Blogs from Chiapas, Mexico, North America - page 62

Jep, ei vielakaan ole onnistunut meksikon polyjen pudistaminen kenganpohjista, san cristobalista matkasin marcoksen ja kolmen norjalaistyton kanssa palenqueen torstaina. Marcos siis oli san cristobalin hostellissa toissa ja lahti meidan mukaan tanne. Toissapaivana tarkastettiin palenquen mayarauniot, joka on melkos suosittu turistikohde. Nyt sunnuntai-iltana taalla olisi pitanyt olla fiesta de luna, koska on taysikuu, mutta koko yon ja paivan on satanut, joten taitaa melko hiljaiset juhlat olla jos mitaan edes tulee tapahtumaan. Eilisillalla iski ensimmainen pienimuotoinen ripuli, ei mitaan vakavaa ja nyt on jo mainio olo. Ei ole vahaan aikaan tullut maitohappobakteeritabletteja syotya ja eilinen matka misol-han, agua claran ja agua azulin vesiputouksille, siella kiipeily ja uiminen, kasienpesemattomyys ja matkan jalkeinen ateria aiheuttivat siis muutaman tunnin sankylevon. Acidophiluk... read more

So a massive blog catch up time seems to be the only routine I've maintained over the last 9 months! But at least I eventually catch up. Procrastinating until the final deadline is a characteristic I've always had, so why change now? I signed up for a day trip to the surrounding sights of Oaxaca (pronounced Wah-hawk-a). It's definitely not possible to see everything without a car as there are markets, ruins and even a 2000 year old tree on the list of things to see. So, joining another clan of tourists it is. Our first stop was to Monte Alban, the abandoned ruins at the top of a flattened mountain reaching 7000 meters above sea level. It had originally been covered in morning glory resulting in the name 'albino mountain', which over years changed to ... read more

Be considerate, listening is not just waiting for your turn to speak. Hope and Mateo gave us an overview of the history and current situation. This made it easier to integrate the various talks we were to attend with groups that specialize in particular areas. Mexican History 101. After the conquest in the 1500’s the kings of Spain gave land and the people on it to Spanish nobility. 1531 The Virgin of Guadalupe (www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/mary0003.htm/ ) appeared to an indigenous farmer; important because this confirm that the indigenous are actually human and children of God. Early 1800’s independence movements began but not much changes for the people; there are other mo... read more

Chiapas - THE GANG ALL HERE. A group of complete strangers…converging on Posada Isabel… this sounds like the intro to a reality show… I think it would be wise when you’re in a group of strangers that you consider you may be the strangest. Well here we are: The organizers: David A and Peter both are with Equal Exchange, both currently living in the Boston area, David is an old hand at travel in Central America having done election monitoring there. Peter works in the Equal Exchange’s interfaith program and has been active with Heifer Project. Both speak Spanish. Mateo and Hope, Witness for Peace representatives, appeared. Their main base is in Oaxaca but seem to quite familiar with the San Cristobel area. They are in their early twenties; both speak Spanish. If this get... read more

CHIAPAS - GETTING THERE “Getting there” turned out to more complicated than I thought! I traveled with a group that was put together by Stan a pastor with the United Church of Christ. His goal is to provide opportunities for individuals to see first hand the how their participation in Fair Trade projects benefit the small farmers. This particular trip used resources and contacts from, Witness for Peace, a peace advocacy group based in Washington DC, and Equal Exchange a coffee importer, processor and distributor. After my application was accepted I received a travel advisory. Several shots were recommended. I checked around and found the most cost effect place to get the shots was the local Health District. It turns out they have a satellite clinic at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas which is only ... read more