hey all,

  so currently i am in Mexico, el D.F. to be exact, staying in a small colonia by the name of Santo Domingo. 38 years ago the land that im on right now was little more than bare volcanic rock but it was "invaded literally overnight by thousands of people and settled against the will of the government. Over the course of two years the people made roads established their buildings, and finally got recognition by the government as an establishment for land owning. Now the place is super lively all hours of the day, there are three tortillarillas around the corner from my house so i can constantly smell the odor of hot corn pancakes wafting to the air. Some of you might know what im talking about though, Dana, Katy, i believe you know a couple of my friends, Mojdeh and Gustavo Esteva? I heards that they help out the SIT programs as well and that our programs are actually pretty similar in Mexico. Gustavo is our coordinator and teaches two sections in our academics, and Mojdeh pretty much runs the show, her hair is blue now, what color was her hair when you all were here?

   New Zealand was amazing and i know that the justice to be done in explaining my time there will not take place over the internet, but some highlights have to be mentioned. The coordinator of the program was an environmental lawyer named Peter Horsley.  a wacky enthusiastic and read down to earth guy. One of the benefits of New Zealand being such a small country, it literally has more sheep than people, is that a well connected man like Peter knew everyone. We had guest lectures from some amazing activists, political figures including spending an entire day in the green party's office, and corporate CEO's. But not only were we exposed to the contemporary Pakeha culture (pakeha culture being the Mauri word for other, most commonly associated with european but not exclusive of other pacific islanders) we spent time living on a muri a Mouri village and traditional homestead. We took part in rituals, ceremonies, conversations, visited sacred sites, climbed mountains swam in lakes. Our Anthropologist professor was named Jessica, a Mauri woman, took us painstakingly through the hardships and battles fought for Mauri rights and above all, the battle for Mauri female voices. We learned all about the flaws and injustices within the field of anthropology, who it privileges, whose voice it represents, through a very personalized perspective. New Zealand shocked me in ways that have never before rattled me. It was an experience that loosened the dirt around my roots a little more, stunned me with its natural beauty, and brought tears to my eyes.   

more to come from mexico soon

trobb