The Beginning

Buonasera (good evening) to my familia, my amicos (friends), my studentes (students) and Nana.  It has been 6 days since I left South Carolina and it has been very difficult to find an internet connection that I could have long enough to write the many things that I have observed and experienced.  Terra Madre (Earth Mother) was a huge conference of more than 150 countries coming together to share their thoughts, feelings, research, and experiences surrounding the earth's ability to sustain itself and how the people of the world could help.  The conference was named 'earth mother' for a reason...because humans should be taking care of our earth because she feeds us like a mother.  Sustainability and bio-diversity were the most prevalent terms at this conference (which was more like a summit)...the entire 4 days consisting of sharing stories of how people from all over the planet are loosing their knowledge and understanding of the complete body and mind nourishment of real food...and what we are going to do about it. There were scientists, psychologists, mayors, health workers, chefs, teachers, high school and college students, professors, old and young farmers, food producers...all kinds of people of different colors and professions coming together to talk about the future of our children and planet.  We cooked and ate together with our Italian hosts who allowed us to live with them as a courtesy (host families).  Please imagine, all kinds of people from the world who speak different languages coming together as a community.  You will see the people from India, Poland, Chad, Libya, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Iran, US, Italy, Poland, Germany, Ghana, Gabon, Rwanda, Japan, Senegal, Amazonia, Colombia, and Bolivia.  There are more...and many are the indigenous peoples of very small countries.  (Note to my  adult friends:  I am more addressing my students, so excuse the elementary style of writing, por favore')  Above are some photos of many people with whom I shared conversations.  I noticed that most people from other countries could speak and understand  a little English, in contrast to Americans who did not speak any other language.  I am running out of time.  Amore and Ciao.  Darlena