Water, Mountains and lots of fish

Hey all, I´´m writing from an internet cafe in Txlcala, about two and a half hours from DF (Districto Federal) or Mexico City to the gringos. This is my first day back in the real world, if you want to call living ontop of a mountain with blue clouds, a view of two of Mexico´s largest mountains, one of which is an active volcano, and eating amazing food and walking tons and talking to people, then I´ve reentered the real world.

We left Oventic two Fridays ago to begin our vacation week. It was a parting filled with songs and scattered notes of appreciation in slightly broken Spanish and picture taking with pasa montañas (the Zapatistas for reasons of safety and intimidation wear bandanas or ski hats to hide their identity). That place was really phenomenal. No were else can you find a place were high school aged students care about each other so much and show so much affection and understand what it means to struggle. The promotores have given thier lives to the lucha. To a lucha that acknowledges the importance of having control of your life and your community and remaining close to everything you appreciate. I ate butterflies, made puppets, cooked a meal for 250 people, spoke to government officials del buen gobierno (how many people have spoken face to face with thier representatives?) The thing about this fight, about the caracol, about EZLN is that it´s all coming from the people. They recognized that something needed to change and did something about it. The unity they have and the dignity they see amongst each other I think is key to thier fight. I miss it there a lot. But I plan to go back, with lots of people. Maya, KellyAnne, Katie, Julia, everyone should see the murals, the mountains and especially the people. Not just see them, talk to them. Being there made me realize how fortunate I am because I have never really lived the struggle, I have a choice to make in what struggle I join. I think in some ways that´s extremely priveleged, but I won´t deny at the same time it makes me really excited, I have great deal to share with a lot of people and they may be vague ideas at times, but its something to show for it all. Plus Lauren and I are going to write and illustrate a children´s book!

There is a lot more to write, but I have to go eat some ant eggs. I´ll write some more mas tarde. Hope everyone´s smiling!