
PODIE是斯里蘭卡有機公平香料的組織,因為他們,所以偏遠鄉區的農友們有機會改變生活;因為他們,我們有機會嘗到斯里蘭卡最純的香料。所以我們再次踏上斯里蘭卡,和最純的他們再次近距離接觸!
2014第一次斯里蘭卡回來之後,走在台北的街上有種非實際感,因為覺得腳還踏在斯里蘭卡的泥土上;這次回來,雖然少了那種不實際的感覺,卻還是可以聞得到那空氣中的清新和陽光的日曬感。這次因為拜訪行程的安排,所以我們有了比2014多的時間走訪市集,同時也因為沒有網路的關係,所以我們有機會抬頭多看藍天和呼吸新鮮空氣。
坦白說這次在那裡,並沒有真的想到台灣的事,而是有種就是做自己的感覺,放開心去笑,去感受,去做自己。每個擦身而過的人,只要有眼接觸,就會有真心真誠的微笑。不是說在台灣我們不微笑,而是在台灣,我們的笑容多了點客氣,多了點距離,甚至多了點皮笑肉不笑;但在那,笑容是真誠的,所以大家一起微笑。
這次我們去到了椰子油工廠、肉桂、芝麻及胡椒農友村落;雖然農友們會在我們拜訪之前,由PODIE事先告知並適當的準備來歡迎我們,但即使是這樣的商業拜訪和了解,依然讓我們感受到農友們的真心和誠意。拿出他們的拿手好菜、拿手點心,甚至是美麗的茶瓷具,就為了讓我們可以有愉快的經驗。這樣的真心和熱誠,讓我們不禁再思考:「我們還要如何做,才能讓更多人知道有機公平貿易?我們還要如何做,才可以讓PODIE有更多的資源可以去幫助更多需要幫助的農友們?」產地之旅後,是更大的責任。
這趟行程,感謝所有的人:
1. 謝謝美莉阿姨一路上風趣的笑聲帶給大家歡樂
2. 謝謝Bianca妹妹努力拍照和活力的蹦跳
3. 謝謝怡陵的不疾不徐和沈穩的發問
4. 謝謝主婦理事主席秀嬌姐的敢秀和高超照相技術
5. 謝謝主婦的沈大哥在行前做功課,所以我們有機會坐火車看美景
6. 謝謝主婦的青玿每次都能找到好東西來分享
當然更謝謝我們當地的夥伴
1. 謝謝Tyrell幫我們安排的行程還有陪我們三天
2. 謝謝Kasun 以電話向農友們安排我們的拜訪和食物
3. 謝謝Niro耐心的開車,更快速的安排我們的每一個要求
4. 謝謝神父為了和我們見面和聚餐,二次開了2~3小時車來見面
台灣的有機公平貿易還有很長的一段路要走,謝謝PODIE為農友們的付出,也期許我們自己這條路可以走的更長更久!
2016 Sri Lanka Spice Field Trip
PODIE is an organization of organic fair trade in Sri Lanka. Because of PODIE, farmers at sub villages can have a life change, and because of PODIE, we have a chance to taste the most pure and tasty spices. So we put on the luggage, and went to Sri Lanka again.
Remember came back first time from Sri Lanka in 2014, I felt disconnect with Taipei, and not lived in reality, because I still felt my feet on the field land in Sri Lanka. This time, I didn't feel that, but still could smell the breeze and fresh. Because of the route arrangement, we had extra time to visit local markets and being tourists this time. Plus, because of no internet, we had a chance to look up in the sky and smell fresh.
Honestly, I didn't really think about Taiwan on this trip, but instead, I was just being me. Me in smile, in laugh loud, in just me. Everyone with eye contacts and pass by just had one sincere smile. Not saying we don't have smiles in Taiwan, but it is just different. We smile, but it seems to smile with wall and protection. And in Sri Lanka, smile is just smile, and from heart!!
We understand that farmer groups were noticed by PODIE that we were going as buyers, and they should have proper arrangements. Even with this business purpose, we were still touched by them. Their smiles, wonder food, and China tea set, all just show their welcome and warms. We can't help to ask ourselves, "What we should do more to let people in Taiwan to under organic fair trade? What should we do more to help PODIE to have more resources to help these farmers in need?" Bigger responsibilities followed by the trip.
Special thanks to our partners on this trip:
1. Thanks to Tyrell for this wonderful schedule arrangements and stay with us for 3 days.
2. Thanks to Kasun for phone arrangement with all farmers with food, make sure not too spicy for us.
3. Thanks to Niro for driving patiently, and meet our special requests every time.
4. Thanks to father who drove 2~3 hours to meet us for meals twice.
It is still a long journey for Taiwan on organic fair trade. We hope and wish ourselves can stay on this journey with PODIE for long long long.







