The Hardest Part: Saying Goodbye

The final day at IPEC presented my most formidable challenge: how to say goodbye to the amazing friends I had made and beautiful surroundings that were my home for such a short time of my life. Leaving IPEC and Brazil felt like I was being ripped away from everything I know and love, but I realize now that I carry those memories and friendships in my heart. I will never forget my incredible experience in of the small ecovillage nestled in the Brazilian...

Bioconstruindo

Bioconstruindo culminated our experience. It brought together students of natural building from all over Brazil and the world. Among over 100 other students, I learned the skills and muscle memory of how to build with straw bales, bamboo, adobe, superadobe, light clay and straw, cob, brick, and iron.

Design Task: COEPI

COEPI is an after-school program center for youth in Pirenopolis. Our permaculture knowledge was challenged as we were asked to meet with the students and teachers to create a new landscape design to fit their needs. Our designs included 3 more classroom buildings, compost...

Afternoon Siesta and Practicals

Every afternoon we relished our two-hour siesta time when all of IPEC seemed to swing in hammocks to the rhythm of the birds� melodies. Roused from our naps and craft projects, Andre and Lucy and the IPEC team put us to work in the afternoon learning soils in the garden, building...

Permaculture on the Table

Beyond learning how to cultivate nourishing foods in environmentally sustainable ways, we also recognized the importance of eating permaculturally - providing our bodies with life-sustaining foods. Breakfasts were generally light meals of breads, cheeses, and fruits. Lunch tables...

Classrooms without walls

Whether swinging in hammocks listening to the wise words of Andre and Lucy or flexing our muscles in the field learning to make cob bricks, we were surrounded by IPEC�s living classroom

Living - IPEC Style

Each day the morning gong called us together for breakfast, some arrived bright eyed after early Yoga sessions and others still looking through sleepy eyes. Morning classes revolved around basic patterns, processes, and design concepts in permaculture. These lecture discussions set...

Our New Home

We immediately recognized in our first day IPEC�s functional, playful, and beautiful identity as a center of energy for learning all things permaculture. Throughout our time at IPEC, we embraced a dual challenge to rekindle our own relationships with the natural world and to harness...

Welcome to IPEC

Although tired after two long days traveling to Brazil, the beauty of IPEC dazzled my bleary eyes, filling my mind and body with excited energy. Stars filled the night sky and the air was rich with the sounds of night in the cerrado. I said goodnight to my new roommate and...

Living Routes: Ecoversidade 2005 Summer