We made it back!

...and bringing with us stories we will keep and share for a lifetime.

Apologies for not sending this update sooner. It has been a hectic week as we try to reincorporate ourselves into this country while still trying to hold the essence of what blessed us along our travels through Romania--and Ireland! A generous and loving friend has a cottage on a tidal island off the coast of Ireland and insisted that we make a stop there before returning to the States. Of course we could not refuse such an amazing opportunity.

Now for some logistical updates:

• The goal of our trip was a success. With over 20 hours of audio interviews, almost 3,000 photos (B&W film and Digital), as well as several charcoal, pencil, and ink drawings. Not to mention our brains oozing with stories.
• Postcards were sent from Romania.
• Other rewards are being compiled. They will probably be in the mail in the next two weeks.
• The only bad news is that one of the film cameras we used was somehow defective--overexposing and ruining the vast majority of the 110 photos taken with that camera. It was a really frustrating moment when I realized all those pictures were ruined, and many apologies to anyone anticipating high quality black and white photos. That said, on a good and more artistic note, the photos taken with our pin hole PinHolga camera came out really well (for a pinhole camera)! I was expecting the opposite, especially without a light meter and exposure time being quite arbitrary sometimes (from 1 second to 20 seconds). If you are utterly confused by what a pin hole PinHolga camera is (or regardless), you should watch the video below. It also includes a sneak peak of some of our photos.
• One of our backers has generously volunteered their time to help with creating a website where we will be posting our findings, stories, photos, etc. as they get compiled. More news on this as it unfolds.Thank you all again so much. It was a life-changing experience for us, and we are so excited to share it with you.

Below is a peak at some of our drawings. Go to this link to see the PinHolga video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQfl5bZn44Y

Greetings from Romania

Just finished a fantastic breakfast of cheese, ham, carrots, and warm colostrum (click to find out more) ;)
I will post updates upon my return from Romania. Till then, all the best, and maybe you'll hear from Matt or Kavviaq.

You did it!

And with flying colors. (see to the right)

I don't have words. This is fantastic, and we are grateful beyond belief.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

There will be more updates soon. I will send out a survey for backers to fill out their addresses so that we know where to send postcards and rewards.

We fly out on the 20th.


All the best,

Luka and Phil

The glass is (almost!) half full

Many great thanks and much gratitude to everyone that has helped out so far.

I’m sure most of you thoroughly enjoy the comforts and aids that our technology brings us. I definitely do! It is fantastic to have the ability to connect with most people I know in just a matter of minutes; to have the largest library of knowledge humanity has ever known, and be able to carry it in my backpack! Not to mention traveling anywhere in the world within a day or two.

So don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against modern technology, I’ve just realized the importance of being aware of certain “side effects” this lifestyle can have on us. One side effect is that we are becoming dependent on these modern conveniences without retaining our traditional methods of sustenance.

This is where Philip and I come in. We hope to add a bridge between the traditional knowledge of homesteading and our modern world. Our project is the first step. The next step (and what I see as my own direction in life), is to help people understand why this old wisdom is so important in our lives. I truly believe we would live much healthier (mental and physical) lives if we each provided even a bit of our own sustenance. Help us get through this first step.

If 200 people each pledge only 12 dollars, we would reach our goal! That may sound like a lot of people, but if only 25 of you take a few minutes to send a personal email to only 10 friends, that's 250 new potential backers. And some might even pledge more than $12!

Below are some images from a photo essay I did a few years ago, titled: “Processing a Pig”

Just added this new widget -->

Help support Philip Walter and I to document the disappearing knowledge of traditional homesteading from people that still rely on it, before the laws, policies, and modern technologies overrun this old wisdom.

Your donations will help with travel and living expenses while we travel rural Romania for six weeks to document this old knowledge.

We are currently 43% of the way there and have 16 days to go. Please help us make this trip a reality so we can share this information with you when we return! Even if you can only afford a dollar, it will make a difference.

Also, among other things, we will print you traditional black and white photographs and drawings from our travels in exchange for your support.

Click the widget to the right for more information (to watch our video) and to make a pledge.

See below for some more photos of my past travels to Romania.

Preparing the scythe

Speaking with a shepherd

A common scene in town...

From Romania

Sorry for the long delay since my last post.

Im currently in Romania--Sibiu to be exact. A few days earlier I was in the capital city of Bucharest where I learned a lot of intriguing stories about the local city trees.

One story is about a tree that now stands between tall facades of concrete, steel, and glass. I could see the beautiful Chestnut tree still hanging on to its patch of soil. The buildings rose on either side only feet away, dwarfing the otherwise majestic tree.

Back in the 1930s, a plant physiologist by the name of Constantin Popescu carefully studied the vascular system in the then young chestnut tree, and was able to successfully graft Tomatoes and various types of Peppers onto this tree. But the grafting was not considered successful until the plants flowered and then produced fruit. He was successful according to what I was told.

He hired a photographer to take pictures of the ripe fruits and I'm curious if I can find some of those photos.

I also managed to acquire a few more old botany field guides from my Great-grandfather Alfred Zeidner. Some of the guides still have plants he pressed between the pages, along with careful notes in the margins.