Promotoras provide crucial link for Latino communities

I wrote an article for YES! magazine’s website on promotoras in Placer County, Calif. These women (and sometimes men) are trusted leaders who help form a new and crucial link between the Latino community and the broader society.

In the photo below, several women and one man attend a weekly meeting in the city of Roseville, led by Maria Cordova (far right), where they share stories and provide emotional support. Cordova is a promotora.

What (the heck) is biotechnical engineering?

I will tell you! But not here. Instead, go to Earth Island Journal’s website, where I wrote an article on biotechnical engineering projects in Roseville, Calif. In the photo below, Environmental Engineer Scott Dietrich and volunteer Donna Wilson replant willow stakes on a January afternoon using a biotechnical engineering method to stabilize an eroding creek bank.

‘Quito Grown’ appears on Earth Island Journal

Whoa, I barely even finished sending out rewards to my Kickstater backers for “Quito Grown,” and I’ve learn that Earth Island Journal decided to publish my article on its website today. I just submitted my draft yesterday. Now that’s what I call a quick turnaround!

The unfinished greenhouse on the rooftop of Escuela Bogota. Photo by Julia C.

Unfortunately, the editor previously forewarned me that the article would likely not make it into print. That’s one of the drawbacks of pitching to a quarterly magazine. But I’m still very excited and thankful for the article’s online appearance, and I’ll be trying to spread the link around and get as much exposure as possible. Feel free to help a sister out!

Marco waters vegetables in the garden at this school. Photo by Julia C.

I hope you enjoy my article “In Ecuador, urban farms provide an antidote to rising food prices.” Thanks, again, to everyone for all your support both emotionally and financially.

UCLA student Daniel Block works with kids on the greenhouse project in Quito. Photo by Julia C.

More good news: Alternet has also published my story. One more thing! In my article, you’ll read about a nongovernmental organization called Triple Salto. This group is critical in making urban farms happen throughout the city of Quito, and they have an ongoing need for donations and international volunteers. To connect with or donate to Triple Salto, visit www.triplesalto.org or email info@triplesalto.org.

An agricultural engineer with CONQUITO assembles a greenhouse on the rooftop of a school. Photo by Julia C.

Feast your eyes

Well, hello there! Clearly, you must be looking for something to do. I have an idea: Check out more of my photos from my recent trip to Quito, Ecuador.

Quito is nestled in the majestic Andes.

Me and Laurie touring the sites.

Quito’s historic district.

Quito boasts many Catholic cathedrals, built hundreds of years ago.

Hanging out in Quito.

Walking through Quito’s historic district.

Enjoying hot springs up in the mountains.

While you wait

I’m busy writing my article on urban farming in Quito, Ecuador, but that doesn’t mean I can’t show you all a good time while you wait (the story won’t be published until a few months from now, so make yourself comfortable). Here are some photos taken by my sister Julia and new friend (and accomplished artist and photographer) Christian Velastegui.

Overlooking Quito, a city of 2 million people nestled in the Andes. Photo by Julia.

One of many stray dogs in Quito. Photo by Julia.

A street performer in downtown Quito. Photo by Christian Velastegui.

A fellow street performer in downtown Quito. Photo by Christian Velastegui.

My Quito observations

Hola amigos! I’ve returned from my trip to Ecuador, where I did research and interviews for an article on an urban farming initiative in the city of Quito. I’ve compiled a list of generalizations and thoughts based on five days spent in Quito. Obviously, I barely even know what I’m talking about, but here we go:

The Nourish group, and Laurie, Julia and me.

1. Julia’s warning that getting hit by a car is the biggest thing to worry about in Quito was correct. Pedestrians are totally insignificant!

2. I figured out where they find all those sad-looking stray dogs for the Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercials. They’re roaming the streets of Quito.

3. I saw graffiti with the words “Chevron = muerte (death)” and other references to the evils of the oil company that’s caused much destruction in the Amazon rainforest.

Student waters garden on rooftop, while greenhouse is constructed.

4. As a developing country, Ecuador doesn’t appear to have environmental controls or regulations in place. At least that’s what my stinging eyes and burning lungs suggested. The pollution in Quito is terrible.

5. Quito boasts lots of delicious vegetarian restaurants. Yum!

6. If you’re a gringa, be prepared to be financially taken advantage of by taxi drivers. Cha-ching!

7. Everything is up for negotiation. $1 for a cab ride? Too much! How about 50 cents?

8. Red stop lights are purely a suggestion.

9. Ecuadorians are friendly people and willing to assist visitors, especially two pathetic young women with limited use of the Spanish language.

10. Consistent rules for riding the bus?! Not necessary! Sometimes you pay, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes they take the money on the bus. Sometimes a guy will jump down and take money from exiting passengers.

11. Quito residents are proud of their hometown. As one resident told me in Spanish, “There’s something special about this city.”

Dan, of Nourish, and Shak construct the elementary school greenhouse in south Quito.

12. I observed what happens when you’re not supposed to flush toilet paper down the toilet.

13. I saw how everyday the sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m.

14. I learned what it’s like to travel to a country and not know the language and the stress that brings. As an English speaker, I’m used to people around the world accommodating me and my lack of knowledge of other languages. But that’s not how it is in Ecuador. And that’s humbling.

15. I made a new friend in Quito, and his name is Cristian Velastegui and he’s an awesome painter and photographer. Check out his art (for sale) here.

Things my sister says part II

Our trip to Ecuador hasn’t even begun, yet I find it’s time for the second installment of “Things My Sister Says,” featuring the one-and-only Julia.

“We have to go to the equator! You put one foot in the southern hemisphere and one foot in the northern hemisphere. How cool is that?!” ~ Julia

———-

“I don’t know any Spanish. All I know is ‘adios’ and ‘gracias.’” ~ Julia

———-

“I want an iPod for the trip. Want to buy me one?” ~ Julia

———-

“How many pairs of jeans are you packing?” ~ Julia

“Two. Now that I have back chub I don’t have a lot of pairs that fit comfortably.” ~ me

“Oh, that’s too bad. I’ve been working out a lot.” ~ Julia

———-

“The biggest thing to worry about in Quito is getting hit by a car.” ~ Julia

———-

“You better be careful what you say or it’s going to end up in the second installment of ‘Things My Sister Says.’” ~ me

“Oh my gosh, my words are so popular.” ~ Julia

Off we go!

Hola! I’ve brushed up on my Spanish, packed mosquito repellant and Pepto-Bismol, and suffered the side effects of a Typhoid vaccine. This can only mean one thing: My trip to Ecuador is almost here! I leave this Sunday for an eight-day foray in Quito. My sister is coming along to snap photographs and make sure I don’t get lost. We’ll visit the site of an urban farming project and speak with locals taking a community-based approach to addressing rising food prices and malnourishment by growing their own organic produce. Wish us luck!

Quito Grown funded

Some nice people have successfully funded my “Quito Grown” Kickstarter project. I’m traveling to Ecuador in July and will post blog updates this summer.

Ecuadorians and Americans working together to make an urban farm in Quito.

Time for a change

So far, this blog has chronicled my “Wailing Peacocks” project, which involved a Kickstarter campaign, traveling to Hawaii and writing about the revival of ancient Polynesian voyaging and its role in navigating climate change. Now, this blog will tell of my second Kickstarter venture, which involves a trip to Quito, Ecuador to write about an urban farming project. Click here to learn about “Quito Grown.” I hope you’ll follow along on my journey! But, first, here are some of my favorite photos from the Hawaii project.

Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld, left, and Kapu Na Keiki member Jason Patterson rebuild Hokule'a.

Kapu Na Keiki member Jason Patterson works on repairing the legendary canoe, Hokule'a.

Kapu Na Keiki members prepare for a short sail.

Kaina Holomalia reflects on the importance of voyaging in his life.