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The Last Ice Merchant

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Once a week for over 50 years, Baltazar Uscher Tenesaca has made the perilous 2 day journey to Mount Chimborazo, to harvest ice. Baltazar was 15 years old when he first learned this trade along side teams of ice merchants who earned their living by harvesting and selling the mineral rich glacial ice from the highest altitudes of Ecuador's tallest mountain. Now he works alone. The low wage combined with technological progress has made the ice merchant obsolete. This beautifully made film tells the story of a man who was raised on the ice and although his work is hard, dangerous and poorly paid, he alone continues the traditions of his ancestors. Featuring the rich and stunning landscape of Ecuador, this film displays the innovation and skill of a time-honored craft while teaching us that the fruit of ones labor is in the work.

Be The Change

Visit the Global Oneness Project. This free site has stories that use a humanistic lens to explore the relationship between mankind and the world.

Be the change by demonstrating genuine appreciation for people who make the effort to keep cultural traditions and craftsmanship alive in an ever changing world.

Make a personal commitment to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes each day where you meditate or just sit in silence with nature. Before you finish identify one thing you will do that day to be good to the environment.

Reflections (14)

Nancy

This film deeply touched my heart. I had never heard of "mining ice" -- it was all new to me. The work is so very hard for man and beast, the reward so small and the attitude all so very beautiful. Thank you.

Brad

The labor of love is what inspired me about this film. It made me cry--not just out of sadness, but also out of wonder and respect for his sheer perseverance and love.

Jane

This is such a beautiful, gently told story of a man struggling to keep the ice merchant culture alive as the world around him changes. I wish the best for Baltazar and his family. Thank you for sharing this.

Pam

Baltazar carries on the work taught to him by his father and although he and his siblings received no formal schooling, he sent his children to school. He hopes that one of his grandchildren may continue in his footsteps, but is aware of the dangers of this lifestyle. I wonder if someone could provide him with an alternative to using the donkeys for this strenuous work. They are probably vital for the higher uneven ground, but maybe a bicycle with a trailer could be used for the more level terrain. I would contribute. Any ideas?

Prashant

This video inspired me to see the change is constant but doing what u do and believe best makes one more happy and contended , and once must not repent comparing to others and stick to belief

Isbel

This video made me sad. Yes, it's an ancient tradition - but notice how thin the donkeys are? How heavy their loads are. I think it's best this isn't done anymore. Way too hard on the animals.

Joan

What a great film of a culture that remains but is part of change.
The man continues what his father taught him about Mother Earth's
high mountains' gift of ice and persists doing this difficult work despite
his age. I love the scenery.

Sophie

Doing work that connects with The Mother ... it's not about pay.

Linda

Dedication and discipline to do what seems right and good regardless of the hardship. The creativity of all of the steps of his "ice harvest" are humbling.

Jonathon

Love. We need more of this.

Joseph

This man, this film, brings me closer to what really matters. Thank you.

Aria

Also, this is a beautifully made film :)

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The Last Ice Merchant

Reflections (14)

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