Cacaxtla and Xochitecatl Archaeology Extravaganza!

Well this one was an exciting one for me. Cacaxtla and Xochitecatl reached the apex of their power in the 5th century CE, controlling important trade routes through central Mexico and likely outwards to the coast with an enclave population of no more than 10,000 people. But it is the semingly out of place Mayan influence on the site which makes it so very interesting. You see Cacaxtla and Xochitecatl are located in the central Mexican state of Tlaxcala which places them a good 800km away from any Mayan power centre and much closer to pre-hispanic cities such as Cholula, Tula or Tenochtitlan. While the origin of these "Cacaxtlecas" is not know with any certainty it is suspected that they were in fact Mayan migrants from the south as their artistic styling  would seem to suggest. If these people truly were of Maya origin they did a pretty good job of holding on to their cultural identity surrounded by the heavy influence of many other peoples since their art in general and their naturalism in particular is agreed to just ooze mayaness.  But something about this telling just does not sit well with me, I have always liked the idea of some emerging central Mexican power bringing architects, stone masons and painters from some usumacintan Mayan city state and ordering the construction of this grand complex, but alas that is pure fanciful speculation. While both centres where heavily looted, the massive archaeological effort currently underway is doing a fantastic job of rescuing these fantastic sites. Also, the state of Tlaxcala is absolutely gorgeous... I had never been before and I am really happy I talked everyone in to making the trip out! Also, check out those crazy volcanoes! ( Popocatépetl, Matlalcuéyetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Fun times at Xochimilco!

A couple of weeks ago Jeanette, my parents, my friend Rafael and I made our way out to Xochimilco. For those of you who have never been or have never heard of it... it is basically one great big over the top floating  party on a river. Popularized in Mexican culture by way of cinema en the early 20th century, the river system which was previously used for cultivation an transportation (since Aztec times) became a hit with tourists both domestic and international. Now the thing about Xochimilco is that yes, it is extremely over the top... all those stereotypes about Mexicans all dressed in great big sombreros, chugging down tequila and tacos while occasionally pausing for a nap... yea, it all happen in Xochimilco... its kinda like Mexico on steroids. Anyway the whole thing is quite fun; there are tons of food/beverage/toy vendors and musicians which sail down the river offering their goods and services (at extremely inflated prices) to tourists, the music is loud and the barges seem to crash in to one another every couple of minutes which always gives everyone quite a jolt... but alas, it is part of the fun! Anyway I hope you enjoy the photos.

                

Home again!

As some of you may know (if you follow me on twitter), I have been back in the Yucatan for a little over a month now. It is absolutely brilliant to be at home... enjoying time with my family and friends and of course stuffing my face with great food. Other than coming down for some much needed sunshine (as Norway's pseudo summer is truly deficient in this department!) the main reason for this trip has been to collect data for my thesis. I am doing the bulk of my research at Santa Elena... a small village which I have blogged about several times (search the archives if you like). I have spent a fair amount of time at Santa Elena already and will continue to do so, as I far from feeling I have enough data, I am more confused than ever. That being said, I am fairly happy with how things have been going and with what I have collected so far... but as is always the case with this kind of thing... nothing turns out being the way you expected, which I guess is a good thing! Anyway.... I will try to be better with posting this summer, as I have admittedly been quite slack... but alas. Hope you enjoy the photos.

The next few photos a Don Felix. Don Felix is 79 but as strong as an Ox and still goes out and works his land every single day. He is also well know in the village for being particularly knowledgeable about traditional Mayan medicine. Several people in the village told me stories about workers in the field (and foolish tourists) being bitten by poisons snakes and being rushed to him because "el si sabe de esas cosas" (because he knows about that kind of thing). 

Don Felix also took me to a pre-hispanic structure hidden in the fields which was so covered in vegetation, I doubt that even the best trained archaeologists in the world would have been able to find. Very cool, very cool indeed. 

My first day in Santa Elena doing research was the day after the federal/state/municipal elections... so there where quite a few demonstrations of support for the new mayor complete with fireworks, marches and big parties. While my feelings about this past election are complicated (I may blog about this latter)... the spectacle of it all was quite interesting.

 

Abel atop an enormous pyramid at X'oot checking if he can get reception on his Finish made smart phone. Not exactly what you think about when you hear the word "Maya" but there you go!

 That´s all for now!

#yosoy132 Paris

As many of you likely know, the Mexican youth movement #yosoy132 has gained quite a bit of traction over the past week. A friend of mine here at the University of Oslo (Luis De Ita) started up a facebook group called #yosoy132enelextrangero which encourages Mexican expats to get involved and show their solidarity with the movement and at the same time create awareness of our demands to the Mexican state/media in our countries of residence. From this, a series of events have been taking place all over the world and since there are so few Mexicans in Norway, Luis and I decided to travel to Paris to take part in the event there. At the event we shot a video which was then edited together with videos from other cities all over the world with the aim of spreading our message of peaceful resistance and civic awareness.

Although I have never been a very politically active person, I like so many other Mexicans (abroad and at home) feel compelled to take action in face of the erosion of our rights, freedoms and security. On the other hand, having touched rock bottom (which I believe we have) Mexicans now have a historic opportunity to turn things around and change the country for the better. Change is hard, and while I do not have any unreal expectations about what movements such as #yosoy132 can achieve in the grand scheme of things, I do none the less feel optimistic. The past several years have been heartbreaking for Mexico, and it is wonderful to for once see people coming together in a spirit of hope which could well spark the light at the end of the tunnel we are are so desperately attempting to crawl out of.

Enjoying a little R&R in Olso

With the semester winding down I have found myself with more free time than I have been recently accustomed to, and I must say... I love it! I am sure things will get crazy again once I get the feedback on my thesis proposal... so I may as well enjoy it while it lasts. Anywayyyy we have been blessed with some really fantastic weather lately in southern Norway. Last week was warm enough to go swimming at Sognsvann, and although its gotten a bit colder since... it has hardly rained at all. Here are some photos from over the past week, hope you enjoy them.

Tvergastein - A New Interdisciplinary Journal of the Environment

For the past several months I have been collaborating with a group of other students from my masters program (as well as two students from UMB) on Tvergastein - a New Interdisciplinary Journal of the Environment.

Our mission is, firstly, to showcase the wide variety of work being done on environmental topics across the different academic disciplines. Secondly, we wish to help bridge the gap between academic scholarship and environmental activism.  Source: tvergastein.com

The first issue features contributions from several distinguished authors such as Dr. Vandana Shiva, professor Robyn Eckersley and professor David Rothenburg. It also includes a lengthy interview with professor Bruno Latour. I have also contributed an article titled "Ethical Oil: Greenwashing Canada´s Oil Sands?", as well as a couple illustrations and photographs.

The launch of our first issue was a great success and we are now preparing for the next issue!
The online edition of the journal is now available online on our website http://tvergastein.com

Tvergastein Editorial board and design team.

Message to my Norwegian friends, don't drop the ball on this!

Its true, Norway is truly one of the best places on earth to be a student. Tuition at public Universities and Colleges is free for both domestic and international students and although there are some problems regarding student housing and the high cost of living, over all the Norwegian state is extremely generous. 

Luckily for foreign students, Norway is in a unique position to afford such generosity. Thanks to oil and gas revenues, it’s one of Europe’s wealthiest countries, with a G.D.P. per capita (P.P.P.) of $54,600 in 2010, compared to Sweden’s $39,100 and Canada’s $39,400.¹

However if you are a student in Norway, and particularly if you are involved in student government or politics in general my message to you is do not get complacent. Regarding Norway's generous policy towards international students, Stig Arne Skjerven (director of academic affairs at Aalesund University College) warns that, "It might be changing for several reasons, there is already pressure on the system and the box has already been opened by Denmark and Sweden".²

Typical Norwegian student (sorry Ingerid!)

Over the past decade, more and more countries all over the world (and particularly in Europe) have began to shift towards tuition based models of education financing. In 2003 England introduced its so called "variable tuition fee act"; under this act Universities in England began to charge tuition fees of up to £3000 a year for its domestic students. Within a few years both Northern Ireland and  Wales had both adopted this system and in 2009 the £3000 tuition cap was raised to £3225.³ Furthermore, International students from outside of the European Union now pay tuition fees independently set by individual Universities . With youth unemployment numbers hitting record levels in Europe (and much of the world) this type of legislation essentially makes it impossible for most young people to get an education without incurring what is often insurmountable amounts of debt.

Beginning in 2011, Sweden began charging tuition fees to international students from outside the European Union. Given the current economic climate across the world, it is in a sense understandable that nations begin to institute such policy changes, however the benefits of such a system may be short lived and in the end make countries like Sweden less attractive to skilled migrants. Although these changes only effect non-EU students, one has to wonder how long it will be before countries such as Sweden transition to models which resembling the English variable tuition system.

Last years student protests in the United Kingdom and the ongoing student standoff in Quebec signify a growing frustration felt by students all over the world. Not only are the fewer jobs to be had, but the costs associated with even being considered eligible for employment continue to rise. 

While there has been no official comment by the Norwegian government regarding the possibility of introducing tuition for international or domestic students, it is imperative that student groups and activist organizations keep themselves informed regarding this issue. It is not paranoid for Norwegians to wonder how long education in Norway will remain tuition free for international students and its own citizens given global trends and the example set by countries such as England and Holland. 

While charging tuition to international students attending public institutions is obviously within the right of any state, consider the precedence such a decision entails. While access to free quality education is seen by most in Norway to be a right, it is important to remember that rights often require defending and that complacency is a rights worst enemy. 

References:

1 http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2011/10/24/foreigners-flock-to-norway-for-free-tuition/
2 http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?c=1&sectioncode=26&storycode=417752

3 http://www.studyineurope.eu/tuition-fees