And So It Begins…First Interview

We drove alongside the border of Mexico, on the Interstate-10 from Tucson to New Mexico. Just months prior we discovered Gila Hot Springs, tucked away in ancient wilderness just a stone’s throw from remnants of cliff dwellings where the indigenous people of this land once lived.

Our first counter to Gila Hot Springs was mystical in many ways. We journeyed by dark through the windy forest roads and rugged mountains, and arrived in mystery. A sweet, elderly couple who had been traveling back to Gila Hot Springs for 20 years greeted us, oriented us to the space, and even offered leftover dinner for these two weary travelers. What a gift.

During our short few days, we were graced with the company of the camp host named Augie. If you’ve been to these hot springs before, you know Augie as a kind soul. You can see it in his eyes. He is a man who lived many lives, who jokingly would tell you that he walked away from the ‘American Nightmare’ to pursue a life of purpose and meaning. He is a wealth of wisdom, generosity and kindness; and has spent years connecting to the water and the land. His job is to tend to the springs, and he does so with reverence for the natural world. Beyond this, he make all who arrive feel welcome.

We asked him if he would be open to an interview for the film. With a loving smile and humility, he said yes. He welcomed us into his big blue bus, where we set up the shot and conducted our conversations and an evening of collective cooking and deep story-telling. His even and confident tone did not betray his nervousness. We talked about his life on the road, his daughters who mean more than anything to him, the way his ancestors support him, the synchronicities of the universe and the medicine of water.

Below is one short clip of the conversation.