Wheels within wheels in a spiral array
A pattern so grand and complex
Time after time we lose sight of the way
Our causes can't see their effects
I was awe-strucken when scientists at the II Biodiversity Conservation Conference announced the recent discovery of over 25 new plant species in Ecuador.
You see, the average annual deforestation rate in this Andean-Amazonian country is 500,000 acres per year. I hear the sounds of chainsaws all the time, and often witness trucks carrying recently sawed wood.
It just goes to prove the importance of saving what`s left, given that we are still discovering new species of life to this day. Give to the Rainforest Action Network now!
I was invited to a wedding for the third time here. This time it was the wedding of a Saraguran indigenous couple. It was quite nice. All the Saraguran men and women were dressed in very elegant, photogenic traditional indigenous clothing. Per village request, I served as the wedding photographer, and snapped away during the ceremony and reception.
The ceremony was held at the village church. The reception was held at the couple`s house. Dinner was served in shifts at one table. Huge platters of food were served, leaving everyone completely stuffed. Afterwards, the DJ blasted merengue, salsa and cumbia, and everyone danced in the middle of the dirt road.
It was an interesting mix of Saragurans, Shuars, mestizos and one gringo. Everyone was incredibly friendly and hospitable. One guy served a homemade purple concoction for people to drink out of shot glasses. The reception went on until 4 A.M.
On Saturday, August 30, I gave an afternoon workshop on nutrition and health care. 26 Saraguran indigenous mothers and 12 children attended the workshop. I included instruction on fruits and vegetables, low-fat cooking, vegetarian options, and eliminating sugar from the diet. I concluded the workshop with an explanation of daily tooth care.
At the end of the workshop, I raffled off a variety of healthy foods.
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