Author Archives: hannah foster

11/6/23

The Mystery of Survival

This reading was one that I found very difficult to read. I understand that there were other “cuentos” within the book, but the first one really struck me. The perspective of it being a child made the horrors of what had happened to the little girl even more disgusting and horrific. I sat down to read it and immediately was in shock. The usage of the child’s perspective here made the feelings I would have and did have even stronger. The descriptions were explicit, but enough that I was so heartbroken. I don’t even think heart broken is a strong enough word.

I found it very interesting that in this text, the narrator never was called by name. Lucia had a name, mama was mama, but the narrator was just a girl. This to me made it so that it could have been anyone’s child, anyone’s daughter, anyone’s memories. It made it more personal in a sense as when I was reading it I could place whomever as the girl.

The role of food here was subtle for me. Elote was mentioned once, and the girl had wanted coconut instead. I looked into it and was discussing with my partner, and we think that the coconut could maybe be a symbol for survival or durability. A coconut has a rough outside that protects the soft inside. A mystery of survival. Coconuts follow no rules, though. They will fall from the tree when they want, on who they want when they are ready. There is no obedience here. It contradicts what mama was saying is the key to survival. There was also a mention of the chicken broth. I think food was in essence a comfort. And the lack of food was a response to a trauma. Lack of food, not eating, is a trauma response. When an individual is dealing with trauma, it is hard to put the basic necessities of your body first. This small detail shows how much trauma this little girl has already gone through.

10/2/23

Señor Lopez: Reflection

I really enjoyed having Señor Lopez come and visit. Throughout the summer I had actually been working at the farmer’s markets around Vancouver and went to the UBC one. There I saw the produce and flowers that came from the Maya farm. It was so incredible to then learn about their story and how they were able to have that farm.

When listening to the cosmology of how maize came to them in Guatemala, I was intently listening. I had a few reflections on the story. One was the fact it was fleas and lice that had helped bring corn to the people. In western society, those creatures are seen as a pest. Very rarely do I ever reflect on their usefulness or their part in the living world. I feel like with the inclusion of these creatures in their cosmology, it shows that every creature has a role and purpose. It was the same when I was reading the Popul Vuh, I also had this reflection when they used the mosquito to learn the names of all the demons. I thought it was such an interesting choice of creature, as I find them incredibly annoying and to be a pest. However, in the story they had a purpose. It also gave an explanation as to why the mosquitos buzz in our ear. The same with the story of Señor Lopez, it gave us an explanation as to why lice and flea live in the fur of animals. Lastly, I wanted to mention that I found the use of these creatures is giving value to them, having them be part of the story rather than just a side character, something to be forgotten. It again puts importance on the whole rather than just a part.

The other part of the story that I found incredibly interesting was when Señor Lopez talked about the hole in the rock and how this hole (when it closes) will bring great changes. It was interesting in that this story had been told for hundreds of years, predicting a time of great changes, and in our current world state that is actually happening. He mentioned global warming and the effects that have taken on the crops that are there. But I think it can also be a reference to the increase of GMO products. When he said that now the hole was closed, I had a moment of fear almost. For our world and for what we have been warned about, and yet we haven’t done anything to change it.

Briefly, I loved when he said, “it changes the soul of the maize.” I was thinking about how in the article about  “Why study food?” It talked about how we have distanced ourselves greatly from the food. We just eat it, and we no longer take the time to know where it comes from, the work it took to get there, but we also don’t take the time to realize it too is a living being, a part of the greater circle of life. It gave me pause in the things I take for granted, the food on my table and my own opinion on GMO products.

09/11/23

I am from Potatoes

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!