How is the Organic Fair Trade Premium Spent?

Watch this video about how the Arinigata Organic coffee farmers in the Gayo region of Sumatra spend their Fair Trade premium

A Walk through a small village in the Gayo region of Sumatra Indonesia

Padang

Our last few days in Sumatra were spent in Padang, one of Sumatra's larger coastal cities and West Sumatra's largest city located on the Indian Ocean. The humidity was high and the sweat was running. This town although crowded and hot did not seem as busy and dirty as Medan, Sumatra's 3rd largest city on the Strait of Malacca. We walked the markets with the variety of smells, mostly fish, and colorful vegetables. Everyone around us was friendly and welcoming. They loved to have their photos taken.

Orangutans, Bukit Lawang, Sumatra Indonesia

Bukit Lawang and the Orangutans

Our next stop was in Bukit Lawang a preserve of the Gunung Leuser National Park (spelling?)
A 3 hour trip from Medan, and a popular weekend holiday place with the locals and tourists, we arrived late at night to crowded hotels and Karaoke parties. Needless to say we ended up in the Eco-Lodge. Okay it wasn't that bad, in fact the mandi, Indonesia bath, a bucket of cold water and a ladle was great, especially after the drive and the heat. We would have periods of spontaneous sweating.
This was the place to see the half wild orangutans. we were lucky, we saw two wild males and one half wild pregnant female. There is nothing that can describe this experience. It was unreal, scary, and magnificent.

This wild male was around 35 years old and hanging around Sandra a young female. He was a little upset when they wouldn't give him more bananas. He decided to come and get them himself. oh no!

One Day and Counting

All is in disarray after several weeks of planning and gathering. I'm in a panic yet I'm not. This feeling is the culmination of all the details of our trip coming together. After today there will be no more room for second guessing and accumulation of required gear. thank goodness:)
We are heading into the wonderful land of Sumatra Indonesia for one month of exploration and adventure. We intend to meet up with local coffee farmers and exporters in the Gayo region of Bande Aceh in north Sumatra. We will try to profile the farmers, compare and contrast their life with ours in the US. What do we have in common? What are our differences? What are their challenges? How to their challenges and our lifestyle interconnect? What do they see as their future? How does that relate to our vision of the future?

I welcome any question you might want to ask. We only know of them through their coffee. They know of us through our media. They are the ones that nurture and grow the produce with care that becomes our daily pleasure. Lets get to know each other better.