Martes: 18 de Marzo

Stormy, Avni, Hermes, Fernando, and I went back to 18 de Marzo to set up the networking, install more new computers (for a grand total of 9), and try upgrading the older computers with different methods. We also brought a Mac laptop and networking equipment to create a local network that would have access to Rachel, Khan Academy, and Wikipedia content.

Originally we were using CDs to install the OS and a USB flash drive with games and educational material. Several of the CD drives wouldn’t work or we couldn’t switch up the boot order. Avni made bootable USBs and that worked on several of the computers. We also had an external CD/DVD drive. Most of the computers were upgraded, but we had to stick with the older version for 2-3 of the computers.

Finally, we pulled aside a few of the computers to move to Manuel Gonzalez Gatica the following day.

Martes a 18 de Marzo. Kids working on computers. @coreylatislaw.com

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Escuela: Ricardo Flores Magon

Stormy/Caleb, Hunter, and I set out for San Marcos Arteaga on Monday morning. We tried to find the combi station from Thomas’ oral directions but eventually ended up jumping in a cab (which was roughly the same price). It was another lovely ride through the mountains for about an hour.

Volunteers at San Marcos Arteaga. @coreylatislaw.com

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Escuela: Manuel Gonzalez Gatica

On Friday we had an early breakfast at the hotel restaurant and took a truck/cab to the small nearby village, Saucitlán de Morelos, to check out their lab. It was a bumpy off-road excursion down a winding mountain road. I was sitting up front in the truck – I imagine it was bumpier in the back for Thomas, Javier, and Gabriel!

On the way to Saucitlán de Morelos. @coreylatislaw.com

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Huajuapan de León

This post will be in English! Read about the beginning of my adventure here and here.

As I mentioned in the last post, Kids On Computers bought 22 new desktop computers, monitors, keyboards/mice, plus 2 projectors through our local volunteer, Hermes. The dealer doesn’t deliver to the village we’ll be working out of, so we had to figure out a way to transport them from Oaxaca to Huajuapan!

The original plan was for 5 volunteers to jump in a combi with computers on our laps. This plan didn’t make a lot of sense to me, especially since we might need to rent seats for the computers. We finally settled on a better plan and Hermes’ company rented an entire combi/van to transport the computers and the volunteers.

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Lunes en Oaxaca

Si se lo perdiste, escribí un blog de mi viaje a Oaxaca y mi primero día en la cuidad.

En lunes, desayunamos con Hermes y otro programador que trabaja con él. Entonces exploré algunos sitios en Alcala, una pasarela pedestre desde el zócalo (un parque en el centro de la cuidad es como las plazas de armas en Suramérica) a la iglesia. Hay muchos tiendas, museos, gallerías, etc.

Visité el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo y disfruté la exposición de Sonoplastia. Fue un poco extraño mezcla entre sonidos y arte, pero me gustó muchas exposiciones. Tengo un video aquí.

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo en Oaxaca, Mexico. @coreylatislaw.com

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Bienvenidos a Oaxaca

Estoy siendo voluntario durante 3 semanas con Kids On Computers (KOC), una organización sin fines de lucro de los Estados Unidos, que instalan laboratorios de computadoras en todo el mundo.

Quería tomar un momentito para pensar en que quiero hacer con mi carrera y el mejor camino para hacer esto es conectar con mis valores más fuertes. Es muy importante para mi cerrar la brecha digital en los Estados Unidos así como el resto del mundo. Esta oportunidad es perfecta para practicar eso.

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Women Techmakers + LadyHacks

I was a mentor and project lead today the Women Techmakers + LadyHacks hackathon this weekend. LadyHacks follows the model of a civic hackathon, which emphasizes creating projects for the greater good. This event is a partnership between the Philadelphia GDG (I’m the organizer [grew out of the Android Alliance]) and LadyHacks for International Women’s Day!

LadyHacks is a community event for women of all skill levels to work collaboratively on projects using technology to provide solutions. Beginners, tech-curious, and experienced developers all attended and shared their knowledge and skills while working on projects that they are passionate about.

LadyHacks work room. (2014) @coreylatislaw.com

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Inspiration & Vision, Assignment 1

I just started Project Basho’s six month Inspiration and Vision photography course. I’m very excited to see where it will take my photography and self-expression!

I took their Foundations of Digital Photography course last year just after starting my sabbatical. It was a dedicated 6 weeks, but unfortunately it was during the winter (minus snow), so I wasn’t as happy with how my photos turned out. However, it made a huge difference when I set out for South America last February and  has increased my technical and photo processing abilities.

Photos!

Here’s a selection of my favorites, check out the full photoset on Flickr!

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