Introduction
I am an Anarcho-Capitalist. Seeking out freedom, turned my attention to a "fallen place" in Mexico, that I was not even aware of in the beginning of the year: Acapulco. Listening to a Podcast by the CryptoShow, I heard Jeff Berwick - @dollarvigilante - talk about Anarchapulco, a conference, created by him, for Anarchists all over the world. To gather, to share ideas, to "brave the future - and evacuate the state".
The quote that got me was:
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
― R. Buckminster Fuller (source)
Experiences with Anarchist Acapulqueños
Then I went to the conference - and really loved it.. I found an amazing person in Graeme, and made plans to come back as soon as possible to join the local community of pioneer anarchists - such as @lily-da-vine and @erikaharris.
Now I have been here a little over a week. Even though I have not met the two individuals above, the other people in the community I have met so far are not only super friendly and kind, they are also smart and seem to know a lot about life and (non-violent) communication.
Hanging out with Anarchists is easy. The Non-Aggression Principle is central in interactions - if you feel like doing something, do it; if you don't feel like it, don't. Why would it be any other way?
We played some poker the other night. Just a bunch of guys getting together, agreeing on terms and rules and then sitting down to play. No conflict about the winner. Even though there is no central authority enforcing the rules, the group has agreed voluntarily to honour them. So much more efficient than a state-monopoly. And these people know this! It's little things like this, that I especially appreciate.
The talks I have with the people here are incredibly valuable. I will write more detailed in the near future on Non-Violent Communication, however, I am just getting into it.
Everyday life
Since I have been here, I have not had a problem with the authorities. Admittedly, it has not been long yet, and who knows what will come, but I feel safe here. The neighborhood is outside of the Main Bay (where most of the party-life goes on), and not in the hills (where it gets dangerous, because of narcos). I see the same people every day, when I walk through the streets. I am starting to familiarise more with them, learn their names and some Spanish on the way.
Mi español no es tanto bueno, pero cada día apprendo algo más.
My Spanish is not that great, but everyday I am learning something new
(please correct if you are better than me, and I messed up ;).
Food
I try to keep a primal diet. It's kinda hard here, because just everything is served with tortillas - or some variation. Although, it has been a pleasure to just go off the rails, and venture into unchartered cusine-territory. The feeling you get when you order an item of the menu and have no idea what you are going to get. Mostly, I have not been let down.
For breakfast I usually order Huevos con jamón (eggs with ham) - or better yet con tocino (bacon). It's not expensive either. Today I went HAM - got a liter smoothie, coffee, tostada & a hotdog - and paid $123 pesos (roughly $6 US). Can't beat that.
Drawbacks
It's not all rosy. I don't want to withhold the bad from you. Just know, that these are the things that bother me most - otherwise, this place is a paradise.
- Flies and mosquitos -- My legs look like the face of a 15y/o.
- Gringo-bonus -- Face it, you usually pay more as a gringo.
- The heat -- Superhard to keep your concentration going, when you do not have an AC.
That list is not so long. I like it here!
Conclusion
The people you surround yourself with shape who you become. The community here in Acapulco is awesome so far - I think they we can really build something magnificent. It's all about the connection and recognition of value. We really can build a new system, that makes the old one obsolete.
The freedom is vast and the environment is beautiful. The food is good and cheap - so are the general costs of living.
Be who you want to be!
