Reflection on March 07 Delegation

1. What were the best and worst parts of your trip.

   Although my trip to Chiapas taught me more than I could have ever hoped for; I would have to say the most rewarding aspect was the chance to talk with the Junta along with our interaction with the people of Santa Cruz. You can never fully appreciate the humanity of something like the ELZN until you have been given the chance to meet its members on a personal level. However; I can not set aside the importance the land itself had on me. Living as we did in the communities rewarded me immeasurable perspective, and strengthened my dedication to justice, respect, and compassion. The only possible moment I could label as less than wonderful had nothing to do with the program, but instead with a member of the delegation; who unfortunately had a personality clash with the entire delegation.

2. Would you have liked more or less whole group activities?

I thought the group activities were nice, although I did come down with a group of students I had previously known. I think the mixture of both group activities and alone time allowed a delegate to feel a sense of community, which was comforting; while also allowing time for personal reflection, which was rewarding.

3. Is there anything we could have sent in advance that would have better prepared you for this trip.

Not really, I was personally expecting much more basic conditions. I was pleasantly surprised with how nice everything was.

4. What is your overall evaluation of your Mexican experience?

   To be honest, I never had any desire to travel to Mexico; I was actually planning on moving to Japan to teach for a year. However; I wrote my senior political thesis on the EZLN, and while the movement for my B.A. I became interested in the region for its political significance. I traveled to Mexico expecting to learn about from the people of Chiapas; however, after spending time in Chiapas I can think of nothing else. Working with schools for Chiapas was the single most inspiring experience of my life, and our guide Chris Farmer became a personal hero. I can?t even begin to express how much our time spent in the tropics of Chiapas changed my perspective on live. I have fallen for Mexico so much that I am coming back in July with a group of my closest friends.

5. Would you like to be involved in Schools for Chiapas as a volunteer in the future

Yes. Any way, any how. I want to volunteer to work down in Chiapas for as long as I can,    I also would like to bring friends and family along on delegations in the future. Working with the Zapatistas brought me meaning, I want to work to bring the hope.

6. Do you have any photos of your trip that you would be willing to share (please email to schoolsforchiapas.org)

   Since I am a professional photographer in the States, I took a lot of pictures. I was even commissioned by Chris to take a great number of pictures at the Agro-Ecology centers progress. The pictures can fit onto 4 CD?s which I am sending you; however you can also save them from my website (this option gives you the chance to save pictures in several different sizes) and as often as you like. You can see all the pictures from my trip at http://www.bowchick.smugmug.com/Travel/316404 . All Galleries from the trip as labeled Chiapas, and each gallery concentrates on am individual location. I think these pictures will give anyone thinking about joining a delegation a clear picture on what to expect in Chiapas.

7. In general do you have any comments or suggestions you would like to share with schools for Chiapas or our indigenous hosts?

   I would only like to thank you for the chance to experience something so powerful. I also have to give proper credit to our guide Chris Farmer who could not have been a better fit to our group, He was extremely knowledgeable and full of respect while his great sense of humor kept us in high spirits. He has a one in a million personality, and he truly became a brother to us all; which made the entire experience that much greater. Thank you Peter, this experience has changed my entire outlook I hope to work with schools for Chiapas again soon.

Thank you to everyone working at schools for Chiapas,
-DaNi

* Feel Free to contact me with any questions you might have at illusion_of_a_utopia@yahoo.com *