running well (thanks to support from the Sloth Club and others) (I am sure you will hear more soon from Ami!).
El Milagro/Pucara/Intag
Over the past few weeks the main project at El Milagro has been replacing the sugar cane grass roof on the round house. We have had 2 volunteers from Japan and a 17 year old volunteer from India is currently at the site. I am in communication with Karin about long term volunteering from November and am also in contact with Peter Shear from the eco-village project about cooperation for the future.
I am also trying to organise a soya workshop in Pucara with the help of Ami and Watanabe-san. Local people are very concerned about the weather, with rain continuing instead of the warm dry
months that should be here. They need dry weather for their bean and pea crops to dry to be able to harvest - and it is also important for drying the coffee harvest (which has been poor also due to too much rain)...
I met with Alcamari (Mayor Auki´s wife) last week in Cotacachi and helped her with interviews for English teachers for Las Lomas school. I believe the municipal government is participating in some way to make this an alternative school of some kind...but I´m really sure about the intricacies.
From what I have seen so far I believe Intag is more advanced than the town of Cotacachi in terms of community and environmental awareness. There are many positive initiatives being promoted by a range of foundations and NGOs and largely due to the progressive Intag newspaper and the local radio, it seems that in general people are more aware of environmental issues.
I´ll get back to the kids now - but will try to get back online before leaving Otavalo on Friday morning.
Love to all,
For Life, anja
Los Cedros Biological Reserve :
I stayed with Murray Cooper and his family recently and at least had a bit of an update about Los Cedros. It seems that things are going reasonably well there, though the biggest issue is still with boundary protection. It seems that volunteers have a hard time sticking with things up there (which I can understand - 6 hours walk from the nearest village is a pretty remote location. I would still like to go and visit but haven´t heard from Jose De Coux when and how would best suit. I´ll let you know (John and Ruth) when
things become clearer.
Murray has recently published an amazing book of photographs of birds and is as positive and active as always - he sends his warmest regards to all his friends from Japan and Australia.
Esmeraldas, Olmedo, San Lorenzo.
Marcelo is now working with Patricio Tamariz on community/sustainable/eco tourism initiatives for the coast of Ecuador and recently travelled to this area. He reports that Madre Selva in San Lorenzo looks abandoned. John and Ruth have you kept in any contact with Martha Mondragon (I heard she is in the USA) to see what has happened with the deeds to this land? If there is anything you would like me to try to do with this project while I am here - please let me know.
Marcelo tried to find Papa Roncon but couldn´t find him but did meet Carlos Rubio who sends his greetings to all. It seems that Luz De Alba no longer lives in the area and I´m not sure if the tourism project in Olmedo is continuing. There is another one started up with assistance from a different foundation. Marcelo couldn´t find Patricio Tumbaco at his farm near Olmedo and it looked all boarded up. He says one of the tallest mangrove trees has died due to the construction of a shrimp farm nearby. It´s sad news to hear...we just couldn´t do anything more with this and all the other projects...
Cerro Seco/Bahia/Rio Muchacho
As I have mentioned, people like Nicola, Patricio, Flor Maria, Planet Drum and Marcelo have continued on their respective projects and there is still a higher eco-awareness in Bahia compared to other parts of Ecuador. It is coming up to the 10th anniversary of the Eo-city and Mangrove day (Feb 2009) - and this may be a good opportunity to encourage more eco-action here. The Cerro Seco reserve still exists, is still welcoming volunteers, is collaborating with the local municipality on eco-tourism projects and environmental education and the nearby comunity of Bella Vista have won some prizes for separation of rubbish and as a well managed community. I visited Rio Muchacho and things look excellent there, the gardens have expanded, there are many workshops and volunteers and the environmental school is still running well (thanks to support from the Sloth Club and others) (I am sure you will hear more soon from Ami!).
El Milagro/Pucara/Intag
Over the past few weeks the main project at El Milagro has been replacing the sugar cane grass roof on the round house. We have had 2 volunteers from Japan and a 17 year old volunteer from India is currently at the site. I am in communication with Karin about long term volunteering from November and am also in contact with Peter Shear from the eco-village project about cooperation for the future.
I am also trying to organise a soya workshop in Pucara with the help of Ami and Watanabe-san. Local people are very concerned about the weather, with rain continuing instead of the warm dry
months that should be here. They need dry weather for their bean and pea crops to dry to be able to harvest - and it is also important for drying the coffee harvest (which has been poor also due to too much rain)...
I met with Alcamari (Mayor Auki´s wife) last week in Cotacachi and helped her with interviews for English teachers for Las Lomas school. I believe the municipal government is participating in some way to make this an alternative school of some kind...but I´m really sure about the intricacies.
From what I have seen so far I believe Intag is more advanced than the town of Cotacachi in terms of community and environmental awareness. There are many positive initiatives being promoted by a range of foundations and NGOs and largely due to the progressive Intag newspaper and the local radio, it seems that in general people are more aware of environmental issues.
I´ll get back to the kids now - but will try to get back online before leaving Otavalo on Friday morning.
Love to all,
For Life, anja
2008-08-20
8/7和訳
みなさんいかがお過ごしですか？
私たちはエル・ミラグロで、美しさと平和、そしていくつもの新しいアイデアやビジョンに囲まれて過ごしています。「やることリスト」もついに書ききれなくなってしまいました！
先週、私たちはピーター・シアーが家族でエル・ミラグロをたずねてきました。彼らはアメリカのグループと協力してプカラでエコビレッジプロジェクトを手がけています。私たちのエル・ミラグロプロジェクトとの共通点も多いので、彼らと頻繁にやりとりしているわけです。
ピーターたちはエル・ミラグロを気に入ってくれ、彼らのプロジェクトとの連携で意気投合しました。同時に、彼らの滞在は、私自身のエル・ミラグロへのモチベーションを刺激してくれました。
エル・ミラグロはいわば天国。「スロー」やシンプルな生活を学び、実践するには理想的な場所です。ナマケモノ倶楽部にとって最高の家であり、近隣のコミュニティへのロールモデルとなりうるプロジェクトです。ピーターとラウルは、エル・ミラグロで行われるお風呂やラウンドハウス修復などのプロジェクトに関わってくれることでしょう。
日曜日、パチャとヤニと私は、サンタ・ルシアという私たちが所有する雲霧林の探検にでかけました。自然林へと戻りつつある森の中でも私のお気に入りはトゥーラの大木。緑のアーチのように枝をのばした木の下には、コケで覆われた石があり、ピクニックや瞑想にぴったりなのです。
エル・ミラグロで１週間。私の両手はコーヒー豆の収穫作業で赤く染まり、「働き者」の手になってきました。コーヒー豆を摘み、畑を広げ、刈り込み、新しいビニールハウスをつくり、衣類を洗い、、、。すべての作業はスローなのに、息つく暇がない。（笑）
昨日から、ルイスと２人の村人に手伝ってもらい、ラウンドハウスの屋根の修復作業のためにサトウキビの葉っぱを集めはじめました。３人が１日で集めたのは８０束。修復に必要なのは８００束なので、葺き替えにはまだ時間がかかりそうです。古い葉っぱはフルーツの木の堆肥にリサイクルする予定です。
カミソリのように鋭いサトウキビの葉っぱを、コミュニティを回って集める作業は本当に重労働です。私はそんな彼らに感謝の意を示そうと地元の料理でもてなします。たくさんの豆とごはん、自家製とうがらしソース、「フレスコ」と呼ばれる甘みのあるレモンジュース。
パチャとヤニはホームスクーリングをはじめました。けれど先生役の私が、毎日子どもたちに時間を割くことがなかなか難しい。子どもと向き合っていても、必ず視界に「やらねばならぬこと」が入ってきて、作業を邪魔するのです。
今、私たちは海外からのボランティアを受け入れようとしています。労働をわかちあい、新しい友人たちとエル・ミラグロでの生活をたのしんでくれることでしょう。
もうすぐウィンドファームのエクアドルツアーもやってきます。
日本のみなさんにもし協力をお願いできるならば、以下のものを私たちが必要としていることをお伝えしておきます。リサイクル、中古品を探しています。
-キャンプ用テント。（セロ・セコやエル・ミラグロに訪れる旅行客用）
-双眼鏡
-湯沸しポット
-種（大根、水菜、シソなど・・）
-ワサビ苗（エル・ミラグロとカルロスのラ・フロリダで育ててみたい。）
もっとお伝えしたいことがあるのですが、明日早起きなのでこれにて。。
いのちのために
アンニャ、パチャ、ヤニ
【翻訳：ババナオコ】
私たちはエル・ミラグロで、美しさと平和、そしていくつもの新しいアイデアやビジョンに囲まれて過ごしています。「やることリスト」もついに書ききれなくなってしまいました！
先週、私たちはピーター・シアーが家族でエル・ミラグロをたずねてきました。彼らはアメリカのグループと協力してプカラでエコビレッジプロジェクトを手がけています。私たちのエル・ミラグロプロジェクトとの共通点も多いので、彼らと頻繁にやりとりしているわけです。
ピーターたちはエル・ミラグロを気に入ってくれ、彼らのプロジェクトとの連携で意気投合しました。同時に、彼らの滞在は、私自身のエル・ミラグロへのモチベーションを刺激してくれました。
エル・ミラグロはいわば天国。「スロー」やシンプルな生活を学び、実践するには理想的な場所です。ナマケモノ倶楽部にとって最高の家であり、近隣のコミュニティへのロールモデルとなりうるプロジェクトです。ピーターとラウルは、エル・ミラグロで行われるお風呂やラウンドハウス修復などのプロジェクトに関わってくれることでしょう。
日曜日、パチャとヤニと私は、サンタ・ルシアという私たちが所有する雲霧林の探検にでかけました。自然林へと戻りつつある森の中でも私のお気に入りはトゥーラの大木。緑のアーチのように枝をのばした木の下には、コケで覆われた石があり、ピクニックや瞑想にぴったりなのです。
エル・ミラグロで１週間。私の両手はコーヒー豆の収穫作業で赤く染まり、「働き者」の手になってきました。コーヒー豆を摘み、畑を広げ、刈り込み、新しいビニールハウスをつくり、衣類を洗い、、、。すべての作業はスローなのに、息つく暇がない。（笑）
昨日から、ルイスと２人の村人に手伝ってもらい、ラウンドハウスの屋根の修復作業のためにサトウキビの葉っぱを集めはじめました。３人が１日で集めたのは８０束。修復に必要なのは８００束なので、葺き替えにはまだ時間がかかりそうです。古い葉っぱはフルーツの木の堆肥にリサイクルする予定です。
カミソリのように鋭いサトウキビの葉っぱを、コミュニティを回って集める作業は本当に重労働です。私はそんな彼らに感謝の意を示そうと地元の料理でもてなします。たくさんの豆とごはん、自家製とうがらしソース、「フレスコ」と呼ばれる甘みのあるレモンジュース。
パチャとヤニはホームスクーリングをはじめました。けれど先生役の私が、毎日子どもたちに時間を割くことがなかなか難しい。子どもと向き合っていても、必ず視界に「やらねばならぬこと」が入ってきて、作業を邪魔するのです。
今、私たちは海外からのボランティアを受け入れようとしています。労働をわかちあい、新しい友人たちとエル・ミラグロでの生活をたのしんでくれることでしょう。
もうすぐウィンドファームのエクアドルツアーもやってきます。
日本のみなさんにもし協力をお願いできるならば、以下のものを私たちが必要としていることをお伝えしておきます。リサイクル、中古品を探しています。
-キャンプ用テント。（セロ・セコやエル・ミラグロに訪れる旅行客用）
-双眼鏡
-湯沸しポット
-種（大根、水菜、シソなど・・）
-ワサビ苗（エル・ミラグロとカルロスのラ・フロリダで育ててみたい。）
もっとお伝えしたいことがあるのですが、明日早起きなのでこれにて。。
いのちのために
アンニャ、パチャ、ヤニ
【翻訳：ババナオコ】
2008-08-07
8/7
Dear all Sloth friends,
Hows it going?
We have been at El Milagro for the past week – beautiful and peaceful but also full of new visions and ideas that means there is much more to do. Now I have an even longer list of things to do !
Last week we had a visit from Peter Shear, his two children and Raul.
They work with a foundation called casainteramericano who bring highschool students for the US. to help build houses for the poor in
Pucara. As I have mentioned, this is part of an eco-village project
that is very similar to the aims of El Milagro.
They loved El Milagro, saw its potential and expressed their
enthusiasm for being involved and linked to their ongoing projects in Pucara. This has helped rejevenate my energy and enthusiasm. El
Milagro is a paradise, it is an ideal place to learn about a slow,
simple life, it is a perfect 'sloth club house' and it can be a model for neighbouring communities for a more ecological lifestyle.
Peter and Raul will return after their group has returned to help
re-draw the permaculture plan for the site and to be involved in the
various smaller projects (like the bath house and round house repair) we have planned over the next few months.
On Sunday, Pacha, Yani and I went exploring in the forest to the other piece of cloud forest we have, Santa Lucia. This is another beautiful place where the forest has been returning naturally.
There is one special place where a huge 'tura' tree arches over a grove of moss covered stones – perfect place for picnics and meditation. I asked Carlos his thoughts about making it a private forest reserve, though he thinks it is just as fine to keep it as private land and perhaps to plant a few timber trees on it just to prove that it is still ' being used' (there is talk about the President putting in a new law to reclaim 'productive' land that is not being used).
My hands are stained red (from picking and squeezing coffee) and look like 'workers' hands again after a week at El Milagro, picking coffee, extending gardens, pruning, constructing the new greenhouse, washing clothes…there is never a spare moment – though the work is slow…
Yesterday Luis and two other locals started collecting the sugar cane grass for the roof repair of the round house. In one day the three of them collected 80 bunches of grass and we need about 800 for the whole roof repair. So, ten days work for 3 people to collect the grass, then we have to take off the old grass (we will recycle it for mulch around the fruit trees) and put on the new grass (with 3 or 4 of us should take about a week?).
I have been learning once again how to cook the local way – lots of
beans and lentils and rice, flavoured with homemade chili sauce and
always and accompanied by 'fresco' – sweetened watered down lemon
juice. It is very hard work collected the razor sharp sugar cane grass from the neighbouring property.
Pacha and Yani have begun a little bit of home study – but I am the
one who has problems dedicating some hours to this everyday. There is always something distracting me from the corner of my eyes that needs to be done.
Now we are on our way out to bring some volunteers in. It will be good to share the work and the fun of being in El Milagro with new friends.
There are a few things that would be great to collect from Japan if
anyone who is coming can bring them along – or if other people who
might have these things could send them to the group who is coming –
see what you think.
- secondhand tents (for use by eco-tourists both at Cero Seco and here at El Milagro for longer 2 day hikes – DECOIN is working with the young people of Plaza Guiterez to create a 2 day walking trail).
- Secondhand Binoculars
- old cooking pots
- Seeds (daikon, mizuna, shiso etc)
- Wasabi cuttings (both for El Mialgro and for Carlos – it would be
wonderful to be able try growing wasabi in Intag.
There is so much more – but I need to send this before putting the
kids to bed and then up early in the morning to go to Otavalo…
Love to all,
For Life,
anja, pacha and yani
Hows it going?
We have been at El Milagro for the past week – beautiful and peaceful but also full of new visions and ideas that means there is much more to do. Now I have an even longer list of things to do !
Last week we had a visit from Peter Shear, his two children and Raul.
They work with a foundation called casainteramericano who bring highschool students for the US. to help build houses for the poor in
Pucara. As I have mentioned, this is part of an eco-village project
that is very similar to the aims of El Milagro.
They loved El Milagro, saw its potential and expressed their
enthusiasm for being involved and linked to their ongoing projects in Pucara. This has helped rejevenate my energy and enthusiasm. El
Milagro is a paradise, it is an ideal place to learn about a slow,
simple life, it is a perfect 'sloth club house' and it can be a model for neighbouring communities for a more ecological lifestyle.
Peter and Raul will return after their group has returned to help
re-draw the permaculture plan for the site and to be involved in the
various smaller projects (like the bath house and round house repair) we have planned over the next few months.
On Sunday, Pacha, Yani and I went exploring in the forest to the other piece of cloud forest we have, Santa Lucia. This is another beautiful place where the forest has been returning naturally.
There is one special place where a huge 'tura' tree arches over a grove of moss covered stones – perfect place for picnics and meditation. I asked Carlos his thoughts about making it a private forest reserve, though he thinks it is just as fine to keep it as private land and perhaps to plant a few timber trees on it just to prove that it is still ' being used' (there is talk about the President putting in a new law to reclaim 'productive' land that is not being used).
My hands are stained red (from picking and squeezing coffee) and look like 'workers' hands again after a week at El Milagro, picking coffee, extending gardens, pruning, constructing the new greenhouse, washing clothes…there is never a spare moment – though the work is slow…
Yesterday Luis and two other locals started collecting the sugar cane grass for the roof repair of the round house. In one day the three of them collected 80 bunches of grass and we need about 800 for the whole roof repair. So, ten days work for 3 people to collect the grass, then we have to take off the old grass (we will recycle it for mulch around the fruit trees) and put on the new grass (with 3 or 4 of us should take about a week?).
I have been learning once again how to cook the local way – lots of
beans and lentils and rice, flavoured with homemade chili sauce and
always and accompanied by 'fresco' – sweetened watered down lemon
juice. It is very hard work collected the razor sharp sugar cane grass from the neighbouring property.
Pacha and Yani have begun a little bit of home study – but I am the
one who has problems dedicating some hours to this everyday. There is always something distracting me from the corner of my eyes that needs to be done.
Now we are on our way out to bring some volunteers in. It will be good to share the work and the fun of being in El Milagro with new friends.
There are a few things that would be great to collect from Japan if
anyone who is coming can bring them along – or if other people who
might have these things could send them to the group who is coming –
see what you think.
- secondhand tents (for use by eco-tourists both at Cero Seco and here at El Milagro for longer 2 day hikes – DECOIN is working with the young people of Plaza Guiterez to create a 2 day walking trail).
- Secondhand Binoculars
- old cooking pots
- Seeds (daikon, mizuna, shiso etc)
- Wasabi cuttings (both for El Mialgro and for Carlos – it would be
wonderful to be able try growing wasabi in Intag.
There is so much more – but I need to send this before putting the
kids to bed and then up early in the morning to go to Otavalo…
Love to all,
For Life,
anja, pacha and yani
2008-07-25
Japan Slohas Tour April/May 2008
´What is enough?´ ´What is happiness?´ ´What does it really mean to live a sustainable life?´
These are some of the questions that emerged during the recent slohas tour. And the questions continued:
´What is Slohas ?´ ´Can anyone have a slohas lifestyle in a city like Tokyo?´ ´When will the old system and way of thinking give way to the new?´, ´When will the world´s richest countries be measured by their level of happiness, not their amount of GDP´, ´Will ´life´ ever be valued within this economic system?´ ´Why are the people who peacefully protest the destruction of life still persecuted´, ´Do we really want to survive?´ ´How?´
I still believe it is as important to keep asking questions than to have ´all the answers´ and that it must be in our actions, not only in words, that we search for the answers.
During the Slohas tour Pacha, Yani and I had the privelege to visit, speak and perform around Japan, as well as to share a fragment of the lives of many people and groups actively responding to these questions in the way they live. A sincere thank-you to everyone helped us throughout Japan during the slohas tour!
I am writing this from Ecuador, still pondering the same questions, in the completely different environment, culture and atmosphere of Ecuador. Here life is more intense, less controlled, easier to lose- and yet this heightened risk is what makes the present more exciting. As Pacha quickly observed ´there is more life here ´. When it comes to evolving and promoting a ´Slohas´ lifestyle here some things are much more simple - others are
complicated by the inundation of media messages and increasing govenment propaganda about what ´development´ means (jobs, industry, bridges, roads, production, mining, money).
´Slohas´ stands for : Slow Lifestyles of Happiness and Sustainability. Its definition is evolving along with our culture. It became the slogan of this tour largely to differentiate our vision from the marketing brand of ´Lohas´
(Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability). We know we (in ´rich´countries) need a lifestyle that is more than an exclusive and expensive ´brand´. We want to promote a lifestyle that is available to everyone on this planet in ´rich´or ´ poor´ countries. We claim a lifestyle that is as unique and individual as every human being on this Earth. The simplest definition is
finding a way to live where we can find happiness without destroying life.
It involves communities, both local and global, it is inspired by sharing real information from direct experience. It values instinct and feeling as much as data and scientific fact.
Already more than a month has passed since the last event of the slohas tour – the opening of the new café slow in Kokobunji. This final event was an evening of deep honesty and open hearts, of feeling and of shared understanding of old friends. It was humbling to sit beside Nakamura-san and Keibo, the founders of the Sloth Club along with Carlos Zorrilla from Ecuador, reflecting on the things that bring meaning to life and re-affirming the essnce of the Sloth Club as we approach our ten year anniversary as an organisation.
Our challenge is how to hold on to that deep intention when faced with running an organisation in the ´real world´ that is still dictated by the current economic system and way of thinking. Can we really work productively with corporations whose very existence is defined by profiting from exploitation of the Earth, or people, or both? The clash of different ways of thinking, the new culture we are creating and the old one that has brought us to this state of ecological chaos, is constantly plaguing us. We will not/ can not close ourselves off in a bubble, but will stay open to this growing desire for change wherever it comes from and keep practising, experimenting and creating what it really means to create a ´slohas´ future.
As Pacha, Yani and I travelled through Tokyo, Fuji, Hamamatsu, Shin Otsu, Mt Aso, Fukuoka, Nagano, Yamanashi, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa, in two months of concerts, meetings and talks we reconnected with many old friends and made many new ones. Within our presentations, while centred on the theme of slohas, we also talked about Tasmania´s forests, our projects and activities in Ecuador, the G8 summit in Hokkaido, peoples action to protect Article 9 in the Japanese consitution, the long-awaited recognition of Ainu culture by the Japanese government and new definitions of ´community´. We talked about the opportunity that growing international awareness of global warming presents in making positive changes but also of the danger of accepting disasterous options like nuclear energy.
We joined Earth Day events in Tokyo and Hamamatsu and the Earth Caravan in Kyushu – watching the ecological movement that used to be ´on the margins´ enter the mainstream. We met people and groups creating eco-villages and ecologically inspired communities. We briefly joined the Earth Caravan on its mission to inspire young Earth Lovers. We visited many new places and met new groups and people who share our values and mission for a radical shift to a sustainable lifestyle - from all walks of life. We talked and performed in the growing network of ´cafe slows´ Nagano, Osaka, Hamamatsu and Tokyo. We were helped by many wonderful volunteers from the sloth club - the ´nama kuru´ from many different places in Japan.
While we were sometimes tired from moving so often, everyone was so patient with Pacha and Yani (despite their often unsettled behaviour). Among the unforgettable memories for Pacha and Yani was visiting the hotsprings in Nagano, watching monkeys bathe in the hot springs in Nagano, seeing snow in the high mountains of Nagano and joining the cool guys from ´naturelab´ who make and ride snowboards made from Japanese timber.
A highlight for me in Japan this time was to have the chance to campaign for the protection of Tasmania´s remaining wild, old growth forests, with colleagues from other NGOs. Our 3 hour meeting with the main buyers of old growth woodchips from Tasmania, along with representatives from the Tasmanian and Australian government confirmed our realisation that it is a race against time in the battle between paradigms (ways of thinking). To the industry, trees mean cash profits (for a few people), to us the precious remaining untouched, wild forests are priceless.
There was no real resolution from this meeting, except perhaps our
understanding that the corporations will really only change when their profit margin is affected. It is here that consumers in Japan may be our greatest hope - people can demand that they no longer use old growth forests to blow their nose or wipe their backsides. The more people, especially those who work in these companies, experience these forests and understand they are connected to them (in more ways than using paper) - the better chance thelast remaining forests, not only in Tasmania, but all over the world, have a chance to survive...
This tour was so much more about feeling than theories, more about questions than answers, more about what we do and how we actually live that what we say. And through music, that timeless language of the heart and soul, I hope we were able to share a glimpse of inspiration of the future we are trying create.
Memories from this tour continue to sustain us in our continuing journey to explore, practice and share a sustainable life here in Ecuador. Thanks to the generosity of audiences and organisers and the Sloth Club, we have been able to continue our travels and support projects like ´El Milagro´ in Ecuador. We look forward to sharing more questions, feelings and music when we next return to Japan!
These are some of the questions that emerged during the recent slohas tour. And the questions continued:
´What is Slohas ?´ ´Can anyone have a slohas lifestyle in a city like Tokyo?´ ´When will the old system and way of thinking give way to the new?´, ´When will the world´s richest countries be measured by their level of happiness, not their amount of GDP´, ´Will ´life´ ever be valued within this economic system?´ ´Why are the people who peacefully protest the destruction of life still persecuted´, ´Do we really want to survive?´ ´How?´
I still believe it is as important to keep asking questions than to have ´all the answers´ and that it must be in our actions, not only in words, that we search for the answers.
During the Slohas tour Pacha, Yani and I had the privelege to visit, speak and perform around Japan, as well as to share a fragment of the lives of many people and groups actively responding to these questions in the way they live. A sincere thank-you to everyone helped us throughout Japan during the slohas tour!
I am writing this from Ecuador, still pondering the same questions, in the completely different environment, culture and atmosphere of Ecuador. Here life is more intense, less controlled, easier to lose- and yet this heightened risk is what makes the present more exciting. As Pacha quickly observed ´there is more life here ´. When it comes to evolving and promoting a ´Slohas´ lifestyle here some things are much more simple - others are
complicated by the inundation of media messages and increasing govenment propaganda about what ´development´ means (jobs, industry, bridges, roads, production, mining, money).
´Slohas´ stands for : Slow Lifestyles of Happiness and Sustainability. Its definition is evolving along with our culture. It became the slogan of this tour largely to differentiate our vision from the marketing brand of ´Lohas´
(Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability). We know we (in ´rich´countries) need a lifestyle that is more than an exclusive and expensive ´brand´. We want to promote a lifestyle that is available to everyone on this planet in ´rich´or ´ poor´ countries. We claim a lifestyle that is as unique and individual as every human being on this Earth. The simplest definition is
finding a way to live where we can find happiness without destroying life.
It involves communities, both local and global, it is inspired by sharing real information from direct experience. It values instinct and feeling as much as data and scientific fact.
Already more than a month has passed since the last event of the slohas tour – the opening of the new café slow in Kokobunji. This final event was an evening of deep honesty and open hearts, of feeling and of shared understanding of old friends. It was humbling to sit beside Nakamura-san and Keibo, the founders of the Sloth Club along with Carlos Zorrilla from Ecuador, reflecting on the things that bring meaning to life and re-affirming the essnce of the Sloth Club as we approach our ten year anniversary as an organisation.
Our challenge is how to hold on to that deep intention when faced with running an organisation in the ´real world´ that is still dictated by the current economic system and way of thinking. Can we really work productively with corporations whose very existence is defined by profiting from exploitation of the Earth, or people, or both? The clash of different ways of thinking, the new culture we are creating and the old one that has brought us to this state of ecological chaos, is constantly plaguing us. We will not/ can not close ourselves off in a bubble, but will stay open to this growing desire for change wherever it comes from and keep practising, experimenting and creating what it really means to create a ´slohas´ future.
As Pacha, Yani and I travelled through Tokyo, Fuji, Hamamatsu, Shin Otsu, Mt Aso, Fukuoka, Nagano, Yamanashi, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa, in two months of concerts, meetings and talks we reconnected with many old friends and made many new ones. Within our presentations, while centred on the theme of slohas, we also talked about Tasmania´s forests, our projects and activities in Ecuador, the G8 summit in Hokkaido, peoples action to protect Article 9 in the Japanese consitution, the long-awaited recognition of Ainu culture by the Japanese government and new definitions of ´community´. We talked about the opportunity that growing international awareness of global warming presents in making positive changes but also of the danger of accepting disasterous options like nuclear energy.
We joined Earth Day events in Tokyo and Hamamatsu and the Earth Caravan in Kyushu – watching the ecological movement that used to be ´on the margins´ enter the mainstream. We met people and groups creating eco-villages and ecologically inspired communities. We briefly joined the Earth Caravan on its mission to inspire young Earth Lovers. We visited many new places and met new groups and people who share our values and mission for a radical shift to a sustainable lifestyle - from all walks of life. We talked and performed in the growing network of ´cafe slows´ Nagano, Osaka, Hamamatsu and Tokyo. We were helped by many wonderful volunteers from the sloth club - the ´nama kuru´ from many different places in Japan.
While we were sometimes tired from moving so often, everyone was so patient with Pacha and Yani (despite their often unsettled behaviour). Among the unforgettable memories for Pacha and Yani was visiting the hotsprings in Nagano, watching monkeys bathe in the hot springs in Nagano, seeing snow in the high mountains of Nagano and joining the cool guys from ´naturelab´ who make and ride snowboards made from Japanese timber.
A highlight for me in Japan this time was to have the chance to campaign for the protection of Tasmania´s remaining wild, old growth forests, with colleagues from other NGOs. Our 3 hour meeting with the main buyers of old growth woodchips from Tasmania, along with representatives from the Tasmanian and Australian government confirmed our realisation that it is a race against time in the battle between paradigms (ways of thinking). To the industry, trees mean cash profits (for a few people), to us the precious remaining untouched, wild forests are priceless.
There was no real resolution from this meeting, except perhaps our
understanding that the corporations will really only change when their profit margin is affected. It is here that consumers in Japan may be our greatest hope - people can demand that they no longer use old growth forests to blow their nose or wipe their backsides. The more people, especially those who work in these companies, experience these forests and understand they are connected to them (in more ways than using paper) - the better chance thelast remaining forests, not only in Tasmania, but all over the world, have a chance to survive...
This tour was so much more about feeling than theories, more about questions than answers, more about what we do and how we actually live that what we say. And through music, that timeless language of the heart and soul, I hope we were able to share a glimpse of inspiration of the future we are trying create.
Memories from this tour continue to sustain us in our continuing journey to explore, practice and share a sustainable life here in Ecuador. Thanks to the generosity of audiences and organisers and the Sloth Club, we have been able to continue our travels and support projects like ´El Milagro´ in Ecuador. We look forward to sharing more questions, feelings and music when we next return to Japan!
2008-07-20
7/17和訳
ヤニの５歳の誕生日をエクアドルの家族が住むバイーアで祝うため、パチャ、ヤニ、私の３人でキトにきています。インタグでのワイルドライフ（汚れた洋服、身体）を洗い流したところです。パチャは馬のシャンティと始終一緒。シャンティも彼女を慕って後をついてまわり、大きな犬のお散歩のようでした。
エル･ミラグロに滞在した２週間、すべて順調でした！昨日は私とルイスで家の２階部分を補修し達成感を味わいました。写真をおみせできなくて残念ですが、大量のトタン、ベッドやマットレス、ガスコンロを馬の背に乗せ、エル･ミラグロへの未舗装の道を運ぶ様を想像してみてください。
同じく２階部分の補修のために近くで竹を切りだし、長持ちするようそれらを焼き、不要物をとりのぞき、並べていきます。ボランティアたちと一緒につくりあげたストーンハウスを維持し、修理し、進化させていくことは、エル･ミラグロプロジェクトにとっての優先事項であり、長持ちする秘訣なのです。
エル･ミラグロのベッドでの眠りはとっても気持ちがいい。窓にガラスはありませんが、新鮮な空気が入り込み、ほたる、コウモリ、時にはハチドリのようなお客さんたちもやってきます。
近いうちにルイスが２階も含めてガラス窓のとりつけやビニールハウスの設置を手伝ってくれることでしょう。ビニールハウスはストーンハウスとトイレの間にサンルームとして設置します。
エル･ミラグロで収穫したコーヒー豆を乾燥させたり、コーヒー樹の下に植えるフルーツの種を育てたり、もちろん雨の日には物干し場にもなります。ビニールハウスはストーンハウスの２Fの温かい空気を１Fに流す空気循環にも一役買うことでしょう。
そして、ラウンドハウスの屋根の葺き替えが待っています！８月に入る前にはじめて、８月中旬にやってくるボランティア到着までに間に合えばと思っています。
カルロス・ソリージャがソーラーパネル設置への協力を申し出てくれました。そうすれば、エル・ミラグロでインターネットができるようになります。ゆっくりとですが、エル･ミラグロプロジェクトは形になりつつあります。・・といいつつも、本音を言えば、エクアドルでの私は、いつも「忍耐」を試されているような気がします。
キトにでてきたので、エル･ミラグロのボランティア募集をプリントアウトしようと思います。８月頭から誰かきてくれるといいのだけど！
パチャ、ヤニ、私は元気ですが、旅の多い私たちは、やはり一ヶ所にとどまりたい思いを持ち続けています。私たち３人にとって、エル・ミラグロでのテレビやDVD、宣伝のない暮らしは、現代社会からの「解毒（デトックス）」といっていいでしょう。
子どもたちはシンプルな食事に感謝しはじめ、不満も少なくなってきました。朝、ルイスが牛を連れてきてミルクをしぼってくれるのですが、パチャとヤニはルイスを手伝うのが大好きです。ついには、子牛のように牛の乳房から直接ミルクを飲んでいました。
パチャとヤニの歩きにも感心です。オタバロ行のバスに乗るための１時間の山道にも文句をいいません。唯一かつ最大の問題は泥道です。泥だらけになった服を手で洗うのは私しかいないのですから！インタグでは例年以上に雨が多いので、そこら中ぬかるんでいます。
ウィンドファームが企画するツアーでみなさんにお会いできるよう、エル･ミラグロで待っています！
いのちのために
アンニャ・ライト
【翻訳：ババナオコ】
エル･ミラグロに滞在した２週間、すべて順調でした！昨日は私とルイスで家の２階部分を補修し達成感を味わいました。写真をおみせできなくて残念ですが、大量のトタン、ベッドやマットレス、ガスコンロを馬の背に乗せ、エル･ミラグロへの未舗装の道を運ぶ様を想像してみてください。
同じく２階部分の補修のために近くで竹を切りだし、長持ちするようそれらを焼き、不要物をとりのぞき、並べていきます。ボランティアたちと一緒につくりあげたストーンハウスを維持し、修理し、進化させていくことは、エル･ミラグロプロジェクトにとっての優先事項であり、長持ちする秘訣なのです。
エル･ミラグロのベッドでの眠りはとっても気持ちがいい。窓にガラスはありませんが、新鮮な空気が入り込み、ほたる、コウモリ、時にはハチドリのようなお客さんたちもやってきます。
近いうちにルイスが２階も含めてガラス窓のとりつけやビニールハウスの設置を手伝ってくれることでしょう。ビニールハウスはストーンハウスとトイレの間にサンルームとして設置します。
エル･ミラグロで収穫したコーヒー豆を乾燥させたり、コーヒー樹の下に植えるフルーツの種を育てたり、もちろん雨の日には物干し場にもなります。ビニールハウスはストーンハウスの２Fの温かい空気を１Fに流す空気循環にも一役買うことでしょう。
そして、ラウンドハウスの屋根の葺き替えが待っています！８月に入る前にはじめて、８月中旬にやってくるボランティア到着までに間に合えばと思っています。
カルロス・ソリージャがソーラーパネル設置への協力を申し出てくれました。そうすれば、エル・ミラグロでインターネットができるようになります。ゆっくりとですが、エル･ミラグロプロジェクトは形になりつつあります。・・といいつつも、本音を言えば、エクアドルでの私は、いつも「忍耐」を試されているような気がします。
キトにでてきたので、エル･ミラグロのボランティア募集をプリントアウトしようと思います。８月頭から誰かきてくれるといいのだけど！
パチャ、ヤニ、私は元気ですが、旅の多い私たちは、やはり一ヶ所にとどまりたい思いを持ち続けています。私たち３人にとって、エル・ミラグロでのテレビやDVD、宣伝のない暮らしは、現代社会からの「解毒（デトックス）」といっていいでしょう。
子どもたちはシンプルな食事に感謝しはじめ、不満も少なくなってきました。朝、ルイスが牛を連れてきてミルクをしぼってくれるのですが、パチャとヤニはルイスを手伝うのが大好きです。ついには、子牛のように牛の乳房から直接ミルクを飲んでいました。
パチャとヤニの歩きにも感心です。オタバロ行のバスに乗るための１時間の山道にも文句をいいません。唯一かつ最大の問題は泥道です。泥だらけになった服を手で洗うのは私しかいないのですから！インタグでは例年以上に雨が多いので、そこら中ぬかるんでいます。
ウィンドファームが企画するツアーでみなさんにお会いできるよう、エル･ミラグロで待っています！
いのちのために
アンニャ・ライト
【翻訳：ババナオコ】
2008-07-17
7/17 El Milagro!!
Dear all SLoth friends,
Pacha, Yani and I are in Quito for a night before going back down to the coast to celebrate Yani`s 5th birthday in Bahia. We just washed off days of Intag mud and sweat and horse hair (Pacha spends every spare minute with Shanti - the stallion who follows Pacha around like a big puppy!). The internet service is free at this hotel so I hope to finally get some writing done!
All went well in El Milagro over the past two weeks.
Yesterday Luis and I put up the tin to clad the upstairs section of the house...felt good to get something done. I wish I had taken a phot of us carrying 10 sheets of tin, a double bed, mattress and gas stove on horse back down the vertical paths to El Milagro - but I guess you will just have to imagine it!
I took off the bamboo (that was lining the upstairs section of the house), am burning it to strengthen it and get rid of wood borers, and will then put it back up as an inner lining. Maintaining, repairing and renovating the stone house is a priority so that it lasts longer.
It feels good to sleep in a proper bed in EL Milagro now - though with the glass still not in the window frames, we have lots of fresh air coming through and even some friendly visitors - fireflies, bats and even a hummingbird!
Luis will hopefully help finish off the windows upstairs (with glass) and build a small greenhouse. We need the greenhouse (to put up between the toilet and the stone house for drying coffee and peas, raising more seedlings (coffee and fruit trees to extend the area under agroforestry cultivation), as well as drying clothes when it rains. The greenhouse will also mean more warm dry air passes through the stone house to dry up the lower floor.
Then it is time to replace the grass roof of the round house. Hopefully this will begin before the beginning of August so that the house is useable for all volunteers (from mid August).
Carlos has said he will help get the solar sysem up and running so I can get the laptop in action when we return to El Milagro after Bahia. Slowly it is coming together - though my biggest lesson in returning to Ecuador - like always - is patience...
Now while we are in Quito I will print off the basic promotion for El Milagro volunteers to see if any other people can come and help from early August...see how it goes!
Pacha, Yani and I are all well, though still longing to stay in one place for a while! It really is a detox for us all in El Milagro with no TV, DVDs or other `corrupting` influences from modern society. The kids are starting to appreciate more simple foods again and are complaining less. In the mornings Luis has been coming to milk his cow. Pacha and Yani love helping him and drinking milk directly from the cow`s teat! I am impressed by their energy for walking - no complaints in walking (mostly uphill) for an hour to get the bus to Otavalo. The biggest problem for them (and me) is the muddy parts - I am the one who has to do the washing (by hand) when the clothes are black with mud! There has been more rain than usual in Intag recently
(not good for the coffee plants) that means there`s plenty of mud.
Love to all Sloths - we are waiting for you in Ecuador!
For Life, anja.
Pacha, Yani and I are in Quito for a night before going back down to the coast to celebrate Yani`s 5th birthday in Bahia. We just washed off days of Intag mud and sweat and horse hair (Pacha spends every spare minute with Shanti - the stallion who follows Pacha around like a big puppy!). The internet service is free at this hotel so I hope to finally get some writing done!
All went well in El Milagro over the past two weeks.
Yesterday Luis and I put up the tin to clad the upstairs section of the house...felt good to get something done. I wish I had taken a phot of us carrying 10 sheets of tin, a double bed, mattress and gas stove on horse back down the vertical paths to El Milagro - but I guess you will just have to imagine it!
I took off the bamboo (that was lining the upstairs section of the house), am burning it to strengthen it and get rid of wood borers, and will then put it back up as an inner lining. Maintaining, repairing and renovating the stone house is a priority so that it lasts longer.
It feels good to sleep in a proper bed in EL Milagro now - though with the glass still not in the window frames, we have lots of fresh air coming through and even some friendly visitors - fireflies, bats and even a hummingbird!
Luis will hopefully help finish off the windows upstairs (with glass) and build a small greenhouse. We need the greenhouse (to put up between the toilet and the stone house for drying coffee and peas, raising more seedlings (coffee and fruit trees to extend the area under agroforestry cultivation), as well as drying clothes when it rains. The greenhouse will also mean more warm dry air passes through the stone house to dry up the lower floor.
Then it is time to replace the grass roof of the round house. Hopefully this will begin before the beginning of August so that the house is useable for all volunteers (from mid August).
Carlos has said he will help get the solar sysem up and running so I can get the laptop in action when we return to El Milagro after Bahia. Slowly it is coming together - though my biggest lesson in returning to Ecuador - like always - is patience...
Now while we are in Quito I will print off the basic promotion for El Milagro volunteers to see if any other people can come and help from early August...see how it goes!
Pacha, Yani and I are all well, though still longing to stay in one place for a while! It really is a detox for us all in El Milagro with no TV, DVDs or other `corrupting` influences from modern society. The kids are starting to appreciate more simple foods again and are complaining less. In the mornings Luis has been coming to milk his cow. Pacha and Yani love helping him and drinking milk directly from the cow`s teat! I am impressed by their energy for walking - no complaints in walking (mostly uphill) for an hour to get the bus to Otavalo. The biggest problem for them (and me) is the muddy parts - I am the one who has to do the washing (by hand) when the clothes are black with mud! There has been more rain than usual in Intag recently
(not good for the coffee plants) that means there`s plenty of mud.
Love to all Sloths - we are waiting for you in Ecuador!
For Life, anja.
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