The History of the Yurt - Chapter 5

              We made tent platforms out of used pallets which we covered with cardboard and saw dust to smooth out the surface.  A make shift outdoor shower, along with the composting toilet, were surrounded by tarps and the solar panels, and in back of the house was the outside sink.

The tents are surrounded by gardens enabling us to pick some of our food for meals.

Soon the volunteers made the tent their home.

Rainwater collected from the roof along with water pumped from our spring filled the tanks which were used for dish washing and showers.

Our make-shift sink.

              The volunteers arrived throughout a two day period.  As they walked up the driveway it was obvious they were all skeptical.  When they were all present we went over the chores and orientation of cooking, dish-washing, and our luxurious bathroom and shower facilities.  I would describe this event as culture shock thinking, I’m sure everyone who came from all over the world had expectations of what the United States was, and this did not fit the picture.

              These volunteers represent the global future.  It is so important to experience different models for lifestyle choices.  We are living in interesting times where many of the youth throughout the world have very little opportunity and in some countries unemployment among young adults is skyrocketing.  Once again resource availability is needed for employment and if for any reason this availability decreases, employment will decrease.  A new problem has arisen in recent months as despondent young adults are becoming radicalized. This segment of the global population see no future in the Western style economy and act out in small groups, or even alone, making it harder to investigate and react.  If the global community all made a point of lowering throughput per capita it would be much easier to include such people  into the economy.  During our two weeks spent with these international young adults it was obvious that they were alive, excited about life and ready for the challenges of the future.

              Part of the volunteer’s time in Vermont included a cultural experience.  I know what you must be thinking.  Haven’t they had enough cultural experience by now.    

It was great that they all had the opportunity to see such an open society as we visit the capitol building in Montpelier, VT.

At the top of Hubbard Park there were forms of entertainment.

Phillip (Germany) waits to get garlic bread from Peter Schuman, the founder of Bread and Puppet Theater.

In back of the capitol building we went strolling in Hubbard Park.

We went hiking up Wheeler Mountain and in spite of rain we had a fabulous time.

These are the hands that worked so hard for two weeks. They experienced an unexpected culture, new skills, working with people from other cultures, and thinking in a new way. Thank you Volunteers for Peace.

Anqi (China) and Jinyoung (S. Korea) explore Bread and Puppet Museum.