The Little Dutch ‘Farmer’

Hi Caro,

Talking about busy! Wow! It has been a crazy June month for someone who is not experienced in growing her own food. We had temperatures around 35 degrees for 3 weeks and I had to throw things out of the greenhouse. I transplanted a lot too. But also, I had to make room for more planting and sowing while I then discovered that peas and beans were ready to be harvested, as you mentioned too. In my romanticism I envisioned me picking peas and beans all summer long… I learned that next time I need to plant them with some pause in between, so they will not be ready to harvest all in one go.

I certainly do not laugh about any trip any one would make by her/him self on a bicycle or by foot! I had to learn it too and the way I did it was certainly not the best or only way. I met people who decided to cycle while they were on public transport, or who fixed empty containers to their bicycle to pack their gear in. I met all sort of cyclists and travelers, some extremely different. I think the brain decides what sort of a traveler one becomes, and than experience sets in, happenings that forms you, people you meet, one’s perceiving…

To travel with your children, I talked about it with Geo previous evening, while we were bush walking with the cats in tow (!) and I said that having children will make a woman never be able to experience the peace of mind, the lack of worries and the absence of thinking about her off-spring which she might have had before their birth. A travel in particular while she has children, will be a burden. Well, it would be for me. I would be always worried, and that is perhaps the reason I never felt the desire for having children. So, I think, to travel with a child or children is one of the better experiences a mom and dad can give to their childeren. It was for me at least….

I think rather different when it comes to having many possibilities in life that one can choose from. It might be the same burden as one who can not choose at all. It is a very difficult subject and would take a lot of studies and year long observations but from what I have seen (ranging from countries like Yemen, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, and in fact, it doesn’t matter as people all over are the same), almost everyone wants more and better and different and this eventually leads to the world we see right now. While it is a basic desire to have an easier life, to draw water from a well, to have electricity and warm food once a day, many people overdo it. Yet, in general, I think the poor get a better life situation overall quite quickly, while the middle class is overdoing it and the rich are… acting disgustingly. I found West Africa and rural India nice examples of basic life. But I bet that most of them would want to be middle class. The middle class people I met, who became so by working in the West, often wanted to return to their own standards. Anyway, let me stop here because it is a huge topic. All I wanted to say is that we (I) can make a choice by the efforts of our parents and because I have seen both sides, I can decide for myself. It all depends on mind, brain, experience, perceiving and acting. Yah, I am glad I am not the average Afghan woman married off to a 10 year older man whom my parents chose for me. But would I be that Afghan woman I might be feeling fortunate to have that kind, loving, caring man whom I learned to love and not to have to stay sexy through my older age…. hahahaha, I am straying from the subject! Sorry…

Anyway, yes, the blog is work but since I love photography I need an outlet for that, as well as for my thoughts (as you experience here right now). I always used to keep photo albums and a blog is than much easier, and less space consuming too. It’s part of my creativity that wants the blog. I just made a tour around the Balaton lake and guess what… I wanted to come home to work in the garden. I sometimes miss the moments and feelings that sparks off a long term travel, now and then I feel strong deja-vu’s. Being around the house, working in the garden, walking through the forest, strolling over the dried grass, seeing a train passing…. it are all great reminders of all abyss’ and nooks of the world. I am transported to those parts in a flash and it feels real and alive. So, like you, I do not want to make a tour in the summer anymore, there is too much to learn and do in the vegetable garden.

And, to eat your own products, that is pure bliss! I have started to incorporporate nettle and carob powder. To go out to the forest and pick weeds, to use what is available and to learn what other women in, many people’s eye, less fortunate, countries know, is amazing to figure out. What a tumbled situation: that I need to figure this out…

Indeed Caro, we are fortunate that we can choose to go a few steps back. I wish you much pleasure with wood carving and plenty of sun, some rain and much, much produce!

Many warm greetings Cindy (and Geo)

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