Alison Trujillo

Gorgeous…

…is the first word that came to mind when I opened a package that arrived from Ecuador yesterday. I found out that women from the Kichwa community of Sani Isla were making this beautiful jewelry to help support their families and their community, and decided to reach out in the hopes of purchasing some ofContinue reading “Gorgeous…”

Gastronomía: Iberia in the Kitchen

These days many of us who live in cities around the world have seen a plethora of Spanish-inspired restaurants pop up. Tapas bars, manchego cheese plates, and tempranillo have been gracing our neighborhoods and local menus for quite some time now. Here in San Francisco, several fresh and new additions to our Spanish food optionsContinue reading “Gastronomía: Iberia in the Kitchen”

What’s happening in the Amazon?

Back in 2005, I worked as a volunteer English teacher in Sani Isla, an indigenous Kichwa community in Ecuador’s Amazon region. Located along the banks of the Río Napo, a tributary of the Amazon River, Sani Isla is comprised of a community center for meetings and parties, a small medical clinic that hosts the occasionalContinue reading “What’s happening in the Amazon?”

What’s in a word?

What’s in a word? Well, everything. As anyone who has learned a new language will tell you, words have weight. A perfectly placed word can make or break a joke. A thoughtful word can “hit the nail on the head” and express exactly what someone is feeling. There are the funny horror stories of confidently expressingContinue reading “What’s in a word?”

Dulces Navideños

There are so many traditional foods enjoyed at this time of the year. I’m highlighting two of my favorite holiday sweets here, along with resources on how to make or purchase them. Mexican Wedding Cookies: These are sometimes known as Russian tea cookies. Their powdery covering is perfect for the holidays. I found a niceContinue reading “Dulces Navideños”

Thoughtful Gifts

‘Tis the season for gift-giving, and with the plethora of shopping options available it is easy to become overwhelmed. How to buy thoughtful gifts? And thoughtful to whom? Being an artist, I personally make the effort to support artisans from around the world when I have the chance and want to buy something special forContinue reading “Thoughtful Gifts”