In the Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe for the first time ever (starting October 1, 2010), defendants have the option of being tried by a jury of their peers. This staple of the American court system was made part of the Georgia constitution six years ago. It’s only just now being offered on a limited basis. But as Mary Stucky reports, the United States has been part of a rather unconventional effort to get the country ready.
Art & Culture
September 11th, 2010 | By Round Earth Media
Plear
For Kunrath Lam, the most special occasion for eating plear - this Cambodian beef salad - came after the murderous Khmer Rouge was finally driven out of power. | Photo by Mary Stucky
When Kunrath Lam was just a little girl she endured one of the most brutal regimes the world has ever known. Nearly 2 million Cambodians died during the reign of the Communist Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Kunrath Lam and her parents somehow managed to survive – though her childhood was one of intense deprivation. Lam used to dream of the delicious meals her grandmother had prepared for her in happier times. Lam’s absolute favorite– plear salad. Now, in the new country she calls home, Lam makes plear for customers at her restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mary Stucky paid her a visit. Her story appeared in World Vision Report.
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September 11th, 2010 | By Round Earth Media
Goat Cutlet
Jamal Hashi shows off the goat stew his mother taught him to make years ago. | Photo by Mary Stucky
Throughout East Africa, goat is a traditional source of both meat and milk. When he was a boy in Somalia, Jamal Hashi spent his summers herding goats on his family’s farm. Now, he’s in the United States, introducing Americans to Somali delicacies – including goat — at his restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mary Stucky visited Jamal Hashi as he prepared roasted goat cutlet with vegetables in a special sauce – a dish he says his mother served on special occasions in Somalia.
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August 2nd, 2010 | By Round Earth Media
Global Hit: Bocafloja
International star Bocafloja says he wasn’t really interested in politics or social change when he first started out – but now it
Rap, in Spanish, easily crosses borders with fans in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America. One of the most popular independent rappers in Spanish is Aldo Villegas, also known as Bocafloja (which means “loose mouth”). Bocafloja has been active in Mexico City’s hip hop scene since its inception in the mid-1990s and, as Mary Stucky reports, over the years he’s acquired a huge following in both Mexico and the United States.
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May 13th, 2010 | By Round Earth Media
GLOBAL HIT: Alexandra Bounxouei
Alexandra Bounxouei - the Lao Princess of Pop - isn't your typical pop star. | Photo by Mary Stucky
You could call Alexandra Bounxouei the Britney Spears of Laos – she’s young and vivacious, with a legion of devoted fans around the world. But she’s also a classically trained violinist. Mary Stucky has the story of the Lao Princess of Pop.
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April 22nd, 2010 | By Round Earth Media
Mexico’s markets going mainstream
Alongside the more traditional fresh food markets in Mexico, US-style supermarkets are beginning to appear. | Photo by Mary Stucky
Visitors to Mexico are charmed by all of the colorful food markets – fruits and vegetables in gorgeous display and, maybe not so appetizing – raw meat hanging from hooks and piled on chopping blocks. But these traditional markets in Mexico are giving way to US-style supermarkets with produce and meat wrapped neatly in plastic. Mary Stucky reports about the recent and dramatic growth of supermarkets in Mexico.
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April 10th, 2010 | By Round Earth Media
Edible flowers in Mexico
Mexican food writer Nicholas Gilman buying colorin outside the church in Malinalco Mexico. | Photo by Mary Stucky
In the United States it’s traditional to put a bouquet of flowers on the dinner table but we don’t think of eating those flowers. Not so in Mexico where you’re almost as likely to find flowers in the food as on the table. As Mary Stucky reports, Mexicans have been cooking with flowers – and eating them – for centuries.
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March 14th, 2010 | By Mary Stucky
Does Mexican Food Deserve UN Designation?
Last month, Mexico asked the United Nations to designate Mexican food a “cultural patrimony” that must be protected. Mexican cuisine dates back thousands of years to the Mayas and their diet based on diverse varieties of corn, beans and vegetables. Traditional Mexican cuisine should never be confused with what passes for “Mexican food’ in many U.S. restaurants and fast food joints. This photo shows 2 young women in Oaxaca enjoying a traditional chocolate drink called chocolate atole. Photo: Ginny Grossman
February 9th, 2010 | By Mary Stucky
Reporting from the Mexican village of Malinalco
In one of our reports from Mexico, we’ll explain what this 83 year old woman is selling in the market in Malinalco, a village nestled in a valley several hours from Mexico City. It can’t be found in U.S. supermarkets but has been an important food in Mexico since pre-hispanic times.
(Hint: they’re not chilies.)
Coming soon from Mexico, Round Earth stories on social issues, culture and politics which will be broadcast on PRI’s The World, the World Vision Report and other outlets. We are honored to bring these stories and voices from Mexico to millions of people in the United States.
November 5th, 2009 | By Mary Stucky
Hope for Panama Hat Weavers in Ecuador
The finest hats are woven of straw that is so thin and fine it looks like linen. | Photo by Andi McDaniel
Some of the finest straw hats in the world come from Ecuador. The best sell for hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Most of that money goes to the dealers and retail stores — the weavers themselves don’t earn enough to live on. But a retired U.S. advertising executive says he has a plan to create more demand for the hats and pay the best weavers a decent wage. Mary Stucky reports from the central coast of Ecuador.
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