april 2014, no 4 · buy a big bag of dried leaves at the local market. oca is a stimulant, and it...
TRANSCRIPT
Mid Canterbury
April 2014, No 4
Welcome Newcomers!
We are an informal social network which supports people in the Mid Canterbury Region. ‘Newcomers’ can help you get in touch with local people, clubs and organisations. We hope to help you feel at home in your new environment. Please feel free to come along to our activities or contact me. We look
forward to meeting you!
In This Issue
Settling-in meeting, Latin America…............1 What we have done…….2 Cultural Space...….........3 Previous Settling-in meeting ............. ..…....3 What’s on this month .. 4
Contact Us
Daria Glesser Mid Canterbury Newcomers Network 20 Williams St Ashburton, 7700
P: (03) 308-13-95 E: [email protected]
W: www.newcomers.co.nz Hours: Mon to Friday 9:30 am
to 3:00 pm
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” –Pablo Picasso
Latin-American night!!!
Lots of games and activities for the whole Family, dances and supper in South American Style! When: Friday, 26th April at 7 pm Place: Hockey– Cricket Pavilion, Walnut Ave Free Admission For further information contact: John Hobbs on 0272208791
International Cooking Classes Do you enjoy cooking? Would you like to share your cultural dishes? You are welcome to join! We will meet fortnightly for a cooking lesson and lunch together afterwards! The next class will learn how to make sushi. Contact: John 027 220 8791 When: Monday, fortnightly, from 11 am to 1pm
Bring a plate with Latin-American food!
Mid Canterbury Newcomers Newsletter 2
The Chilean Cooking class This time were we learning how to make traditional Chilean food “Charquicán”.
Charquicán is a beef stew that is slow-cooked with squash and potatoes. It was traditionally prepared with dried beef (charqui). This version has both stewing beef and some commercial beef jerky (or make your own), which adds a nice smoky flavour and makes the stew taste more like chilli (Chilean chilli!) My kids love beef jerky and they love this stew.
The squash falls apart as it cooks and helps to thicken the broth. You can add any vegetables you have on hand - beans and corn are common. You can make this stew in a crockpot or simmer it on the stove. In Chile, charquicán is often served topped with a fried egg.
Cross-cultural
communication
Workshop.
Mid Canterbury Newcomers Newsletter 3
MY BOLIVIA By Adriana Morales Hi! My name is Adriana Morales. I am from la Paz, Bolivia. My parents, brothers and the rest of the family live in La Paz. I moved to New Zealand 5 years ago. I decided to come to here to visit my small sister Laura, but after being here I decided to stay and try my luck! I have worked in a few places. In one of them I met my partner Aiden Munro. We’ve been together for more than three years now. I’m so happy to live in this beautiful country. It’s very welcoming and I feel like it’s my home now. But I still miss my country a lot. That is why I would love to introduce you to my beautiful country and share some interesting things about it!
Bolivia is a very beautiful country in the middle of south America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. The Bolivian population is very multiethnic including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians and Africans. We speak Spanish in Bolivia although the Guarani, Aymara and Quechua languages are also common. The cuisine of Bolivia might be called the original "meat and potatoes" -- the latter (locally called papas from the Quechua) were first cultivated by the Inca before spreading throughout the world. The most common meat is beef, though chicken and llama are also easily found. Deep frying (chicharron) is a common method of cooking all sorts of meat, and fried chicken is a very popular quick dish; at times the smell permeates the streets of Bolivian cities. Now, let me tell you a little bit about coca leaves! Coca has been part of Andean culture for centuries, and chewing is still very common (and perfectly legal) in Bolivia. You should be able to buy a big bag of dried leaves at the local market. Coca is a stimulant, and it also suppresses hunger. Chewing a wad of leaves for a few minutes should bring slight numbness to your lips and
throat. Remember the slogan (printed on souvenir T-shirts): Coca no es Cocaina ("The coca leaf is not cocaine"). But cocaine most definitely is an illegal drug. Another interesting thing that you can see in Bolivia is CACAO. This rather ugly looking fruit is one of the most loved fruits in the world! Not because the fruit itself is very delicious (most people don't eat the pulp) but because this is what chocolate is made from! Cacao pods have large dark seeds inside which are covered in a slimy mucous (which some people boil and cool, then strain to make juice). The seeds are then dried and toasted. Once toasted, they are ground or smashed into a really fine powder - cocoa pow-der! If you are planning to go to Bolivia, you definitely have to try a mountain bike tour to The Death Road! where you'll be able to see the diversity of Bolivia. Leave from La Cumbre at 5000mts, in a cold and windy environment, and get to Coroico, in a wet and tropical environment.
As for the festivals in my country, they are a form of religious celebration, expressing a syncretism of paganism and Catholicism. Some traditional dances from the Andes have spread throughout the country and can be found in many of Bolivia’s large processions, like the Morenada, Diablada and Caporales. Another interesting festival is the Alasitas - the Festival of Abundance. It is an Aymaran festival which was traditionally celebrated in September at harvest time. Nowadays the Alasitas festival takes place in January and miniature Ekkekko (the god of abundance) statues are purchased, along with anything else you can imagine in miniature.We also celebrate Easter. Semana Santa (Easter) has various religious parades take place across the country as the Virgin Mary is paraded through the streets. In El Alto, an agricultural fair takes place on Palm Sunday and on Good Friday Bolivians walk a pilgrimage from La Paz.
Hope you enjoyed my little story about my wonderful country. I feel so proud for being able to share it with you! Look forward to seeing everybody at our Latin-American party (see the first page of the newsletter)! Warm regards, Adriana
CULTURAL SPACE The place where you can share stories about your culture and
yummy recipes popular in your home country!
Today Adriana
Morales is going to tell us about Bolivia. Adriana is going to be in charge of
Mid Canterbury Newcomers Newsletter 4
Settling-in meeting in European style
Newcomers Coffee
Morning Group
Hello! My name is Iris!
I facilitate a coffee morning group for the newcomers. If you are new to Mid Canterbury area we welcome you to join us and get your first cup of coffee for free! We would love to get to know you and to hear your story! Look forward to seeing you! Warm regards, Iris
What’s on this month?
Mid Canterbury Newcomers Newsletter 5
Other things to do
Settling-in meeting The cultural evening with food and entertainment! This time devoted to the Latin America! When: Friday, 25th of April at 7 pm Where: Hockey Pavilion, Walnut Ave Contact: Daria on 027 220 8791 Multicultural Playgroup (organized by “Presbyterian Support”) For more details contact Torika Patterson at Presbyterian Support on 3085868 or Thelma Bell on 0212593270 Where: 222 Cameron Street, Ashburton When: Every Monday 1pm-3pm Newcomers Coffee Morning Group If you are new to Mid Canterbury area we welcome you to join us! We would love to get to know you and to hear your story! Look forward to seeing you! When: Every Thursday at 10:30 am Where: McDonalds conference room. 124 West Street Contact Iris on o210582125 Information session Where: Community Link, cnr of Cass and Moore St When: Every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm Fee: free of charge Contact: Daria on 0272208791 [email protected] FILM SOCIETY session Where: 211 Wills St Movie: “Inside Llewyn Davis”, drama, music Fee: $15 When: Wednesday 30rd of April 2014 at 5:45 pm followed by a cuppa at the Ashburton Art Gallery. Details: http://www.regentcinema.co.nz/ Cooking Classes Do you enjoy cooking? Would you like to share your cultural dishes? Then you are welcome to join! When: On Mondays fortnightly, from 11amto 1pm Fee: Free of charge Contact: John Hobbs [email protected]