Thursday, April 23, 2009

Goodbye to my friends in Choppca


Chopcca (145) (Medium)
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer
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. Read More......

Potato Harvest


Chopcca (135) (Medium)
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer
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.
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Children open up to me much easier than adults


Chopcca (130) (Medium)
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Oca harvest


Chopcca (129) (Medium)
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Oca harvest


Chopcca (128) (Medium)
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Potato Harvest


Chopcca (125) (Medium)
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer
I am out of shape!
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Playing with children while harvesting


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Quinua!


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Womens meeting on Potato Diversity


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Amazing Valley


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Leaders of the village!


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Me with some friendly farmers


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer
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
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Frolicking through Potatoes all dressed up


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Oca harvest


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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Tilling new land for potatoes


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer
These guys are animals!
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Purple Papas!


CHopcca Village Stay
Originally uploaded by forbesfarmer

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