It seems I've found a new catch-phrase; one that epitomizes everything I am trying to accomplish in my own personal life and that is, simply finding my way toward health living. Last week, I spent a bit of time exploring the concept of Blue Zones in my post, Migrating the Blue Zone into Your Own Back Yard. Blue zones are places in the world where people live longer and healthier without medication or disability. Journalist Dan Buettner searched for reasons five areas of the world -- Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda California; Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, and an isolated Greek island, Ikaria -- inspired people to live longer, healthier, happier lives. His findings? LIFESTYLE!!! I mean, really! Can it get any clearer to us that our lifestyle choices (and it IS a choice) is slowly but surely killing us?
When I did a little digging, I found communities that have truly embraced the concept of Blue Zone living. As they were all in USA, I went looking for what Canada has to offer. Did you know, in the 10 years between 1996 and 2006, the number of centenarians in Canada doubled and this rise is expected to continue? While we have known for some time that we are living longer, what I wasn't able to find are the statistics on that razor-edged line when age becomes synonymous
with poor health. Our hospitals and nursing homes are, after all, filled to overflowing with seniors that are no longer able to care for themselves.
Getting a shave
The fact is, it doesn't have to be this way. We control 70% of the factors influencing our health. Research by the US Urban Institute and Center for Disease Control and Prevention have documented four key factors on an individual's health: access to care: 10%; genetics: 20%; environment: 20%; health behaviours: 50%. Through a series of small meaningful changes within our communities as well as at home, we can make a difference in how we live, work and play.
I admit, I'm more than a little disappointed to discover that Canada has not really embraced Blue Zone Community living as some areas of the USA have. While I discovered that areas of southern Nova Scotia seems to have qualities much akin to Buettner's identified five areas of the world, I have not been able to find a single community in Canada that is actively pursuing Blue Zone philosophy and embracing its attributes. Whereas in the USA, there are 14 communities (10 of which are located in Iowa) striving to incorporate Blue Zone principles into its day-to-day life, this doesn't seem to be the case in Canada.
I have to ask, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?Are we each not personally responsible to bring about some level of change -- within our communities as well as within our homes? Do we really want to see what our world will look like when debilitating chronic disease outweighs workforce productivity? How will Canada compete globally? We already have a health care system struggling to find affordable ways of providing services; do we really want health care to be a privilege as opposed to a right? What weighs on my mind more and more everyday is, what will be my experience in a few years; I have to admit, what I envision isn't exactly pretty.
All each of us has to do is adopt 9 healthy principles (dubbed 'Power 9 Principles'): focused on becoming more physically active, or moving naturally; eating wisely, having purpose; and participating in our community, to add years to our lives. It seems so simple -- so why do we make it so hard?
Who hasn't seen the Heart and Stroke advertising campaign that reminds us that our last 10 years are likely to be spent in sickness? While some folks might find this type of marketing offensive, it seems to me there are a lot more that are at least talking about making better lifestyle choices precisely to avoid declining health in our latter years. I for one have already partipated in lending support to my parents in the last 10 years of their lives; frankly, I would like to avoid this route if at all possible and it seems to me, there is something I can do to help in this regard.
Until a few days ago, I had never heard the phrase 'blue zone'. Have I been living under the proverbial cabbage patch leaf? Perhaps; but now that I have heard and explored what it means, it comes to mind that we have the tools to turn each and every community into a 'blue zone'. And if not the community, certainly our own domain -- our homes.
Blue zones are places in the world where people live longer and healthier -- to 90 or even 100 years of age -- without medication or disability. Journalist Dan Buettner, in a partnership with National Geographic spent five years searching for reasons five areas of the world -- Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda California; Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, and an isolated Greek island, Ikaria -- are inspiring people to live longer, healthier, happier lives. His findings? LIFESTYLE!!! For whatever reason, the vast majority of these communities followed a simple prescription. They maintained a healthy diet, daily exercise, and a low stress lifestyle which incorporates family, purpose, religion, and meaning.
A healthy diet is one that is loaded with vegetables, fruits, fish, and nuts and low on meat, sugar, fat, and processed foods. All four cultures share similarities regarding their eating habits. Some stop eating before they're full while others make dinner the lightest meal of the day. There is also a strong belief in getting plenty of sunshine and taking in vitamin D.
Healthy Food Choices
A daily routine of regular exercise is another theme that is common across all blue zones. Common across all of blue zones is that people climb mountains, walk through the hills, work the land, and generally use their bodies as they perform their daily activities. Often the exercise is slow and relaxed, but ongoing throughout the day. These people are conditioned by daily routine to be fit and alert. Ready to fight disease. Quick to break down toxins and waste.
Active, Enjoyable Family Fun
Buettner has found that those who live long and healthy in the blue zones unanimously live low stress, happy lives enriched with strong family ties, a sense of purpose, a healthy dose of spirituality, and plenty of sleep. Unlike the straightforwardness of eating healthy and exercising, this third pillar of a healthy lifestyle is hard to precisely define. Stress is especially proven to have serious harmful effects on the body . The long-term effects of a life constantly full of stress, anger, and resentment are dramatic, increasing blood pressure, and generally increasing the onset and severity of heart disease and several other major diseases.
Buddhist Temple, Richmond, BC
Living long and healthy is not mysterious. It is a choice. If you aren’t living the lifestyle, then it is never too late to start. To live long and healthy requires a constant, daily lifestyle of positive enrichment for the body and mind. Find ways to make healthy food taste good. Find ways to make exercise a meaningful part of your daily routine rather than a burdensome chore. Surround yourself with others that share your interest in living a full life that is low in stress, happy, and meaningful. Get plenty of sleep.
A team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists searched for evidence-based common denominators among the 5 Blue Zones and found nine:
1. Move Naturally : live in environments that constantly nudge you into moving without thinking about it. Grow gardens and don’t have mechanical conveniences for house and yard work. 2. Purpose: Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy. 3. Down Shift: Stress leads to chronic inflammation, associated with every major age-related disease. Develop a routine to shed that stress. Take a few moments each day to remember your ancestors. Pray. Take a nap. Have a happy hour. 4. 80% Rule : Stop eating when your stomach is 80 percent full. The 20% gap between not being hungry and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight or gaining it. 5. Plant Slant: Beans, including fava, black, soy and lentils, are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets. Meat—mostly pork—is eaten on average only five times per month. Serving sizes are 3-4 oz., about the size of deck or cards. 6. Wine @ 5: People in all Blue Zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly. Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 1-2 glasses per day (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine), with friends and/or with food. And no, you can’t save up all weekend and have 14 drinks on Saturday. 7. Belong: Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy. 8. Loved Ones First: Successful centenarians in the Blue Zones put their families first. This means keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home (It lowers disease and mortality rates of children in the home too.). They commit to a life partner (which can add up to 3 years of life expectancy) and invest in their children with time and love (They’ll be more likely to care for you when the time comes). 9. Right Tribe : The world’s longest lived people chose–or were born into–social circles that supported healthy behaviors. Research shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious.
Enter 'Blue Zone Communities'. The Blue Zones Project initiative challenges communities to become a Blue Zones Community™ , a systems approach that allows citizens, schools, employers, restaurants, grocery stores and community leaders to work together on policies and programs that will make the most impact and move the community towards optimal health and well-being. Blue Zone communities don’t rely on individual behavior change but, rather, focus on making healthy choices the easy choice. Rather than nagging residents to walk more, walking is made easier and more desirable. By making wholesome foods more prevalent and accessible and less expensive than junk foods, more people begin to eat healthier naturally.
Take Albert Lea, for example. Starting in 2009, Albert Lea, a statistically average American city located about 90 miles south of Minneapolis, underwent an extraordinary transformation. For three years, this city of 18,000 residents participated in the Blue Zones Vitality Project sponsored by AARP and the United Health Foundation, making it ground zero for the application of longevity research in America! Amid a pep-rally-like atmosphere in a high-school auditorium, the community kicked off the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project. The mission of the Vitality Project was to add healthy years to an entire town by weaving the Blue Zones principles into every aspect of the community—restaurants, businesses, schools, homes, and everyday lives. Two-thirds of locally owned restaurants added life-extending foods to their menus; 35 businesses pledged to make their workplaces healthier by offering more nutritious catering menus and vending machine choices, and substituting fruit for doughnuts. Residents participated in 15 Vitality Project initiatives, from walking groups—including "walking school buses," where parents and grandparents stroll with children to school—to healthy cooking classes.
Many communities embrace most aspects of this lifestyle, Earlier this year, I visited a community in Michoacan, Mexico, where I met a vital, enthusiastically active and entertaining 90-year-old woman named Maria. Maria, I suspect, has never heard about Blue Zone Communities but, all the same, she lives the lifestyle. She lives in a multi-generational home with her nephew and great nephew. She eats locally grown food, much of which she grows in her own garden or picks in the hills behind her village. Maria actively participates in the well-being of her family; she weaves and embroiders robosos (shawl) that she is modelling in this photograph, and sells them on city streets. But what is most obvious about Maria is her friendly demeanor and easy laughter.
Maria - Angahuan, Michoacan
For many of us, there are lessons our parents and grandparents knew, that have been forgotten. The beauty of Blue Zone Communities is, while tools are provided to support transforming the entire community, the program lends itself to a bottom up approach. Start challenging yourself and your family: Here's a checklist to help you to introduce and monitor healthy lifestyle changes such as eating more fruits and veggies, eating breakfast; limiting screen time (TV AND computer); limiting sugar http://www.bluezones.com/challenge/students/
For those of us living in Alberta, Spring came awfully late this year. . . or perhaps I should say, Winter took its sweet time taking its leave. While some were more fortunate than others, I can honestly say that I, for one, am still anxiously awaiting the rows in my garden to pop up through the earth and be prepared to stand with me in the fight against the weeds. I haven't even transplanted some of the tender plants, such as peppers and tomatoes yet and this year I've made a conscious decision to drastically reduce the number of annuals. While I won't say that I am a steadfast die-hard sustainable/organic gardener, I continue to lodge my battle against weeds, primarily through the process of cultivation and good old-fashioned handpicking and the only watering I do is easily maintained by my rainwater barrel.
And slowly but surely, I'm converting the beautiful but highly labour-intensive flower gardens that my parents so lovingly created by the sweat of their brow, into mulched beds with a mix of perennials, shrubs and trees. It's true, they don't have the spectacular bursts of color but, except for a bit of hand picking weeds, they don't demand the attention and I rather like the less formal 'natural' look. Large shrub beds, and a solid refusal to fertilize, also keeps lawn care to a minimum. While we still have copious amounts of lawn (also planted by my parents), as long as I follow a few basic rules such as no chemical fertilizers and not cutting it too short -- the time is kept to a minimum.
then & now
When I walk through someone's yard or poke through a garden centre, my mind is always focused on ways which I can continue my hobby in a manner which is kind to the earth (and therefore to me) while keeping the maintenance to a minimum and the enjoyment to a maximum. Perhaps you're the same. If so, here's a few links for your reading pleasure.
UPDATE: All marches were not traditional. The Carnival of Corn was, at its core, a celebration of Mexican agricultural heritage -- and a rejection of the biotech corporation. Continue reading at: http://www.alternet.org/activism/thousands-mexico-protest-monsanto-throwing-carnival-corn
This past Saturday, protesters rallied in 52 countries and 436 cities as part of a global protest against seed giant Monsanto and the genetically modified food it produces, organizers said.
Most corn, soybean and cotton crops grown in North America today have been genetically modified. Supporters credit GMO to higher crop yields and nutritional value while critics say genetically modified organisms can lead to serious health conditions and harm the environment. The use of GMOs has been a growing issue of contention in recent years, with health advocates pushing for mandatory labeling of genetically modified products even though the federal government and many scientists say the technology is safe.
You may not be aware just how Monsanto finds its way into your home. It's not simply a matter of avoiding corn, or corn-based products. It also includes soybean, sugar beet, canola and wheat and rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) used in dairy cows to produce higher volumes of milk. And then there's that spotty record related to it's PCB production in the United States and the inproper disposal of chemicals in the United Kingdom and other legal problems in Argentina, Brazil, China and Haiti.
Last week, the U.S. Senate approved HR 933, a short term funding measure designed to avoid a March 27 government shutdown. Hidden within HR 933 is section 735, the “Farmer Assurance Provision.” Called the “Monsanto Protection Act” by critics, this section gives the USDA the power to allow the planting, harvest and sale of genetically engineered crops, even if a court rules that they were not properly approved. Short of a Presidential veto, the provision is a certain victory for genetically engineered foods.
The provision was slipped in anonymously while the resolution was in the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The rider should have been brought in front of the Agricultural or Judiciary Committees, but was not. Senator John Tester (D-MT) proposed an amendment to strip section 735 from the bill, but the amendment never came up for a vote. According to the Center for Food Safety, there were no hearings on this provision and most Democrats did not know it was part of the larger bill.
A major UN/World Bank-sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed by 58 countries concluded that GM crops have little to offer global agriculture and the challenges of poverty, hunger, and climate change, because better alternatives are available. In particular, the report championed “agroecological” farming as the sustainable way forward for developing countries. Imagine that.
The purpose of planting vegetation on rooftops is seen as a way to reduce the heat effect and reduce energy costs. Rooftop gardens have the potential of lowering energy usage for heating and air-conditioning as well as reducing rainwater runoff, but their effectiveness is not well established.
In order to survive on a rooftop, vegetation has to to survive high winds, prolonged exposure to the sun and unpredictable water availability. To resist these harsh environs, many green roofs are planted with sedum, often a non-native species, that can survive wind and long periods without rainfall. But what about when sedums are native (obviously, they are somewhere)? Or what about greening with other native species plantings?
The cities of Chicago and Portland, have each developed hundreds of green roofs over the last decade, and both cities have implemented programs to monitor the success and cost/benefits of green roofs. The climates are very different, so the green roof requirements are different, but they have been successful in both cities.
Thin (4" or less), light-weight (50 lbs/cu ft saturated) engineered soils are often used for green roofs because of weight limitations. These soils are engineered so they do not retain water so as to limit additional weight on the roof structure. Because of the physical limitations of the soil (i.e., limited-to-no organics, limited capacity to retain water), sedums and other succulents are often used because those species are the best suited for those environments. Other plant species which are adapted to poor soils with limited water typically compensate by having large and/or deep root systems; on a thin-profile green roof, however, these types of plants do not do well because they cannot establish the root systems they need to survive.
Since the 2008 launch of its Ecoroof Incentive Program, the City of Portland has seen the installation of hundreds of vegetated roofs. But in 2012, the City gained a whole lot more green roof footage in a single project: the new Hayden Meadows Walmart in North Portland. This is the second green roof project for Walmart who introduced a similar project to Chicago in 2008. Walmart voluntarily monitored the performance of the green roof. The roof drainage system was purpose-built to separate runoff from the green and non-green roof areas and enable precise comparisons to be made between the two roof areas. Flow meters, installed in each manhole, record total flows and flow rates from each roof section. The entire roof is outfitted with a weather station and data logger to measure temperature, solar radiation, humidity, rain, and wind speed and direction to monitor the conditions on both the vegetated roof and the white Energy Star® rated membrane. Additionally, a moisture probe was installed in the green roof media. The study was the largest and most intensive of its kind in the world.
Improvements in the rate and volume of runoff were apparent as soon as the green roof was installed. Because of the study we now have conclusive evidence that the size of a green roof affects its performance. The scale of a green roof allows it to operate at or above its expected performance rate. This benefit also relies on the non-modular design in which moisture slowly migrates through the green roof toward the outlet. Longer ‘residence times’ in the green roof result in greater moisture uptake, delayed runoff, and enhanced growing conditions for the foliage plants. The larger the green roof the greater the distance runoff needs to travel to reach the roof drains thereby further delaying the peak rate of runoff. There is no other BMP that more closely matches pre-development conditions than a large scale green roof. A decrease in the temperature of the greened roof was also observed, compared to the adjacent white roof.
Perhaps one of the key elements in deciding on a green roof is to identify its purpose. Is it an ornamental green roof, used in combination with decks, seating, etc.? Is it intended to recreate native habitat? Or is it a thin-profile sedum roof, used as a means to slow water runoff and reduce the heat island effect? Each of these green roofs has different technical requirements and will have different characteristics once they have been established. Failure of one type of roof may not mean failure for another. If you're thinking of a green roof, the City of Portland has published an Eco-Roof Guide to help you: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/331490
October 2015 While this topic should be on our minds at all time, with Christmas (and retail's high season) right around the corner, I thought it was time we revisited the issue of how we support proper work environments for the millions working in 3rd world country sweatshops. While progress has been made, sadly, with only 2 Canadian and slightly more than 20 US companies working to end the continuing cycle of poverty, it would seem most of us are happy to continue the practice of supporting corporations that care little about the human cost tied to their profit margin. Or, at least, this is the number that has willingly entered into the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Safety. An independent, legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions, the accord is designed to enable a working environment in which no worker needs to fear fires, building collapses or other accidents that can easily be prevented. Just In case you still aren't listening, here are a few facts about sweatshops that perhaps you didn't know:
A sweatshop is defined by the US Department of Labour as a factory that violates 2 or more labor laws;
They have poor working conditions, unfair wages, unreasonable hours, child labour; lack worker benefits;
An estimate 168 MILLION children, ages 5-14 work in sweatshops throughout developing countries;
Most countries in the industrialized world are not free of sweatshops;
Common products coming from sweatshops include garmets, cotton, brick, cocoa and coffee;
Consumers willing to pay 15% more to know a product did not come from a sweatshop will double the salary of a sweatshop employee;
Those forced to work in a sweatshop spend the majority of their paycheck on food for their families;
Child labour is especially common in the agricultural sector, primarily in Asia and the Pacific. Sub-Saharan African has the highest prevalence, with 20% of children in child labour;
Because women make up 85-90% of sweatshop workers, some employees force their female staff to take birth control and routine pregnancy tests to avoice supporting maternity leave or providing health benefits.
How can you help? One way to help foreign workers is to make conscious buying decisions and encourage retailer to provide conscious options. At the bottom of this blog you will find links to help you learn how to avoid supporting this type of facility, thereby helping to break the cycle.
Sweatshops are work environments that possess three major characteristics—long hours, low pay, and unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. Sweatshops have been a factor in the production of goods around the world for centuries, but the globalization of business has led to increasing numbers of major corporations taking advantage of low-cost labor in developing countries. Will sweatshops ever be abolished or will we continue to turn a blind eye and support them, as is evident in numerous recent examples in the apparel industry brought to international attention by castastrophic events? The recent factory collapse in Bangladesh brought Superstore's Joe Fresh line to the forefront; but so far, Loblaw is the only company that has publicly admitted to carrying items made in the collapsed factory but what about all the others? Companies like Sears Canada, Reitman, The Gap, Liz Claiborne, Kathie Lee Gifford, Nike, and Wal-Mart all market goods produced in sweatshops. And what about the responsibility each one of us has? How do we avoid supporting this type of activity and working environment? While a very low price may be an indicator, it isn't always. While we can inspect the name of the country printed on the label, we can't assume all products made in a third world country are the product of a sweat shop. Using Bangladesh as an example, there are compliant manufacturers in these countries just as there is non-compliant, grossly negligent manufacturers.
Here's as good a place as anywhere to start: GoodGuide.com is a website designed to help us find safe, healthy, green & ethical products based on scientific ratings. Led by Professor Dara O'Rourke of UC Berkeley, GoodGuide's science team – chemists, toxicologists, nutritionists, sociologists, and lifecycle analysis experts – rates products and companies on their health, environmental and social performance. GoodGuide's 0 to 10 rating system helps consumers quickly evaluate and compare products.
As with anything else that is important, we not only have the choice, we have a responsibility not to turn away, but to take the time to educate ourselves so that we can make informed choices. . . . after all, we always have a choice -- we can be part of the problem, or part of the solution. Which one do you want to be?
As we begin to roll into harvest and I start spending more time in the garden, I can't help but be reminded of my Mom and Dad. While Dad was responsible for all things 'farm', Mom's domain was the home. What not everyone realizes, is that 'home' extended far beyond the confines of the house. It also encompassed a very large garden and all things food related. As one might anticipate, that included our three squares a day, snacks, picnics and yes, even harvest meals. Mom not only took care of the garden, helped with the livestock when needed, prepared all the meals, including those meals to the field AND, in between, was my dad's hired hand. When I think back, it really is amazing how my mother managed to drive the truck during combining and still clean the house, make all the meals and serve them up in style.
My mother was one of those fine old farm wives whose life revolved around her family. When she passed away, in 2010, the grandchildren were doing a little reminiscing and decided to put their thoughts down and share it with the rest of the family. I had pretty much forgotten about it until a neice reminded me. Perhaps those that were privileged to
grow up on a farm in a traditional family will also relate to these heartwarming, often humerous
tidbits of real life.
What really caught my attention was my mother's (and therefore, her grandchildren's) focus on food. My mother's kitchen was always buzzing with activity and every meal was an occasion. If you want to think in terms of sustainable food systems, my mother's table would be a fine example; pretty much everything on it came from just a few steps, in one direction or another, from our back door. On our small family farm you found cattle, a small farrow to finish hog operation and 50 baby chicks arriving each spring. As spring was filled with planting, summers will filled with tending livestock, crops and the huge garden which provided us with fresh greens and vegetables throughout. In the fall, produce was stored, canned, frozen, or dried and saw us through to the next growing season.
The grandchildren were right about desserts, home made candies and other treats. As kids, we anxiously waited for the wild saskatoons to ripen and held 'picking parties', with the fruits of our labour ushered into my mother's waiting kitchen, only to reappear in the form of pies. I don't really recall a meal that didn't end with something sweet, usually preserved fruit but also ice cream dressed with homemade sauces.
I think back on those days -- those fond, fond memories -- and am grateful for having been charmed with a lifestyle that we took for granted; and loved by parents that, at times, were also taken for granted. At least I was fortunate enough to have role models that shared their love of the land along with their knowledge and desire to be self-sufficient. They taught us the value, from both an economic and health perspective, of providing for ourselves. I like to think I came from good stock.
What I find especially endearing is, regardless how her grandchildren may have snickered at my mother's penchance for a good meal and a tastey tidbit, there are several of them that need only look in the mirror where they may find a glimmer of their grandmother. Suffice to say, there seems to be a goodly number of them that seem to to have inherited the 'baking gene'. All of her grandchildren are quite mindful of where their food comes from. I suspect part of that awareness stems from their very early exposure to fresh food. Admit it, there is still nothing like the thrill of sneaking into gramma's garden to help yourself to a handful of fresh peas or raspberries. Nor is there any replacement for the smell of an apple pie or hot buns just coming out of the oven.
And with that, I give you, the recollections of my parents' grandchildren. Perhaps something will bring a smile to your face, or tug at a heartstring, just as it did mine.
98. “People may not remember what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel”. …You always felt like Gramma was absolutely thrilled to see you, would remember everything you told her; was always so proud of you and that she loved you deeply.
http://www.earthday.org Most of us have heard and celebrated Earth Day, in one form or another but perhaps we aren't all aware of the Earth Day Network (EDN). Earth Day was first celebrated on this day in 1970 and is credited for having a significant positive impact on the environmental movement. EDN partneres with groups in over 190 countries and is largely responsible for mobilizing the more than 1 BILLON people that participate each year. Geared to adults and kids alike, there's a cool little tool on the bottom of the website to calculate your ecological footprint. Once completed, it provides a few ideas to help reduce that footprint. It's geared to urban living but that's where most of the folks on our beautiful planet are living and let's face it, accounting for a rural lifestyle, livestock, etc. would be a wee bit too complex to calculate. http://www.earthday.org/footprint-calculator Don't forget to check out EDN's Campaign for Communities which aims to unite Earth Day events and local elected officials from around the world as a way to engage with constituents locally and participate in an exchange of environmental visions, concepts, and learning. http://www.earthday.org/c4c Give it a look; I guarantee you an interesting learning experience. Happy Earth Day.
Though we rarley do it in our own community, when my spouse and I travel, one of our favourite pastimes is to partake in a little 'people watching'. We'll choose a spot where there is a fair bit of activity: a public beach; an outdoor cafe on a busy intersection. One of us will randomly select a passersby -- sometimes an individual, perhaps a couple or even a family-- and the other will have to weave a plausible story regarding what the passerby is doing (or even thinking) at that particular moment in time. Occassionally, we are rewarded by some tidbit of evidence that our make-believe world is very near reality.
On one occassion I chose a man walking slowly and alone down a street. Once, we witnessed a man slowly walking along the street but suddenly clearly looking for something or, in this case, someone. The story my partner gave him was that this single man was really part of a couple. We could almost here him murmuring to himself, 'Where did she go? I took my eyes off her for one minute and, when I turned around, she was gone." After all, how many times has that been our story (hence the reason why we rarely shop together)? Although he walked by, he returned to find a good vantage point and park. Sure enough, a few minutes later we saw a woman walking alone and burdened with the success of her shopping, but who also seemed to be paying more than the usual amount of attention to her surroundings as if she too were watching for someone. As she neared the man, he stood up, and walking toward her, lightened her load from her arms. That was sufficient for us to conclude that our assumptions had considerable merit.
Our game doesn't require anything special, except for a location where there is a goodly amount of pedestrian activity and a comfortable place to sit. After all, it wouldn't be much of a game if we didn't have a significantly wide array of people to choose from and as it sometimes take some time, it's nice to be comfortable. It doesn't need to be pretty; it doesn't have to be formal. We just need a spot where we can sit unobtrusively and watch the people around us interact with each other and the world. We've paused to listen to people playing a guitar at a bus stop and, before long, my partner is taking this instrument into his own hands and playing a tune for the musician.
In the rural community in our home, it's common to find the road we are driving along blocked as two neighbours slow their vehicles, roll down their windows and have a quick visit.
While our mothers, fathers and grandparents all seemed to understand the importance of congregating with their neighbours, we seem to have digarded this, in favour of turning inward, and isolating ourselves. Instead of the white picket fence separating our yard from your neighbour's, we now construct solid 6' fences. If we're fortunate, we might even have a front attached garage, effectively blocking our view of the front as well. It's not uncommon for families to be neighbours very years with little more than a casual remark or passing wave that passes as communication.
For decades our streets and sidewalks were designed to promote movement from Point A to Point B. There was no park bench, no ledge to lean upon. Internally, coffee counters and soda fountains disappeared from department and drug stores; chairs and benched unobtrusively tucked into a corner where our seniors could stop to rest or visit mysteriously disappeared. Slowly, but surely, we are beginning to recognize the error of our ways. Street furniture has made comeback and outdoor cafes are the rage.
But does it take an extravagant or even an organized effort? Perhaps not. All we seem to need is other people. Here are just a few example of how simple it can be.
Sustainability comes in all forms. If we hope to be successful, we need everyone's participation. I came upon a very interesting organization that I wasn't aware existed but it seems to be gaining momentum around the world. I did a little digging; what I found was, even though there are references and reports regarding Canada and potential health care reforms, it doesn't seem like Canada is participating to any real degree. I wonder what that's all about.
Take a look, dig around in the site a little, and let me know what you think. Is this organization a worthwhile vehicle for change?
About Us:It’s important to understand the perspective of the
report, so here is a bit of information about us.We are a couple from western Canada, in our mid
50’s. While we have enjoyed 13 all-inclusive resorts, all being 4 ½ - 5 star,
we decided it was time to try something different so we now have a condominium
rental under our belts.We travel as a
couple and also with a group of 4-12.We
find the needs of group travel significantly differs from those as a
couple.We generally like to “do our research”
before choosing a destination/resort and rely upon the experience of others
primarily through vacation destination reports and feedback, and the knowledge
of an experienced travel agent.We have visited
many parts of Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica;
and Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, Dominican
Republic .We have also travelled much
of the US and Canada.
Last year we opted for a spontaneous trip
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo to attend the International Guitar Festival.We loved it somuch, we decided we needed to return this
year.
We booked a
condo through VRBO (Home Away) and our airfare through Westjet, using our trusted
travel agent. The value of a good travel agent can't be understated,
particularly, in times of trouble and we have learned this through experience.While
there was no direct benefit to us in bookingour airfare through her, we do it as a means of supporting her.Her contact information is:Luana Johnsgaard, luana@travelonly.net.
We also booked a full day excursion with Miguel
Martinez a Tour guide we met last year when he led us to Paracho, Michoacan.We were so impressed by his expertise and
flexibility, we stayed in touch.He is a
very proud Mexican who loves to show of us country and educate while
entertaining you.
Scoring:1(Poor) to
10 (Perfection)
Overall Impression of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico:Scoring:9Ixtapa itself is a planned
community, developed in the 1970's by Fonatur, much like Cancun.Whereas Cancun has taken off like a house on
fire,Ixtapa's growth has been slow
which we consider an asset as the community continues to retain the ambience of
a true Mexican community.Many of the
resorts, primarily located adjacent the beach, are due for some serious
facelifts and some of them have converted from resorts to condominium resort
complexes, offering 'the best of both worlds', private ownership of a unit, as
well as the perks of an all-inclusive – a bar, sometimes a restaurant, nice
pools, grounds, and beach palapas.There
is also considerable residential development (with a few B & Bs) occupied
by wealthy Mexican or ex-pat families, off the beach.Ixtapa has a very well developed tourist area
with shopping and restaurants within easy walking distance of most of the
resorts.There is also a small mercado
which carries all the groceries you will need during your stay, including fresh
produce, meats, etc. if you aren't concerned about price and aren't looking for
anything special.
Ixtapa Sunset
Playa Palmar beach is beautiful though
the water has quite an attitude. . . last year it stole my sunglasses, gave me
a sea-sand fully body scrub and did it's best to strip the clothing right off
my back!This year, it didn't have much
chance as we spent more time around the pool, partly because one of us was
still convalescing from surgery and partly because one of us (and that would be
me) was a wee bit intimidated by the size of the waves –on some days, as high
as 3 metres).Suffice to say, there
aren't a lot of tourists in the water and body surfing and boogie boarding is a
popular pastime.
Big Surf
Zihuatanejo is occupied primarily by Mexicans.Although tourism is clearly evident, there is
still very much a Mexican vibe.The two
communities are about a 5 minute cab ride or a 15-minute bus ride apart.The local transportation is very reliable and
safe; a cab costs about $6US one-way and the bus around $.25The people are exceptionally friendly and
helpful; English is not well-spoken by locals outside of the resorts (we enjoy
the challenge as we have only 'tourista Espanola") but if you are
receptive, the local people go out of their way to communicate with you.This is one of the reasons we are so
attracted to this area of the Pacific Coast.Unlike the Mayan Riviera, intentionally developed for tourism, the West
coastis home to families which are
willing to share their Paradise.While
tourism is the primary industry,Zihuatanejo
is still a fishing village and, due to the drop in tourism, many Mexicans
employed in the industry also supplement their income in the off season, making
cottage industries a true economic mainstay.
Zihuatanejo Centro
Peppers at Mercado Centro
We spent considerably more time exploring the local
area this time, shopping at the Commercial and Bodega mercados for groceries;
visiting the Mercado Centro, a true Mexican-style market; exploring other
beaches, etc.I don't know what to say
except that this culture has managed to hang onto something that we seem to
have lost – an overwhelming belief in the goodness of people and the need to
connect with everyone they encounter.It's not only charming, it's refreshing and absolutely heartwarming!
We love this area so much, we are pretty sure we
are going back which really is not 'us'.We are usually attracted to new destinations, rarely returning to the
same one twice.As Playa Palmar is
clearly within the tourist zone, we thought we should check out other
accommodations.We found the waters of
Playa Madera and Playa la Ropa to have gentler waves, but they are also located
within the same Bay as Playa Principal, which is not particularly clean;
whereas Playa Palmar is located on open water and one of the few certified
'clean' beaches in Mexico.We visited
the Marina which offers accommodations and daily rentals of every type, from
yachts to pangas.Accommodations on
Madera and la Ropa are generally not directly on the beach and few we found
offer cooking facilities or even fridges.While there are some restaurants and shops, we didn't find as many
choices (though the prices were better).While we feel Ixtapa ticked off
more boxes for our preferences, we talked to many who were genuinely pleased
with their choices on Madera and la Ropa and met just as many who have
purchased properties in these areas.
Rating:9/10We were so impressed last year that we couldn't
possibly see ZIGF delivering the same level of service and quality of music two
years in a row.We were dead wrong!With a combination of repeat performances
and new musicians, we were just as wowed this year as last.The Festival provides
airfare and accommodation to the musician, who is otherwise unpaid.Venues are open-air restaurants and bars in
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.We always tried
to get there a bit early to get a front seat.There was food and liquor available in all venues that we attended.The Festival also invites 1,000 local
children to attend a special performance and there is a free concert at la
Cancha (a public gathering place) on the final day.A cover charge of $10US covers 3 sets of one
hour each.Opening night and the final
jam were $15US. We think it is a steal of a deal.The musicians are accommodated through Casa
Heidi and, while language may be a barrier, they are all have intimate
knowledge of the language of music.This
sets the scene for some fabulous collaborative efforts which fans are privy to
on the final jam, a night literally filled with standing ovations.If there was one slight disappointment, we
found the service, food and drinks at one venue (el Pueblita) to be less than
expected.On two nights, the only way we
received service was to hunt down the waiter whenever we needed anything; the
food wasn't particularly good this year; and we heard several complaints the
drinks were watered down.This was not our experience last year and was
certainly not enough to detract us from enjoying the overall experience.
Paul Renna, USA
Diego Garcia, Spain
Paul Pigat, Canada
Josue Tacaronet, Cuba
Paricutin
Volcano - Michoacán
Rating:An Unqualified 10/10Last year, we visited Michoacán with Miguel Martinez (email: saldivar66@gmail.com), with
a tour group of 4. We loved Miguel and
the intimate small group aspect so much that we stayed in touch with him and selfishly retained
his services for just the two of us.Our 16 ½ hour day was wonderfully filled with spectacular scenery and
momentous personal experiences that were absolute highlights of our visit.
Miguelregaled us with
his knowledge of the communities we visited; however, as he is less experienced
with Parucitin, his role became one of facilitating dialogue with the local
guide. The volcano is said to have grown out of a cornfield and represents a
dramatic period in the lives of the local inhabitants who lost crops and
livestock, and suffered substantial property damage. Paricutin is the most recent volcano to have
formed on the Western Hemisphere, and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of
the Natural World.The entire event – from birth to eruption – took place between
1943 and 1952.Paricutin turned a
cornfield into a mountain, and it's lava flows covered roughly 10 square miles.The damage was incomprehensible but there was
a silver lining:volcanic ash produces
rich soil which has turned the region into an agricultural paradise. Here is a
link to the account:http://paricutin.com/default.htm.Although we were told that the village
occupants had plenty of time to get out of the way, my research suggests about
1,000 died following one of the last big eruptions in 1949.Our tour included a ½ hour horseback ride to
the site; exploring
the ruins of old San Juan Church – all that remains in the aftermath of the
volcano – sampling tortillas made with cactus (tasty!) and making the trek back
up the hill to Angahuan, the nearest
village to ParicutÃn Volcano, where our local guide lives.If you fancy a good long hike and
horseback ride (and leave early enough in the day) you can also continue past
the buried church another 9 km through the lava field on horseback, to the volcano itself,
with the climb to the cone being on
foot.
What remains of San Juan Church and Miguel Martinez, our Guide
Although not part of our $10 (3 hour) tour, Miguel also wrangled us an invitation to the private home of our local guide, in Angahuan, where he lives with his son and 90-year-old aunt, Maria.Weaving, embroidery, spinning and other textile traditions are still practiced here. The women continue to dress in the traditional costume of an embroidered blouse, over blouse, two belts, a embroidered slip, a skirt, an apron and finally the rebosos, or shawl.Miguel pursued this to help us gain a better understanding of the local Purepecha culture and the community.Each home has living quarters and a kitchen, separated by a common court yard.A mix of stone and wood, there were few windows, presumably to control the heat.The kitchen had both a wood-fired oven and an open firepit and, while modest by our terms, as neat as a pin.We sampled some of their food and were given herbs picked in the hills, dried ready to be steeped as tea.
drying herbs on the woodfired oven
Traditional Purepecha Dress
Maria weaves shawls and sells them in the
streets.When we asked if she would
model the two we purchased, she not only agreed but suggested I might also be
interested in having my photo taken with
her, wearing a traditional rebosos.I
had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed; she took me into her
bedroom, dug through boxes until she came out with suitable clothing and
dressed me complete in the garb of a Purepecha woman.I felt somewhat like a giant doll but I have
to admit, I loved everyminute of it! Miguel clearly LOVES his work and we
CLEARLY love him just because he always seems to `go the extra mile`.We would not have had such an opportunity had
it not been for him.
Angahuan's Church Alter
After
saying goodbye to this wonderful Purepecha family, Miguel showed us other
community highlights.My research indicates the village of Angahuan was established
by former slaves.Many of the structures
date back to the 16th century.We
visited a local church as well as the cemetery where he shared local burial customs,
including the Day of the Dead, celebrated November 1 and 2 throughout Mexico.
Carved Masks
We
had planned to visit a community known for the making
of masks, however, enroute Eric eyed a sign at a local mercado that he simply HAD
to have.While he and Miguel were
negotiating, I noticed a carver on the opposite site of the road.As daylight was beginning to fade, and we
were still a long way from home, we made our purchases of masks here,
had a wonderful meal in Pátzcuaro and headed back to Ixtapa.It was a big day, but one filled with
wonderful memories of beautiful, kind people, stunning architecture and amazing
natural sites that will not soon be forgotten. . . all of which we have Miguel
to thank for.He too deserves a 10/10.
Accommodations:Scoring: 8- Bay View Gran Marina -Scoring:8Our luxury 1 bedroom, 1
bathroom unit, located on the 16th floor of the north tower, offered
spectacular views from a spacious balcony;queen bed; 3 piece bath with shower; 2 LCD 37" TVs; a full kitchen
and stacking washer/dryer.While the
sofa pulls out to a queen bed, the unit is more conducive to a couple or, perhaps
a couple with a small child.Through HomeAway (VRBO), the unit is
accurately represented and the agents, IZ Properties, were accommodating both prior
and subsequent to booking and arrival.We
would have liked to have had access to an in-room safe, which the agent was
prepared to accommodate but the owners were not.We were apprehensive about this as we know
many people – maintenance, housekeeping, owners, agents – have access to the
unit and we were not thrilled by the prospect of carrying our passports, airline
tickets and $$ with us at all times.While we had no problems, it is the biggest downfall to this unit for us.We also had to request housekeeping after our
first week but, when we did, arrangements were made immediately.Lastly, lighter bedding would make sleeping
much more comfortable, as we had to turn the A/C WWWAAAYYY down in order to
compensate. It might also be nice if detergent for laundry and dishwashing were provided.Overall, we have no reservation in recommending the unit or the agency.
A Zen Moment on the Beach
A View from a Poolside Lounger
Food & Beverage:Scoring: 8-Not knowing what
to expect of our first condo experience, we packed a few sundry items to get us
through the first couple of days, including spice, toilet paper, paper towel,
coffee, filters, and detergent and we're glad we did.There was a bit of a roll of paper towel, one
roll of toilet paper and coffee filters presumably left by a previous
tenant.There was also salt/pepper which
I suspect was laid in upon my request prior to arrival.We aren't complaining – now we know what to
expect. We picked up bread and a few
other small items at the small mercado down the street to keep us until we went to Zihuatanejo.The only thing that stopped us from shopping at mercado centro in Zihua was the
knowledge that we would have to carry everything for the rest of our day.We preferred the Commercial which has more
than everything you might need;the Bodega,
while better located, is not well organized but may ultimately be a bit
cheaper.
Most days we ate toast and peanut butter for
breakfast and a sandwich for lunch; on a few occasions we cooked bacon and eggs
for brunch and perhaps some fresh fruit as a snack. And once or twice we opted for the beach bar, where both food and service is good. This was less about saving money and more
about being too lazy to go out every morning, preferring to enjoy our coffee and
Baileys and admire the view on our beautiful balcony.I'm also one that tires of eating out very
easily so it was a good way to keep this fresh.We ALWAYS went out for supper, usually ending up at the Ixtapa tourist
areas where we found a good variety of restaurants at very reasonable
prices.A meal and a couple of drinks each averaged $40
- $50 US. . . . no complaints there.We
ate several times at the Generals, as we enjoyed the staff (particularly Fredy)
and the fajitas.We experimented with
local dishes at la Malinches and wanted go back our last evening but, alas, couldn't
remember where it was (damn!).Frank's
has good food and, as this Mexican family lived in the US for several years,
English is well spoken.Lalos had great
food but the bathrooms weren't pretty.It
makes a difference, particularly to women.While I've learned to carry my own TP I haven't quite mastered the art
of carrying my own toilet seat and Lysol.
. . why is it that so many foreign
countries don't have toilet seats????we
don't necessarily use them. . . but we still like them to be there. . .just sayin'. . .
Conclusion:Overall Score – 9- Once again, we loved everything about this trip.We thought this second visit might be a anti-climactic
but we were wrong; we loved it every bit as much.The music was fantastic and
completely different than last year; our excursion with Miguel was a total
blast. We would love to share this experience with someone who loves
music and long drives in the country as much as we do. You know what I
think is so attractive about the Mexican people in this area? They have
managed to hold onto values which we seem to have lost –like
making eye contact as you walk down the street and greeting every person you
meet. I don't think we saw a single local that didn't greet the bus
driver and thank him when they got off. Miguel told us Zihua is still small enough that everybody knows
everybody. . . it's 100,000. He
was stunned when I told him we live in the community of 91,000 and not
only is it easy but likely to walk
down the street without recognizing or acknowleding a single person. In
Zihua it is customary to go to the zocola on Sundays to visit with others in
the community.When we suggested to Miguel this is not that
common where we come from, his immediate response was, 'that is very bad, this
is very important'.I think he's right,
which is why communities are now spending so much time and effort on cultural
activities that encourage congregating.Don't get me wrong. . . I recognize I'm
also at fault. . . but it says a LOT about our attitudes and our desire to
remain anonymous and disconnected.
We
have always been the recipients of the kindness of strangers and I think part
of that is because we have travelled enough to be comfortable opening ourselves
to ask strangers to for help, even in a foreign country where
there is a language barrier. Time
and again, we have been the recipients of the kindness of strangers.When we travel, we try to follow the model set
by the local community; we have yet to
be disappointed. Perhaps we to model this at home.
and a Final Word about Safety:A word about safety.The US travel warning has been revised to identify certain areas to
be avoided, which includes all of Michoacan except Morelia (Canada does not).We thought long and hard before visiting
Michoacan; after considerable research and advice from ex-pats (thank you!), we
decided to go for it and we are so glad we did.Not only did we feel safe; all of the individuals we communicated with
treated us with the utmost kindness and respect.Hopefully, our visit, our purchases, and our efforts
in spreading the word is reward enough.
We were, however, repeatedly told by local
Mexicans that the Acapulco area and US/Mexico borders are unsafe.We met many working in Zihua because Acapulco
was no longer safe for their families and heard much about the corruption of
the government and the impact on the people.It truly saddens us how affect the general public is affected and have
great respect for those trying to affect change.
Many tourists do not understand Mexico has the same
travelstatus as many countries we
choose to visit without a second thought. . . . Dominican Republic, Jamaica,
St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Greece, Ukraine; need I go on?Neither is the all-inclusive resort providing
you with the level of security one might think.There is a reason many recommend moving through these facilities in
groups rather than alone. Although we
only have one condo experience under our belts, I daresay it was safer than the
average all-inclusive.
My point is, while it's great to relax
on vacation, one still has to remain aware of one's surrounding; people need to
travel smart. . . be it in a foreign country or in your own back yard.It's really not that complicated.
As you can see, at the end of our stay, we were not terribly excited to return to a couple of feet of snow but return we did. There's always next year, right?
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