vacation..on vacation

People here in Colombia ask me all the time if I'm on vacation and I never quite know what to say. I suppose I am on vacation, but it feels more like a journey than a reprieve. I want to say that I'm here for life, just another step in the direction I'm going, but that seems too complex. So I usually just say yes, and only the lucky ones who hang around me long enough get to hear pieces of my real story ;)
Either way, last week I made my first overnight venture away from the farm. I was a bit anxious about how I would feel (disliking change and all), but decided I needed the getaway and shouldn't hide from whatever was tapping at the door to my mind. So, I left for Manizales on Tuesday morning. I went to visit a friend at her farm house.

  

I arrived to a beautiful vista of trees and mountains. The first night we cooked on the fire outside with her friends. It was relaxing and hard at the same time. I was looking at the next few days of almost exclusive Spanish, which would be great for learning, but challenging for life. Ha!

Over the 5 days I spent there we worked in the garden, met family and friends, ate awesome vegan cuisine and hiked up and down way too many "hills" to count. My calves were in super strength mode and my brain was exhausted by the time I left! Great things :)


I missed the farm, but had a great time. When I returned I felt like I had missed so much and needed to be caught up on all the happenings of my farm family! I also came back in a new mental space with lots to ponder about my journey going forward. For now, I'm into another week in Colombia filled with joy and smiles!

Eco-Feminism

 

Last weekend we have a special visitor speak about eco-feminism. She speaks in many places throughout Colombia and the leader of the farm here got her to talk with us for a few days.

Day 1 was about the history of feminism, specifically how women and their periods are tied in with social norms around the world. It was really interesting for me because I recently read a book (The Red Tent) that dealt a lot with the norms of women and their periods during biblical times. The speaker, Juana, talked a lot about how women are viewed today, often negatively, in relation to their periods.

Day 2 was focused on healthy living overall and being an active participant in keeping the food we eat safe from chemicals and unnatural changes. The safe keeping of seeds was brought up again. Being able to grow your own food and pass that plan on to others is an important part of sustainability for all. Juana also discussed the idea that feminism is not tyring to make women more important or supressors of men, but in creating more unity among all people.


Day 3 was craft day :) We made washable, and thus reusable, pads (toallas). It was a long, but exciting craft morning. A group of about 20 women and girls made their own toallas out of the materials Juana provided us. We cut and sewed our way through an environmentally friendly session.  

Overall it was a fantastic weekend of learning. This place is giving me knowledge and understandings that I did not anticipate.

**I have a few pictures to share..once the internet connection allows me to upload them I will.