Serendipity! There is no other word that can describe what happened late last fall when the golden chanterelles had yet to fruit on Mt. Hood. I received a phone call from a donor agency asking me if I would like to go to Nepal to work with mushroom growers and to develop ways to deal with their excess crop, i.e. create a process and recipes for working with dehydrated and powdered oyster mushrooms. How magical is that!
The magic came together in February when I arrived in Kathmandu and met with farmers of the Balambu Mushroom Cooperative and Mush Nepal. Memories of those two weeks that I spent with these amazing individuals will be with me forever. Their energy and commitment have rejuvenated me and enriched my vision. Just imagine: the camaraderie of these farmers, the generosity of their friendship and their mushrooms have turned my life in yet another direction! That’s truly serendipity!
Please allow me, dear reader, to share some of the photographs that I took during my two week stay in Kathmandu. I am confident that you too will be blessed by simply viewing these shots of another side to Nepal, the side which is tucked into the nooks and crannies of Kathmandu, a capital city nestled into a valley surrounded by the spirituality of the Himalayan Mountains.
I'm starting with the final photograph that was taken in Kathmandu because I think it shows the camaraderie and the festive spirit of the people with whom I worked while in Kathmandu. How I admire their proactive and positive orientation!
The oyster mushrooms are aggressively fruiting, thanks to the farmers' expertise.
Regular mushroom cultivating classes are scheduled so that the current farmers can share their knowledge. The grow bags running down the center of the room were created by the previous group of students.
Residential buildings, commercial establishments, mushroom growing structures, a small of herd of cows whose milk is delivered to the neighbors fresh each morning - this is but a tiny square on the quilt that is Kathmandu.
Two staff members are packaging the yummy mushroom pickle that the Coop has developed and hopes to soon have in the marketplace.
Mushroom jam is another product in development. Yes, that is correct - mushroom jam - and it is not only a delicious spread but also it is a healthy option that is packed with the protein and nutrition of mushrooms.
Pasta made with oyster mushroom powder caught the imagination of the staff and is one of several items that may be more fully considered in the second year of placing products in the market.
I couldn't resist concluding with this photograph which, for me, embodies the power and energy that is the hallmark of Kathmandu. One sunny day my farmer friends brought me to Swaymbhunath Stupa, frequently called the "Monkey Temple." Here, as everywhere is this city that is constantly evolving, there is a dizzying array of colors, designs, structures, life (notice the monkey scaling the structure behind me) as well as of smells and sounds (which, of course, you can't smell or hear unless you employ your imagination). What a remarkable and life changing time! I will always keep these lovely people and their sweetness in my heart, and hope to share with you again, dear ones!