\r\nSpring Equinox 2004 Global Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes\r\nBaja California Sur, México\r\nMarch 15-30 - 2004\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nIndigenous Peoples Prophecy\r\nWhen the Mother Earth is sick, and the animals dying, there will come a tribe of peoples from all \r\ncultures, who believe in deeds, not words, and they will restore the Mother Earth to her former \r\nbeauty.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nThis tribe will be called The Warriors of the Rainbow.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\n\r\nContacts:\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nrainbow2004mexico@cloud-busters.com <\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@myway.com <\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@yahoo.com <\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@excite.com <\/p>
\r\n\r\n<\/p>
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\r\n\r\nTable of Contents\r\n<\/p>
\r\nGathering Invitation\r\n<\/p>
\r\nGeneral Cover Letter\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe Eco-Village Project (Rainbow Peace Village)\r\n<\/p>
\r\nSite Scouting Details & Project Sum Up\r\n<\/p>
\r\nDriving Directions & Entry Requirements Into Mexico\r\n<\/p>
\r\nMagic Hat\r\n<\/p>
\r\n<\/p>
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\r\n\r\nGathering Invitation\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe invite all peoples, groups and organizations, active today in the fulfilling of the Warriors of the Rainbow \r\nProphecy, to attend the Spring Equinox Global Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes. We gather to give honour to the \r\nMother Earth and all life forms upon her, as well as to honour and give respect for all those living and departed \r\nwho have given to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of nature. We gather in one of the great \r\ncathedrals of nature, Baja California Sur, Mexico and by the Sea of Cortez\/Gulf of California, the most biologically \r\ndiverse body of water on earth.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe gather in the County of La Paz (The Peace) to give honour and respect to all of Mother Earth's people(s) \r\nin their ongoing efforts to help foster peace on earth in these difficult times. We realize that only in peace can we \r\nfulfil the Prophecy of The Warriors of the Rainbow, which brings us to gather. We gather here to give respect to \r\nthe local population that has learned to live with one another and develop a culture of peace. We gather in Baja \r\nCalifornia Sur where a profoundly rich bio-diversity remains largely intact so that we may experience natural \r\nbalance and be one with it. \r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe gather here to celebrate the rejuvenation of the Grey Whale which has come back from the brink of \r\nextinction thanks to the local and worldwide efforts of true Rainbow Warriors, who continue to support the \r\npreservation and restoration of many bio-regions and species, and to further planetary awareness of endangered \r\nsea turtle species, the majority of which frequent our area and give birth from their nests on our shores.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nWe gather to help further ongoing efforts to recognize the absolute need to preserve the Gulf of \r\nCalifornia\/Sea of Cortez which is inhabited, or visited by, 64% of all marine life forms and is essential to the \r\nrestoration of these species worldwide. It is truly \"The Aquarium of the World\" and deserves the assistance of all \r\ntrue Warriors of the Rainbow.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe gather here to demonstrate that our contribution's to the local economy makes it economically viable to \r\npreserve species, rather than harvest them into extinction for short-term financial profits. \r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe request that all people actively involved in worldwide environmental and peace projects, who can attend, \r\nbring presentations of their projects to share. That all alternative media sources record and report their findings \r\nfor dissemination worldwide so that we may demonstrate positive viable alternatives to use as models for \r\nenhanced efforts and encourage all peoples to join in. We realize that most people would like to help but don't \r\nhave positive models to work from and often feel alone, and powerless, as a result.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe request that all Rainbow Peace Fleet and other ecologically oriented sailing projects bring their vessels, \r\nwhere possible, for the Baja California Peninsula has thousands of kilometres of coastline and sailing \r\nworkshops\/studies would greatly enhance gathering participants awareness of the marine wonders of the region \r\nand further encourage it's preservation. La Paz has two of the finest Marine Biology Institutes in Latin America and \r\nwe will seek their assistance in teach-ins at the Gathering site and aboard our vessels. We also encourage all \r\nMarine Biology Institutions worldwide to participate in this effort.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nWe request that all who choose to attend honour 33 years of Rainbow Consensus (all those participating in \r\nevents and projects) that we as a whole maintain the stance that gatherings are a-political and a-religious in \r\nnature. This Consensus agreement stands so that we do not alienate each other thru disagreements in such \r\nphilosophies, which have divided the peoples and cultures of the world. Our efforts remain that of saving the \r\nMother Earth and all life forms upon her. We honour all peaceful beliefs, but realize that a dead planet will allow \r\nnone to exist. In saving the Mother Earth, which provides for us all, we gather and remain united.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nWe gather to endorse world peace on all levels and are totally united behind all efforts to remove \r\nimpediments to peace and the restoration of all human, and the natural world's, rights. We recognize that war, the \r\ndeaths of innocents and the destruction of environments, by whomever, cannot be justified. We fully realize the \r\nmagnitude of these problems in the world today and take it upon ourselves to find and provide the solutions.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nIn accordance with 33 years of consensus throughout the worldwide Rainbow Network we have no leaders \r\nand each individual is responsible for their actions and deeds. We call upon all Warriors of the Rainbow to assist \r\nwherever possible and endorse the rights of all people(s) to fulfil the Prophecy of the Warriors of the Rainbow. All \r\npeaceful and environmentally responsible actions in support of all human and natural rights are the actions of true \r\nRainbow Warriors. Any actions, by whomever, which persecutes people and groups for exercising their \r\nresponsibilities as Warriors of the Rainbow is in violation of the rights of all and as such those being oppressed \r\ndeserve the support of the whole.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nWe gather from our many places and myriad of efforts to get to know one another and wherever possible to \r\ncoordinate our local\/regional efforts to benefit the global whole. To share proven models which may be applicable \r\nin other places and projects, or can be modified to suit different environmental, cultural and social factors. We \r\ngather to help create alternatives to failed systems which have contributed to (or are the roots of) ecological \r\ndegradation and untold damages to all species, including the total extinction of many. To find whatever means \r\npossible to restore ecological balances worldwide, perhaps by relocating kindred species from healthy populations \r\nwhich are compatible with surviving species so as not to further damage degraded eco-systems.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nWe would greatly appreciate the participation of experts in all fields of the natural sciences so that totally \r\nintegrated models may be developed for the restoration of all known bioregions. Even here in Baja California Sur, \r\none of the world's least populated and most pristine ecological environments we have suffered setbacks and the \r\nloss of endemic species, as well as the endangerment of others, not to mention to the amazing diversity of \r\nmigratory species which frequent our region. The latter clearly demonstrates that no bioregion is immune from \r\necological damages all along various species migratory paths. \"Think globally so that we may act, responsibly, \r\nlocally\" should be this Gathering's motto and for that we need expertise from around the world.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nFor those who will be attending this event as their first Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes, these gatherings are \r\nall in natural settings. Come prepared to camp in nature on the site proper. A secondary camp is set up at Bus \r\nVillage, for all self-contained motor homes, and is within easy hiking distance to the actual gathering's central \r\narea. As we will be by the sea a safe anchorage will be established for a Fleet Village\r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nBecause of the limitations in ferry service from mainland Mexico we ask, whenever feasible, that vehicles \r\nroute themselves down the Baja California Peninsula (which we might add has some great whale watching \r\nopportunities along the way). \r\n<\/p>
\r\n \r\nWe would also ask that all participants show respect for the local customs and people. A good guidebook for \r\nBaja California, including its customs is, Moon Handbooks \"Baja-Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas\". We normally do not \r\nendorse any commercial products but since this is Baja's first major Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes we feel \r\nobliged to make sure all participants show courtesy and respect for the local populous' customs and this book is \r\nthe best we've found in that area of knowledge, and is more in depth than we can include in this invitation.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe must add that Bajacalifornianos (local folks) are as friendly and respectful as any populous on earth so \r\nyou'll fit quite well into the local culture by showing your friendliness, courteousness and respect.\r\n <\/p>
\r\nWe respectfully request that all recipients of this invitation copy, translate where necessary, and share it \r\nthroughout your networks and via regional-global alternative media sources. \r\n <\/p>
\r\nWe particularly, and out of the deepest respect, invite all indigenous peoples whose prophecies gave birth to \r\ntoday's Warriors of the Rainbow.\r\n\r\n<\/p>
\r\nNote: Weapons, drugs and alcohol are totally inappropriate at this event.\r\n\r\n<\/p>
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\r\nGeneral Cover Letter\r\n <\/p>
\r\nAttached is your invitation to the Spring Equinox 2004 Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes, to take place in the \r\nCounty of La Paz (The Peace), Baja California Sur, Mexico. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nRainbow Gatherings are always held in a natural setting requiring that all participants come prepared to \r\ncamp. Many groups planning to attend and do presentations of their efforts find it conducive to plan their camp \r\nahead of time so that all their needs are met and their efforts can focus on events, workshops, councils, etc. they \r\nwill bring to share. Such camps are always listed on the site map, bulletin boards and announced at all General \r\nCouncils and events. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nGenerally speaking, all materials required to put camps and presentations together can be obtained in the La \r\nPaz area. Personal camping gear is usually brought in and larger, less portable materials purchased (or sometimes \r\ndonated) locally. Our volunteers will strive to compile a map with sources for all needs, with a focus on businesses \r\nthat show support for the Gathering. We will also request that all listed businesses offer a 10% discount to \r\nGathering participants and donate 5% of profits to ecological and peace projects in their bio-region. \r\n <\/p>
\r\nWe expect about 25,000 people and this requires A LOT of advance preparation, essentially setting in place a \r\necologically sound infra-structure for a good sized town. We anticipate having 200-300 local volunteers working on \r\nall advance preparations. An example is primary site preparation will require that we identify ecologically sensitive \r\nareas on site and set them aside as non-use areas, then preparing general use areas. The latter requires that any \r\narea to be impacted be cleared of any plants, etc., which are preserved for replanting in their original locations \r\nafter the Gathering. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nBasic, but complete, sanitation systems need to be put in place at each designated camping area. Each must \r\nhave community kitchens, common meeting areas, first aid stations, bathing facilities, child care centre, \r\nemergency services centre, booths for presentations, stage area, etc., etc., etc\r\n<\/p>
\r\nOur networking council will be working overtime to insure that ALL environmental and peace efforts worldwide \r\nare invited. All schools of higher learning with Natural Sciences departments, as well as all projects actively \r\ninvolved in the application of such, will be invited. All alternative media sources will be encouraged to utilize their \r\nnetworks to further extend the invitation. A seemingly endless list is being researched and all efforts compatible \r\nwith the Gathering's purposes will receive invitations. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nSupply lines need to be put into place to insure all Gathering needs are met and that the General Fund (Magic \r\nHat) is used wisely to accomplish the most with the least.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAll these, and much more, require a significant amount of seed funding and we ask all people and groups to \r\nhelp with advance funding needs. The Gatherings themselves are free of change and depend totally on donations \r\nfrom participants and all those who support the purposes of the event. Please help us help make your Gathering a \r\nsuccess by contributing to the advance cost needs.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAdditionally we seek letters of endorsement from all groups and individuals planning to attend, and outlines of \r\nany workshops and presentations to be made during the Gathering. It would help us to know approximately how \r\nmany people your group will have, if a designated camping area is needed and what, if any, special needs there \r\nare. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe depend completely on volunteers to set up this event and largely those come from local\/regional \r\necological and peace groups. We, of course, welcome volunteers from all regions, and liaisons with their \r\ngroups\/organizations. We also encourage groups in all regions to focalise their regional participation in this event \r\nand will coordinate our primary communications efforts to refer people to their local focalizers wherever \r\nappropriate. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe further realize that some participants require housing off site due to medical, communications and other \r\nneeds. The Gathering region has a fair number of hotels-hostels, etc. and our volunteers will compile a listing of all \r\nsuch resources and try to get preferred rates for Gathering participants. Some groups require off site conference \r\nfacilities for focused projects and events, which are then coordinated with other groups\/efforts on site. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nOur volunteers will do all they can to help facilitate such needs if they have your group's needs and budget \r\nrequirements. Due to the large turnout expected we will also try to find host families and groups to make \r\nthemselves available as needed.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nLocal volunteers can inevitably get better rates and the funds you save can be applied to the purposes of the \r\nGathering. We will encourage local\/regional eco-projects to offer tours of their efforts so that first hand knowledge \r\ncan be shared and you can directly help these efforts.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nFor those in more affluent countries, please remember that the wages in this country start at about $4.00 (U.S.) \r\na day and even considering that the Baja is more affluent than average we are working from an extremely \r\ndisadvantaged local funding base and need all the help we can get in preparing and carrying out this Gathering. \r\nPlease donate as generously a possible in advance. Once the Gathering itself officially starts the Magic Hat can \r\nprovide via direct contributions. Early letters of endorsement are very important to help smooth the way so please \r\nget those to us as soon as possible. \r\n<\/p>
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\r\nEco-Village Project (Rainbow Peace Village)\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\r\nOur site and the follow-up village land is a 4,000 acre ranch, with the possibility of the adjoining 4,000 acres \r\nbeing added to the Eco-village Project. The area is relatively remote, being about 60 kilometers from the City of \r\nLa Paz, with the last 30 kilometers being a dirt road passing through the property(s). The area is incredibly \r\nbeautiful with a backdrop of the shear walls and canyons of the Sierra Gigante to the north. These are desert \r\nmountains similar to the U.S. Southwest. From the mountains south extends a fertile plain all the way to the Gulf \r\nof California\/Sea of Cortez and outer Bay of La Paz (one of the great bays of the world), with the Espiritu Santos \r\nIsland group on the horizon and Isla San Jose around the point (Punto Coyote).\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe property itself is covered with a Cardon Cactus forest, with a large variety of other cactus species and a \r\nprofoundly diverse flora and fauna population representing most of the species found at the lower elevations of \r\nthe Southern Baja California Peninsula. This desert area is one of the unique green zones of the coastal area, due \r\nto a large aquifer resulting from the mountain run-off during rainy season and a vast network of subterrainian \r\nwaterways constantly feeding the aquifer from the Sierra Gigante. This results in one of the healthiest cactus \r\npopulations in the State, which is also aided by an abundence of natural phosphates and other natural minerals \r\nwhich makes the area extremely fertile. It's locally said that all you need is seeds and a little water and anything \r\nwill grow well here that grows in any similar environment\/eco-systems.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nScattered throughout the plain are spectacular desert mountain formations similar to the Canyonlands of Utah and \r\nthe U.S. Southwest. The region is know as \"The Cathedrals\" as a result and their beauty rivels even the most \r\nspectactular mesas and sculpted mountains anywhere on earth, with the unique aspect of the green fertile plain \r\nstretching out all around the eastern and western edges of the site and the Gulf of California\/Sea of Cortez – Bay \r\nof La Paz stretching along the full southern edge. The beaches are primarily rock type, with a few fairly large dark \r\nsandy beaches interspersed along the coast. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe site completely covers all the land from the mountains to the sea on it's north-south axis, extending east to \r\nnear Punta Coyote\/Coyote Point (there's one other 4,000 ranch site, which is not used and may be available for \r\npurchase, in between), after which the dirt road proceeds across the mountains to beaches and small bays \r\nbeyond, on the other side of the mountains. To the west are some other properties and farther on the now \r\nabandoned town of San Juan de la Costa which was a phosphate mining town until two years ago when it's docks \r\nwere destroyed by a hurricane. Between that and environmental concerns about the mine, the mine has been \r\npermanently closed.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nOther than a few ranches and fishing camps, that entire side of the Bay of La Paz is an unpopulated region and a \r\nprime area to set up Eco-Reserves centered throughout the site(s) proper of our Eco-village Project and beyond if \r\nwe can get the support of such groups as The Nature Conservancy (several of who's local members are working \r\nwith us) and others who raise funds to purchase such areas for permanent Eco-Reserves. These same groups just \r\nrecently purchased all private rights to the Espiritu Santos Island Group and established them as a permanent \r\nEcological Reserve administered by the government, with oversight by the sponsoring groups. Since our site \r\ndirectly faces these islands the area is perfect to extend the reserve to the mainland Baja Peninsula side of the Bay \r\nof La Paz.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nA large section the the Eco-village site is slated to become the Baja Jardin (Baja Garden) Project, to be held intact \r\nand used to educate people about the flora and fauna of the region, it's many uses as natural food and medicinal \r\nplants, the use of it's fibers for fabrics and paper uses, etc. It well also educate people about each facit of the web \r\nof life, with all parts being essential to maintain healthy natural balances between all the species endemic to this \r\nregion. We intend to create cottage industries, based upon sustainable harvest methods, that will produce natural \r\nherbal medicines, foods and other products from the indigenous resources of the area. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nThese will help to support the project as a whole and also a Wholistic Healing Center (C.A.L.M. = Center for \r\nAlternative Living Medicine), where we hope to incorporate all alternative healing processes: to meet the villages \r\nhealth needs; to provide those services to the local communities; to be a school of learning and sharing what we \r\nlearn with the Global Network of Eco-villages and Wholistic Healing Centers, as well as interacting with other such \r\ncenters worldwide so that a Planetary Wholistic Research Network can share our combined resources with \r\nanybody needing these services.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nBecause we have the reality of the need for energy sources, another aspect of the Village will be the founding of \r\nan Alternative Energy Research and Application(s) Center. This region is idea for: Solar Energy, as we have 350 \r\ndays a year of sunshine on average; Wind Energy, as there are almost continuous breezes\/winds year round, Tidal \r\nEnergy, as we are by the sea and can use the tides to power aqua-turbines, etc. We hope to incorporate all known \r\nalternative energy sources, besides those mentioned, into our Research and Development Projects. We also hope \r\nto produce actual working models as another cottage industry to support the Eco-village and the Alternative \r\nEnergy Research and Application(s) Center and market those throughout the world and are particularly interested \r\nin providing the Global Network of Eco-villages with applicable alternative energy sources to meet their needs and \r\nto serve a working models that folks in all regions can see applied so that they can consider applying the \r\nalternatives in their homes and businesses, and have sources to obtain them locally.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nOf course the Eco-village will have organic farming\/gardening to supply the village and also to sell to the local, and \r\npossibly the export, market(s). We also have a large Natural Seed Bank source in our State available to supply our \r\nefforts with all known tropical and sub-tropical plant species and will create a sister Botanical Garden of that \r\nprojects efforts, which currantly consist of about 40 acres in the town of La Ribera that is at the southern end of \r\nLa Paz County. We are also inviting all organic farming\/gardening projects worldwide to come to the Gathering \r\nand assist with the Eco-village Project's needs in that area and will include the best we can find (and that is \r\napplicable to the climate and terrain here) in order to create the most balanced production techiques possible.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAnother aspect of the Eco-village will be an Arts Center (Artist for Peace) to include all artistic mediums, i.e. Fine \r\nArts, Music, Theater, Dance, Literature, Crafts, etc., with all productions geared toward raising local, regional and \r\nglobal awareness toward fulfilling the Prophecy of the Warriors of the Rainbow and returning the world to a \r\nnatural balance that respects all living species and teaches how each is essential in the web of life. It will be a \r\nCultural Center available to the global network and encourage cultural exchanges with all groups worldwide.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nA Multi-Media Center Project will also be a major focus since one of this project's goals will be to have open lines \r\nof communications on a worldwide level in order to share all that we (all groups associated with our network \r\nincluded) learn works and to create productions aimed at raising global awareness of environmental needs around \r\nthe world. We will particularly encourage Eco-villages in all regions to become intregral parts of this by including \r\ntheir projects efforts and successes in various media presentations, as well as any products they produce to help \r\nraise funding for their ongoing efforts\/projects.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nBecause our project does sit on the Gulf of California\/Sea of Cortez, the most biologically diverse body of water on \r\nearth, a major focus of our project will be the preserving of this precious natural resource. A major aspect of that \r\nwill be to create Eco-tourism projects that not only offer tours of the area, but educates all participants about all \r\nforms of marine life and the fact that it is essential to protect this bio-region as it can re-supply depleted species in \r\necological damaged regions worldwide. The Gulf of California\/Sea of Cortez is inhabited by 64% of all known \r\nmarine species and well deserves it's title as \"The aquarium of the World\".\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe are also blessed with having two of the most respected Marine Biology Institutes in Latin America and they are \r\naffiliated with most of the worlds counterparts, so we have available highly trained and knowledgable professionals \r\nwho can assist our efforts. The governmental environmental agencies here are also very good, but they are \r\nunderstaffed, underfunded and underequipped to handle the needs, so we hope our efforts and resources \r\n(between Eco-tourism and Rainbow Peace Fleet activities) will be able to assist in protecting the sea from illegal \r\ncommercial fishing practices which are now a near continual threat to the marine life in this region. If this sea's \r\nmarine life forms are depleted it will have a major negative ecological impact on marine species throughout the \r\nEastern Pacific Rim Region and beyond, for it is the major spawning grounds for all the species that inhabit this \r\nregion. The majority of which are migratory and those migrations extend throughout the North and South \r\nAmerican Pacific Coast region(s) and are essential for the chain of marine life forms. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe same also applies for the terrestial life forms in the Baja California Peninsula, which is one of the least \r\npopulated and most ecologically pristine areas on earth. This Peninsula has several U.N. recognized World \r\nHeritage Bio-Reserves and an incredible bio-diversity of flora and fuana species, many endemic to this region and \r\nonly found here. Many being endangered species in great need of protection. Our Eco-village will be networking \r\nwith all environmental projects in this region (and beyond) and part of our Eco-tourism activities will be to provide \r\ntours of these projects to educate participants, and hopefully find ways that they can provide hands on \r\nassistance, as well as ongoing funding for these efforts.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe Eco-village itself will have no transportation means that pollute and it's only road passing through it will be the \r\nsole area where moter vehicles will be allowed for delivery of goods, and for our neighbors to have right of way to \r\ntheir ranches, homes and fishing camps. We are predominately looking at utilizing horses, burros, bicycles and \r\nevently alternatively powered vehicles that are terrain friendly. Of course the dominate means of travel \r\nthroughout the village will be by foot, although due to the vast expanses of land we have available, and the need \r\nto transport supplies to far flung areas, we will need to utilize other transportation methods. Largely this can be \r\naccomplished utilizing existing trails and dried stream\/river beds (in dry season) to move supplies and people \r\nabout the site.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAt present we are considering having 20 - 50 acre sites for each project groups efforts and housing for the \r\nparticipants involved. Although there will be a Community Center Area, the village will be largely disbursed \r\nthroughout the site so as not to impact any one area beyond it's ecologial capacity to sustain natural balances. We \r\nwould like to see all dwellings and group project structures built into the earth and hills\/mountains so that we \r\ncreate a minimal impact on other species, and at the same time have natural earth\/stone insulation that will \r\nminimize the need for use energy for heating and cooling of structures. That will also minimize visual disturbances \r\nof the natural landscape and hopefully when visitors view the site they will not even see any man made structures. \r\nWe will also utilize natural plants to further conceal the exposed faces of the structures, which will provide more \r\nprivacy for the occupants.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nIn addition to all those things we would like to use our village as an alternative learning center for locals,with \r\nclasses featuring every aspect of what the village has available to share. We would particularly like to focus on the \r\nchildren, for they are the future and it will be their world that we're creating positive alternatives for.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nTo do all these things we certainly need the assistance of others who already have positive working models within \r\ntheir Eco-villages that we can learn from. We hope to include all such models (as is, or in modified versions to fit \r\nthe local ecology and social\/cultural considerations), which is why your project(s) is receiving this presentation and \r\ninvitation to come join in helping this project reach it's goals. As our principle reason to exist is the fulfilling of the \r\nProphecy of the Warriors of the Rainbow, the Gathering, which will kick off the Eco-village Project, is focusing on \r\nsending the invitations and updates to those folks we know, from what they're doing, are creating the \"deeds, \r\nnot words\" that the Prophecy mandates to qualify was being true Warriors of the Rainbow. This is why your \r\nproject is receiving this communication and we hope that you will respond favorably and attend the Gathering with \r\nworkshops and displays\/models of whatever you found has worked in the creation of your Eco-villages.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe, of course, realize that for most it would be impractical to bring all your project's participants, but would hope \r\nthat you send a representative Council to represent your efforts and be one with us in this effort.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThank you for taking your time to read this and understand what we are trying to do. We hope that it leads to a \r\nlong and mutually prosperous relationship in the years to come.\r\n<\/p>
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\r\nSite Scouting Details & Project Sum Up\r\n<\/p>
\r\n<\/p>
\r\nDecember 24, 2003.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe scouting of the site last Sunday was certainly a delight, if for no other reason than it's shear beauty.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe area slated for the Gathering and Eco-village is in a region known as \"The Cathedrals\". For those of \r\nyou who may know the Canyon lands of Utah, or who have seen pictures of it, imagine the same kind of \r\nmajestic rock formations backed by the shear rock walls of the Sierra Gigante mountains that border the \r\n4,000 acre site (with an adjoining 4,000 acres available). Then place a vast fertile green plain with a forest \r\nof cactus' and flora common to this region, on that many stunning buttes and mesas interlaced throughout. \r\nThen throw in the Bay of La Paz and Gulf of California\/Sea of Cortez, with some of the most beautiful \r\nislands in the Gulf\/Sea on the horizon. That's the site and one could easily say it's at least a beautiful as \r\nany Gathering site has ever been. And add to that that there's an abundant aquifer with more than enough \r\nwater to support whatever we wish to do there.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe drive is must be taken slowly once the pavement ends and due to a major hurricane a few months ago \r\nthere's some major detours to navigate around parts of the road that were washed out. All the by-passes \r\nare already in place and we hope that they will be further improved between now and Gathering time, \r\nthough with care the existing detours and careful driving will allow anybody with a reasonably good \r\nfunctioning vehicle to get into the site. It's not that far from the City of La Paz, but road conditions means \r\nit's takes some time. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nOur scouting trip started at 9:30 AM and we transversed the route past the site to Punto Coyote (just a few \r\nmiles past) and returned, spending a couple of hours walking a small segment of the site, assessing the \r\nconditions and appreciating the incredible beauty.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nBecause we're going into the dry season here and that will last on past Gathering time, we determined that \r\nwe need to tap a couple of wells to insure adequate water supplies for the Gathering and those will also be \r\nused to help support Eco-village's needs when the Gathering is over and we move into creating that \r\nproject. The wells will be fairly shallow due to the abundance of close to the surface underground water \r\nsources in the area and will utilize solar electric pumps for extraction. This will also allow us to better \r\nprotect the water sources and insure that no external contamination will affect the water supplies.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThere are about 15 miles of waterfront bordering the two land parcels we have access to and those are \r\nmostly composed of rocky beaches, with some dark sand beaches scattered throughout.\r\n <\/p>
\r\nOn site we do not need to establish any trails as between dry river\/steam beds and animal trails that exist \r\nwe can pretty much transverse most of the site. There are also ample areas cleared by the floods that \r\noccurred after the hurricane so that there are ample sandy areas already cleared for camping sites and \r\nlarge community areas. If we stick to using those the Gathering clean-up will be very easy and mostly just \r\nmaking sure no litter has been left behind (so, for those coming, make sure you plan on taking any litter \r\nyou create out with you and make everybody who stays for clean-up and the Eco-village Project happy).\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThere are also some great areas for a Bus Village (for self contained motor homes) and of course ample \r\nanchorages for Peace Fleet vessels. Those who have water vessels like kayaks, small sailing vessels, etc. \r\nwould be well advised to bring them with you for there's to many beautiful places that require water \r\ntransport to get to and you'll want to visit them. The same applies for snorkeling and diving gear, wind\/kite \r\nsurfers (there's great breezes for those here in March), etc.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nOf course the site is also an ideal place for those who'd want to bring their horses and some of the locals \r\nwould be glad to rent horses to you too. The Eco-village will have horses for transiting the site and they will \r\nprobably comprise the majority of transport around the village (besides by foot). Bicycles will also be a \r\nmain means of transport. The site is vast and the canyon lands throughout the adjoining Sierra Gigantes \r\noffer endless exploring possibilities as well.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe Eco-village Project would particularly like to invite folks from any existing Eco-villages to come and \r\nshare all the things that have worked well with your project(s) and which we might use (as is, or in \r\nmodified forms) to help create this Eco-village Project. We'd like to incorporate the best of all such projects \r\ninto a shining example of how we can all live in harmony with nature and still be able to support our efforts \r\non the material level.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nA large section of the site is to be set aside for the Baja Garden Project, which will be dedicated to \r\neducating folks about all the plants in this, their use as food sources and their medicinal uses. We would \r\nalso like to sustainably harvest medicinal plants for extracts as a cottage industry and to support the \r\nvillage's Wholistic Healing Center with both and funding.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe also plan to establish an Alternative Energy Research and Development Project that will supply the \r\nmeans to provide energy for the village and create products to market as another means of support for \r\nthat specific project and the village as a whole. This area is ideal for solar (we get 350 days a year of sun, \r\non average) and is famed for it's daily winds\/breezes so that wind energy is another obvious option to \r\npursue. Of course we will not exclude any viable and environmentally friendly alternative energy sources in \r\nthe research end of things and no doubt working models will be set up of a myriad of applicable energy \r\nsources.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe hope to create all dwellings and other necessary structures so that they blend into the terrain and \r\nindeed will be putting most into the earth\/hills\/mountainsides, with only the entrance visible (and likely \r\nthose will have vegetation barriers that further obscure the entrances). Ideally you would not even see the \r\nvillage structures without very careful observation and all trails into them would blend into the overall \r\nterrain and vegetation.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThere is one dirt road transversing the site closer to the sea and that is very little used, since there are only \r\na few ranchos and fishing camps past the land and very few tourist even know about the area. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nBecause we want to be able to share all that we're doing and essentially become a model Eco-village, we \r\nwant to establish a Multi-Media Center that will connect the Eco-village with all points earth and share \r\nwhatever we've learned so that other existing Eco-villages (and ones to come into existence) can tap our \r\nefforts to help further theirs. We would hope to help establish a strong global network where we all share \r\nour successes and make them available to everybody in need of whatever we've learned works well.\r\n <\/p>
\r\nWe, of course, want to also create a Center for the Arts that will be both a place to learn and also a \r\nresource to earn funding to support that project and the village as a whole (not to mention beautifying and \r\nentertaining as well). We would like to extend a warm welcome to all artists working in all mediums, for art \r\nis culture and we hope our village becomes a Cultural Center for the world to benefit from.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe would also like to create an environmentally friendly Organic Farming\/Gardening Center utilizing the \r\nbest methods we can find for sustainable production that complements the natural food sources available \r\nin the region. Indeed, it would hopefully enrich the lands even more, though the site is already rich in \r\nnatural phosphates and other minerals. Here they say you only need the seeds and a little water for life to \r\nbloom in abundance and supply all your needs. It is a incredibly fertile land and you need only witness the \r\nfirst rains of the season to, literally, see the desert bloom before your eyes into an explosion of life and \r\ncolors. And the site is one of the most blessed in the Baja that way, thanks to the run-off from the \r\nmountains and great reserves of underground water sources.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe also plan to establish (and utilize existing) Eco-Tourism businesses that would show people the \r\nwonders of the region and educate them so that they understand the need to preserve the Eco-system \r\nand how we can do that. The Baja Peninsula is one of the least impacted Eco-systems in the world and \r\nwe'd like to keep it that way, instead of letting tourist resorts over run the region and reek ecological havoc \r\nthat will destroy the ecological wonders found only here and within the Gulf of California\/Sea of Cortez Bio-\r\nregion. The Bio-diversity in this region is amazing and could be used to replenish exhausted regions with \r\nkindred species that badly need such help.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n\tThat's a brief synopsis of the progress and plans for the Gathering and Eco- village here and we hope those \r\nWarriors of the Rainbow, into \"deeds, not words\", who are looking for a Gathering and Eco-village of like \r\nminded folks into creating the realities will come join us in this effort to fulfill the consensus agreements \r\nthat have been reached over the past 33 years of Rainbow Gatherings and Peace Projects efforts. This is a \r\nGathering for true Warriors of the Rainbow and the Prophecy is our guidelines.\r\n<\/p>
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\r\nDriving Directions & Entry Requirements Into Mexico\r\n<\/p>
\r\nLet me start this by saying, Welcome Home to THE FREE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO, to it's Land Apart the BAJA \r\nCALIFORNIA PENINSULA and to The Land of Dreams: LA PAZ (THE PEACE) COUNTY, BAJA \r\nCALIFORNIA SUR.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe folks coming down to the Spring Equinox 2004 Global Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes and Eco-Village \r\nProject(s) will be coming down Highway 1, all the way from Tijuana to La Paz (about a 22 – 24 hour drive). For \r\nthose who wish to avoid the big city of Tijuana they would be best advised to enter through Tecate, about a half \r\nhour from San Diego (east) on old U.S Highway 94, and if you're coming from the east you exit Interstate 5 near \r\nJacumba and go west on U.S. 94 to the Tecate crossing. From there take Highway 3 to Ensenada (El Sauzal, just \r\nnorth of Ensenada) and connect with Highway 1 south from there. If your coming from the east (on U.S. \r\nInterstate 5) you could opt to enter through the Calexico\/Mexicali and then Higway 2 west to Tecate, then south \r\non Highway 3. Once you're on Highway 1 south it's a straight shot to here.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nFirst of all, the immediate Border Zone has no papers requirement as it's a Free Zone until you reach the \r\nEnsenada area where it changes and you're expected to have a Tourist Card (really a Tourist Paper) when you're \r\nheaded further south of there.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nYou can pick up a Tourist Card at any Border Crossing point, but you pretty much have to pull in yourself as \r\nthere's no manditory stop unless you have commercial products that you'll be selling in Mexico. It's all really \r\noptional at that point. You're required to have either a: Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, or Voters \r\nRegistration Card and have to have at least one (better more) piece of official photo I.D. (Drivers License, State \r\nI.D. Card, etc.). They may be ask for your Passport, but as far as I know that's not a real requirement, unless they \r\nrecently changed the rules. If you have a Passport just show it and if you don't, play the dumb gringo going on \r\nvacation who didn't hear about a new rule change, but you still have the other required I.D. and it's all \r\ngovernment issued official I.D. (plus student cards, library cards or whatever else you have). You'll be issued a \r\nTourist Card that cost $20.00, but you don't pay that at the Immigration Office, you take it to any bank and pay \r\nfor it and they stamp the fee paid.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nYou're next chance to get a Tourist Card is on the highway (not directly on the toll road if you take that) before \r\nEnsenada. But there again you have to voluntarily pull into the Immigration check point as it's not a manditory \r\nstop for all vehicles (there's a lot of just local traffic). There is a notice on the Toll Road but you have to look for it \r\nand turn off to the check point. It's the same routine as above except that offically you're supposed to have a \r\nTourist Card from that point south.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nIf you still haven't gotten your Tourist Card and you're south of the checkpoint, you'll go all the way to Guerrero \r\nNegro, just inside the Baja California Sur State Border, before the next checkpoint and even then there may be no \r\nImmigration Folks there (they are sometimes, and sometimes not). If there's Immigration Folks at that checkpoint \r\nthey'll ask for your Tourist Card and if you don't have it they'll tell you you should have gotten it up north, ask you \r\nwhere you're going and why (tell them you're on vacation), ask for your regular I.D. and then issue you the \r\nTourist Card. If it's past banking hours (or even if they're still open) you can just head south with the card and pay \r\nthe fee at any bank along the way. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nIf you still haven't gotten the Tourist Card you'll be going all the way to just north of La Paz, where again there's \r\nsometimes Immigration Folks and sometimes not. It'll be the same routine as Guerrero Negro, so you just come \r\non into La Paz and do the bank trip here, though in all likelyhood the Immigration's at that last check point will \r\njust tell you to go to the I.N.M. (Immigrations = Institute National of Migrations) and get your Tourist Card there.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nNow for those who have read this far, always ask for the full 180 day ( 6 months) maximum on your Tourist Card, \r\nso that if you want to stay longer you can without having to go back to Immigrations and have the time added, \r\nwhich doesn't cost more but can be inconvenient. Plus with a 6 month Tourist Card you can go back to the States \r\nand come back in without having to get a new Tourist Card every time during that 6 month period, and save \r\nyourself another $20.00.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThere is no requirement for cars coming into the Baja, other than they check the Auto box on you Tourist Card if \r\nyou come with an Auto. You're expected to leave the country with your car when you leave, but it can be legally \r\nimported here too.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWell that's the info on all that and none of it is any kind of big deal or hassle, just easier than normal entry into \r\nany foreign country as the entire Baja is classified a Frontier Zone and as much more lax laws than going down \r\nthe Mainland of Mexico.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAdditionally, if your car\/vehicle breaks down on the highway somewhere outside of any town just hang out and \r\nwait for the Green Angels (Mexico's free version of AAA, but better as they are machanics and fix your car free of \r\nlabor cost, you just pay for the parts) who'll be along within a few hours and get you going again. At least one of \r\nthe guys in the Green Angels Truck's speaks English and all are fully trained machanics, and they usually have all \r\nthe common parts that break right there in their truck. Then again, chances are that some kind local folks will stop \r\nto help and have you on your way before the Green Angels even get there.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n------------------------------------------\r\n<\/p>
\r\nMagic Hat\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe have been working on creating this Gathering, and the Eco-Village Project which has evolved from it, since last \r\nJuly (2003). The progress we've made is self evident in the attached report(s). All this has been done with a \r\nminimum of external (outside of local support) funding. All work and it's associated cost has been on a totally \r\nvolunteer basis. After your review of the progress made, we believe that you will agree that we've been doing our \r\njobs very well.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAt this point we are in urgent need of funds that need to be applied toward: site preparation; covering \r\ntransportation cost; purchasing material needs and setting up supply lines; and further extending of the Invitation \r\nand Information Packages to thousands of groups and individuals worldwide who should receive these, because \r\ntheir efforts fit the discription set forth in the Prophecy of the Warriors of the Rainbow (whether they realize it, or \r\nnot). \r\n<\/p>
\r\nOn the latter, it would greatly help our efforts if each recipient of the communications we send out would: \r\nforward, or mail, them to your individual & group\/project's mailing list(s); post to all alternative web-sites and their \r\nCalendars of Events worldwide; and submit them to you local\/regional\/global alternative media sources \r\nencouraging them to write articles and publish public service announcements further inviting their \r\nreaders\/listeners\/viewers to attend and\/or support the Gathering and assist with the Eco-Village Project.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nBecause we are blessed with an extremely large site there is no real limit as to how many people can attend (and \r\nsome are already calling this event the 2004 Woodstock of the Environmental Movement).\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAll this takes some pretty – very serious funding and we have been exhausting our personal and local sources \r\nfunding abilities, so now reach out for your assistance and ask that you be as generous as possible. Please, also, \r\nremember that this Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes and Eco-Village Project is taking place in a country where \r\nminimum wages are currantly at about $5.00 (U.S. Dollars) a day, so we are operating from an extremely \r\ndisadvantaged local economic base.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nWe would appreciate any help you can extend to help put together your Gathering (for those considering \r\nattending) and the associated Eco-Village which will be a Resource Center for all peoples worldwide. \r\n<\/p>
\r\nEven those who will not be able to come to the Gathering here, or participate in the near future in the Eco-Village \r\nProject, we ask that if you support the ideals & purposes of our efforts, and want to help us try to make it a \r\nbetter world for all life, that you consider supporting these Projects in whatever way(s) you can.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this and considering if, and in what ways, you can\/will help us create the \r\n\"deeds, not words\" that will contribute toward fulfilling the Prophecy of the Warriors of the Rainbow. The Mother \r\nEarth is sick and the animals dying today. Now is the time for all of us to act.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n------------------------------------------<\/p>
\r\nContacts:<\/p>
\r\n<\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@cloud-busters.com <\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@myway.com <\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@yahoo.com <\/p>
\r\nrainbow2004mexico@excite.com<\/p>
<\/p>\n","contact":"rainbow2004mexico@cloud-busters.com","link":"http:\/\/groups.yahoo.com\/group\/rainbow2004mexico","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"text\/html","summary":"You are invited to the gathering!","numcomment":0,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/","filesize":null,"article_url":"\/news\/2004\/01\/101009.php"},"attachments":[],"comments":[]}