The Gods Must be Crazy

Most "civilized" people's lives are filled with various events and activities both important and meaningless. There is, however, the odd day when one realises how crazy life can be. The Gods Must be Crazy was a South African film that dates back to 1980. Although the filming is rather primitive, in general the concepts are very much up-to-date which is why the film is something of  cult classic. The clip below is from the film's introduction and reflects humankind's relationship with the environment. The film basically is a study in comparison between a group of "savage" bushmen living off Mother Nature and civilised people.

Just prior to the start of the clip the narrator was describing the bushmen as "the most contented people in the world. They have no crime, no punishment, no violence, no laws, no police, judges, rulers or bosses. They believe that the Gods put only good and useful things on the earth for them to use." A very good film to watch for a good laugh and an ironic look at what has become of human beings in the so-called developed world. There is a sequel that I have yet to watch but from what I read, it does not compare to the original.

The Man who Planted Trees

"The best time to plant trees was 20 years ago. The next best time is now." 

-Chinese Proverb

Mosaicultures @ the Botanical Gardens in Montreal, Quebec

Kew Gardens

On my first week in England I knew there was one thing I had to get out of the way or else I'd end up either going on a busy weekend or missing the entire season: The Royal Botanical Gardens, also known as Kew Gardens. It's conveniently located a few meters away from the tube station bearing the same name on the District line. One thing I found sad was that dogs and presumable all other animals are banned from the gardens. Although I understand the fear I still feel that owners should be allowed to bring their pets as long as they were kept on a leash. In any case, it was a beautiful garden and the IncrEdible festival is absolutely a must-see if you find yourself in the London area between now and Sunday, November 3rd. For a mere £6 you can feel like you're not in one of the most bustling cities in the world and enjoy some fantastic simple garden pleasures.

For the general website: Kew Gardens and more about the IncrEdibles festival this fall.

My Favourite Place

As part of the initial English assessment at the school where I work, each class was asked to write a short passage on one three topics: 1) My favourite place, 2) Something that happened when I was was very young, 3) My best friend. Needless to say most of the children chose the first option and wrote about places such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, France, Portugal, or Italy- but this one particular student chose his own garden! This fascinated me. Here is an excerpt of his work:

"My favourite place is my garden because my garden is very big and friends play with me. We explore nature and once my sister was in the garden and she put an ant on me. So let's continue, in my garden we have adventures and it's the best thing. Once we were digging we saw a box then we opened it with joy and the spooky spiders and then we found 20 pounds then we brought to the garden money box because we saved money to get new water guns and then started making a trap because no fox steals or catch our money."

Ok so I am not bragging about this child's grammar skills but suffice to say that this was a lot more interesting to read than another student simply stating that their favourite place was X country because they grew up there. I look forward to reading more interesting pieces like this one throughout the upcoming academic year!

This image is from Hyde Park and has nothing to do with the story.

Have Bike, Will Travel

Bicycles have been around since the early 19th century and for decades they stood as a testament to humankind's ingenuity. Towards the end of that century automobiles were introduced and for a few decades cyclists and drivers coexisted peacefully. Somewhere along the lines drivers began to outnumber cyclists in large cities and suddenly there was a shift in power. Fast-forward to today and cyclists are often considered a nuisance to drivers and struggle to get around urban settings. Without enough bike lanes cyclists are often playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with cars.

Here are five main reasons why I believe biking is the more sensible option:

1. It is the environmentally-friendly option; imagine how much cleaner the air would be if everyone attempted to ride bikes more often.
2. It is better for your health; staying fit and active can be tough. In between jobs, household duties, spending time with family or friends, biking can be an easy way to get around without becoming round.
3. It saves money; cars consume tons of toxic gas, require constant maintenance, not to mention registration, insurance, etc. Your biggest bike expense would be a $25 tire or $1 air.
4. It saves time; searching for parking spots can be a major time-waster as can realising you have an empty tank at the last minute. Bicycle parking spots are also conveniently located right at the door of where you have to be.
5. It encourages local tourism; drivers tend to fuss so much about gas prices and are rarely seen driving around for fun. Cycling, on the other hand, is an easy way to get to know your area without spending loads of money.

In Canada there are 7,500 cyclists injured every year with most of them occurring during rush-hour traffic. If this planet, your health, time, or money means anything, you should consider the benefits of using a bicycle. And if you are just too lazy or selfish the least you could do it not make it more dangerous for the rest of us who simply want to ride in peace.

The Giving Tree

Every once in a while you hear about a children's book that really captivates audiences. Shel Silverstein's 1964 picture book "The Giving Tree" is definitely one of those books not just because it's well-written but because it engages readers with the environment. It is the story about a boy who grows up near a tree that provides him with different blessings throughout his long life. At various stages in the boy's life the tree provides him with apples to eat, branches to swing on, a trunk to climb, etc. Much has been written about possible interpretations of the story. Some say it's religious, others about friendship or family. I believe it shows the lifetime worth of good fortune one can receive when we work with nature instead of against it. So I guess that makes me some sort of environmentalist? In any case read it and see for yourself. Perfect for anyone 3-99. Here is a sample from the end of the book. (Spoiler alert)

"And after a long time the boy came back again."
"I am sorry, Boy," said the tree, "but I have nothing to give you-
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone," said the tree.
"You cannot swing on them-"
"I am too old to swing on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone," said the tree.
"You cannot climb-"
"I am too tired to climb," said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something... but I have nothing left. I am an old stump. I am sorry..."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy, "just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.

Mosaicultures Internationale

If there is one exhibit not to be missed this summer it's Mosaicultures at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. Running from June 22 until September 29th the exhibit basically "draws its inspiration from global environmental issues". Tickets are $25 but are valid for two separate visits. One thing to keep in mind is that going on a weekend can be very crowded so either buy tickets online ahead of time or try to go on a weekday. I went with my family on a Thursday afternoon and waiting to buy our tickets still took us over 30 minutes.

According to the website the exhibit is a first in terms of large green-certified events. It necessitated the purchase of over 3,000,000 plants of which 95% came from (environmentally-friendly) Quebec producers and the Botanical Garden. Apparently a special kind of irrigation system is being used that waters the plants according to rainfalls which saves wasting water that could potentially damage some plants. In addition, great actions are being taken by the city of Montreal to reduce carbon emissions in the area so shuttle buses are linking the garden to the two closest metro stations and extra parking spots for bicycles have been added. The website states that "Greenhouse gas emission produced during the organisation of the event will be offset by the planting of trees." There are simply far too many beautiful pictures to post from my visit so I have selected some of my favourite ones below.

Take a look at the Website at the Botanical Garden and be sure to visit this breathtaking exhibit very soon!

Mont Tremblant

Every other summer I go to Mont Tremblant, Quebec with my dad and usually some relatives or friends. This year I went for three days and although the weather wasn't superb, we still had a fantastic time and got to see a lot of the countryside in and around the resort. Since the weather was often chilly or rainy swimming on the beach was nearly impossible so we did a lot of walking instead. One day a deer came so close I started feeding it crab apples from a nearby tree. One of the interesting shots below is of the deer relieving him/herself in front of a small crowd. 

Mont Tremblant is generally famous, however, for the skiing season as it's one of the biggest mountains north of Montreal. I recall skiing there many times in my teens although prices for the ski passes have since skyrocketed and so has my laziness so skiing seems less like an option these days. The conditions are great though for anyone wishing to have a decent skiing experience in Eastern Canada. The resort is quite different in the summer and attracts a completely different, more family-oriented, crowd. 

To find out more about skiing in Tremblant: Ski Resort or General Tourism, or to read a recent article on the property value in the area: Buyer's Market.

Tolkien's Galadriel

"For you little gardener and lover of trees, I have only a small gift. Here is set G for Galadriel, but it may stand for garden in your tongue. In this box there is earth from my orchard, and such a blessing as Galadriel has still to bestow is upon it. It will not keep you on your road, nor defend you you against any perils; but if you keep it and see your home again at last, then perhaps it may reward you. Though you should find all barren and laid waste, there will be few gardens in Middle-earth that will bloom like your garden, if you sprinkle ths earth there. Then you may remember Galadriel, and catch a glimpse far off Lorien, that you have seen only in our winter. For our spring and our summer are gone by, and they will never be seen on earth again save in."

-J.R.R. Tolkien, 'Lord of the Rings' author.

Coconut Water

There is no secret as to where this deliciously thirstquenching water comes from. In its natural form it is found exclusively inside every young coconut. In countries where coconuts grow wild the drink is obviously more popular, but lately I have noticed a surge in coconut water in Eastern Canada. It has a slightly sweet taste and yet contains an excellent source of potassium and vitamin C, is low in salt, fat and cholesterol free, and obviously gluten-free as well. I've recently tried coconut water from Thailand and Brazil, both of which were around the $2-$3 mark for a size no bigger than a regular soda can. Many companies are marketing coconut water as an energy/sports drink due to its high potassium content which may or may not be true. The first time I tried it I didn't particularly enjoy the taste. It grew on me to the point that I actually do enjoy it but due to the high price rarely buy it.

Check out this random Coconut Water Website and read more on the dubious benefits of Coconut Water.