Sustainable Fashion--A New Obsession

I have a slight obsession with any kind of sustainable fashion.  It started with Invisible Children MEND and has grown exponentially (both my obsession and the market for it).  I love that I can wear something that not only stands for something but is also impacting someone else's life in a sustainable way.  

Sustainability has become a priority for me when thinking about charity, non-profits, NGOs and humanitarian aid.  Very frequently, Americans send their money somewhere not really knowing where it is actually going.  Or we send large amounts of charitable contributions instead of empowering the people that these charities supposedly are supporting.  In the words of Ivan Illich: "To hell with good intentions [. . .] You will not help anybody by your good intentions." 

So here are a few of my favorites--not only are they fantastic, but I like to think of them as "Humanitarian Chic."

• MEND: MEND is an Invisible Children Program.  Bags are designed in the US and handmade in Uganda by ladies that were formally abducted by the LRA, most forced to be child mothers and wives of commanders.  MEND supports these ladies not just in giving them work in a society that might otherwise isolate them, but also supports them with a savings and loan community, functional adult literacy, and a social worker on site.  Although MEND bags are expensive, you get the name and now the fingerprint of the lady who made your bag on your bag.  If you would like to buy one at a discounted rate, spend some time with the wonderful ladies at MEND in Gulu.  I LOVE THEM!  

Rockin' my MEND bag in nyc

• Krochet Kids: Buy a hat, change a life.  Also based out of Gulu, women affected by the war are employed crocheting hats which are sold in the US.  Women are able to send their kids to school and support their families which is a cultural shift in Northern Uganda.  You can write the lady that made your hat a thank you note--just check the tag!  KKi has also started a program in Peru. Can be purchased at Unity.

Sportin' KKi kissin' a peacock

• Falling Whistles:  Quite possibly my favorite because I can wear it all the time and people ask about it a ton.  On an adventure to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sean Carasso heard a story of boys, too small to carry guns, being put on the front lines with nothing more than a whistle.  I wear my whistle to promote peace in the drc.  Proceeds go to programs on the ground, supporting the rehabilitation of war-affected Congolese children.  Wear your protest--be a whistleblower for peace.  Can be purchased at Unity.

• The Giving Keys:  Keys on chains with words engraved on them by homeless to help them get off the streets?  Sold.  And they're beautiful.  Best part?  It's a pay if forward deal--so eventually, I will have to give mine away to someone who I think needs to be liberated (or whatever your key says).  I already have a couple going to a few friends.

• 31 Bits: Also based out of Gulu (love), 31 Bits employs women to make paper bead jewelry to empower them to rise above poverty.  There are a ton of paper bead organizations around, most with the same goal and doing great things; however, I have a special place in my heart for 31 Bits because you can buy them at my nail salon, fingers and toes.

So, what do your accessories say about you?  I love knowing where mine were made and even who made them.  Not only do I look smart (Ugangalish for looking good, having swag), but I am sustaining communities at the same time.  So when you ask me where I got something or what it is, expect to hear a story.

chau, cusco

My last day in Cusco was pretty much perfect.  It started with a hour and a half drive to Ollantaytambo with Allie to see the second best ruins after Machu Picchu.  We were literally amazed once again with the technology of the Incas.  We had delicious tuna melts at a super cute cafe where all proceeds support a local NGO.  After just 45 minutes of rest at home, we all met to eat at Los Perros and then delicious dessert at La Bondiet.  All in all, it was spectacular.  Now I am in Lima, trying to decide if I want to venture out into the gigantic metropolis.  One day left and then home. 

todavia, no.

This past week has been amazing.  I have enjoyed everything about it!  My week in the sacred valley was full of hikes, good food, hot showers and the best group of people I could have possibly asked for.  Since we´ve been back in Cusco, we spend all day together and then meet at 7 in front of McDonalds to go to dinner--not to McDonalds, but after we all tried cuy, we went there.  Traveling around Cusco has been an adventure in itself.  When you want to go somewhere, you just flag down a bus and get on. This is essentially hitch hiking, but safe.  I have been stuffed on many buses and combis the past couple of days, trying to see as much as possible before I leave.  My mom asked me if I am ready to go home--I still don´t feel like I am, but I am having dreams about Lauren and Lily and the first day of school.  So I guess my brain is beginning to prepare.  I still have a list of things that I want to do here.  However, I still do not want a massage.  And I am hiking up this mountain, I do not want a taxi.  Todavia, no.

Spanish Camp

I arrived Monday in Pisac, a small village in the Sacred Valley.  My school has a building about 20 minutes outside of town and it is the most wonderful place I have ever been. It is surrounded by the Andes and is much warmer than Cusco (at least in the sun).  There are currently 10 students and 3 teachers staying here who are all wonderful. I spend my time in Spanish class from 8 till 12 with only one other student, Flavio, a boy from Belgium.  Then I have the entire afternoon to lay in the hammock, walk to town and shop in the market, or hike. It reminds me of Spanish camp because there is not a ton to do except enjoy life with everyone else.  I could spend the rest of my trip here.  My biggest concern is making sure I can make it the 8 hours between lunch and dinner.  Snacks are precious when town is a 20 minute walk away.

Thanks for the reminder, Meaghan!

So the first week has been pretty fantastic.  I like almost everything about Cusco and Peru.  I went to Machu Picchu and walked the Inca Trail last weekend.  It was pretty amazing minus a few setbacks.  Even though I booked my trek through the travel agency connected to my school, there was no one else who happened to book the same tour on the same day.  Needless to say, I had my own private guide.  So it was just me and Isai, a Peruvian who is a descendant of the Incas.  At times, I thought he talked way too much and I was excited to meet some Americans when I got back because my brain could not take anymore Spanish.  The hike itself was challenging to say the least. It was hot and all up hill or gigantic steps.  But I made it Machu Picchu and it was definitely worth it.  The next day, I woke up early to be at Machu Picchu for sunrise--although it wasn't much of a sunrise because the mountains are so big, the block the view.  After my guide left me, I climbed Wayna Picchu which is 8,750 feet (I am almost ready for the 14er).  That was also physically and mentally challenging, but well worth it in the end.  I did it in 2 hours, which is how long it is supposed to take. Only 400 people a day are admitted to climb, I was number 267.  Setbacks include: the train stopping in the middle of nowhere to let me off, my guide being late to meet me, my transfer not showing up to get me back to Cusco from the train station in Ollanta.
Likes:
Flags everywhere
All of the stray dogs barking at bedtime, it reminds me of 101 dalmatians
The sunshine in the day
Stopping to buy a scarf or some jewelry to take a break from walking up the giant hill to school
The views of the city
My Advanced Spanish class--Finally!
Peruvian food
Everything is ridiculously cheap!!
Dislikes:
Lack of heat
COLD SHOWERS
No, I do not want a massage
Lack of dinner
Throwing toilet paper in the trash can
50 soles only buys me about 8 minutes to talk to my mom on the phone

My plans for the future are as follows:
Paragliding on Friday
I am going to Pisac for a week and I leave Sunday morning (There were not enough students to go the rain forest, so I will not be going there. Sad.)

El Primer Dia

I arrived in Cusco this morning. After a long night in the Lima airport, I was hoping for a nice warm bed. However, there were several problems with this. 1. It is freezing here. Currently it is 11 degrees celsius which weather.com claims is 53 degress f but I would like to strongly disagree with their conversions. 2. There are not heaters in Cusco. It is colder in my room than outside. 3. My host family will not be ready for me until Saturday, so I am currently staying in student housing. It took about an hour for me to receive a room here, but I passed the time by enjoying some mate de coca. I am not ecstatic about the student housing because I wanted to be immersed in Spanish the second I got here--today some guy was speaking dutch to me here--but it will help me to meet people. I mostly spent my day on the terrace of the school/outside my room and also in my bed. Tomorrow, I hope to wander around a little bit and meet Courtney (teacher at Kenton) for some cafe con leche. Oh how I have missed cafe con leche!

¡Voy a ser perúana!

¡Estoy muy emocionada porque este verano, viajaré a perú! Yo estaré la mayoría de mi viaje en cusco donde yo estudiaré castellano. Pienso que estará un buen viaje. Aunque mi madre piensa que me quede acá, creo que estará una experienca más importante de mi vida. Quiero que ver un otro parte de sudamérica. Acá está bien, me he dado cuenta que puedo tener experiencías culturales en Denver como yo fui a Rancho Liborio a comprar los ingredientes a cocinar empanadas. El todo tiempo, estaba muy nerviosa porque no sabía sí debo hablar en íngles ó castellano. En el fín, la trabajadora me habló en castellano. Espero que más experiencías me pase a mí. ¡Pero, voy a ser perúana muy pronto!