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Working Life - Masako's New YorkNatural beauties of upstate New York
Drive 30 miles (48 km) out, and the story changes completely. I recently spent a three-day weekend exploring the area, and I was enchanted by the beautiful scenery. My part of New York borders Vermont (from the French for "green mountains") and is quite agricultural.
But there's more than the scenery that's tempting. Many roadside stands dot the roads, offering fresh produce. I went to a goat farm and bought some fresh, unpasteurized goat milk, as well as some goat cheese. I rummaged through a refrigerator inside a shed on the farm, picked what looked good, and left money in a jar on a table. Another refrigerator contained cuts of organic meats, and a wooden table displayed the fresh vegetable harvest for the day. All purchases are made on the honor system. I also drove several miles up a winding path to reach a garlic farm; I took a pound (454 g) of garlic stems from the refrigerator and left my money in a box. The stand offered free Bibles. I suppose those Bibles helped serve as a deterrent against stealing. At a different farm stand, I bought fresh tomatoes and radishes. I saw many green fields of corn along the way; come corn-harvesting time, I know that sweet, fresh ears will be sold at these stands. I'm looking forward to it already. For three nights, I stayed at a B&B on the border of New York and Vermont, less than an hour's drive from my apartment. The B&B used to be a farmhouse, and the barn was still in the backyard. The owners had chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep and a duck. They also had a cat and dog as pets. I had the pleasure of eating freshly laid eggs for breakfast. The yolks were almost orange. When the goats have babies, they are milked. I asked the proprietress whether they use the wool from the sheep. She said they give the wool to a local woman in exchange for her giving the sheep their much-needed haircuts. When the time is right, the sheep are slaughtered for meat. She told me that she and her husband are both originally from an industrial town in Massachusetts and that they had lived in New York City before moving upstate. Apparently, it's not uncommon for city folk to move upstate to pursue their dreams of living off the land. She seemed very happy to have made the move. She said that one of the best parts is that it's not too far away from the conveniences of a more urban lifestyle, but it feels like a completely different world. I've never really thought of myself as a country person. I'm still frightened of all animals, including rabbits and birds. But more and more I'm starting to understand why people choose to accept huge lifestyle changes in order to live in upstate New York.
Shukan ST: Aug. 15, 2003 (C) All rights reserved |