- a memory from the past -

Today the group went to the magical town of Tepoztlán. Unfortunately I was unable to join them but I was lucky enough to have made the trip last year.

---- Day 11, February 2009 ----


Today we visited the magical land of Tepotzlan, and magic it was.

There were people and street vendors and music and restaurants everywhere! The little town was filled with so much commotion and chaos it was brilliant! Four of us students, Andy and Loraine decided we would do the hour and some trek up the mountain to the ancient temple while the others hung around and shopped in the town. The climb was steady, steep, breathe taking and absolutely gorgeous!

From the top you could see the whole town and surrounding towns. It was incredible to be at eye level with the green covered mountain tops you have to crank your head completely vertical to admire from the ground. We sat and admired the view for as long as possible, it was definitely worth the trek.

Unfortunately we lost track of time and ended up being late for the speaker of the day. She was a female activist living in Tepoztlán. The town has many activists and the town is recognized by the government and military for being full of activists who won’t back down. In the past, businesses wanted to put a golf course in and the people disagreed, “We don’t play golf,” they would say. A protest began because of this and the people would gather together in the town square and listen to music and dance and sing. By having fiestas people of the town got to know each other and talk about what current issues were taking place. Together they stood against the creation of a golf course and won. It was another inspirational story about the power in numbers and the strength of a voice.

In many ways I envy the strong sense of community in Mexico compared to in Canada. The people here work together for major causes and stand up for change. They are friends with their neighbours and offer strangers the invitation to become their friend by participating in community gatherings. It isn’t a crime to gather on the street to sing and dance and Police won’t stop you and it isn’t an inconvenience for your peers to stop by unexpectedly for company. People don’t rely on materialistic things and they don’t need a lot, what little they have they share. I envy their true sense of community, neighbours becoming friends and friends introducing strangers.

They are so rich in culture and wealthy in spirit.

This I envy.