Umi Cafe

From the moutains, valleys and volcanoes of El Salvador.

Greetings Brothers and Sisters

It has been over a month since we left the Umi'verse, we are happy to be here and happy to miss you. We cannot express fully the countless experiences we have had during our journey, but best believe that we have carried all of you with us in our hearts, minds and intentions.

As many of you know, our trip has taken us to many different places, starting with Da Bronx (don´t you dare spell it with a TH!) visiting beloved cousins and nephews and visiting a very inspiring workers cooperative. They are the first worker owned cooperative that specializes in reclaiming building materials that would otherwise be sent to the landfills, repairing them, and selling them at a low cost so that everyone can realize their fundamental right to safe and sufficient housing. They were sprung up by the Green Worker Cooperatives, which are a group of cooperative developers focusing on eco- friendly community based projects in Da Bronx. This was a great start to our investigation as we realized the similarities of fledgeling cooperatives. Same love same souls, same vision.

From there we left the U.S.A to Mexico, landing in Canun, Quintana Roo, the center of leisure escapism. Fortunately, in our short one night stay in the city, we managed to avoid the hedenism and tourism that is rampant there and connect, by grace, with a cooperative of small- scale island businesses on nearby Isla de las Mujeres. There we met Captain Blackie Number One. A local member of the cooperative, a fisherman, scuba diver and an all around wise and wacky soul. There we shared a inspiring conversation fueled by countless rounds of Sol (national beer of Mexico) and a collective pot of love. The realities of Cancun were revealed and life was put into a calm and relaxed perspective.

From Cancun we travelled to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, where we would stay a magical 9 days in the belly of the mountains. Apart from being quite a cold city, it was filled with wonders, a plethora of restaurants and cafes, clubs, travellers and lots and lots of culture. The centre of a convergence between ancient and modern traditions, as well as being the birthplace of an idea that became UMI. A place which cannot be described in such few words. Lots of happiness, lots of sadness, lots of redemption, lots of despair, lots of strength, lots of struggle. We were reaffirmed in our belief that "Many worlds can exist in One world". We also visited Maya Vinic, the cooperative of coffee growers that brings to you our delicious Cafe La Reina Nichim and Cafe Alternatif. Our discussions ranged from cooperative structures, economic models and obstacles, the battle for markets, spirituality, cultural integration and community responsibility. Our bubble about cooperatives being synonymous with democracy was abruptly popped, as we came to realize that cooperatives are nothing if not flexible in their search for viability. Lots of questions came to mind, specially ones of principle versus neccessity and voluntarism versus duty. All in all, it was an enlightening experience in many ways.

Then, we dissapeared from reality, as we spent several days fueled by hammocks, natural splendor, nautical kingdoms and spiritual discovery. This period I cannot explain, you are just going to have to talk to us about it. Better yet, close your eyes and visit us now.

We then travelled to Xalapa, in the state of Veracruz, where we were witness to the wedding of the original Den Father and Mother, Diego and My-Lai. To say the least, the ceremony was divine, as was our time with them. They are custom for each other and we wish them the best of all the Universal blessings. We then bounced from Xalapa to Oaxaca, where we spent a glorious Christmas in the mountains outside of Oaxaca city, with our dear friends at a eco house and organic garden. From the peace and tranquility of sun bleached mountains, we relocated to Mexico City, where we spent too little time at the Digna Rabia conference hosted by the Zapatista movement. What we did witness, however, was essential to fuel for us dedicate ourselves in continuing the work and realizing the potential we have back home, at Umi, with all of you.

We write you from the last stop on our trip before we head back home, in Suchitoto, El Salvador, the heart of the resistence during the civil war. Here we´ve felt the warm embrace of family and continue to be inspired by the warmth, resilience, and happiness of this small, troubled but beautiful country. Most importantly to note, the external beauty that exists in Central America is clearly a reflection of the beauty that exudes from the people. While there is a lack of many things that we might consider essential in North America, there is an abundance of something else that we suspect might be lacking back in Canada. It is continually reaffirmed that our consumtion habits back home is our biggest blindspot and holds the largest consequence for the earth and all its inhabitants. We see now, clearer the ever, the trajectory of our purpose and the need for more community spaces that allow culture to be "birthed". A place where respect, justice and dignity are protected and love, compassion and art are nurtured. It is clearly a collective journey, with collective benefits and collective costs.

Despite the length of this, we have much more to share with all of you when we return home. We have missed you all dearly and look forward to being present with all of you again. We must work together, a call out to all our compañeras and compañeros, only in unity can we see and become the change that we all believe in, a move toward a time where all are included, all are held dear by our "Umi" earth.

Highest Regards,

Sergio and Erin