Thursday, April 23, 2009
Goodbye to my friends in Choppca
My last day in Choppca I went to large festival with some of my friends from the village. As always I was the center of attention, being the only white guy in a crowd of thousands. We watched the horse races (suprisingly dangerous - as the horses run into the crowd and some people get trampled) and talked about their different potatoes one last time. I am incredibly inspired by their pride for their local culture and crop diversity. Once again I see how directly linked native crops and agricultural bioodiversity are with culture. Although Im getting exhausted of travelling, these people filed me with hope and joy again by feeding me, laughing with me, showing offf their potatoes, and teaching me the benefits of growing such an obscene diversity of potatoes, Oca, Ulluco, Quinoa, wheat, oats, fava beans, and more. Each farmer has a different story to tell, a different lesson to teach me, or a different colored potato for me to try! I will miss these people.
Potato Harvest
These are just a few of the varieties we harvested from one field. The daughtrer proudly assembled this pile for me to show off their varieties. She excitedly told me about each, how they were cooked, which was her favorite, and which was her sisters favorites.
Me with some friendly farmers
They got to see my white bum as I changed back into my clothes. Man you should have seen their faces!
An awesome lunch too! Arguably the best potatoes yet
An awesome lunch too! Arguably the best potatoes yet
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