Awake at 04h00 and dying to go back to sleep. Instead, my trip from Brokopondo (Klaaskreek) is a lengthy one, with conversation spanning the entire hour-long drive, and darkness refusing the greet the new day. I was dropped off at the Chinese supermarket (most supermarkets in this South American country are run by the Chinese population). I meet Deborah and her son, Jamil, and her little brother. She and her husband, Shanna, are my hosts in Powakka--a young couple with a young child. We have a breakfast of sweet tea and peanut butter, whilst I ask her questions about biodiversity and how she uses them. She takes me outside "let me show you" she says as she leads me to what looks like bushes and weeds and points out the naturally growing plants--sibiwriri & neem--that she uses for headaches, pains, and a host of other ailments. Already, I am pleased by her knowledge. I smile to myself, in anticipation for what else can be garnered as the day progresses.
