If in Kamloops at all Hey Charlie, saw your uncle John Gillespie yesterday. If you're going to be anywhere near Kamloops near future (this week or next) contact him at the Best Western. He's got invites to the 500,000 acre Ebbers ranch and 'd treat to barbeques etc. Dad
Hey Charlie,
Cheers for the rapid reply. I've just read the zapatista section of your travels. I am well impressed. Yesterday I spent much time reading about the history since 94. It made me quite sad and was probably my most difficult day (culture/reality shockwise) I've only been in Mexico for a couple of weeks and seen some parts of the Yucatan. It's very beautiful but I feel a bitter swest taste as part of an oppressing system . I spoke many hours to a chap from San Luis Portos and he told me:"the mexicain children are born from a raped mother and tourism is now raping these children" I can't imagine the colatoral of this statement but it does imprint my mind for a long time. Since I've been here I have had many picturesque sights but few genuine experiences. I have to admit that I am a little lost (this is to be expected as I only slowly opening my eyes to the world around me) ... ignorance is bliss and somewhat self-centered. I wish to broden my understandying in order to be less self-centered... Thank you for sharing your experience and I will inquire about the human rights groups in San Cristo but my time is short here and may need more planification to one day return better informed and less self-centered. que sera, sera...
Today I will try to head to Chamula by micro bus. A couple of Belgums told me about the Zapatista supporters in this town... unfortunatly I am under the impression that tourism has also invaded this community.
hasta luego mi amigo
muchas gracias para tu asistancia
P.s intense Johnny story...
The Iconic Summer Job The cover story of today's Toronto Star profiles tree planting and in particular planter's in Northern Ontario. The author let's his readers know that without a doubt your job is "one of the hardest jobs in Canada" and while the tools and planting methods have improved the experience has remained unchanged for basically the past 30 years.
While your Dad and I have delighted in following your escapades this article helped us to better appreciate just what you've accomplished.
Charlie thanks for playing a role in ensuring that wood remains a renewable resource.
P.S. We'll keep the article for you.
I'll try this again Hi Charlie, Sounds like you are getting the hang of it. I loved the Shellagh story. What not to do when checking things out. All is well in this neck of the woods. This neck of the woods, being that there are lots of old trees and not a lot of blocks in the immediate vision. The weather has been unseasonallly rainy and cool, so am wondering what it has been like to be out in the woods with the 'squites and black flies. It is supposed to warm up this week, tho', so hopefully you are surviving the climate conditions. Hard to believe that you are almost finished for the season. I hope you do take the time to come back this way on your way to Vancouver Island before you head back to the East. Take care, Charlie. Love Aunt Cogi
Toronto calling... Hi Charlie, You haven't blogged for a while and want you to know how much I'm thinking of you. all is well here. I'm heading up north this weekend to get out of the heat!!! It's about 40 C. Stanley is doing just fine. We all miss you and can't wait to hear how you are doing.
Love, Mom
Thanks Charlie Your heartfelt observations and personal reflections shine through. It makes for wonderful reading Charlie. And as a Scotsman, I have to admire the way you've stretched a few thin dollars into a lifetime experience. - Andrew in Toronto
Water under burning bridges Well C,
that's quite some trip so far. You said you have nothing to bring the people in Chiapas...? I think you do. You have what would be the experience of seeing and knowing and communicating...and transmitting. You've experienced the vacationing 'jet set', but don't forget that you have serious conscience for these matters, probably more than any of them and you should feed it. I hope this trip leads you to make many more, ever more distant. Canada's nice, but it can't show you any global realities. And props for learning to surf, I tried that shit for three years and ended up sticking to a body board (mind you I was 12). ANyway, Keep writin' Jedi,
Peas(out of the pod)
Max - justmax
Who's Johnny she said? Nice story, I've been following your journal ever since my friend and I planned our lil trip to mexico...however, fate being fate, we ended up in the Dominican Republic. But I'm still looking forward to Mexico...sigh. Until then, I'll be following your lil saga and wishing I was there. Hhmm, in a non-stalkery kinda way. - Sianna silver
travellin with my bro...... wow, what a trip this has been for me so far. charlie and i started with taking a bus to texas and then began our journey through mexico starting in matamoros. my most memorable times had to be relaxing with pete and beth, and meeting some australians, an irishmen and an astonian in acapulco. but for me, the conclusion of my mexican tour in puerto escondido was by far the most fun. hammolk town, as charlie mentioned, was a great way to meet tons of people from all over the globe. we developed a crew of about 12 people from about 8 different countries acroos the global continents. i felt a little sad about leaving what seemed to be the garden of eden, as i am in L.A. now, but my travels must continue. i am very happy with how the entire trip panned out, and charlie, it was a lot of fun hangin around with you for those 5 weeks. you are an inspiration for travel and you lead an examplierary (thats not how you spell it i know) lifestyle of freedom. for me, its off to seattle today to visit a friend then over to vancouver to see some family, although my mind is still at the beatiful beaches of puerto escondido. anyways its time for me to sign off, charlie i'm going to miss you. safe travels and stay cool.......... until next time...........love matt - matt
Que suerte! Hola muchacho... Que tal? Estoy muy celosa (jealous) de tu viaje increible. I just read all six of your entries from the library sitting beside a window looking out on a very wintry Canadian scene. The lightning storm must have been crazy! Keep keeping us posted.
Hasta pronto, Mer - Mer
Stormin' in Toronto too... Hey Charlie, Checking up on your website and fascinated by the storm...You would not believe the snow storm we are having today. It hasn't stopped snowing since yesterday and no end in sight. I am house-bound today as the plow hasn't come through yet. How are things? I can't wait to hear what you're up to. I worry about you both and pray to St. Christopher to keep you safe. I'm concerned about the water. don't drink it...no ice either and only fruit that's still in the skin and no lettuce. Many people get sick...Sorry for the lecture but I can't help it. How is Matt? Where are you? xoxo - Mom
Introducing Mr. Charles Joseph O'Connor..
"uh, call me Charlie please"
Charlie is a young adult from Toronto, Ontario...
"that's in Canada"
And he's taking a bus to Mexico!
"yup. check it out"... full info
Peter
non-member comment
If in Kamloops at all
Hey Charlie, saw your uncle John Gillespie yesterday. If you're going to be anywhere near Kamloops near future (this week or next) contact him at the Best Western. He's got invites to the 500,000 acre Ebbers ranch and 'd treat to barbeques etc. Dad