March 2009 Archives
I know it has been awhile. Sorry.
I've been living on another planet for a few weeks.
However I am slowly (sadly) returning to earth and before I head off to my next adventure (to Macau tomorrow for my 3 favorite sins) I need to update you on my last one!
听说桂林山水甲天下。 我同意！
I went to Guilin a few weekends ago. A Li River cruise from Guilin through it's scenery is touted as China's third of three top things to do and see. Third behind the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. I knew it would have to be amazing, but I had my doubts.
Would it blow me away like Anhui's HuangShan or Hangzhou's DongHu; Beijing's Hutong's or Yunnan's Tiger Leaping Gorge? It takes a lot to impress a girl like me these days... but it did!
Firstly, of course I started my Saturday morning bright and early with a run to the city's park. But the 7 Star Park is no ordinary park. Caves, ancient Buddhist temples, and a mountain that looks like a camel were only a smattering of things to see and do here.
Right from the get go I liked Guilin. The people are so relaxed and serene. There is a large minority population here and therefore quite bit of diversity from a Chinese standpoint so I wasn't stared at too much and the locals seemed quite comfortable and unphased that a white girl was speaking to them in Chinese.
桂林是一个很安静的城市。没有太多人， 人们生活很悠闲。因为有很多民族文化背景的人来这儿，
所以桂林让我觉得很放松，很舒服。没有人觉得我是"老外"，我是特别的。
After my run through the park and some additional sight seeing, I ran back to my $2CDN per night hostel, had a quick shower, and hopped on the city bus for an eventful ride out to The Reed Flute Caves.
I'll just let the pictures do most of the talking for this post.
After the scenic spectacle of stalagmites, I got the bus to drop me off on the main road and walked, walked and walked as I do - zen party bus and all - trying new foods - talking to the locals - and generally just sucking it all in until it got dark and the night markets started up - of course I was all over that but eventually I got tired and went to sleep.
有一次，我去一个桂林菜场，我发现了一个秘密的地方，他们在卖野生动物 。
有一个笼子里关着很多小猫，我觉得它们会被人吃了，真可怜！
The following day was to be my main reason for traveling so far SouthWest. A boat cruise down the Li River.
Of course in typical fashion, I bypassed anything remotely touristy or Western, and opted for a leaking Chinese-only tour boat. Aside from the usual problems of staring and saying things about me as if I wasn't there - the ride was quite relaxing.
Um, visually stunning could also describe it!
还有一次，我在游船上，船夫拿来一只活鸡放血拔毛，然后把鸡放进开水，这只鸡就是我们的晚饭。
这很有意思，但是我没有吃。
The best part of the ghetto Chinese boats was that they order the chickens from the small villages on the side of the river. The guy paddles his boat up to the cruiser and drops off the chicken to the outdoor kitchen at the back of the boat. The kitchen help then cut of the head, pull off the feathers, pop it in some hot water and serve it for lunch. Talk about fresh! Being a vegetarian comes in handy sometimes (all the time) in China though.
I came across some funny things on this trip but I mostly wrote about them in Chinese here
Maybe once I am completely back down to earth and feeling better I'll add some more stuff to this post (sorry I think I am a bit lame and not as funny as usual for this one!) ASAP
1000 joys, 1000 sorrows, right~~~
有一天我在桂林逛街，看见一个新疆小偷在偷一个女孩的手机。
我拍拍他说："你在干什么 ? "
他吓了一跳转过身，脸变得很红，立刻跑了。
使我生气的不是那个小偷，而是周围的中国人，没有一个人提醒她。
为什么中国人不帮自己的同胞呢?
I've been living on another planet for a few weeks.
However I am slowly (sadly) returning to earth and before I head off to my next adventure (to Macau tomorrow for my 3 favorite sins) I need to update you on my last one!
听说桂林山水甲天下。 我同意！
I went to Guilin a few weekends ago. A Li River cruise from Guilin through it's scenery is touted as China's third of three top things to do and see. Third behind the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. I knew it would have to be amazing, but I had my doubts.
Would it blow me away like Anhui's HuangShan or Hangzhou's DongHu; Beijing's Hutong's or Yunnan's Tiger Leaping Gorge? It takes a lot to impress a girl like me these days... but it did!
Firstly, of course I started my Saturday morning bright and early with a run to the city's park. But the 7 Star Park is no ordinary park. Caves, ancient Buddhist temples, and a mountain that looks like a camel were only a smattering of things to see and do here. Right from the get go I liked Guilin. The people are so relaxed and serene. There is a large minority population here and therefore quite bit of diversity from a Chinese standpoint so I wasn't stared at too much and the locals seemed quite comfortable and unphased that a white girl was speaking to them in Chinese.桂林是一个很安静的城市。没有太多人， 人们生活很悠闲。因为有很多民族文化背景的人来这儿，
所以桂林让我觉得很放松，很舒服。没有人觉得我是"老外"，我是特别的。
After my run through the park and some additional sight seeing, I ran back to my $2CDN per night hostel, had a quick shower, and hopped on the city bus for an eventful ride out to The Reed Flute Caves.I'll just let the pictures do most of the talking for this post.After the scenic spectacle of stalagmites, I got the bus to drop me off on the main road and walked, walked and walked as I do - zen party bus and all - trying new foods - talking to the locals - and generally just sucking it all in until it got dark and the night markets started up - of course I was all over that but eventually I got tired and went to sleep.有一次，我去一个桂林菜场，我发现了一个秘密的地方，他们在卖野生动物 。
有一个笼子里关着很多小猫，我觉得它们会被人吃了，真可怜！
The following day was to be my main reason for traveling so far SouthWest. A boat cruise down the Li River. Of course in typical fashion, I bypassed anything remotely touristy or Western, and opted for a leaking Chinese-only tour boat. Aside from the usual problems of staring and saying things about me as if I wasn't there - the ride was quite relaxing.
Um, visually stunning could also describe it!
还有一次，我在游船上，船夫拿来一只活鸡放血拔毛，然后把鸡放进开水，这只鸡就是我们的晚饭。这很有意思，但是我没有吃。
The best part of the ghetto Chinese boats was that they order the chickens from the small villages on the side of the river. The guy paddles his boat up to the cruiser and drops off the chicken to the outdoor kitchen at the back of the boat. The kitchen help then cut of the head, pull off the feathers, pop it in some hot water and serve it for lunch. Talk about fresh! Being a vegetarian comes in handy sometimes (all the time) in China though.
I came across some funny things on this trip but I mostly wrote about them in Chinese here1000 joys, 1000 sorrows, right~~~
有一天我在桂林逛街，看见一个新疆小偷在偷一个女孩的手机。
我拍拍他说："你在干什么 ? "
他吓了一跳转过身，脸变得很红，立刻跑了。
使我生气的不是那个小偷，而是周围的中国人，没有一个人提醒她。
为什么中国人不帮自己的同胞呢?
As I have eluded to in the two previous posts, an exciting venture was solidified this year while I was in Bali. Finally, my desire to help people, use my skills, and make the world a better place now as well as in the future has a name:
The Orang Orang Project.
Regardless of the personal gains that this project will provide; what's much more important is the vision and intentions that we have for both the local women and children of Bali as well as the Western consumer and businesses. It is a challenge to those businesses out there who are not thinking in this way. We want to prove that it is possible to make money and to make a difference at the same time.
Cat's passion for people and talent for design coupled with my passion for improving the world and talent for business are a perfect match. Furthermore, between the two of us we cover the globe in the languages that we are proficient at and the people that we are connected to. It is like a win, win, win, win, win situation - every direction you look!
I think, however, that I might be getting ahead of myself.
You are asking: who, what, where, when and why, right?
So, here's my pitch:
OrangOrang is a fashion label offering socially responsible clothing and fashion accessories (jewellery, bags, belts) for women and children. The human dimension is central to our project, so much so that our name means 'people' in Indonesian.
Established in Canada and now rooted in Indonesia, OrangOrang designs and produces socially responsible fashion. We believe a better future can be made available to all, by enhancing the well being of the small communities in developing countries. Coupling traditional knowledge and modern taste with the use of organic fabrics and dyes allows us to create beautiful products with a purpose. Our guideline is the concept of sustainable development, which encompasses both environmental and social consciousness throughout each step of the supply chain.
Our project is multifaceted; we want to show the world that a company can make money and make difference at the same time. The fundamentals of the project involve teaching transferable skills to women in poor communities on Bali and then working with them and their new skills to develop beautifully hand made clothing and accessories. As technology and fashion evolve, so will we regarding social, environmental and economic issues. Currently, all the dyes we use are made from the little treasures and traditional knowledge offered by Indonesia`s rich vegetation and history. As most common industrial dyes are toxic, we ensure the safety of our workers, the environment, and you by happily offering all of our products free from the use of these harmful synthetic dyes. Moreover, we work with 100% certified organic silk and cotton. Silk is sensational to wear and allow us to play so much with the dyes as they create an amazing effect on that material. The cotton we use is light and perfect for dressing up or down.
We want to provide the educated and conscious consumer with choices. This enables people (you!) to choose to wear stylish clothes without damaging the environment and without affecting your health and the health of the textile industry workers. Furthermore, all pieces combining organic cotton and natural dyes are perfect for people with sensitive skin or allergies as well as children as they grow and develop.
(Cat with Kadek (her jewelry expert) making earrings one morning while I visited in February)
A business can make such a difference in both the lives of people and the protection of environment - as well as grow in a sustainable way. A portion of all our sales go to keeping street children on Bali in school and on route to a happier, healthier life. So, with us, you can really make a difference!
(Our first day in business with our new business cards and freshly made earrings!)
So, how can you buy our products and help us help the world?
Well, right now we have a website in the making so check out www.orangorangproject.com
And we already sell many things in stores in Quebec, and with your help spreading the word we will hopefully get our stuff into more stores - specifically in BC and other countries as well. We are looking into selling our products on some other socially responsible websites such as www.green2greener.com, www.nosweatapparel.com, www.organicconsumers.org, etc. which will make us more accessible to the world. And of course we are always open to your emails, requests, suggestions, orders, help, time, or anything!
The Orang Orang Project.
Regardless of the personal gains that this project will provide; what's much more important is the vision and intentions that we have for both the local women and children of Bali as well as the Western consumer and businesses. It is a challenge to those businesses out there who are not thinking in this way. We want to prove that it is possible to make money and to make a difference at the same time. Cat's passion for people and talent for design coupled with my passion for improving the world and talent for business are a perfect match. Furthermore, between the two of us we cover the globe in the languages that we are proficient at and the people that we are connected to. It is like a win, win, win, win, win situation - every direction you look!
I think, however, that I might be getting ahead of myself.
You are asking: who, what, where, when and why, right?
So, here's my pitch:
OrangOrang is a fashion label offering socially responsible clothing and fashion accessories (jewellery, bags, belts) for women and children. The human dimension is central to our project, so much so that our name means 'people' in Indonesian.
Established in Canada and now rooted in Indonesia, OrangOrang designs and produces socially responsible fashion. We believe a better future can be made available to all, by enhancing the well being of the small communities in developing countries. Coupling traditional knowledge and modern taste with the use of organic fabrics and dyes allows us to create beautiful products with a purpose. Our guideline is the concept of sustainable development, which encompasses both environmental and social consciousness throughout each step of the supply chain.
Our project is multifaceted; we want to show the world that a company can make money and make difference at the same time. The fundamentals of the project involve teaching transferable skills to women in poor communities on Bali and then working with them and their new skills to develop beautifully hand made clothing and accessories. As technology and fashion evolve, so will we regarding social, environmental and economic issues. Currently, all the dyes we use are made from the little treasures and traditional knowledge offered by Indonesia`s rich vegetation and history. As most common industrial dyes are toxic, we ensure the safety of our workers, the environment, and you by happily offering all of our products free from the use of these harmful synthetic dyes. Moreover, we work with 100% certified organic silk and cotton. Silk is sensational to wear and allow us to play so much with the dyes as they create an amazing effect on that material. The cotton we use is light and perfect for dressing up or down.
We want to provide the educated and conscious consumer with choices. This enables people (you!) to choose to wear stylish clothes without damaging the environment and without affecting your health and the health of the textile industry workers. Furthermore, all pieces combining organic cotton and natural dyes are perfect for people with sensitive skin or allergies as well as children as they grow and develop.
(Cat with Kadek (her jewelry expert) making earrings one morning while I visited in February)A business can make such a difference in both the lives of people and the protection of environment - as well as grow in a sustainable way. A portion of all our sales go to keeping street children on Bali in school and on route to a happier, healthier life. So, with us, you can really make a difference!
(Our first day in business with our new business cards and freshly made earrings!)So, how can you buy our products and help us help the world?
Well, right now we have a website in the making so check out www.orangorangproject.com
And we already sell many things in stores in Quebec, and with your help spreading the word we will hopefully get our stuff into more stores - specifically in BC and other countries as well. We are looking into selling our products on some other socially responsible websites such as www.green2greener.com, www.nosweatapparel.com, www.organicconsumers.org, etc. which will make us more accessible to the world. And of course we are always open to your emails, requests, suggestions, orders, help, time, or anything!
