Travels, fair trade, and commentary from Latin America
November 27th, 2010
a suttle papaya
Oh praise the papaya
that melts in my mouth
with a suttle sweetness
that only few recognize and appreciate
your texture is like a warm clear morning
your tast is like a melting sunset
bs
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: papaya, papaya poem, Trova, Trova Imports | No Comments
July 22nd, 2009
While travel throughout Ecuador presents limitless opportunities for visiting markets, none tops the market in Otavalo. Well known as the largest market in South America, its fame is a testament to an amazing experience. Even those who don’t like to shop will find themselves enchanted.
Located at the base of a breathtaking volcano in the mountains of Ecuador, Otavalo is only two hours north of Quito and worth the winding bus ride. The busiest market day is Saturday but there is a market in Otavalo every day of the week. The story goes that the first sale a villager makes each day is always the best price (presumably for good luck), so it’s recommended you arrive early.
The market is centered around Poncho Plaza and is filled with everything from textiles to paintings to jewelry to musical instruments including the traditional charango. The textile industry dates back to Spanish colonial days when Rodrigo de Salazar, who acquired a land grant at Otavalo, set up a weaving workshop employing the Otavaleno Indians who were already skilled weavers. With the new techniques and tools from Spain, Otavalo eventually supplied most of the textiles used throughout South America.
An incredible variety of textiles and other crafts can be found throughout the market for unbelievable prices. But beyond the bargains to be had, the experience is all the more enriched by the very artisans selling their goods. Dressed in traditional clothing distinctive to this area, the men and women of Otavalo and the surrounding villages are a friendly and proud people and while bargaining is part of the game, you may find yourself succumbing to the irresistible smiles.
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Ecuador, Otavalo | 1 Comment
July 5th, 2009
The siesta is a tradition in many cultures and while the word “seista” is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta or “the sixth hour” counting from dawn (making it the noon hour), the tradition of a midday nap actually has roots in Islam and is mentioned in the Koran. Romans also observed siesta and like Islam, siesta was focused more on health needs. But it was the Spaniards who centuries ago were credited with long midday rest to relieve farm workers from sun during the hottest part of the day.
Today, siesta is common in most Latin countries and can last from 2 to 4 hours. Since relief from midday sun isn’t always a real need, in many places the tradition of siesta has evolved into one that focuses on spending time with family. In San Rafael, Argentina, for instance, the entire town begins to shut down around noon and some businesses may not reopen until 4 or 5pm. During this long break, children come home from school, parents come home from work, a big lunch is prepared (often accompanied by wine) and then the entire family naps.
But because the observance of a long siesta makes for a much longer workday (consider that returning to work at 4pm would result in a workday that may not end until 9pm) and to accommodate international business practices, Spain eliminated the extended siesta for government workers in 2006.
However, studies do prove that a short nap during the day is very beneficial for our health and while we may not need 2 to 4 hours of rest, the tradition certainly has it’s appeal.
Categories: Argentina, Uncategorized | Tags: siesta | No Comments
December 30th, 2008
Four years ago I bought a house and started an import company of hand-made products from Latin America. The first trip was in my 1976 VW bus from Austin, Texas to Merida, Yucatan. On the way, I hit a buzzard, the roof blew off the top of my bus, and my accelerator broke in the middle of Tampico (Luckily my buddy Q told me to take an extra cable). I ended up at the border with a bus full of hammocks and no broker. Picture a line in the X-ray machine consisting of 18-wheeler, 18-wheeler, VW, 18-wheeler, 18-wheeler, etc.
During the adventure and frustration of starting a company, I also refurbished a house where I lived in the root cellar for six months while I got rid of the termites and finished one room to put a mattress on the floor. The idea was for me to rent out the house while I traveled to Latin America setting up contacts for Trova. Four years later the dream lives on, and I am renting out the house and, once again, moving all of my belongings into the root cellar.
Trova Imports was started to promote the economies of indigenous communities of Latin America. All of Trova’s products are fairly traded helping to sustain the economies, art, and traditions of the indigenous communities of Latin America.
Welcome to the TrovaBlog. This blog will focus primarily on the economies of indigenous communities in Central America and Mexico starting January 1, 2009. The blog will be maintained by Blake Smith President of Trova Imports Inc. www.trovaimports.com He will be record indigenous economies and communities in Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico until March 2009.
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Central America, communities, economies, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indigenous, Mexico, Nicaragua, Trova, Trova Imports | No Comments
