At a recent Feast I noticed this wonderful book, "Flatbreads & Flavors - A Baker's Atlas" in our hostess's library. Just reading the preface made me order the book ~ part journal, travel diary, a record of memories expressed in recipes.The authors, Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid, traveled through the high altitude regions of Tibet, watched Kirghiz and Tajik villagers and nomads prepare flatbreads, and stayed with the Uighurs in the deserts of the Taklimakan. They learned how to make fire out of goat dung, how to keep the fire going at an elevation of 16,000 feet.
The book's photographs are what initially caught my attention: Rural wastelands, rugged living - like cooking outdoors and living in tents - and weather-beaten faces. Just the kind of subsistence-level living that, if bread is all you have, it will be prepared with infinite patience and attention.
Today I'm trying one of the oldest breads of Pakistan, Hunza Pitti, a sprouted hard wheat berry mixed with chopped dried apricots, and salt. It has soaked and sprouted, and will result in a chewy grain patty that, when baked, results in a snack like a granola bar ~ my favorite snack when hiking.
It rained over the weekend, but we found time to do a pleasant hike, five miles along the Greenline Trail, in the Capitol Forest.
The fog was beautiful, and we found a clear-cut area where we sat on tree stumps for a picnic - always hot soup for George and Turkish coffee for me! George said the hike was challenging, but it felt like a stroll, and I had to jog the hills in Old Town the next morning to really feel a vigorous workout. I think riding my bike, combined with the climbs and jog, have improved my stamina. I just crave the burn of a real workout. It builds strength and stamina and is so invigorating.
However, finding something suitable for both George and I is now a challenge. I get impatient plodding through the brush and puddles of a forest. I do enjoy the views and the details of nature, however. And that requires slowing down. I guess it is a matter of balance, of give and take.
We attended an Internet Conference sponsored by the Baha'is of Bellevue on Sunday. I took notes as so many links and references were presented.
The thrust of the workshop was to acquaint the Baha'is with the many opportunities to expand their knowledge of the Faith, and to understand Internet protocol and use. Glen Fullmer, Director of Communications at the National Baha'i Center in Wilmette, Illinois, said, "The brain cannot store vast quantities of information, but you can access the technology that helps you find it."Baha'i Internet Agency ~ Assists the global Bahá’í community in its use of the Internet, provides technical support to Bahá’í institutions and supports promising initiatives of individuals.
Understanding Search Engines provides an overview of Internet search engines, how they work and what your webmaster can do to improve your site’s relative ranking.
Baha'i Media Bank ~ photos of the Bahá’í community, historical figures, events and activities, houses of worship, and holy places.
Baha'i World News Service ~ reports on activities of the worldwide Bahá'í community and on events that affect the Baha’i Faith or its followers. The service is based at the Bahá'í International Community’s Office of Public Information at the Bahá'í World Center in Haifa, Israel.
Ocean ~ a free collection of the World's Religious literature managed by a unique book-centered research engine. It contains over 1000 books of 10 world religions in English as well as collections in six other languages (French, Spanish, German, Russian, Dutch, and Portuguese).
YouTube ~ Baha'is of the United States send in their videos to serve a community of interest.
Baha'i Video Library ~ Newsreel stories that show how Baha'is build loving and dynamic relationships, families, neighborhoods and communities. Social networking tools are available for sharing or commenting on the videos. (there is also a Facebook account! Just log on to facebook.com and search for U.S. Baha'i Video Library. Baha'i US is also using Twitter, to provide useful links.)
Well, it was a two hour workshop, just fascinating. The Internet will bring about profound changes in ten years, using podcasts, blogging, websites, and new technology that will enrich and knit together an online community. (I sure hope for every hour spent online they will spend a comparable amount of time walking, swimming, jogging, or biking.)
