Centros de...

Los Centros de Acopio (recycling centers) in Cuernavaca (and specifically in San Anton) are growing and doing very well. Cuernvaca already has three and is establishing another one that will work with Subia a Chalma. These recycling centers have been going for over five years.
With little surprise, the government does not support, nor want to support, these recycling centers... because the more garbage people produce, the more money the government gets--and these Centros de Acopio focus on REDUCING the amount of garbage produced.

We need plans of largo plazo (long term)-- these Centros de Acopio are part of that long-term initiative.

Relleno sanitario = corto plazo
Cooperativas entre las comunidades (como los de los Centros de Acopio) = largo plazo****

search them

If you're interested in finding out more about the environmental/social/political activism that is taking place in Cuernavaca (specifically San Anton), then search "El Patronato" on the internet. They are a group that is dedicated to the rescuing of las barrancas and preservation of the land. You can also check out Raul Garcia Barrios and his work with la UNAM from Mexico City.

Classes--muy bien

History class in Cuernavaca with Antonio could not have went better. We challenged the "norms" of the US so much and really devled into things are the way they are today---what are their "raices"...
US intervencionism took a large part in that theme.
So many speakers came and enlightened the group incredibly on the effects of NAFTA, the roots of immigration, the benefits of listening, effects of patriarchy and privilege, 1st and 3rd worlds, etcccc...

Spanish class with Rosalba from Universal was also a beautiful experience. The three hours with my "sisters" Marie and Cass went by fast enough every day. We definitely got some good learning..and laughs.. in.

Final presentations for both classes ended up going GREAT.
I did both of my presentations on the landfill the government wants to put in Cuernavaca. Al final, I personally (along with the majority of Cuernavaca) have decided that it would be INCREDIBLY detrimental if they were to put that landfill in Loma Mejia. The landfill does not complete 32--32-- NORMS. Even more NONE of the landfills in the state of Mexico complete all of the NORMS that are technically supposed to be completed.

Anda.
Out with the idea of the relleno sanitario in Loma Mejia.

Ya estoy

Now I'm back in the States (since midnight)... away from those who have really left much inspiration in me. It's beautiful to be back but it just seems as though I had been in Cuernavaca, Mexico, for so long that it became my other reality.
Even entering into the Charlotte airport yesterday was strange.

Now I will start seeing what I can do to promote the Sister-City that Minneapolis and Cuernavaca are trying to develop.
We need it!!! It could do amazing things for both cities!!

porque estas conmigo

Ya solo nos quedamos unos dias antes de irnos de Cuernavaca. Salimos algunas de las muchachas esta noche; yo las voy a extranar mucho. Tambien hoy di mi presentacion final de la clase de historia. Hace dos dias empece hacer un mural en la casa de CEMAL. Habra un poema de un hombre de La Colonia de San Anton. Tambien va a tener una significancia de la mujeres; como tienen tantas abilidades y como son uniquely strong.

Ha llegado la hora...

Down with the relleno [sanitario]

How can one of the final ecological sites in Cuernavaca be destroyed by a landfill that will eventually contaminate drinkable water and violently affect the surrounding communities' health??

Well, money does come in to play... and unfortunately with that comes violence.

One innocent person last weekend was killed--murdered--by the police (or "affiliates" of the police) because of their potential involvement in the movement against the relleno sanitario (landfill) that El Ayuntamiento wants to put in a place near Temixo called "Loma Mejia."
Not only was one person killed for potentially taking a position of positive social/political action, but prior to that was San Anton's (one of Cuernavaca's oldest neighborhoods that has a lot of activists) leader taken from his car [by pro-relleno-sanitario-nists who drove an un-marked car with no license plates] and brought to the mountains, horrificaly beaten and left for dead. This was all done because he has taken a strong ethical stance in support of the people of Loma Mejia and the surrounding communities to prevent the formation of this landfill.
Fortunately he is still alive. He was found in a brutal condition and just got out of the hospital.

There are blogs online about this (from activists from Cuernavaca). I really recommend checking them out.
It is so important to be informed.

Con paz y la accion positiva---

Annika.

Brazil

Fortaleza, Brazil, is calling for my presence this upcoming spring 2009.
The School for International Training hase accepted me into their "Brazil: Culture, Development, and Social Justice" program.
I am ecstatic..
:)))

Now I will just try to arrange everything A TIEMPO ~~

Somebody whip out the Portuguese-English dictionary, por favor!

What if

If I had not come here to Cuernavaca, Mexico, this summer I truly think my future and current mind set would be so incredibly different. The staff here have made me so massively aware of many important things... for example, my white privilege, the effects of U.S. interventionism in Latin and Central America, the brooooadddd history of Mexico (including the very much so oppressed indigenous and afro-mexican population), the importance of AWARENESS, ....i could go on soo much

In Oaxaca

We´ve been here three days so far in the city of Oaxaca and it seems like much longer... although I still cannot figure out where exactly I am every time I go out on the street and try to locate different sites.
Tomorrow Marie, Lindsay and I will leave by bus at 1:30 pm. Then it will be off to work. I have to prep for a "lab group" session that I will be hosting on Tuesday... my topic will be "land distribution" specifically in Brazil, but then I will relate it to Mexico, including the politics of it all, etc.
I have also got to prepare a presentation on social changes for my spanish class on Tuesday.
Maybe getting sick on the bus will just have to be "put aside"...

plans for the weekend

Friday two other girls and I will go to...
the famous OAXACA!!!!!
Donde nacio Benito Juarez, Mexico's only indigenous president.

There, we will eat Oaxaca's famous chocolate, crickets, and drink their famous bebida.

First stop--Puebla... Then--OAXACA
!!

Marie's Cumple

My friend Marie, here in Cuernavaca, just completed her 23rd year of vida by bringing in the 24th year with a delicious cake last night at her host family's house... valio la pena to stay up late.

In Cuernavaca, we took Marie to "Casa Hildago" where we had some cafe on the outside terrace.
We then headed off to meet her host family and friends... But before that, we had some great conversation with the taxi driver.
After commenting on how I liked his selection of music, he gave me a CD of "amor"... Neat! I love the spanish-speaking music
:)

But that wasn't it... he then proceeded to give Marie 2 discs and our other friend, Jess, one... awesome.
Really nice guy.

El relleno sanitario

The govt of Morelos, Mexico, wants to put a landfill in the country side of "Loma Mejilla", Guerrero. It would be there for 20 years. No way. The people of that area are NOT having it, nor are the majority of the community members of San Anton, the oldest neighborhood in Cuernavaca.

--More to come. Community action is awake and kicking.

cumple blessings

birthday wishes to a dear friend here in Cuernavaca, Mexico ~~ to my friend, Marie

Tomorrow we will celebrate her birthday by relaxing with the wonderful ladies we have got here in CEMAL's program. Marie will be 24 anda!!!

Things have been going well here. I am with my host family now and they are fabulous. This is the first time I have had many brothers and sisters!
My host mom will be coming back from a trip soon so I still have yet to meet her!!!

"To Hell with Good Intentions"

It´s a FABULOUS article that every person who has traveled or will be traveling should read
YES!

Oops, so I had already written about Taxco--sorry about that
But Marie and I are planning a trip to Oaxaca.

I guess for the past 6 months or so there have been teacher strikes there so Oaxaca has always had a lot of commotion going on..

Tomorrow--booking a hostel! And itll be a cheap good one!

el domingo pasado

I went to Taxco, which is in the state of Guerrerro, by myself last sunday!!!
IT WAS GREAAAT AND SO LIBERATING!!!!!!

Taxco is magnificent with its white homes and silver
The Zocalo was bumpin with people
I got lost--by choice, claro!

TAXCO---LA CIUDAD DE PLATA

I went to Taxco (Guerrero) today which was about a one and a half bus ride away from Cuernavaca. I decided to take a trip by myself, which was very liberating and easy going. Walking constituted the majority of my day, but I also went on this cable car ride that took me waay up into the sky and I could see all of Taxco below me. The homes are all of similar style and color (Taxco is preserved by the Mexican govt)... I also went to the market and then around the Zocalo, El centro, and the parks.

Traveling with oneself is refreshing.
:)