carla gericke

Day One:

Welcome to Anarchapulco! Yesterday kicked off with speaker orientation, a shamanic blessing, and a circus! I also went exploring–Acapulco was hit by Otis, a devastating Category 5 hurricane last October and the damage is pretty bleak–followed by delicious roadside tacos ala Anthony Bourdain and then as I was heading home, I caught a beachy sunset. Looking forward to this week of discovering new things!

Day Two:

Today started with a 5.0 earthquake, a long walk on the beach, many fascinating talks, and connecting with interesting people. We are asking for the earth to remain still and rains to come at night when it least disturbs. I stared deep into the eyes of a stranger while holding hands for a whole song (I cried), had a meaningful talk with NJ gym owner Ian Smith, and I’m still 99.9% sure the earth’s round. I’m surprised by how few people have heard of what we’ve accomplished in New Hampshire, but I love hearing people say, “Oh another one from NH. I’ve been hearing about you guys!”

Day Three:

Day three of Anarchapulco is exactly what you would expect. It’s the day… You know the one. When everyone starts dragging ass, you realize why direct sunlight kills Vamps, and then the power goes out at the venue too (but luckily the Main Stage runs on generators).This morning, I enjoyed a long sunrise walk on the beach again and had a quick chat with Beth Martens.

If you’re seeking greater health, look into grounding/earthing… I first felt the benefits here in Acapulco in 2020, becoming aware of how good I felt after early morning beach walks and figuring out walking barefoot had something to do with it, and now I sleep with a grounding mat at home for the times I can’t get barefoot (I’m looking at you, NH Winters).

I connected with several speakers, yelled a correctly-timed, I-got-yer-back RON PAUL from the rear of the tent at the Gold Bug on stage (Wise Wolf Gold, pictured below), enjoyed a late lunch, and now I’m prepping for my emceeing (I get to introduce Free Stater, farmer, and father, Jay Noone, yay!) and my session on Sovereign Living tomorrow.

While the waiter at the hotel’s restaurant and I don’t speak the same language, we do, and he is in a battle to give me the hottest hot sauce. So far, I’m standing my ground, but real tears were shed this afternoon.

Taking an early night so that I can do a good job tomorrow continuing to raise the vibe of the tribe! Live free and thrive!

Day Four:

I’m officially pooped. I started the day sun-gazing while walking on the beach and ended it on a solo swim in the ocean in the dark. Top 10 scary thing!

In between, I did a 20 minute RAD talk, facilitated a feedback session, and introduced 8 fascinating speakers. I was on/off stage all day and my neck has never been more burned.

In South Africa, the Boers called the British “rooinekke” which literally translates to “rednecks” (because their necks burned as they lay in wait in the grass). This has nothing to do with anarchy per se but makes me realize
I’m punch-drunk with exhaustion (and hunger bc that banana I bought on the walk back to the hotel is a… plantain).

Until tomorrow.

Day Five:

Took kinda a slow one today and worked on myself.

A sunrise stroll, a dip in the ocean, cerviche, taking pleasure in the beauty around me, meeting Ian Smith, watching Jay Noone masterfully run the art auction, catching up with some of the incredible women I met this week, and listening to Jeff Berwick, where he gave me and the Free State Project and PorcFest a shout out, thanks!

The theme of this year’s event is REBORN and the logo is a Phoenix rising. And as he himself recognized in his closing remarks, Jeff truly seems like a different person since quitting alcohol and starting meditation.

Last time I attended, back in 2020, I gave one of my favorite talks to date. In that speech, I also spoke of quitting alcohol in 2017 and healing myself through diet (low carb/whole foods/avoid seed oils), meditation, exercise/yoga, and good social connections.

I’m reminded we are all fallible beings trying to be our best. Sometimes, we succeed.

Kudos to the entire Anarchapulco production team, and especially Catherine Bonandin who persuaded me to come. So glad I did! Love to you all!

Last Day (not counting tomorrow when I leave):

Last day in Acapulco before heading home to the Free State tomorrow (long day of travel on my 52nd birthday).

Today I had coconut for breakfast with a fantastic fellow traveler, took a walk on the beach towards Acapulco where the devastation of Hurricane Otis is even more noticeable, and I felt another small earthquake just now, so, just so you know, I *did* feel the earth move!