Last night in San Cristobal de Las casas, the capitol of Chiapas state, something happened which made me think deep about the situation of the peoples working the streets. The people of the streets are those who walk around all day and night asking you to buy this or that, lowering their prices while they stare at you with a look of desperation for you to buy their goods. These people are the Maya by a vast majority as I can see. A people who, since the conquistadors, have lived in abject poverty. A people ignored by the passerby and a people not given anything resembling a helping hand.
Last night as I was drinking coffee with Andra and a horrible thing happened. A human was ignored as being so. This was around 9 or 10pm when an older lady came to our table to ask us to purchase her goods. Andra politely said no thanks and she moved on to the next table. Now at this table there were three Spanish speakers, probably Mexican, enjoying good conversation and coffee. The old lady came to the table and asked if they'd like anything but she was left with no answer. After standing there for a few seconds the people`s conversation continued and they seemed to not notice the poor lady and she left. This may not seem so bad to many people but then again so many of us lack a consiousness or an understanding for other`s situations when we`re living a secure and sometimes glutenous lifestyle. To me this is unacceptable. To deny someone as being human is a crime and rigorous humanity courses and reeducation are necessary for these sick sick three people.
Actually it's true that while your walking and eating these humans working the streets can get a bit annoying and it gets stressful having to continually say no to woman after woman, little child after little child. Maybe you think "get out!" "leave me alone!" but I can assure you this isn't their dream job. I can confidently tell you a seven year old kid doesn't want to be going from person to person begging them to buy their little figurines. This is not a job which provides one with much dignity but given the situation of many Maya throughout Mexico and Central America they do this as survival to eat, to live.
From what I've heard there is much racism in Mexico against the Maya and from things I've read the perceptions of these indegenous people are that they are lazy. I don't think working all day and night selling petty items counts as being lazy- I thinks it's getting by. This reminds me of pathetic excuses of why so many African Americans are still in deep poverty in the U.S. The most popular excuse from racists being that they are too lazy and overuse the dehumanizing welfare system which actually circulates communities through the cycle of poverty, instead of creating development such as decent jobs with decent pay and decent schools with decent training for university and vocational schools. But this would require a restructuring of the neo liberal system of inhuman economics. This would be revolution.
I hope the people of the world in every country when faced with a child or an old lady asking them to purchase their goods, remember this wasn't just of their own doing. For one, how could a child choose this destiny.
What can we do for these people in abject poverty? In my opinion we must as conciouss individuals patiently explain to the people that the people working the streets are human and not yours to look down upon. We must organize those downtrodden to be empowered. And all of humanity must invest in the lives of one and all, through development. Already here in the state of Chiapas and the capitol San Cristobal the Zapatistas are working on this task, but it will require a shift in the concioussness of humanity to accomplish it here in Chiapas and in the world. I say with them, the Zapatistas, to the neo liberals: ¡Ya Basta!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
My Thoughts About the Investigation
Brian has been doing a great job at filling you all in about all of the places we have been. It has been a really amazing three weeks and now we are approaching the end of this part of the adventure. Its been a really interesting time so far, with a lot of experiences that really make you reflect on the world and your place in it.
One of the biggest themes for me has been my identity as a United States citizen, travelling throughout Central America. During the past year especially, I have become more and more educated about the US´s involvement in other countries and the tactics they use to manipulate and exploit U.S. citizens and the people all over the world for resources and money. This happens so much throughout Central America. As I learned more and more about this it became much harder for me to be proud of where I come from- of course I don´t mean my family or friends. there are so many amazing people in my life and throughout the US, it is the corporations and the politics that protect them that give us a bad name.
When I was in highschool I travelled to Argentina and I always felt really proud when people would ask me where I was from and I felt it was an honor to be able to have the USA as my reply. I was from this amazing country where everyone was equal and free, where we all had the best of everything because our government was for us and by us which meant that they took care of us. I was proud to be a part of the biggest and best democracy.As time has gone on and I have become more aware of the reality of our country, I have realized these beliefs are false when put into practice.
During our time in Michigan, we spent a lot of time in Benton Harbor and Detroit and I could see first hand the contradictions of my old beliefs. Here we are in the richest most powerful country where certain individuals make billions of dollars and we have whole cities of people living without running water, without heat in the bitter cold of the winter months, without access to food and education. They are living in a third world life within a first world country. These experiences really shook me, and continue to do so. I, a person living in the US my entire life, couldn´t really comprehend the reality of these peoples lives until I saw them for myself so its no surprise that when I speak to people from other countries they have the same false perceptions as I did.
I also learned a lot through books and documentaries about the US´s dirty deeds when dealing with the Central American countries- economic hitmen, coups, "wars on drugs", and so so so many more. Now I am travelling in these countries seeing the effects of my country´s actions first hand, and it is devastating.Of course I am not blaming all of the poverty in the entire world or even in all of latin america on the US. there are many factors that play into every situation, and nothing is black and white. However, the more I learn the more I realize that the part the US plays in maintaining poverty throughout these countries is a huge one. I have talked to people from every country we have visited and discussed a variety of subjects but when it comes to their opportunities, to rights as human beings- US involvement is mentioned every time, without an exception. I have heard people say that they used to hate anyone from the US, some that still do. I have talked to people who are fighting to have a simple but good life where they can work to feed their families, provide their children with basic education and security and who are torn down because things like NAFTA and corporations with their maquiladoras exploiting the people and the land for a little more profit.
Now, I know for some who read this it may be hard to swallow- it was for me as well because what I am saying from my experiences contradicts everything we are taught to believe about our country and when you have believed something for your entire life it is really hard to suddenly hear that it isnt true. But this is the reality. We must see the truth and aknowledge it for what it is so that we can do something about it.
Now when people ask me where I am from I dred having to to tell them. I either feel shame because I know they are equally disgusted, or I feel guilt because they are so impressed, because they still believe the lies we are told even though they are living the consequences of them every day. I want to be able to be proud again. I want to show the world that we as the real people of the United States are people who love all people, who believe in equality for all. That we are a group of people that want to be united with all of the people of the world and that we are willing to fight side by side until that equality exists. That we will no longer sit down and be represented by the decisions and actions of those in power and allow them to continue to steal, murder, lie and do nothing about it. We have this fight in our history, in our blood. We have done so, many times in the past and its time we bring it back. This is the USA that we can all be proud of.
One of the biggest themes for me has been my identity as a United States citizen, travelling throughout Central America. During the past year especially, I have become more and more educated about the US´s involvement in other countries and the tactics they use to manipulate and exploit U.S. citizens and the people all over the world for resources and money. This happens so much throughout Central America. As I learned more and more about this it became much harder for me to be proud of where I come from- of course I don´t mean my family or friends. there are so many amazing people in my life and throughout the US, it is the corporations and the politics that protect them that give us a bad name.
When I was in highschool I travelled to Argentina and I always felt really proud when people would ask me where I was from and I felt it was an honor to be able to have the USA as my reply. I was from this amazing country where everyone was equal and free, where we all had the best of everything because our government was for us and by us which meant that they took care of us. I was proud to be a part of the biggest and best democracy.As time has gone on and I have become more aware of the reality of our country, I have realized these beliefs are false when put into practice.
During our time in Michigan, we spent a lot of time in Benton Harbor and Detroit and I could see first hand the contradictions of my old beliefs. Here we are in the richest most powerful country where certain individuals make billions of dollars and we have whole cities of people living without running water, without heat in the bitter cold of the winter months, without access to food and education. They are living in a third world life within a first world country. These experiences really shook me, and continue to do so. I, a person living in the US my entire life, couldn´t really comprehend the reality of these peoples lives until I saw them for myself so its no surprise that when I speak to people from other countries they have the same false perceptions as I did.
I also learned a lot through books and documentaries about the US´s dirty deeds when dealing with the Central American countries- economic hitmen, coups, "wars on drugs", and so so so many more. Now I am travelling in these countries seeing the effects of my country´s actions first hand, and it is devastating.Of course I am not blaming all of the poverty in the entire world or even in all of latin america on the US. there are many factors that play into every situation, and nothing is black and white. However, the more I learn the more I realize that the part the US plays in maintaining poverty throughout these countries is a huge one. I have talked to people from every country we have visited and discussed a variety of subjects but when it comes to their opportunities, to rights as human beings- US involvement is mentioned every time, without an exception. I have heard people say that they used to hate anyone from the US, some that still do. I have talked to people who are fighting to have a simple but good life where they can work to feed their families, provide their children with basic education and security and who are torn down because things like NAFTA and corporations with their maquiladoras exploiting the people and the land for a little more profit.
Now, I know for some who read this it may be hard to swallow- it was for me as well because what I am saying from my experiences contradicts everything we are taught to believe about our country and when you have believed something for your entire life it is really hard to suddenly hear that it isnt true. But this is the reality. We must see the truth and aknowledge it for what it is so that we can do something about it.
Now when people ask me where I am from I dred having to to tell them. I either feel shame because I know they are equally disgusted, or I feel guilt because they are so impressed, because they still believe the lies we are told even though they are living the consequences of them every day. I want to be able to be proud again. I want to show the world that we as the real people of the United States are people who love all people, who believe in equality for all. That we are a group of people that want to be united with all of the people of the world and that we are willing to fight side by side until that equality exists. That we will no longer sit down and be represented by the decisions and actions of those in power and allow them to continue to steal, murder, lie and do nothing about it. We have this fight in our history, in our blood. We have done so, many times in the past and its time we bring it back. This is the USA that we can all be proud of.
Food of Central America
The food of Central America so far is relatively the same in each country. Although each country seems to claim a traditional specific to their coutry food they seem to be very similar to their Central American counterpart.Nearly every traditional meal features: rice, beans and cabbage. There is a lot of pollo(chicken) dishes and carne(beef), I would say these are the most common. Of course there are always tortillas around used in many many meals. At many restaurants in the city it's not uncommon to stumble upon hamburgers, pizza, pasta and especially Chinese food which you can even find in less populated areas, sometimes.
Aside from the normal meals the street food features a lot of variety as well. I would say the most common is fruit, usually mango, papaya, banana or plantain and on occasion you'll find fresh coconut and pineapple (be sure to ask if its been washed. Also on the street you'll find U.S. classics like hot dog, I haven't tried one yet but they look good and it seems most vendors have added Latin American spice to them. Also only sonce I've arrived in San Cristobal de las casa, Mexico have I found churros which are delicious but apparently exclusively Mexican. In every city or little town there are ice cream vendors usually selling Eskimo products, ice cream is a nice break on a hot day, also there are many vendors who sell none eskimo ice cream but usually its a mix between pure sugar, ice and a little actual ice cream.
Since we've arrived many meals have been home cooked, this requires going to the local food market. This task on certain days can be incredibly stressful but on others a lot of fun when it's more laid back and you can shop with ease. Here you can find everything! All kinds of vegetables especially, all homegrown of course and fresh, many different variety of fruits, some fruits are a little to ripe and the wasps lurk on every corner of a juicy mango. The meat at the markets always makes me cringe a little. Often there are flies all around it and most likely if you get there around 2pm it has been laying out all day, so I usually stay away. If you want really fresh meat you can buy a rooster, all you have to do is take it home and ring its neck, I still haven't done this but probably should learn, after all I eat chicken so therefore I should learn to kill and prepare it. You can find fish only in some areas that obviously are near a ready supply. Still we have yet to buy meat at the markets. Also in the market or more common in a little shop you can buy fresh tortillas steaming hot for really cheap this is a great accompiniment to a home cooked meal everytime.
Overall I would say you can eat super nutritious or if you go eat out everyday you might gain one or two. I would say throughout our investigation I've been between the two more or less evenly. The food has been delicious except for a few instances and I've only had diarreah for a week(I think this is fairly normal).
Aside from the normal meals the street food features a lot of variety as well. I would say the most common is fruit, usually mango, papaya, banana or plantain and on occasion you'll find fresh coconut and pineapple (be sure to ask if its been washed. Also on the street you'll find U.S. classics like hot dog, I haven't tried one yet but they look good and it seems most vendors have added Latin American spice to them. Also only sonce I've arrived in San Cristobal de las casa, Mexico have I found churros which are delicious but apparently exclusively Mexican. In every city or little town there are ice cream vendors usually selling Eskimo products, ice cream is a nice break on a hot day, also there are many vendors who sell none eskimo ice cream but usually its a mix between pure sugar, ice and a little actual ice cream.
Since we've arrived many meals have been home cooked, this requires going to the local food market. This task on certain days can be incredibly stressful but on others a lot of fun when it's more laid back and you can shop with ease. Here you can find everything! All kinds of vegetables especially, all homegrown of course and fresh, many different variety of fruits, some fruits are a little to ripe and the wasps lurk on every corner of a juicy mango. The meat at the markets always makes me cringe a little. Often there are flies all around it and most likely if you get there around 2pm it has been laying out all day, so I usually stay away. If you want really fresh meat you can buy a rooster, all you have to do is take it home and ring its neck, I still haven't done this but probably should learn, after all I eat chicken so therefore I should learn to kill and prepare it. You can find fish only in some areas that obviously are near a ready supply. Still we have yet to buy meat at the markets. Also in the market or more common in a little shop you can buy fresh tortillas steaming hot for really cheap this is a great accompiniment to a home cooked meal everytime.
Overall I would say you can eat super nutritious or if you go eat out everyday you might gain one or two. I would say throughout our investigation I've been between the two more or less evenly. The food has been delicious except for a few instances and I've only had diarreah for a week(I think this is fairly normal).
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Investigation Continues
Wow the investigation has been amazing so far! We started in Nicaragua then headed to Honduras and now were in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala. I´ll give quick briefs on everything we´ve experienced since Ometepe, Nicaragua.
Honduras:
We arrived in the capital of Honduras (Tegucigalpa) after a 6 hr bus trip from Esteli, Nicaragua. This was exhausting but we still managed to check out the city. Tegucigalpa is city which has a reputation as being dangerous and I believe it, on almost every street corner there is a minimum of 2 to 3 soldiers with fully automatic assault rifles and a couple of security gaurds wielding machetes, they supposedly have a terrible reputation for taking off arms.
In Tegucigalpa there are signs of a resistance movement which started in 2009 after a leftist president Manuel Zelaya was overthrown in a coup, it stinks with CIA slime. You can see signs of the resistance everywhere with hammer and sickles, viva mel, and viva la resistencia plastered on every block. Also the day before we came teachers shut down the highways to ensure economic justice, there was clashes with the police and of course there was injured.
I wish we had more time to investigate here but our team decided it would be better to move on to Copan on the border of Honduras and Guatemala.
Copan is famous for its Mayan ruins which of course we went to. To me it was amazing that a civilization could create such pyramid structures without cranes to assist with the construction, also that one ruler could make a people do it for him! The city of Copan was a little different then most in Honduras I think. Its economy seems to be based of tourism and I would say most of the stores are geared towards tourists. I enjoyed Copan but it wasn't my favorite.
Guatemala:
We left Copan to Antigua, Guatemala on yet another long bus ride. Antigua is a beautiful little city with loads of history. In the 1500's the Spanish made it the first capital of their rule in the Central American region. It is litered with 500-300 year old churches some very colorful and some broken down with a mysterious feel. On the weekend we were there it was the start of holy week and we got to witness various processions. To me this was a very interesting experience, thousands of Maya were on the streets, worshipping in the churches, selling holy items to be offered to god, making the best foods and most interesting making gorgeous art on the streets that in an hour or so after completing gets trampled on by the processions this art shows devotion to god.
Currently I'm in San Andres Itzapa at an amazing organization called Maya Pedal. They build machines with bike like: blenders, rope pumps, corn graders and more be sure to look them up. Now is my first dull day here so I will have to post more later about my experiences here.
Until next time
Brian
Nicaragua:
Our first stop after Ometepe was Esteli. A pretty little city with much to see with great energy on every street corner. This city was right up my alley of our investigation. We delved into the cities history during Nicaraguas civil war in the late 1970's. It was a battle between U.S. backed conservative Dictator Anastasio Somoza and his notoriously ruthless National Gaurd and the revolutionary forces of the Sandinstas (a socialist guerilla group). Esteli was in the center of the fight experiencing some of the worst bombing in the war. According to an interview with a veteran Sandinsta/Archeologist teacher of Esteli, every family in the city had a relative die in the war. Still today the bullet holes of past can be seen on every block.
We also visited an amazing womans collective organized near the outskirts of town. They have three different gardens 1) a garden for the school children to learn to grow plants and then take seeds back to school to plant 2) A medicinal garden full of herbs 3) a garden for the collectives personal use, making food consumption more sustainable. As well as three amazing gardens they make recycled paper which is beutiful. This requires old paper, fiber and lots of water. Each member of Team Parrot was able to make one sheet of paper. These women sell their paper to local tourists and online at http://www.ambientalistas.biz/. I stongly recommend purchasing some paper from here, its quality and by purchasing it your helping Mama Earth.
Honduras:
We arrived in the capital of Honduras (Tegucigalpa) after a 6 hr bus trip from Esteli, Nicaragua. This was exhausting but we still managed to check out the city. Tegucigalpa is city which has a reputation as being dangerous and I believe it, on almost every street corner there is a minimum of 2 to 3 soldiers with fully automatic assault rifles and a couple of security gaurds wielding machetes, they supposedly have a terrible reputation for taking off arms.
In Tegucigalpa there are signs of a resistance movement which started in 2009 after a leftist president Manuel Zelaya was overthrown in a coup, it stinks with CIA slime. You can see signs of the resistance everywhere with hammer and sickles, viva mel, and viva la resistencia plastered on every block. Also the day before we came teachers shut down the highways to ensure economic justice, there was clashes with the police and of course there was injured.
I wish we had more time to investigate here but our team decided it would be better to move on to Copan on the border of Honduras and Guatemala.
Copan is famous for its Mayan ruins which of course we went to. To me it was amazing that a civilization could create such pyramid structures without cranes to assist with the construction, also that one ruler could make a people do it for him! The city of Copan was a little different then most in Honduras I think. Its economy seems to be based of tourism and I would say most of the stores are geared towards tourists. I enjoyed Copan but it wasn't my favorite.
Guatemala:
We left Copan to Antigua, Guatemala on yet another long bus ride. Antigua is a beautiful little city with loads of history. In the 1500's the Spanish made it the first capital of their rule in the Central American region. It is litered with 500-300 year old churches some very colorful and some broken down with a mysterious feel. On the weekend we were there it was the start of holy week and we got to witness various processions. To me this was a very interesting experience, thousands of Maya were on the streets, worshipping in the churches, selling holy items to be offered to god, making the best foods and most interesting making gorgeous art on the streets that in an hour or so after completing gets trampled on by the processions this art shows devotion to god.
Currently I'm in San Andres Itzapa at an amazing organization called Maya Pedal. They build machines with bike like: blenders, rope pumps, corn graders and more be sure to look them up. Now is my first dull day here so I will have to post more later about my experiences here.
Until next time
Brian
Friday, April 8, 2011
My contribution to the first report
Brian beat me to the computer and gave you a little update about what we are doing but I wanted to add my thoughts about all that we have experienced so far especially while we are lucky enough to have access to the internet!
This past week has been full of amazing experiences. Some that struck me as amazing right away and some that I didn't recognize as profound but are are beginning to, and as time goes by will continue to reveal themselves to me as really important aspects of this adventure.
El Zopilote was a perfect place to start all of this as it gave us a homebase, an accomodation we already reserved and something concrete. We had great compost latrines, beatiful outdoor showers, and delicious handmade bread and peanut butter and even pizza for out enjoyment. It was great to meet and talk to other adventures who are doing different things and hearing of their stories, to volunteer in the garden, to get accostomed the weather and such. It was starting to become a comfortable place to be is a place I will always remember. Now it is time to venture out, break out of comfort zones once more and experience other sides of Nicaragua and Central America. I can't believe a week has gone by and I also can't believe it has only been one week!
Until Next Time
Andra
This past week has been full of amazing experiences. Some that struck me as amazing right away and some that I didn't recognize as profound but are are beginning to, and as time goes by will continue to reveal themselves to me as really important aspects of this adventure.
El Zopilote was a perfect place to start all of this as it gave us a homebase, an accomodation we already reserved and something concrete. We had great compost latrines, beatiful outdoor showers, and delicious handmade bread and peanut butter and even pizza for out enjoyment. It was great to meet and talk to other adventures who are doing different things and hearing of their stories, to volunteer in the garden, to get accostomed the weather and such. It was starting to become a comfortable place to be is a place I will always remember. Now it is time to venture out, break out of comfort zones once more and experience other sides of Nicaragua and Central America. I can't believe a week has gone by and I also can't believe it has only been one week!
Until Next Time
Andra
First Report from our Investigation
Hola, Que Pasa? We have just arrived in MoyoGalpa on the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua. This first week has been a great experience and I'm finally adapting to the climate. These past five days we have been staying in a permaculture farm called El Zopilote, which is on a steep inactive volcano named Madera. While there we relaxed, volunteered in the garden, took walks in the local area, and had discussions about what we wanted to do and of our experiences while there.
For me a profound moment was after we had our first Nicaraguan meal and we asked for a receipt but the owner wasn't literate(the food was amazing though). This was the first time to experience this first hand in my life. I believe literacy is a right of the people of this world especially in this day of age, but clearly the Sandinistas still have their work cut out for them. I would say the travelers staying there also provided a lot of insight and stories. Mayn had been traveling for two months to a year. One man named "something" was a year into a bike journey which started in San Fransisco and will hopefully end in Argentina, he expects two more years of travelling, taking extended breaks and biking.
El Zopilote itself was pretty amazing; compost from food and human waste, grey water for the garden from the showers and kitchen, homemade bread, peanut butter and honey. It was established by an old Italian and his son ten years ago it is amazing what they've accomplished in those years with the locals working by their side.
The Nicaraguan living conditions are a bit of what I expected. Many live in shacks but most seem to get along just fine, I would say nearly everyone I make eye contact with has a smile. While taking the bus through the cities and villages one thing is always prominent, the black and red of the FSLN (or Sandinistas). It is clear that the people support the FSLN probably because of historical reasons as well as Daniel Ortega's(Sandinista/Nicaraguan Presidente) current poverty alleviation programs. It always leaves a warm feeling in my heart when I pass the thousands of Augusto Sandino paintings.
Until the next time I have access to a computer
Brian
Friday, April 1, 2011
Praxis and Goodbye to the U.S.
Last night in IICD Michigan and my beautiful homeland the U.S.A. I want to take this time to explain my intentions and philosophy I will bring to the project in Belize with the Kekchi peoples. Also to say how blessed of a life I have had in Colorado.
Praxis, praxis is what I will live by for the rest of my life unless I take a horribly wrong turn. Praxis is a way of being honest and practical in this world, it is theorizing, acting on theory practically, reflecting and evaluating the actions taken, critically evaluating yourself and continuing this process. In this way I will benefit the Kekchis in their villages as well as teaching them to become critical thinkers (if the circumstances are appropriate). This allows for an adaptable mind frame instead of static thoughts and beliefs.
Goodbye U.S.A!!!
It is time to leave my homeland. I grew up in Golden, Colorado which in my opinion is heaven on earth. It is where I was raised and still is my home and always will be. It is where I got love and got in trouble, where I learned so many lessons from my parents, my auntie and brother, where my mother made sure I had lunch everyday before school, where I learned so many lessons on how to be a good responsible man from my father who always was there to support me as a coach and mentor, where my mom and I fought many times when I was a teen but which always ended with her giving me love and saying sorry which taught me how to forgive and let go of anger, where I played and grew with my little brother who now is a better and more grown man more so than I ever was at his age (maybe even now), where I watched movies with my auntie and who taught me to be a critical and strong person, where I was spoiled by my grandparents who always gave me more then enough love, and to my late grandma Lee whos example of an intense love for the Rocky Mountains, God and dogs has had a tremendous influence on me and more so on my mom, which I know my brother and I will carry on, and last to my whole family who have always supported me, who have always loved me even when I do the most iresponsible of things, we always have been tight and a very loving family, exciting and always concerned for the actions we take. To everyone that has influenced my life growing up I owe it all to you and will miss everyone.
Also a goodbye to my new family of nearly 3 1/2 years the Lowes. I will miss everyone especially the energy of the kids and the parties in the cabin, fishing with Mike, and hugs and advice from Lisa, also to my new grandmas who I love a lot. I promise to take care of Andra and give her all of my love. We are partners and will feed off one another equally this trip and for the eternity of the future.
With all my love
Brian
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