Update 3

Sunset on Mt. Monadnock

Dear Listeners,

  The past week and a half has been filled with anticipation and last minute projects. We have been scurrying around trying to finish all of our various commitments, and accomplish as many of the amazing things as there are to do in this part of the world with the time we have left. Last Monday we were able to go and visit Michael Kohout and his wife Jessie, along with their wonderful children, Owen and Tashi. Michael is a master bow and arrow maker and he taught us so many interesting things about the trade and its history. We even got to do some archery. We worked with his son Owen on making fires with bowdrills, and made flower essences with Jessie. She knows so much about alternative healing and had such an array of knowledge to share with us. We were also lucky to have Nate Johnson come and go on a walk with us in the forest, teaching us about the systems and relationships that support each other within these amazing woods. Nate is one of those extremely playful souls that you can’t quite tell how old they are, my guess is somewhere between 15 and 40.  When you go out into the woods with him its hard to go very far, because as soon as a mushroom comes into sight, we’re all crouched on the forest bed dissecting this tiny being with quizzical eyes.

Zoe and Charlie finishing the greenhouse

Last Tuesday we began building the greenhouse that will stay at Kroka, leaving some remnant of our community behind with it. We have been working with Hugh Landis, Kroka’s master carpenter who has helped build many of the beautiful structures around the property. I was amazed at how the greenhouse seemed to spring up out of the ground, it’s so nice to see all of our hard work standing up so strong ready to have life growing within it! When we weren’t working on the greenhouse we were studying English, focused on New England poetry; learning Spanish; adding last touches on backpacks (they are all completely finished now!); and having a few lessons on permaculture.

Happiness

On Thursday night we all ventured out into the woods for our first overnight solo. Each of us found our own special spot and began the task of building ourselves a shelter from the resources around us. Once our palaces had been erected, we set our minds to the activity of fire making. We had all brought a delicious feast for one of bread on a stick with cheese, a hot dog and precisely three ginger snaps. When our kitchens were blazing with our own handy-work we cooked our meal with self-sustained satisfaction. On this topic I can only speak generally, since I really experienced it only for myself and have a very limited idea of how the night went for all the others. I can say however that it was one of the best experiences most of us have had so far, and in a way culminated our time here in New Hampshire.

The rest of the week was spent in anticipation for parents’ weekend. It was strange to think that our families would soon be arriving, bringing with them our previous lives, a life that we still carry with us but in a somewhat removed fashion. In a way, many of us felt like we had just arrived, but in another way we have done so much and become so close, its amazing to think only three weeks have gone past. When the parents arrived on Saturday you could feel the excitement of something different and new, some change in our daily rhythm that created a tangible difference around camp. All of us would like to thank our parents, grandparents, relatives, or whomever it might be that they hold close, whatever amazing person is making it possible for us to be here together. Reflecting upon the weekend, we thought it was important to express our gratitude and each of us would like to give a piece of our thoughts to whoever might need it.  These are added, with gratitude, below.

Mt. Monadnock

Happy Birthday Michael!

As a final goodbye to this beautiful region, we climbed Mt. Monadnock this past Monday. Under our feet its beautiful stone has morphed for thousands of years, and as we walked we took in its weathered surface, listening to its ancient story. At the top we huddled close, sheltering ourselves from the wind, and ate a delicious dinner as the sun began to near the horizon. That night we spun, and twirled, and laughed and were utterly confused at the Nelson Contra dance, but, with good-humored smiles, many of the regulars helped us with the steps and even the caller himself personally came down and led Charlie through the dance. Last night we stuffed ourselves with pizza at Orchard Hill after our day and a half of an attempted vegetable cleanse (technically it only lasted for one meal… I know, I know, we have a huge amount of will-power you don’t have to tell us). Now we are all scrambling around camp, showering, packing, cooking, and preparing for our departure for ECUADOR IN 10 HOURS!!

Lots of love to you all. Hasta Pronto

-Siena (Siesta) Powers 

Tommy, Mateo, Churo, Charlie, Nicole, Ayere, Meredith, Zoe, Phoebe, Siena, Malcolm, Chiara, Kata and Shai

ON GRATITUDE…

Phoebe.

“I am beginning to see the impossibility of expressing gratitude for a single thing. I had wanted to write a simple thank you to my parents, but I found myself at a loss for where to begin, and, even more so, where to end. Thank you for visiting me this weekend, for working joyfully alongside me, for making it possible for me to come here, for raising me, for giving me “roots and wings” for giving me life itself. But how can I thank my parents for visiting me here, without also thanking everyone and everything that has made Kroka what it is? Or the sun that shone for us as we shared the day, or the rain that nourishes the earth at night? Or the beautiful families we shared the weekend with? You see, I know not where to end.”

All fun and play

Meredith.

“It’s that speechless feeling of wonder, when, unasked for, unexpectedly, someone give you the right key to go on a trip that will change your life. It’s what you feel when, after a long day, someone holds the door open for you when your arms are loaded with parcels. It’s the feeling you get when a person you thought didn’t know you existed stands up for you. That’s gratitude. That bubbly, happy, relieved feeling that brings people together and just makes you want to hug the world.”

Tommy.

“Gratitude. Something we should feel towards everyone and everything around us. And we do not. We grumble and complain, always seeing the faults and never the beauty. And in that is the key to finding gratitude in oneself. You do not need to look for something to be grateful for, as it is already in you. You must push away the faults, release yourself from hatred or annoyance, and just embrace the world. When you do, you will be grateful. You will see that life has not screwed you over, that life is a gift; and gratitude and joy will fill you. That is the secret to happiness and harmony. Or at least it’s a secret.”

Ayere

Ayere.

“Once there was a rain shower

That fell upon a lonely flower

This flower had been parched for days

And now rejoiced with thanks and praise.

This very same rain shower

Fell upon a larger flower

Its leaves were very well tended

And by the shower quite offended.

This shows that we should be thankful for all

Even if we are big and tall.”

Ciara.

“My dear family, thank you

For joining me

For a very small part of my journey

I loved working hard with you

And now I say goodbye to you

Until winter my loves!

I will surely miss your hugs.”

Shai

Shai.

“I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me become the person I am. Being here has shown me that every moment is special, a miracle. I am so thankful for all your support that enabled me to come here and participate in this amazing program. I Love you all and think of you often,

Happy Fall, Shai.”

Nicole.

“Gratitude is having such a long lasting appreciation for someone. What they are for themselves, you and others that you can not help but want to aid them in any way to make their lives easier and free of burden.”

Kata.

“Gratitude, the art of giving and receiving. However, in order to give and in order to receive, there must be an interaction. No one can feel gracious without a connection to someone or something. Here at Kroka, I feel grateful for not only every person in my life, but for the world around me. Each person that has either been woven deeply or just stitched into my life has moved me to this exact moment in time, and this moment couldn’t be better. We sometimes forget the meaning of every daily interaction whether it be a kiss or a story. These interactions are what create our lives. I have to give a personal thanks to all of my family and friends for all of their support in everything I do. You are my needles and threads.”

Siena.

“If in a simple breath we take

We give a sigh of burrowed thanks,

To all the trees, to all the sticks,

To all the small and mighty ticks,

To every leaf, to every bird

To even the most insignificant fern,

To All the people who sing and say

My life is hard but still each day

I rise up with love and hate

And wash away that sinful fate,

That plagues the mosses with such disease

And resurrects it with such ease,

So in every simple breath we take

We give a sigh of burrowed thanks,

Each day in us its core shall rise

A gratitude that never dies.”

 Thank you,

Mum, Dad, Trina, Keenan, and Granny and Grandpa. I love you all.

Pizza night at Orchard Hill

Malcolm.

“The gratitude attitude is the appreciation celebration of creation.”

Zoë.

Family has always been one of the most important things for me. Not only my immediate family, but my cousins, aunts and uncles, all play such intricate roles in my life. I am grateful for the parents I have and the support I have been given from family and friends. This is the place where I truly want to be, and I appreciate all the effort in getting me here. To my parents and sibling, I will be thinking of you while I’m gone, lots of love.

Churo.

“Gracias pas por apoyarme y dejarme venir a Kroka porque la estoy pasando super. Que lindo con el Mateo nos hemos divertido full y con el resto de chicos. ell otro dia reimos hasta quedar sin aire en nuestra caseria de ardillas.

  Tambien gracias papa por ensenarme y practicar las cosas de la finca y los nudos.”

 Mateo.

Me silent agradecido por las oportunidades que mis padres me han dado. Supieron elegir una escuela maravillosa llena de profesores y companeros que fueron mug valiosos para mi. Ahora tengo el chance de estar aqui en Kroka conociendo y aprendiendo todo tipo de lugares, culturas y personas lo cual me llena de emocion pues falta toda la parte del programa ed Ecuador que estoy seguro que sera inolvidable.

Charlie.

“Remember who and where your home is, stay true to it. Breathe deep the air, and savor the feeling. Appreciate the world you’ve become a part of. Realize and love the part you play. Remain present and give it all.”

Update 2

NHESP '12 at Basin Farm

 Dear Followers,

Biking extravaganza

          Since our last interlude to civilization we have undergone what I like to think of as three major components of an action packed week. A biking extravaganza, a farming bonanza and a white water paddling something that rhymes with anza.

         We began the week by setting off on our first expedition as a group!  We may have had a bit of a shaky start, what with leaving in four different groups, forgetting the community money as well as the gifts for the farms, and maybe a few miscellaneous items too, but we quickly remembered that its better to simplify anyway. After biking 9.6 miles of rolling hills we reached our first destination near Bellows Falls, V.T. where we camped out along the Connecticut River. We had a nice dinner of mashed potatoes and hot dogs roasted on a stick as we settled into our nomadic lifestyle with the overwhelming eagerness of fourteen seventeen year olds. Early Tuesday morning we peddled over to Basin Farm where we spent the morning and into the afternoon learning about their community and helping them with work in the fields. As soon as we got there they immediately invited us in for some tea and breakfast, and, seeing as we had already eaten a delicious breakfast of oatmeal with raisins, nuts and maple syrup, we obviously accepted the invitation! After the second delicious breakfast of fried rice, eggs, homemade salsa, and yerba mate tea we sat down and talked with two of the community members Lemuele and Zareh about the workings of their community and how the farm was intertwined into their lives. We helped them harvest squash and potatoes, and they gave us a beautiful farm tour in which we got some tasty snacks of sweet corn straight off the cob. The farm is mostly a vegetable farm and a bakery, but there were also goats, cows, and some of the cutest little kittens I have ever seen! Being someone who loves cats, I was in absolute heaven. One of the most inspiring parts of the tour was seeing their handmade tools designed by a man named Craig who lives within the community. The artistic drawings and preparations for the tools was a wonderful way to see how so many different skills and ideas can be utilized in a community, and how worthwhile they can be for farming. After they had fed us a scrumptious lunch, we took our leave with many thanks for the wonderful people there who showed us so much hospitality and love! We remembered a quote by Lemuele that seemed to sum up the experience, and really phrase the way we want to think about farming: “Sustainable agriculture starts with sustainable relationships” I invite you all to reflect upon this line, and find what it may mean for you.

Charlie with a new found friend

         The ride to Harlow’s Farm in Westminster, V.T. was only 2.3 miles, and we got there with plenty of time to set up camp in the loft of the barn and have some rest time before dinner. IT WAS ALSO AYERE’S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYayaayaayaYay! She is now 17!!!!!!!!!!!! Lacking the proper ingredients for a well-deserved cake we had some blueberry leather that Tommy had brought for dessert (a cake may turn up in her future, you never know).

         The next morning we started work at Harlow’s at 8:00 precisely with the 50 or so other workers. Harlow’s was an extremely different experience than Basin Farm, but it was so fascinating to see the different ways healthy, organic, well-intentioned food is produced both on the large scale, like Harlow’s, and on the smaller scale as well. We were able to talk to Paul Harlow who owns the farm and he told us about the logistics of running such a big production, how the crop rotations work, where he gets his seed, the solar panels that energize his facilities and so much more. We worked on the conveyer belt grading carrots, harvesting kale and lettuce, and doing numerous other jobs he had lined up for us.

         In the afternoon we biked 10.9 miles to Hillside Springs Farm in Westmoreland, N.H. Hillside Springs represented another totally different kind of experience than the two farms we had previously been at. Frank Hunter and his wife Kim, with the help of their 12-year-old daughter Gwen, run the farm all on their own. It is their sole source of income and is supported by their 100+ CSA members. They don’t do farmers markets, or sell to any businesses, and in that way they have created a small community of people that rely on their food. On Thursday morning we worked in their fields weeding potatoes, and had a conversation with Frank about his farming philosophy. I was particularly impressed with his explanation of “For profit farming” verses “production farming”. Unlike Harlow’s Farm which 

Malcolm "assisting" Frank

focuses on producing large quantities of good food, Hillside Springs focuses on producing just enough to sustain them and their business. Horses are their tractors, wood is their oil. With that relationship to their energy, so much love and care can be seen in their everyday tasks. The extent to which they have simplified their lives to an existence that is not cluttered with debt and unnecessary influences, is inspiring to anyone who has the urge to live simply, but beautifully.

         After lunch and a short siesta, we began on what would turn out to be an epic journey home. We started on our 13.6-mile bike ride back to Kroka, and quickly realized that the entire ride was going to be an uphill battle, literally. We left Hillside Springs around 2pm and didn’t make it back to Kroka until well after 8pm, and in between many adventures took place. About halfway through the ride, on one of the only down hills, that happened to be extremely steep and curvy, Mateo had a rather disastrous flip/fly/fall off of the road, onto the dirt path and into a ditch. I happened to be directly behind him at the time, and after all the blood had drained from my face, I quickly came to the conclusion that he was dead and that it was 

Siena cherishing the beauty of sunflowers

all my fault. After I had calmed down and seen that he was moving and talking, others started to arrive and help with our roadside rescue. We make a great instant hospital. Contradicting my initial terror, Mateo was surprisingly okay for the way he seemed to fly through the air and crash straight into the ground. On his knee was a significantly large and deep gash that prevented him from continuing the ride and Lisl was kind enough to come and pick him up. During the wait, Shai and Raina who had already reached the bottom of the hill biked back up to tend to our fallen soldier. We fed him apples which seemed to hold as much sympathy as we could muster, and Churo continued to taunt him in Spanish, telling him that his leg was most likely going to fall off. (I am happy to report that Mateo's wound on the knee is healing well.) After the excitement we continued on with about 6 more miles to go. Finally, after the sun had gone down, with dejected spirits and headlamps guiding our way, we reached Kroka with yells of excitement and fell onto the ground in desperate need of sleep. We unloaded our bikes, and made our way over to the kitchen where Lisl had prepared a beautiful dinner of spicy Hungarian Gulasch. The day ended with a serenade the boys had for us, they dressed up in their fanciest attire, Tommy found his long lost alter ego of a southern farmer, and they sang to us the performance of a lifetime. 

         Of course this is not enough action for us in one week! So, the next morning we rose at 6:30, did our chores, and headed out to Deerfield River with Raina and Misha for a day of paddling. We learned 

Teamwork!

many skills that will aid us on our major river expedition in Ecuador, such as different paddle strokes, how to peel in and out of eddies, ferrying across the river in rapids and much more. We were able to stop and explore the old railroad tunnel running through the valley, which happened to be the first tunnel that was blown out with dynamite. Some brave few (Charlie, Meredith, Malcolm, Tommy, and I!) jumped off of a 40-foot bridge, which definitely gave me enough adrenaline to finish off the day. We paddled through Zoar Gap, with only one flip! All in all our canoeing adventure was a success. That evening we went into Keene, to the Monadnock Waldorf School, and saw a story telling and musical performance that rejuvenated our senses and created a calming and beautiful close to our rigorous week. Thank you so much to all the farms that so openly welcomed us into their lives for a day, and to all the random teachers along the way.

Ciara found a beautiful place to rest

         Also a Happy Birthday to Michael. We made him a carrot cake and had a wonderful dinner in the big yurt on Saturday night to celebrate. Phoebe would also like to say HAPPY BIRHTDAY to her dad!!

Bike logistics: Over the course of the expedition we biked a total of 36.4 miles.

Quote: “Community is doing those things you said you were going to do, long after the mood you said them in has worn off”

                                    -Zig Zigla

        

Update 1

Mateo, Charlie, Shai, Nicole, Ciara, Malcolm, Zoe, Siena, Meredith, Kat, Tommy, Ayere, Phoebe and Churo

    Hello to all you loyal Krokan devotees. My name is Siena Powers (or siesta powers as the group has dubbed me) and I will be your update Queen a.k.a the only contact you have to your children or friends for the next four months. I can only hope that I will capture all the moments I know you are so eager to hear about, but seeing as we do more in one minute than I have previously done in an entire hour I don’t know how plausible that hope is.

Only a week has gone by since we last saw you (assuming you are all parents otherwise I don’t know when we last saw you), but time doesn’t seem to have the same kind of binding effect here, and the term “one week” has little to no meaning. As far as I know we have been here for a while.

After the first two days of getting a basic understanding of each other, which included: sharing circles, manifesto making, a load of information about the system at Kroka, and of course some more sharing; we got into a rhythm that has just begun to feel like home.

Tommy and Churo

At the wee hour of 5:20 we rise in a not so shiny way and stumble (I literally fell once) over to the carriage barn where we embark on our day with a run or bike ride. After the first ten minutes of biking you suddenly realize that you’re not in a dream and wake up with a surprising amount of vigor as the car speeds by you in the dark mist. On Friday we finally reached our goal of getting to Gustan Pond for a morning swim, leaving just enough time to get back to Kroka as the sun was rising in an array of pink and gold fog. After a cup of milk and maybe a slice of apple (not to worry we get more food later), we begin morning chores at 6:30. The much respected responsibility of chore doing entails many skills such as splitting firewood, feeding the chickens, working in the gardens, tending to the animals on the farm, cooking for our hearty group and last but not least being a wiz of a cleaner rightfully named the Hormigas, after a rain ant in the jungle that does oober cleaning. We have yet to become as speedy as our many legged friends.

Malcolm

On Monday we began our academic projects, which have become so integrated into our day-to-day life that I rarely associate the act of learning these skills with the word “academic”. Everything we do is taught to us in a self-motivated style with a huge emphasis on being hands on. Because of how awesomely huge our group is we have done most of these lessons in smaller groups, which has also been a great way to get to know each other in a more intimate way. We have been working on our backpacks, which has been both rewarding and frustrating. Anyone who is familiar with the inner workings of a sewing machine and their devilish tricks I'm sure can sympathize. However they are almost finished and we are all ancy to load them up for expedition, and maybe a little excited to boast that we made them all ourselves (of course that would be totally false due to our amazing teacher Lisl who has helped us beyond belief).

We have also been learning Spanish, both in a class like structure (except better) and by listening to our Ecuadorian peers Churo and Mateo, as well as Marcela and Michael. For those of us who have a background, however slight, in Spanish this experience of partial immersion has been difficult but rewarding, I however am not one of those lucky souls. I have no understanding whatsoever of Spanish and have been wallowing in slight dismay at Churo’s amusing rambles, or Marcela’s good-natured questions. I have faith however that this will improve, maybe.

On Tuesday we began our first pages of the semester book that Mateo will be arranging for his big job. We also began our study of permaculture. Permaculture is an idea that will be at the core of the semester and something that we will be looking into with much greater detail in the weeks to come. We have also been working on carving spoons, writing in our journals, learning about bikes and navigation, and doing a great deal of singing which has been a joy for all of us. Lily Frey has come to sing with us twice and we have been so lucky to have her passion for music all around us, many thanks to her!

On Wednesday we began to make use of our lovely medic, Shai.  Phoebe nipped her leg with an axe and Ciara took a tumble off her bike down a significantly steep hill on our solo navigation test that went a bit awry. (Note to parents, they are fine so don’t freak out). It also happened to be Conti’s Birthday, and Misha’s was the day before, so we had a nice party in the big yurt. Hamburgers and home made french fries soothed the pain of the day, as well as a large amount of extremely rich chocolate cake thanks to Malcolm, and some apple crisp too.

The next morning after stretching out the chocolate cake with some yoga, we packed up our gear and headed out to Swanzey for a day of rock climbing. Just looking up at those majestic cliffs and the way they fluctuate in and out of their angular core, the way the soft moss grows out of their crevices, is enough to transport you to a place of awe. As you climb you can feel the way your body relates to the rock. You rediscover the muscles you rarely use and let yourself dance across the face with a determination you wouldn’t anticipate. On the drive home we had a little siesta, and some singing that calmed and recharged us for the rest of the day.

Zoe with Britta

We have learned so much in one week, from paddling across Warren Lake with Raina to Biodynamic farming with Hans. Hans even gave us a first hand experience of being stalked as he waited up in the woods until we were going to bed and jumped through the boys hut to scare them with mud on his face. I think our whole group would like to thank Hans for telling us about his amazing life and welcome him back anytime, even if he is covered in mud. We really have been blessed to have such amazing teachers and mentors who are able to share their life and wisdom with us in such an open way. Michael and Marcela have been so wonderful and loving and I think I can safely say for the entire group that we are so excited to spend the next four months with them, here at Kroka and especially at their home in Ecuador.

As the week comes to a close we take a day of rest and reflection. It is Sunday afternoon as I sit here in the big yurt finishing this update, Zoë, Phoebe and Shai sit outside doing their laundry and a few are up at the farm house finishing their backpacks. We slept in until 7:30 this morning and had a delicious breakfast of bacon and pancakes; with yogurt and applesauce we made ourselves. It is nice to have a day to rejuvenate and replenish after a week of such rapid change from our previous life. Nine days ago I had no idea who any of the people were that I was going to be living with. I didn’t know what they looked like or what their personalities would entail. Now they are my home. I see within them potential, and a blooming community, and though I know there is so much more I have to learn about each one, I am happy to live in the moment and take their words as they come to me. In a minute I think I will go for a swim, I hear mutterings of it outside and after a day of writing, that is just what I need. Hasta Pronto, I hope you are all well and happy, 

Siena Powers.

Quote of the week: “Simplification of means, and elevations of ends is the goal”

                 -Henry Thoreau

En Espanol, “Simplificar los medios, y elevar nuestros logros”

Song of the week: Life is but a dream

life is but a dream (x2),

you are the dreamer,

you are the dream

Omni vashi vaya (x4)

La vida es un baile (x2)

Tu eres el bailador

tu eres el baile

Omni vashi vaya (x4)

Spanish 101: Buen provecho: blessing on our meal (kinda thing); Hasta Pronto: until next time; Gatito: little cat (cat is gato); Rico: Awesome, or delicious! (or that kind of thing).

Big Jobs. To help out with the smoothness of semester we all have taken on big jobs in order to delve into one section of our community with as much focus and passion as we can. Here is a list of all our jobs, everyone has been doing great so far!

o       Ciara is our creative sewing and crafts manager, she also keeps a log of music

o       Kata is our trusty navigator, she has yet to get us too lost

o    Zoe is our mama bear, she manages home and camp as well as being our photographer

o      Charlie is our farm and garden manager, as well as being the unofficial bearer of all music thanks to his guitar skills

o       Nicole makes sure we all stay clean as she is our hygiene manager

o    Malcolm is our bike manager, and has been working hard to prepare for our bike expedition this week!

o       Meredith is our faithful alarm clock and logistics manager

o       Ayere has been doing a fantastic job as gear manager

o       Churo is our fire man, and manages our sources of energy

o   Phoebe has the all powering job of food manager, she has been feeding us well!

o  Tommy is our kitchen and food processor, and has been making many a delicious concoction for us

o       Mateo is our semester book manager and our treasurer; he holds all the money for ice cream!

o       Shai is our caring shaman and medic; she has tended to many a wound.

o       And I am your loyal scribe and documenter.

Ecuador semester 2012