IDEALS

Written by Chrissy Peters - Second Year DSW Student
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

By Gary Warren

There is only one area left in Mexico that is considered to be 'jungle' and that is the Monte Azule Biosphere. It is a crescent shaped region that extends from the state of Chiapas into the country of Guatemala. Immensely rich in minerals, potential hydro power, oil, gas, and biodiversity, it has been a much sought after area for commercial exploitation. It is also the poorest state in Mexico, with the lowest life expectancy, lowest rate of literacy, lowest income per person, and highest death rate for infants.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Long hikes and beautiful falls. Natural clay and minnows. Ancient ruins and new guests. Only in a Mexican Jungle.

When we arrived in the jungle I felt like I reconnected with nature, something that seems to be lost and forgotten living in North America. One of the first things I did when I arrived was removed all of my jewelery and put my watch away. During my stay here I was not going to keep track of time. The sun will tell me when to wake and my body will remind me when it’s time to sleep...(I always know when it's time to eat:).

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

This morning we said goodbye to San Cristobal and headed to our next destination; the Lacandon Jungle.

The road twisted and turned and went through beautiful valleys and hills. We passed through military zones beside Zapatista territory and stopped at a small restaurant and played with a child. Indigenous Mexican’s stood at the side of the road selling bananas, coconuts, traditional robes and more. We passed coffee cooperatives, people carrying stacks of wood on their backs up the road and spotted beautiful crystal clear rivers below.

by Gary Warren

Tomorrow morning we leave the highlands of Central Chiapas and head east to the Monte Azule Rainforest. I think this is the part of the trip that the students have looked forward to most, and yet are anxious about too. I have hired a driver and van to meet us outside our hotel room at 8 in the morning, so today is packing day and running last minute errands.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

“To be a defender of rights in Mexico is a great risk,” Center for Human Rights in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Loyalist students spent the morning visiting at Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas - Frayba, or the Center for Human Rights. This is a non-profit Civil Organization, independent of any government or political ideology or religious creed.

By Gary Warren - Wednesday, March 9, 2010

Most days are structured so that there is an experience, followed by a chance to talk and reflect. Content is balanced with analysis. Today was unbalanced. Too much content.

But I guess that is to be expected in our last day of structured learning here in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Mexico is known as a country that has always been in a constant state of conflict. Conflict between the people, the state, the police, the military, the corporations and the indigenous people. The story is no different in the specific case of 30 indigenous families living in a small independent community in the southern state of Chiapas.

by Gary Warren -- Monday, March 8, 2010

This is the phase of trying out the experiences of the new program - International Support Worker - on the students and getting their feedback.

This morning we spent 5 hours with 3 leaders from an indigenous community who told their story of how their church was crushed, family members shot, friends falsely jailed, and their water for the community turned off for the last 7 years. They have to walk 2 km twice a day to get water that is not safe to drink.

It is difficult to understand religious conflict when you don't understand religion -

In a time and place I could never have imagined, surrounded by people I’ll forget I made sense of a thing called faith.