Report #2 and Photos |
Following is the message PCV Welcome Bisson sent on December 5, 2007, with
the photos below.
Mushroom planting has occurred :)
After waiting for the rainy season to come to an end, mushroom spores were
set to do their thing, planting supplies were bought and ‘the great
planting’ of 2007 occurred. It was quite the community affair.
Materials are measured and then mixed together in a big blender-like machine
(sawdust, spores, Epsom salt, yeast, etc) and then dumped onto a big workspace
on the floor. A group of ladies attack the big pile with the tops of soda
bottles used as scoopers and fill plastic bags with the slightly warm sawdust
mixture. After many, many bags are filled, the packing begins. The bags
are pounded on the floor and then with a stick to pack the mixture in tight.
It reminded me of packing a cup of brown sugar when baking. However, it
didn’t taste nearly as good.
After the bags are packed tight, they are given a plastic cap with a small
wad of cotton and they’re ready to be baked. Thousands of bags at
a time are placed into a big oven for several hours and then cooled for
several more hours. Then, the bags are ready to move to their new home where
they, all 5,000 of them, will grow what we are all eagerly awaiting –
mushrooms!
The planting of the mushrooms is very manual and is taken care of by the
ladies, of all ages, from many families. The men lug the heavy bags of supplies
and tend to the oven ensuring that it is always hot. Throughout the planting
we have been very fortunate that the weather has been cool and bearable.
As the bags were placed in Waan’s mushroom hut, I asked her if she
was excited. In true Thai fashion, she provided a reserved response, but
finally smiled a bit and said yes. A little while later I noticed a ring
on Omijan’s (Waan’s daughter) wedding finger, which I had not
noticed before. I know that Omijan has a boyfriend and has had for seven
years, but the ring is new. I asked her if she had gotten married. Omijan
replied, ‘No. Wait until we pick the mushrooms. Then we will have
enough to get married. And to have a baby!’ I’m so happy to
be a piece of the bridge that is helping them reach their goals.
:) Welcome
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