I'll be leaving Friday morning (or arvo or evening...) to go to Oaxaca, Mexico. (for the aussies in the audience, it's pronounced: 'wa-ha-ka') The fellow who teaches the free Spanish classes at Dry River has been in contact with a group called the Consejo Indigena Popular de Oaxaca (People's Indigenous Council of Oaxaca)

It seems to be an attempt to organise the various indigenous communities in the state of Oaxaca, in order to become an effective voice in the region. It appears to be organised from within the communities, rather than by a well-meaning international aid organisation with plastic bracelets for all...

I decided to go because the journey has the potential to be packed with meaning and value for everyone involved. I will be in an environment of total Spanish immersion, and therefore forced to use and improve my conversational abilities. I will be gaining a rare insight into the harsh realities of the Mexican economy, which will in turn inform my work with border activist organisations in Tucson when I return. And, of course, the indigenous communities will get a month of free labour out of a truckload of gring@s

I've packed iodine tablets for the water and immodium just in case they don't work. I got a good first-aid kit, and a Petzl headtorch (Pred's favourite brand) that lasts 120 hours... (now I know why ;).

I'll be offline for a few weeks. Hopefully I will return wiser, browner, and not too much thinner...