Oak Planting and More

On Saturday, we got a batch of 200 oak saplings. The last two days we have been planting them. I've planted spruce, pine and birch before, but never in this kind of environment. The steep and rocky hill makes it really challenging. We're finished now. The hill where the farm is on, has a lot of pine trees growing on it, but they were planted by the British little over a century ago. One long term goal of the Himalayan farm project, is to change the forest surrounding the farm into its original state.

Another reason for oak trees is a plan of introducing silk worms to them in about five years and start producing silk. This would not only profit the farm, but also the small village below, creating desperately needed employment.

Otherwise the life here runs on its own course. One volunteer left today and another one arrived. There is always something to do, but there are also idle times for playing the guitar or reading a book. There are a lot of books and a guitar here that were left by former volunteers. I'm now working my way through Murakami's 1Q84. Right now it's raining, so there's time for some blogging and reading.