Xcunya, "Off the Grid," in Yucatan

By John Grimsrud, Mérida Verde Friend

Halfway between the city of Mérida and the coastal port town of Progreso in the little unassuming village of Xcunyá is located a relatively new experimental ecological park "A'ak." In just three years of existence the experimental station has done wondrous things. This non-governmental operation is proving a point that life can indeed go on without being plugged in to the electrical grid and get along quite well living without polluting the environment.

The object of this experimental station is to incorporate the ancient Mayan agriculture, herbal medicinal plants, and the propagation of native flora and fauna with modern space-age technology in an eco-friendly environment.

They offer innovative and ingenious uses for alternative energy. From wind powered watering to positively faultless sewage disposal, this place has covered the bases with eco-friendly solutions.

The experimental station has, as one of its objectives, to get the entire community involved with clean, environmentally-friendly use of the planet and they are focusing on the young.

Electricity from wind and solar power converge in the control room to be stored, transmitted and converted from direct current into alternating current so that all household needs can be met.

Like a breath of fresh air this experimental station is demonstrating clean energy use. In just three years indigenous fruit abounds and that gives a ray of hope for the future.

The old and the new way of Mayan agriculture are combined with re-cycling thrown in. The ancient Mayas used a system of kitchen garden called ka'anché that employed a raised biodegradable platform made of poles and filled with dirt. What has evolved at the experimental station, is discarded items that would otherwise go to the land-fill are used in a modern-day innovation of the Mayan ka'anché. This is basic physics pressed into utilizable action. It's a contraption that resembles some kind of a goofy pin-ball machine. Using the sun's penetrating tropical heat, it thermo-siphons hot air from the left hand side over to the right where the "chimney effect" sends the hot air up past the trays of fruit and herbs. It is a solar dehydrator and is very functional. Oregano, grapes, and other things nearly dry before your eyes. Just like magic their solar oven uses mirrors and no smoke.

These people are not selling anything, but just promoting a cleaner way to live on this planet..."off the grid!"

Open Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Energía y Tecnología Alternativa S.A. de C.V. Tel. (999) 195 6513 Email: caranva@kookay.org Web: www.kookay.org