Monday, March 8, 2010
Location: San Andres, Mexico

After arriving yesterday in San Andres, Tranquilino brought me to meet the Governor. He wasn’t at his office so we milled around for a bit and just as we were about to leave, an unshaven man in full Huichol dress appears. Tranquilino informs me this is the Governor and I relay a message to him from Rocio. I then explain to him that I have no idea why I’m here except that my heart has directed me. He smiles knowingly. I tell him, all in broken Spanish, that I’m a filmmaker, but that right now I’m here for personal reasons and I would like to stay to visit with his permission for a few days and return for Semana Santos celebration. I also tell him that I have an offering and I would like to meet with the Shaman of town because I feel my spirit and heart is broken and I need vision. He responds telling me many things that I don’t understand through the language barrier, but I understand enough to know that I am welcome and I can sleep at either his or Tranquilino’s house.

On the walk back to the van, Tranquilino explains I am welcome to park at his place, and I accept gratefully. I tell him I'd like to do some work in order to not indulge my personal sadness. He tells me there isn’t much work to do, except to go get some water.

It’s funny how water keeps coming back around… off we go in the van with giant Roto-Plas container to get water. After filling it, I spend to whole afternoon moving it by bucket from the container in my van (450L) to a neighbors container on the ground, then back to the original container now by Tranquilino’s house. It’s really an archaic and ridiculous process but I’m grateful for the work, and eventually it’s all back in one spot ready to use to flush toilets, bathe, and cook with.

peace,d