Lusty Gusty Gal

Here I am again, trotting the streets of Galway, Ireland! Despite the economic downfall and the cold rainy weather this country is currently facing, I would have to say that the energy in Galway is on the rise! The streets are packed with people and musicians and the air is infused with the smell of beer and tobacco smoke.

We arrived in Dublin on Tuesday morning and our very bright and factual bus driver Michael drove us to Galway while he briefed us on the economic status of Ireland. Since my last visit to this country, the market value of homes has dropped by up to 50%, construction projects are visibly on hold and the VAT tax has dropped from 20% to 13.5%. On a positive note, tourism is on the rise and partly because of Obama`s visit in May! Nonetheless, Michael assured us that “the locals still have the price of a pint in their pocket”! Good news!

It’s been pouring since we got here on Tuesday so I have kept it pretty low key. I started my day on Wednesday with a yoga class in the city. There`s something hot and unique about an Irish man with an accent guiding you through your practice! I also met a local girl at yoga who just finished some volunteer work in Nepal. She spent 4 weeks in the mountains teaching local students and living with a host family. We got to talking about gender inequalities and how she saw first-hand that women are second class citizens in this country and aren`t given the proper tools and opportunities to be empowered. Our conversation inspired me to look into volunteer opportunities to possibly work on literacy programs and educational training for women next summer. I`m glad I woke up and went to yoga despite the jet lag!

Wednesday night we checked out the Galway Film Festival. We viewed a film on the economic status of Iceland and what individuals are doing to stop consumerism and rebuild a stronger sustainable country. The documentary was alright...I really enjoyed the Iceland vodka served afterwards! J

Yesterday we spent the day at the Aran Islands. I think I fall in love with that place more and more each time I visit. My coworkers and I rented bicycles and rode around and took pictures all afternoon. Their way of life is so simple and pure...it's as though you`ve warped back a few years. Stone wall divide all the properties, horses trotting along the roads and locals hard at work outside. They seem to have a lot of pride and all their properties are pristine.

Last night I went to Taaffes Pub for a few Smitwicks and some good old Irish music. Soooo fun!! I had a perma smile all night...I just love the vibe in the pubs here! The music was fantastic!

On a final note, if you`re ever in Galway, wake up early on a Saturday morning and walk down Griffin street to watch the locals start their day. You will find people walking with baskets picking up fresh produce and newspaper while shop owners are prepping their colourful store fronts for the day. It was lovely to watch!

I am having a grand time here in Ireland and will share more stories in the days to come!

Francine J

It is good to collect things, but it is better to go on walks -Anatole France

A Green Movement

A few weeks ago, while scanning the Globe and Mail I happen to fall on an article talking about a Green School in Bali who focus on a holistic and green education. The sustainable school in the Balinese Jungle is built purely out of Bamboo and is surrounded by gardens and farms. After researching the school, I fell madly in love with the idea of being part of this movement. Here's a copy of my pitch...and don't forget to check out the link :)

http://www.greenschool.org/

In the midst of a cold winter night in northern Ontario, Francine, sits in her cozy living room by the crackling woodstove. The warmth of the fire and the sound of the northern wind whipping by her window carry her thoughts to a faraway place.

In her reverie, Francine stands on a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The warm breeze brushes against her cheeks as she walks through the Balinese jungle. Treading on a hard volcanic stone path, she passes lush gardens, and rice paddies, greeted by the familiar lowing of cattle and clucking of chickens. She takes a deep breath and walks up to her beautiful open-spaced bamboo classroom. Under the thatched roof sit her students, eager to be empowered and ready to tackle a new project. The students roll out their Pilates mats and Francine reminds them of the importance of keeping a balanced lifestyle. They start their class by taking a deep breath in through the nose and exhaling all the toxins and negative energy through the mouth. After a few breaths, the students roll down into a forward fold and hangs there for a moment, inhaling through the mouth, tucking their tummies and rolling up slowly, re-aligning one vertebra at a time. And so, the learning experience begins.

Francine explains that the mind, body and spirit are intertwined and must all be treated equally to find overall wellness. After cleansing with Pilates, Francine starts her business lesson by asking her students, “How do we become socially and environmentally responsible citizens? How can business leaders succeed in a competitive global market?” After spirited and meaningful debate, Francine introduces her pupils to the most important business concept they will ever learn, known as the Triple Bottom Line. All business leaders who want to succeed must focus on three concepts simultaneously, which are profit, planet, and people. Business is both a direct and indirect cause of most ecological problems. As the class discusses the issue of growing human population, rising levels of consumption and threats to natural systems, students are beginning to see how much capitalism has an effect on their world. Francine emphasizes how social responsibility is the backbone of every successful business and how organizations must adopt restorative strategies to save the planet and help communities develop sustainable plans to survive any drought, war or environmental disaster that may touch their community. Business leaders, Francine tells the inquiring minds before her, have the power to be the change they wish to see in the world.

Francine then asks her students, “How do we turn sustainability issues into new profit opportunities?” To expand on this idea, she announces that the next project will be to create a green product or service that responds to a local need, has a minimum impact on the planet and helps generate a profit. The profit made from the product will then be re-invested in third-world entrepreneurs who are trying to create a sustainable local business, such as a fruit and vegetable stand in Tanzania. Francine then explains that their homework for the night is to start brainstorming a green product or service and to visit Kiva.org to find an entrepreneur they would like to help.

Francine feels the energy in the room; students are interacting and their ideas are bouncing off the invisible walls of the classroom. She watches them collaborate to build sustainability plans and knows she has reached her triple bottom line for the day—she has exposed, empowered and lead her students to think, create and make an impact.

After a full day of learning and exploring with her students, Francine hops on her bicycle with a smile and heads home. She sits on a café terrace in the glowing evening sun in the quaint town of Ubud and watches pedestrians walk by holding hands and laughing, street vendors selling jewellery, and a local man depicting what he sees with oil paints and a canvas. The server walks over to take Francine’s order. “I will have the Bebek Betutu and a glass of brem,” she says. As the server walks away, Francine begins to reflect on the inspiring day spent with her students. As she looks out to the horizon, a strong breeze pulls her out of her reverie. She is once again in the cozy warmth of her living room – this time not dreaming of the incredible opportunities that may await her oceans away, but instead determined to be there, making her dream a reality – living her very own triple bottom line. She reaches for her backpack, her plane ticket and her passport and walks out the door, smiling with confidence and anticipation.

Francine Bouchard

I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.

- Aristotle

Up, Up and Away!

Ciao Ticos!

Backpack, passport, hiking boots, aviators and binoculars – Check, Check, Check!

Next on the list of places to see: Costa Rica!!!! I am ecstatic to be leaving on a 9 day adventure with my dear friend Kristie to explore a country that is so diverse. From lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and rugged jungles, we plan on touching a bit of everything. Costa Rica is known for its high level of biodiversity, its mass amounts of conservation areas and of course it’s AMAZING coffee, so we are sure to take advantage of these unique offerings!

We will be flying into San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica on Friday March 11^th. After a short visit, we plan on taking a bus North-West to San Elena/ Monteverde for 4 days. Our main focus will be exploring the mountainous Cloud Rain Forest in Monteverde which is located at a very high altitude (1,440 m) above sea level. This means high humidity equals plenty of mammals, birds, insects and plants to see! Not to mention, an afro that won`t quit. During our time here, we will be doing plenty of hiking and definitely some zip lining. The town of San Elena will be our base point. This town apparently prides itself on organic farming, its tasty organic restaurants, its coffee plantations and cute little artisan shops. SOOOO excited!

After our rugged adventure in Monteverde, we plan on taking a bus-ferry-taxi to our next destination, MONTEZUMA, a small town located on the south-eastern side of the Peninsula de Nicoya. This place is apparently populated by hippies, artists and dreamers! It seems to be a charming laid back village with tons to offer. For 5 days we will get to do yoga, swim, surf, snorkel and eat beautiful dinners along the Pacific Ocean.

Finally, we will be taking a small plane back to San Jose on Saturday March 19^th to then board a 16 hour flight back to Toronto!

Beautiful country and great company is sure to make this trip a memorable one! Looking forward to sharing my adventures with you at the end of the trip!!

Adios Amigos!

Francine ;)

Why I travel: to learn through new adventures, to grow, to challenge myself and foster an appreciation of both the world at large and my favourite chair waiting for me in my cozy living room in Northern Ontario.