this week has been busy at CASA Chapulin. the Universidad de la Tierra (University of the Land) facilitated a workshop at our house on appropriate technology and autonomy, and helped us build a composting toilet for around 200 dollars and a week of work.

the process of digging my feet into mud to be used for adobe walls, stuffing plastic bottles with sand to give support where rebar might typically be used, and listening to long discussions about structure design as new challenges presented themselves, was a refreshing addition to work over the last few weeks which has felt light and airy in comparison (workshop preparation and writing for example). and after a few weeks of having friends here to visit, i enjoyed getting my hands dirty again.

to accompany the workshop, everyday came with a theoretical piece on the significance of toilets that don’t require hooking up to the municipal water supply and eventually create an extremely rich fertilizer used for growing vegetables. one of the more inspiring discussion for me came from gustavo esteva. he spoke on the importance of freeing ourselves from a dependence on the state – both our heads and tails. it resonated with other stories that i’ve heard while here – people willing to take risks, to organize in the face of repression, because at some level they don’t depend on what they’re fighting against for their livelihoods (or in this case, their waste disposal). not to mention the ability to avoid sewage flooding during privatized emergency response failures.

in other news, i’ve decided to shorten my time here by two months. after some long conversations with trusted friends and organizers, i see that i am ready to take this trip and its lessons back to virginia, as was my original intention and primary motivation. i know that i will return, of that much i’m sure. but to come from a rootedness in the struggle back in my home is necessary…which is certainly what feeds those i’ve learned from here…

…my last few weeks will be spent writing, workshopping and picking coffee. a few days before i leave we will be hosting a “consulta de movimientos para cruzar fronteras” to discuss the potentials for immigrant justice organizing in the U.S. to make solid connections to social movements in Mexico. i’ll be sure to post a report-back.

patrick