early bike trip photos

Leaving Fryeburg, Maine August 13th, 2010

The first day, said goodbye to my mom and dad and brother. and headed to my Aunt's house in Falmouth, Maine.

She road with me the next day to Brunswick.

"the moon for a ceiling, the earth for a floor"

I have had difficulty writing or thinking of anything to write that is compelling lately. Writer's block? I would think there would be immense amounts to write- something thoughtful and compelling- oh no I used the same word twice- this is horrible- a bad start to a belated attempt, but no one wants to hear what is the word for putting yourself down?

Let me tell you something I have learned though- about myself, I am crazy to ride my bicycle alone from Maine to North Carolina, especially on the Blue Ridge Parkway. So say the many strangers I run into on this road- (unless they are calling me a hero haha). In planning this trip I had no idea I would be on this road specifically the 75th anniversary year of this road that is rich with history of this country and I think about what is the meaning of this- Me on a journey to investigate intentional community on a bicycle riding through a tapestry of mountains and streams that defined the landscape of all those people who came from Europe and other places to call this place home, creating their own communities by, dare I say it?, destroying human and ecological communities already in existance. The evidence is still here- the growing up of non-native species, the hillsides covered with rows of christmas trees- a blaring contrast to what was found 400 years ago.
So what does this have to do with me and my adventure-? I guess the themes of connection and change have come up quite a bit for me- The importance of both. As a solo cyclist it has been important to be connected to people I know already and create connections in healthy ways on the road and with people I meet in homes and communities. Change is obvious- all the communities I have visited have changed in sometimes major ways, such as changing physical location, sometimes members change, sometimes rules for membership change, but the ones I have seen that have lasted are able to change and adapt.
Somehow I now want solve the damages to this country through what I have learned here about connection and change, hmmm. Waiting for an enigma.....
During this adventure year I have learned possible ways of recreating and redeeming this place I call home- to create a community where peaceful ways can be nurtured and where knowledge of local ecology AND HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN FOOD is priority. This kind of gathering of people is what I am looking for.
Because truly- this is our home- the moon is the ceiling and the earth our floor- thanks for saying it so well Seth Bernard.

The Long Road

A few days ago I stopped at a library and wrote on my facebook page- "miles to go before I sleep" I was going to go another 30 miles after a 30 or so in the morning in above 90 degree heat in the sun on a blacktop road. I left the library a little after 4pm- the day had been slow stopping for water and directions often- I was heading to Heathcote community one of several under the umbrella organization the School of the Living. I had left Wilmington, Delaware before 8 AM -- I had been chased by some dogs which was really scary but I dont think they were going to bite me- going up and down hills bigger than I had come across before. Then I got to the town before crossing over the dam of the Delaware River. I went from one gas station to the second of this town's gas stations asking for directions- what route was best to reach this community?. Well the woman at the second one- said I could not cross on a bicylce or as a pedestrian walk across the bridge- I was going to have to hitch hike across! What to do? There was a pepsi delivery guy in the store- he said he would drive me across the dam- okay do you have enough room I have a bicycle- he said- do you see the Pepsi truck outside? he asked- okay great - not knowing that was a possibility for a pepsi delivery guy to accept hitch hikers- .. so he did one more delivery to the other gas station and came back and we quickly loaded the bike into the empty soda compartment- I really wanted a picture so I took one- he THEN mentions how highly illegal this is-for him I was hoping- so we quickly jump into the truck and take off over the dam.. we are going to the same town but first he tells me he hopes the scales are closed- the scales that weigh and record how much the truck is- since I and my bike are there his weight would be off- luckily they are closed and so I go all the way to Dublin with him about 5 miles total. And we did not get caught- so I leave the library- refreshed from the airconditioned building and continue onward--
I turn down a road that I think is perhaps the correct one and then come to a downhill- at this point I usually check to see if I am on the right road since I am going east according to the sun and I need to go North or West.. as I stop a lady drives by and looks over-- I think I wish I could have asked her for directions- then I see the car again and I wave her down, but I didn't need to she was coming back to talk to me anyway! so before we even look at the map together she invites me to stay with her in her home-- I hesitate not accostumed to such kindness- so after deliberating we take the bags off the bike and the wheel and put everything in the back of Carrie Grayson's car! She has an extra room since her husband and son were away. We talked about agriculture and sustainable, local food systems as well as biking in the area- she had so much information about the area as well as a love for cheese, wine and olive oil- like me! We had a delicious dinner of pasta and salad and wine. I am so grateful. and the next day she took me within a few miles of Heathcote- where I got another 1 mile ride from Chris - so I had a few days off- that is just one day in the life of a touring cyclist-- a community of its own right.

Year of Adventure -Part 3 - Bike Tour

With the bike tour in full swing- I am appealing for motivation and have sent the following out to some people via e-mail. So you may have seen it already. Yesterday I was at the Thomas Farm Meeting School and there was someone there from Belfast, Maine since I never went to the Belfast Co-housing community I got the low down from him- sounds great there. It was great connecting with Friends again and being in the White Mountains (I think) is beautiful- so many trees around gives me hope for the world! So below is what I sent out to motivate myself and stay connected with people better through the last part of my year of adventure!

"I have been traveling by bicycle for 7 days today is day 8 and I have come to some hills and realize the importance of some additional motivation and connection to people back home..

Unfortunately there was some devastating news from Ladakh India three days after I got back to the USA- rains resulting in massive flooding, mud slides, and numerous deaths - people went missing under the mud and home and bridges were ruined in the an area that generally recieves no more than 3 inches of rainfall a year. One of the communities I had spent several weeks in and made many friends- now has much damage the bridges they use to get to the main road is now gone. They need help to rebuild their lives (since none were lost thankfully).

So I asked one friend what I could do to help and he said that I could raise donations and then Deb, who works for the International Society for Ecology and Culture in Ladakh said they were setting up a way for people to donate through the website to this particular village. http://www.isec.org.uk/ - that is the great organization I volunteered with in Ladakh- they have been in there for many years.

Here's how you can help:

1. Donate an amount to help rebuild the village of Takmachik for every mile I go-( you can set a dollar maximum for yourself if you want.) Tell me what it is so I can tell myself "if I go another mile that will mean X amount for Takmachik". And then when I stop I will email again and let you know how many miles I went. ( the miles counted will start today day 8 since I only just got an odometer). (Near the end of September).

2. Day with a friend option- Join me for a day or three or more and cycle with me! or just come visit me on tour- I am mapping out my route today for the rest of the journey now that I know about how many miles I go a day- OR let me know if you will be a place and able to host me along they way- I am going through the EAstern coastal states- spending a lot of time in Virginia and North Carolina, but currently in Massachusettes (almost). (yes I know about warm showers and couch surfing sites).

3. Send me a check so I can stay on the road- I don't get a free place to stay every night- I am still figuring that out- organization right!- so I couldn't belive $40 for a campsite one night and $25 is a lot too.. anyway if you have any touring tips for spending less send those my way or any extra cash laying around!

4- Dangle the carrot option- . Lump sum donation for Takmachik- if I make it to Ashville, NC! Tell me how much you will give to ISEC for Takmachik if I make it all the way!

5. Creative option- you tell me what it is!

Now that you are totally inspired email me right back and tell me what you are going to do!"

Thanks!!
Anna Hoekstra
alahoekstra@yahoo.com
(616) 635-7978

Bike tour Begins

The last part of my planned year has begun- a bike tour of farming communities/ or eco-communities from Maine to North Carolina or Georgia or Mexico Or whatever I feel like, Tennessee to Texas was the original plan.

Ladakh was an amazing experience and things got complicated near the end so I ceased to blog- it was costly to be on a slow internet connection all the time and I was busy so there.

I am happy to be back at the blogging thing- but may be difficult to find internet time along the road.

So far I have had two successful biking days and I plan to have a long day tomorrow on the bike but I may also be convinced to stay a while here and bike a half day- my next community is not until Massachusetts. Meanwhile an intentional community conference is happening in Virginia, where I will be in several weeks.. So missing the conference, but know someone who is attending. Hopefully I can catch up with them about what happened. There are a surprising number of communities in Virginia I wonder if the zoning laws/ land prices are lax/ low there - or else the Virginians are especially enlightened people.

DAy one was Fryeburg Maine to Falmouth Maine. Across the whole state of Maine-!! Where my Aunt Barb and Uncle John live. I had a nice shower and dinner out- thanks to them I also had desert- strawberry shortcake.!

The next day (today) my Aunt came with me biking to Brunswick Maine. That was really nice because I would still be out on the road lost probably if she had not come along. Then a few miles outside Brunswick I went on to the Community where I am staying tonight- To Echo Lane I think is the name, based on co-housing idea originating in Denmark.

I have already heard all the nitty gritty details of life in the community and how sometimes the rules can be too much- so I have already learned some valuable lessons about Consensus based decision making versus voting and how creating a process of getting to the option to vote a little faster might be a nicer way of doing things, so I will be keeping this in mind.

well I am very tired and should go to bed now-

More from Ladakh

Came down with a 24 hour flu the day before I had planned to go biking down from the highest motorable pass in the world. REally bummed! I have not been sick since being here, having been hanging out with Deb has been helpful for that, she is experienced with the food after three visits to Ladakh as well as health issues relating to altitude. But there has been a bug going around and I had not been sleeping very well.

The previous few days were very busy preparing food and language workshops for 14 farm participants coming for the "Learning from Ladakh" program through ISEC (International Society for Ecology and Culture). We had some fun times with people from Canada, Germany, Australia, the UK and , playing games. I shared my short dvd I made on my MacBook about Ladakhi farming with some Ladakhi terms. Can't wait to show it to everyone back home. After almost two months of being here and thinking about going home and how it will be to go home every day- I am now feeling comfortable. I can greet many people on the street and I can recommend where to shop an eat to tourists passing through. Few people from the "West" have been here as long as I have.

I am grateful for my family at the Shuma house, we had dinner with them a few nights ago, making mo-mo's a steamed dish very delicious, trying out our Ladakhi and Deb pulled out a wig, which everyone tried on and we howled with laughter. The oldest son came out with a new outfit, sunglasses and a carboard electric guitar and put on a show-- can't wait to post the pictures of that!

Tomorrow, July 6th is the Dalai Lama's birthday so we are excited to participate in the celebrations in some way.

The Beauty of the Earth- June 22, 2010

In the past few days the sun has begun to shine more fiercely and fittingly so since the spring equinox is coming up. Normally in the past month or so there have been extreme changes in weather every day- I have had to pack along fleeces and wind breakers- weather predictions don't exist and a day could start out hot and turn stormy and windy in the afternoon and then hot again an hour later. A cloud can cover the sun and I feel a need to put a wool hat and sweater on, when the cloud passes it is hot again and off comes the hat. Ladakhis can wear the same thing all day comfortably- or seemingly so- long sleeves and long dresses with pants underneath is typical. Head scarves for women many times covering the face to protect from the elements, dust, sun and cold.
The pictures included here are of places I stayed over the month of May. The one with the bridge is where we stayed the longest and we are hoping to have the farm participants stay there as well. We are busy showing films at the Women's Alliance and leading discussions on how globalization has effected Ladakh and other places in the world. Many tourists come and see the films- many stay around and discuss for a long time-- and now the tourist season is finally picking up so we are much busier now. Also planning for the workshops for the participants in the first few days of July.
But Julia, another volunteer and myself took the past two days to bike to some monasteries and stayed overnight at a nunnery. The scenery was breathtaking, the old paintings in the monasteries powerfully alive and biking felt so great after 7 weeks of no biking..

More soon!

getting to Ladakh, our neighbors part I

The drive to Chicago this past Earth Day brought us just in time to board our flight to New York, where we (that is Deb VanPoolen and I) stored our luggage, rode public transit to the Cooper Union of NYC and had an hour to eat and rest before Helena Norberg- Hodge came to speak and show a clip of her new film. A powerful speech which re-inspired me about my trip to Ladakh and learning farming methods here.

The next day we were further inspired by a visit to Democracy Now studios where Amy Goodman broadcasts each day on issues I deem important. -- Then transit for 1.5 hours and finding luggage, checking in etc. on board our longest flight. Arrived in Abu Dabi to sparkling colorful arched ceilings and Burkas and turbins abounding. After a short wait we went on to New Delhi by air, went through customs and took a shuttle to the next airport where we didn't have to wait at all to board our next flight to Leh, Ladakh on the other side of that all important, slightly large range called the Himalayas.

Today I went for a walk, allowing some tears to fall due to an full and breaking heart. These last few days the culture change, the surroundings, this powerful experience, a whirlwind is all catching up to me. Deb has been here several times before and has been a catchall for my questions, she keeps telling me it is a difficult place to be in many ways. But the view from my window, the smiles of the people, children asking where we are going as we walk to town, strangers inviting me into their kitchens for a cup of tea-- makes it worthwhile. My walk took me beside a beautiful glacial stream rushing into channels people have opened to allow water to their fields, carefully closing them off when no more water was needed, allowing their neighbors downhill to use what they need.

Speaking of neighbors, subject I have been thinking about today, our experience last week took place in the- hamlet of Ang. We stayed with the sister of a friend of Deb's who had a room to spare for us. We went on to learn the process of planting in a rural place, much that has not changed in over 500 years- lets not mention the 2 year old carrying the cell phone playing music wrapped in the top of her skirt to the middle of the field and put on a little dance, Ladakhi style!

The first day we watched somewhat baffled as three generations of women, neighbors opened channels of water to flow in a systematic way over the field, knowing when to move a rock or shift a small amount of dirt to direct the water in the way it needed to water the entire field, just using small shovels.

The next day was a supposed rest day. I think they meant for us, but they hauled manure to the freshly wet fields and left it in piles. We went out for about an hour and helped spread manure by using burlap sacks and making several large piles into many tiny piles- a young woman went behind using a shovel flinging the manure so it covered the entire field.

The next day was plowing day for- one of the young woman's family's fields with whom we had been working previous days. She and most of her family did not work with us, but prepared the meal for everyone working there. That meant, breakfast, tea, tea cakes, a huge lunch, carrying it to one of the 4 fields where we worked. First the men take turns plowing the field with a pair of Tzo's- look like hairy highland cows with horns, then following two of the strongest women use something like a pick axe but smaller and hit the large chunks of dirt and then follows me and Deb and some others with a tool that rakes the area smooth. Before all the that the seed is thrown down.

Revisions- and more coming soon!

Some picture in Chiapas

The Gringa who learned about the Zapatistas says...

Soy Mujer con Dignidad Rabia!
I am a woman with dignified rage!

I couldn't spend more than a few hours inside the Caracol without this sense of empowerment, groundedness and conviction filling me. The Zapatistas, a name that may bring concern, or fear to some because they cover their face in an effort to be treated equally are humble family men, women, children. They come to this place, the Caracol, to work on human powered projects that are creating a new world- a place that is filled with beautiful murals and depictions of people from a revolutionary history, quotes about dignified rage, and the democracy necessary in education written boldly on the walls for students to see on their way to class, to eat, to sleep every day.

And life is normal here- except when those international students come and do some funny, things, like yoga-- or running to the outhouse to vomit!!
There is tortilla making and weaving and outhouse washing and floor scrubbing and football and basketball playing, getting up early to go to school. What is not "normal" for Mexico that happens inside this Caracol is the type of education and the harmony of true lived out democracy of this place that has taken many years to create.

The students are not taught by teachers in an authoritarian manner, but classes are facilitated and everyone is treated equally. Boys and girls, men and women are respected equally. We saw a lot of physical affection between boys, cutting each others hair, arms wrapped around each other on the way to class, so natural and friendly, but we internationals pointed it out to each other in wonderment.

We got the opportunity to discuss the philosophy of the Zapatistas in our classes and we had many questions, especially from those who had not started to read John Ross's book The War Against Oblivion: the Zapatista Chronicles. We talked about the history of Mexico and how it has been written and about those who give alternative histories and where to find them. And how the Zapatista movement fits into that history. And we watched documentaries made on how the military responded to the Zapatistas creating the Caracol and how the Zapatistas responded to the tanks and trucks and military back in 1995.

Another world takes time to build, a world built on socio-political convictions and consensus based decision making. They would say the Caracol, like a the shape of the snail shell is always growing in a circle including ideas of peace and justice for all from all corners of the world.

Zapatistas making an impression by their:
Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona (http://www.serazln-altos.org/eng/sixth.html) Declaration of intention and reasoning for what they do.

Compelling view of the reality of the destructive nature of neo-liberalism and how it has effected not only the indigenous of Chiapas but other groups around the world.

Alternative view on what development means, sustainable, local, taking care of the earth.

Response to a government that has done nothing but treat them as sub-human. This response was planned for years and focused on taking down municipal level government buildings, but created international attention.

No longer trusting a government who has deceived them over and over- they were empowered and emboldened to create their own government, their own schools, their own clinics, their own economy, their own food system... not everything all at once but slowly.... like a snail.. their name reminds them that building another world takes time and goes slowly and if you put an obstacle in front of a snail the snail will just slowly move around it and find an alternative route... this is what they are doing what they are living here, now in the mountains of Chiapas, in the mist, in the damp cold.

Inside a Snail called: resistance and rebellion for humanity

I have been putting off writing about my time with the Zapatistas, because there was a lot to think about. Two posts ago I mentioned a Caracol, which is Castellano (spanish) for snail. There are five Caracols in Chiapas and maybe in the world that are Zapatista, their invention afterall. I was at Caracol II Oventic, Chiapas. This is the only Caracol that has a Language Center where internationals can come and stay overnight and learn Castellano or Tzotzil, a local mayan language. I stayed there two weeks for Castellano.

Less than a week in Mexico and I found I was standing outside a gate high in the mountains of Chiapas. Behind the gate was a woman and two small children.. I could tell she was Zapatista right away because the lower part of her face was covered with a bandana that I had seen in the pictures on the website and on t-shirts and books. Her eyes smiled at me. I stepped closer and greeted her and her children in Spanish. I don't remember what she said but I ended up giving her my passport and a letter of accredidation I had received from the Mexican Solidarity Network. I was to wait while she walked quickly to a building I discovered much later (by reading the sign outside) was the Security building. She returned shortly and motioned that I could come in and should go to that building where my passport had remained.

Feeling a bit nervous I entered the building where three masked men stood and one sat behind a simple wooden table. On walls were taped up amaturish drawings and depictions of Che Guevara. I was asked very pointed questions about where I was from, my name, occupation, what organization I was with and how long I planned to stay. In my typical fashion I decided to be honest and say I was not sure how long if I was going to stay a week or two weeks, because I had just heard some bad stories about the place from an English guy I met for a brief moment in San Cristobal, that is was cold, and no books to read, no place to walk, not enough food. My indecision was not received with calm patience. "It is not that cold here now. One or two weeks?" The vigilante demanded. "I can't say." I remained wishy washy. "I will put one." he said with exasperation. I could hardly believe I had created such a rough start. I thought I was reasonable to try for a week. I was then to check in with the Good Government located at another building not far down the hill. I was led there by the security guy. They knocked and since they were busy with another group I sat outside on the bench to wait. At this point I thought that I was getting a special chance to interview them or hear about what they do and how they are formed, etc. I didn't realize that this was a normal part of the process.

As I sat outside the building I looked around. There were children playing on the steep concrete road that led straight down a hill. There were small wooden plank buildings on each side of the road. I noticed the security guys standing in the doorway of one, keeping an eye on me and on the gate where I had entered where the road exited to the main highway. All of the buildings were painted with murals and painted letters words in the local language and in Spanish indicated what their function was. There were women's cooperatives and I could glimpse in the doorways someone weaving. In general people seemed shy and reserved, students walked by, later I found out returning to school for the week.

I was encouraged though by one thing, the sound of laughter coming from inside the good government building. Lots of laughter. After about 30 minutes of waiting the group left and I was welcomed inside. I was asked to sit down. There were eight people there men women, some younger, some older, their eyes were smiling and their faces covered. I smiled back and took out my notebook and pen ready to write notes. They asked me to sign in my name, country, how long I was to stay and profession. I presented them the letter from the MSN group giving their approval that I could study there, that I was anti- capitalist enough and understood the Zapatista stance and outlook on the world. Within the letter I had not realized but there were the dates that I was to stay- two weeks, they noted that down. They looked everything over and filled out a half sheet of paper, with permission to stay two weeks stamped it with an ink stamp and handed it to me and said- you may go to the school it is down the hill. I quickly got my things together and thanked them and left.

I began my way down the hill it turned into a grassy path on a small ridge I saw a basketball court on one side and a group of students playing soccer on the other and in front of me a group of buildings painted with beautiful murals. There was an older man coming my way. He greeted me and asked me if I was looking for the teacher. I said well not really, just the school. He said he would walk with me. He said that they just send you down the hill with no further instructions.. very true I thought, how nice of him! He was staying for several weeks in Caracol II researching in the library. The day was sunny and not cold. I was introduced to someone who helped with the school for internationals. She showed me a bed, wooden planks, there were other beds that looked like they were in use and that had thick mats on them.. I found an unused centimeter thick mat folded it in half and threw my sleeping bag on top. I went back outside and found my new friend who was waiting for me, he asked if I wanted to get something to eat back at the top of the hill in the Che Guevara Cafe. So we went. He was able to tell me a little about the Caracol and I mostly talked about myself.

Several more students arrived after I ate. They were from the USA as well.

So what is a Caracol you may still be asking. I made the mistake of calling it a community, but a community is distinguished from a Caracol. A Caracol is a space where the projects of the Zapatista communities at large come together. Womens cooperatives have their offices here, the coffee cooperative has an office. There are large gathering places built for events or meetings, each Caracol has a school some just primary others secondary as well. There is a place for the Good Government to meet. There is security 24/7. There is a clinic as well, with two ambulances. Everyone working here, in the school, in the clinic, in the government, in the security, has a home somewhere else, has a community somewhere far or near and they have been elected to these positions by their communities. They are not paid for their work they are not called teachers, volunteers, or doctors, they are called "promotores" in english maybe called facilitators. This applies mostly in the schools where they don't want to give the impression of a typical authoritarian classroom where teachers dominate. They say they are all equal. That the promotores empower students to participate, question and learn. And they learn about Zapatista movement of course, they also all know how to play basketball really well. I haven't seen anyone play basketball with such focus and passion, not even professionals. But then again professionals don't exist in a Caracol

So that is inside the Snail..

Leaving San Cristobal

I struggle to find quiet time to reflect on the last four weeks here and tonight I leave San Cristobal of Chiapas for the bustling city of Mexico, a 12 hour overnight bus. Big and busy though it is, I hope to find more quiet time to really reflect on my time here, while there. The last weeks have been intense and the tiny bit I enter into my journal each day is not enough to describe everything. The little I have summarized in the last blog entry I find lacking. On this trip I found so much more than I expected, was affirmed in more ways than I ever imagined and was confronted with ideas and challenges I did not forsee. Life- I love it.

I will miss this place and the people. One physical obstacle which may effect my trip today is the road blocks all over Mexico, there will be protests and all major highways will be blocked.. they are protesting actions of the federal government. Not sure what specifically. I may be staying another day though. ALthough they expect to be clear by the time I leave, people have to eat, etc.

One thing I look forward to when I get back to the States to Grand Rapids, it going to see John Ross speak, he is an author of books about Mexico one I have started to read is about the history of the Zapatista movement.
He is speaking two days after I return- check it out if you are around! You can look on my facebook page to find the invite.
A little boring post I apologize. Here are some exciting things I have done and what I appreciate about what I have found in San Cristobal.

Permaculture activity- actually ran into someone I knew in El Salvador doing permaculture who had come here to teach a course-
Indigenous rights awarness
Land reform-
Alternative trade schools for youth
Non- profit-Documentary making- showing
Anti- capitalist politics- la otra campañia
Bicycle campaing, safety, rights of cyclists, etc
Adobe house building workshop
Organic farming- local food production
Womens rights movement via many manners- theater, art, textiles, political actions,
all these things seem to work together, like most people who are interested in womens rights know something about the other topics or at least something.
People are empowered and are creating a culture of empowerment for those who traditionally have been opressed..
More soon!!

Con Patas Arriba

The title of this blog entry "con patas arriba" has two meanings for me right now. Literally it means with paws up. So I have taken a few days to put my feet up in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas after two weeks in Oventic, Chiapas, where the other meaning comes in- like everything is turned on its head.

Not completely, it was exactly what I was looking for in fact so this is a good thing. But it makes me think my idea of investigating community intentional or otherwise is not as cool or original as I thought. There are amazing people who have lived in the communities here for years with just the intention of living and learning for themselves the ways of mayan descendents of Chiapas, who later were asked to write books and histories of their experiences. I was in a Caracol, which is different than a community for barely two weeks! Lame! But really awesome at the same time. As you can tell I have been having some internal conflicts.

Being in Mexico has a different feeling than any other place I have been. There are so many tourists here, specifically in San Cristobal that many people who live here see the tourists as a way to make a dollar, which makes sense. I mean the poverty of the common people has been created by the countries we come from, subsidized imports of corn, the infiltration of coca-cola, the capitalistic clutches on all resources in general. We are confronted with it everywhere we turn, capitalism and the poverty it creates side by side. Also many of the businesses that are doing really well by way of the tourist industry are owned by expatriates or people who live in the US or Europe. It creates conflict on an economic level. People are still opressed and the opressor is still the US and Europe1
I have had the privilage to meet some local people who involved in activism and permaculture, which is very exciting. I hope to investigate these projects further. But right now I will be taking a few days to do some touristy things. There is a bike tour to a community I hope to do tomorrow.

One really cool thing happened on Saturday when I was having an especially conflicted day.. I was staying at an Urban Ashram called Casa Plena, and the woman in my room was telling me that there was an organic farmers market next door. I left around 9 am and saw no market activity. When I returned at 11 AM the once empty courtyard was full of life and color of vegetables greens, kale, carrots, cilantro, peas,, cool weather crops.! there was also baked goods. I have also found natural yogurt for sale - all the ameneties are here in the this foward thinking town.. I look forward to my time here, but may have to head to the warmth of the beach for a few days, nest week.

Will post again soon!

From LA to Mexico

I don´t feel quite ready to post- it has been a long couple days of little sleep and travel. I have about 15 minutes left at the internet cafe and after trying to get my blog to appear before me on this computer screen seems a small miracle - I must post. It has been one of those days that seems like two days because of all the stimuli and newness. I met two professors from California at breakfast. I got online this morning with no blog success. I went to a Cafe Havana where Che and Fidel supposedly met and planned their revolucion. I walked until I stumbled upon a Museum of murals and architecture. powerful Diego Rivera among other representing. I had a spanish class with two tutors offered by the Casa de los Amigos where I am staying in Mexico City. I took a nap and made lunch and had various conversations with people here at the house. I have a travel companion tomorrow as I travel south to Oaxaca for several nights. I find I must keep focused on what I am doing here, investigating community, in some form. I plan to do a few tourist things but struggle with all the amazing things I could occupy my time with. I can´t wait to be in the country, I have some trepedation as well it is supposed to be cold there. I will summon my Michigan strength against the cold.
Hope to add soon there is much to tell.

One month- one week

One month since making my intention. One week left before I fly out of Grand Rapids.

I declared my intentions to anyone who would listen and I was rewarded with responses on multiple levels and with multiple layers. The universe answered back. I have never had such an affirming experience.

This past month I have found many strong communities here in the mid-west, here in Grand Rapids. I have discovered my base community to whom I will return post- adventure.

One of the most powerful responses I got, partly because it was so random, was on a train to Chicago. This was quickly planned last minute trip to look at community possibilities in large urban environments.

I settled into my seat early one Saturday morning. Several hours later I overhear a conversation between the two passengers in front of me, an older woman and a younger woman are discussing learning Spanish. The conversations continue and I hear the younger one explain that she learned Spanish in Chiapas. A while later the older woman gets up from her seat an wanders off. I jump up and introduce myself and tell her what I am doing this year. I find out that she learned about autonomous community from the Zapatistas in Chiapas and is starting a community farm in Virginia. We found many surprising things in common that quickly warmed us to each other. I now have some great contacts in Chiapas!

While in Chicago I visited Sophia community which resides in a huge house near the University of Chicago. The house is shared by a Quaker meeting. I went to meeting for worship with the Quakers and after got to meet the fabulous people who reside in the community. This was a complex but wonderful way to share space and resources between two communities, each with different needs and gifts. (shout out to Iccha, the beautiful)!

Sophia Community advised me to attend a gathering that evening with leaders from other communities in Chicago. The topic was food- and the issues surrounding food. I was amazed at the connection with local food- raw milk, CSA shares, coops, organics and the depth of awareness about coffee and chocolate dependencies and fair trade.

Also while in Chicago I get a beautiful phone message from Australia. Helena Norberg-Hodge called and confirmed and accepted my interest in volunteering in Ladakh.

My goodbye party was wonderful thanks everyone for the great time!