The first day is winding to an end with community time in the Eatery with the seven other members of UBC’s Teacher Candidates and a wonderful group of grade 8 students who are here for a five day field trip. As I look around with everyone playing cards, singing karaoke, and challenging one another to ping-pong games, it is hard to imagine a place more deserving of the term ‘community’. The day begun with a road-trip to the ferries, through Victoria, and finally, O.U.R. Ecovillage. Once at O.U.R. Ecovillage, were were immersed in the culture of learning when we were invited into the process of harvesting cedar bark.
First, a horizontal cut is made into the base of the tree, about 6″ wide, and the bark is pulled off vertically in a single strip. While the inside of the bark is smooth when it comes off, the outside has a thick layer of rough bark that must be scraped and pealed away. The smooth bark that remains will be stored for a year, then soaked and processed into thin strips for basket weaving. The act of manufacturing with simple tools is a very rewarding task, because at the end there is a tangible product to show what was accomplished.
After we had settled, we were given a brief walk about through O.U.R. Ecovillage, and we met for dinner. The food at O.U.R. Ecovillage is marvelous, and all very healthy, with many of the items coming directly from the gardens. A part of the egalitarian philosophy of the community is for everyone to do their own dishes. The evening wound down with a few games in the field to the amusement of Violet, the cow and a few nearby sheep who wandered up to watch us. We can only go to sleep now, wondering what tomorrow will bring.