It is autumn guys, which means that all the busy bees are getting back to their daily routines of school, work and so forth. I'm back as well, and since my location is in the heart of Europe by the lovely Maas, most of the blog entries will be in English at least until next summer. (Finland will nevertheless be connected. I am a Finn after all).
Back in business
Anyways, during the past months I've been quite uneasy about the happenings of the world: Syria, financial crisis, melting Arctic, rising unemployment, and so on and so on...
However, since my arrival to the sweet bubble of Maas-life, I remembered how it is to believe and pick up your butt again. It is actually quite amazing how much can happen in a city of 120 000 inhabitants. There are so many enthusiastic initiatives led by students and young people, that sometimes it is difficult to decide where to start. Here's a few of already existing ones, hopefully they inspire all to make a move - even a tiny one.
Pimp my plate
"You are what you eat" goes the saying. In Maastricht there are local food co-operatives such as Voko, Cafe Bandito, community garden Sphinx and the LBB (Landbouwbelang) eetcafe, that all supply food and knowledge about how to eat well and in a more sustainable and healthy manner. Not to mention the bliss of sharing delicious meals together with people.
At this point I must flag for Finland as well. I just found out about this amazing food-service (middag.fi) in Helsinki that plans, packs and delivers local and ecological food in the capital area. Imagine getting meals and recepies designed by proffessional chefs and nutritionists - delivered at your doorstep. No pointless shopping or extra food to throw away. Quite cool! I also want to recommend the Restaurant day initiative - first launched in May 2011 - which has spread from Helsinki to all over Europe and even Canada (http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/trail-of-the-unexpected-helsinkis-restaurant-day-8027447.html). Think about it: create your own pop-up restaurant, cafe or bar during one day, the menu and location is up to you. Good food with new faces. Sweet.
Psst all you around Maas, wouldn't it be thrilling to have this kind of day here as well?
Thumbs up
To actually make amends, the way is usually towards the top. Hence, activity on an organizational level is quite cruical. University-based enterprises such as Green Office, Oikos and Gecco, strive for social and economic sustainability projects here in Maastricht by empowering university students, staff members, companies and the city. For example, thanks to Gecco and Green Office, we have an e-reader market at our faculty to recycle the mandatory readings among students and prevent useless printing. Simple but effective.
To the grassroots
And last but definitely not least, from my point of view, most impressive busy bees are the completely voluntary-based squatted cultural centres here in Maastricht. With will of freedom and effort to do it in their own way, LBB, Mandril and Hotel Ossekop share, care and create events, cultural activities, exhibitions etc. with their own hands to offer an alternative for conventional living and mass entertainment.
Inspired yet? Listen to this and fall in love with Maastricht: http://www.myspace.com/seriousbeansproject/music/songs/maastricht-88024866
P.S If you want to know more about the initiatives, check them out on Facebook or on their web-pages:
Voko: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Voko-Maastricht/183065355063798
Bandito: https://www.facebook.com/bandito.espresso
Mandril: https://www.facebook.com/MCCMaastricht
LBB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Landbouwbelang/175548802489981
Green Office: http://greenofficemaastricht.nl/
Oikos: http://maastricht.oikos-international.org/
Gecco: https://www.facebook.com/GECCO.UCM/info
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