Unschooler Household In Mexico

Update, Nov 22:

Ok peoples, not very many people are interested, so its most likely not going to happen. Scott and I are however going to be traveling alot in the future, and other stuff will happen... So if you are interested in traveling somewhere... then get ahold of us and maybe something can happen. Peace, JesseBorges

After NBTSC this year we (Jesse & Scott) started talking about renting a house somewhere in the world this coming year. We thought we could get a whole bunch of cool people (NBTSCers) to come live with us there and share living expenses for a few months.

      After talking to some of the NBTSCers that were hanging out after camp
we decided that somewhere tropical would be best. Hawaii seemed like a
logical choice but we ended up vetoing it because its just too expensive
there. Mexico on the other hand is just as awesome (more in my book).... And
*super* cheap. 
      So we started doing research and we have some possible areas. We'll be
going to mexico this december to scout it out and find someplace to rent,
but untill then we have some names of places. So far the best sounding place
to go would be Oaxaca, its a good environment, not too hot but not cold,
plenty of farmers markets, and a good community according to the people
we've talked to.
     

• Who: We're invisioning a group of 10-20 people. Age isn't going to matter as long as these people can bring themselves to Mexico and be responsible for themselves, we want to say 18 or older because of liability issues, but we hate agism, so there wont be any age stipulations at this point. These people would optimally be unschoolers, at least in heart.

• When: We would be going down to mexico mid February and staying for approximately three months (untill the end of april or mid may).

• Where: We don't really know yet, but Oaxaca is high on our list of possible places. Weherever we end up, we plan on renting a fairly large house, outside of town.

• Why: This is not meant to be a three month party. Likewise, we arent trying to start a meditation retreat. We're just trying to get a bunch of awesome people together under one roof for three months. We dont want to provide a whole bunch of structure, nothing more than is needed to keep a household running for as long as we are there. Anyone who participates in this can create whatever experience it is that they desire.

• How: We dont have this one figured out yet. We're thinking about different possibilities, caravaning, buying a bus, but nothing great has presented itself yet.

• Cost: Considering the economy and living expensives of people we know down there, we have a high estimate of $300 a month, or $1,000 for the whole trip, per person. We wont really know untill we find out how much it costs to rent down there, it could be more, or it could be half that. I would recommend to people that they make the money for the trip beforehand, standard wage in mexico is pretty much a joke, like $5 a day. Everything is very cheap though, so what you earn now will go anywhere from twice to ten times as far down there.

None of this information is final and we would appreciate any input especially regarding possible locations in or outside of Mexico. Contact us if you are interested or have any questions:

Jesse Borges:

email= paste_eater at hotmail.com

AIM= aPeacefulWarrior

Scott Russell:

e-mail= thepigeon at earthlink.net

phone= (707) 480-0011

Dude, what a kick ass idea! I am totally interested. Unfortunatly there is no way i can do it this year, i have to work and get money... but if something like that is happening next year, id be really interested in trying it. -Dawn