Carlos

I was sitting on a bench in Plaza Independencia reading a book and listening to live pan flutes when an old man sat down on the other end. He asked if I liked to read and told me that no one in Mendoza reads and that he´s a writer and so it makes him very happy to see me reading. We chatted for a little while about Mendoza and the origins of my name. Then he showed me the book he wrote. It was a stack of paper cut in half and folded lengthwise and stapled together. It containted little musings and comments about life such as, ´Politicians don´t spend much money on education because they have little of it.´ He had a Spanish version as well as copies in English with very literal and often comical translation.

He asked me about my travels so far and told me I too should write a book. He wanted to know where I was from and what I did back home and where my boyfriend was. He told me that my boyfriend is probably lonely without me. He cautioned me to always be aware of my belongings because people in Argentina can be shifty. I had trouble not laughing at the irony of his advise. He stood up to leave and gave me a poem he wrote titled, ´Sos bella´ meaning, You Are Beautiful. He told me to be careful in Mendoza because I am a very pretty girl. He said it was a pleasure to meet me, wished me luck on the rest of my travels, and told me that if he is ever in Philadelphia he was going to ask for me. Then he kissed me on both cheeks and walked away.

Sos Bella

Sin palabras de mas
sin palabras de menos

Sos bella

Mirate,
es inventar la luz
de la mañana

So bella

Sonríes
y en tu sonrisar nace,
luminosa el poema

Caminas
y sos como una flor,
que adorna las miradas.

Sin palabras de mas
sin palabras de menos
Sos bella

- Carlos Lépez

Ethical Leather?

I´ve been thinking a lot in the past few months about buying my bags, shoes, belts, wallets, etc., out of man-made materials rather than support a farming and killing industry that I do not believe in.

From an ethical standpoint it seems clear to me to avoid relying the skin of other animals to cover my skin, especially when there are many fashionable, affordable, durable, and ethical alternatives. However, I have recently started to wonder about what is more sustainable, man-made pleathers and plastics or leather.

The article that follows addresses the issue more thoroughly and provides alternatives to both supporting industrial farming and the harsh environmental impact of leather production and of producing more plastics and more unbiodegradable waste which is an unfortunate by-product of making the more ethical fashion choice.

Just because it´s vegan, doesn´t necessarily mean it´s better, for you or the environment. What do you think? Especially you, Court, I know how much you like your vegan footwear!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/27/ethicalfashion.leather

Screw you, WWOOF.

What is with all these WWOOF farms that don´t actually ´farm´ anything? Is it too hard to want to go somewhere that actually grows vegetables? And eats what they grow? Am I asking too much?

Damn it, I just want to eat dirty carrots straight from the ground.

The End

The blog is done. I don´t feel like writing anymore. I am glad you have enjoyed reading it. Maybe someday on another trip I will write again. See you all in a month or so.

That`s what I get.

Some fucker just broke the lock I had on the locker in my hostel and stole my digital SLR, less than a year old, and along with it the memory card with nearly 6 months of photos, my ipod, and around 800 pesos. I am beyond pissed off. All because I locked my things up. Nearly $1500 and countless photos gone.