I am from Chrysanthemum

From a vast fertile delta land

and Yangtze River.

I am from the tea set,

Quietly, elegantly standing on the table

Pouring out the scent of history

From the icicle hung over the roof.

From my grandma, Qinglun comes from the northernmost province of China.

and my mother, Shouju

From mint

and ginkgo

I am from the chopping board

Chopping and Rolling,

nostalgic dumplings,

beans and green onions,

And reunion.

Hello everyone, my name’s Damon. I was born in a small city in the southern part of China next to Shanghai. I will describe myself as an Asian, Chinese, first-generation student, and also a temporary immigrant in Canada. I’m interested in Hispanic culture, and the Latin America world. Currently, I’m studying Spanish 301 at UBC. I would like to see their cultures from a different perspective. I’m excited about my new semester because I’m a student in the major of environment and sustainability, also the courses are quite challenging.

I am from the Butter Ration, the Flour Tax, the Scarce Tongues

From the laden fields thick with dark sugar, cut with darker hands

and the great injustice of that island in the sun.

I am from the sickly scent of the Rum, goose-neck waxed bottles.

Long in the tooth, witness to horrors and pride.

From the thinnest trails off western coasts, memory exhales still

From the salt hewn rocks and lonely cedar refusing to be killed

From his mother’s mouth like a river came the sound of wind in grass

She saw an eagle catch a fish, the sun dawn on its face at last

I am from the Huckleberry, eaten while in stride

I am of the open palm that beckons you inside

I am of the moving eats, the dates that go down smooth

Of being told to sit, be still and stop playing with your food

Thank you for reading. I’m very excited to see everyone’s poems. My name is Matthew and I grew up in so called “Vancouver.” I am descended of Barbadian sugar growers and rum makers on my dad’s side. It is a history I am still learning to grapple with. My grandmother grew up in London during the Second World War. She describes vividly the rationing system and how it has affected her cooking. She makes the most delicious food from the most meager ingredients. I am a hiking guide year round, but mainly in the summers. Many a meal has been mostly berries found on the trails meandering along coastal cliffs. I feel connected to food and the many ways it informs my relationships and history. I know this course is going to deepen that understanding. I’m very much looking forward to it.

I am from caña de azúcar 

from my grandfather’s cañal in Zapotitán

and the little river that runs next to it.

I am from comales–

Sizzling, popping,

Dos revueltas y una de queso.

From andá traeme hierba buena

From Mamá Yolan

and Papá César.

From chichipince

and carambolas.

I am from the metate 

           moliendo, grinding, para las tortillitas 

Maíz that becomes pupusas, riguas, atol y más… 

Flor de Izote,

and smelling panes con chumpe every 25th of December.

Hello everyone! I’m Yolanda. (she/her) I’m a fourth-year Arts student majoring in Political Science. I’m Salvadoran and I moved to Vancouver in 2009, but I have been lucky to spend time back home in El Salvador often.

Over the past two years, my academic interests have shifted towards food security. My dream is to contribute to food security in El Salvador and Central America–El Salvador, for instance, does not have any laws to enforce food security. I want to change that! As I briefly mentioned in class, I worked at a summer camp kitchen for six summers, making my way up from dishpit volunteer to food services manager. This experience taught me the importance of food: We need secure access to nutritious foods to fuel our bodies and thus society. You can imagine how excited I was when I found this class–food and Latin America, my two greatest loves. I’m excited to learn more about Indigenous-led initiatives, knowledge and practices to achieve food security.

Outside of school, I enjoy watching reality TV (shoutout to the Jersey Shore and Love Island UK), spending time with my two bunnies, and caring after my patio garden. I also have recently become obsessed with spin class and spend too much time browsing for the next Latin-themed class.

I’m very excited for what this class will bring and to create community with my peers. I can’t wait to become a maize expert alongside you all!

~ Yolanda

I am from tomatoes

from tall mountains

and Alouette and Pitt rivers

I am from metal pans,

versatile, tough

Smoky

From stay in the cool shade

From Pancho

and Bill

From eucalyptus

and blackberries

I am from the tortilla press

smashing, shaping

Corn

Cedar

and Rosca de Reyes with Fruit punch

Hello, my name is David (he/they), I am a third year student here at UBC, majoring in Latin American Studies and Linguistics. I would describe myself as having an amicable and affable, studious and quiet character, but I have been called sardonic and naïve by others in my life. I am taking LAST315, as I am hoping to major in Latin American studies because of my personal background as a dual Mexican-Canadian citizen, and I love learning and talking about new topics related to Latin America. I am looking forward to this semester, as I have both less and more time this semester compared to previous ones, and I am excited for new opportunities. Some of my non-academic pursuits include, woodworking, arts and crafts, musicals and opera and enjoying new foods!

I look forward to learning more about Latin America and Maize with you all.

I am from potatoes
from mountainous valleys
and the rushing Fraser River.
I am from giant cooking pots—
steaming, mixing, smelling of home

From “leave nothing but footprints”
From Granny
and Momma Nancy
From chives
and blueberries.

I am from the crock pot
cooking, waiting for the feast
mashed potatoes,
beautiful wild flowers
and waking up early on Christmas morning.

Hi, everyone! I’m Hannah, and I am in my final semester at UBC. I am majoring in Spanish and have taken multiple Latin American studies courses. I would describe myself as outgoing, energetic and funny. I am taking this course in particular as I had taken a food ways course last semester and I loved it. I think the topic of food is so interesting and diverse. I’m excited to explore this semester with you all!

I am from sunny vineyards,

from the breeze of Lake Garda

and the scent of olive groves.

I am from steamed cabbage,

from my mom’s warm cookies

and Sunday lunches at my Nonna’s.

I am from fresh tapas,

from the coffee on the way to class

and tender sunsets at the Bunkers.

I am from crunchy chipa,

from the comforting warmth of mate

and the sugary taste of unconditional love.

I am from the bitterness of goodbyes,

and the sweetness of new encounters.

I am from where I will be next.

Hi! I’m Petra (she/her). I’m a 4th year exchange student coming from ESADE university (Barcelona, Spain). I am Italian, I was born in a very small and remote village called Drena, but I have been studying and living in Barcelona for the past 3 years.

I am majoring in Global Governance and minoring in Economics. I love my career and want to work in development (economics) once I graduate, while living in South America. I spent the summer working in Paraguay as researcher in an education NGO, so I was a bit disoriented by the change when I came to Vancouver. But I’m loving it!

In Italy and Barcelona I used to practice a sport that is called Baton Twirling and I absolutely loved it, but it is hard to find this sport everywhere. I am a curious person and enjoy learning (anything), driving, traveling and being creative in the kitchen.

I am taking this course because I want to learn more about Latin America (I don’t have many courses options at my home university) and because I think the approach is creative, interesting and unusual compared to my other courses. I am also really happy to get to know you all!