Ushcha Baltazar, a 70 year-old man, climbs up the mountains of Chimborazo twice a week so that he can sell the 20kgs of ice blocks at the Riobamba market. This ice is used in juices. It gives them the final touch embedding them with natural flavors. It is one of the most important ingredients of the procedure.
He roams down the icy mountains carrying a shovel and an ice pick that he uses to carve out the mountain ice. Indeed, it is a physically demanding job. He is now the last ice merchant in the highlands. He has been doing this job for the last 15 years of his life. Unfortunately, it will be the last year. Global warming has caused the ice to melt and affected the glaciers up in the mountains. It has been getting worse every year.
Baltazar life, "The Last Ice Merchant" has been made a documentary. He and his daughter travelled to New York for the festival for the first time.
I admire his courage and strength through all those years. He is truly an inspiration to us all. He is now 70 years old and still remains active and loves to spend his time with nature.
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