Come and see that someone exactly like you has never existed before and never will again.

-Rumi

I'm really really really really really really really really really happy right now.

Life is so good.
Thank you.

Home

Home is where the heart is.

My first night back I went to my friends cabin in the mountains and experienced a major jam session. We were just hanging out by the fire.... and people started playing for a good few hours... then there was more hanging out. and sleep... but we had 2 banjos, 2 guitars, and a mandolin. It was beautiful. We were singing the good old stuff such as the Byrds and Bob Dylan....the Beatles....Neil Young.... and also Ryan Adams, Amos Lee....

These people were all so musically talented. Someone could just start playing and the other would feed off of them and join in adding their own spin on things. Emily, Tim, and Matt have voices of angels...BEAUTIFUL way to spend my first night home....6 ft of snow in the mountains in a beautiful cabin with great people. And a lot of laughs... especially at Jeremy in his cheetah pajamas (homeless jungle cat).

My first day of school was great too. I got to see all my friends. I sported my new Peruvian garb...gave away some bracelets from Peru. Got a lot of hugs. It was great.

After we went to Coffee Garden and Yoga. Then Ashley and I went to her house and made healthy food for the week and went for an awesome night walk where we came full circle with a really interesting, deep conversation about organized religion, sheltering, suffering, relationships, life. I wrote down songs for play lists and some good poetry she showed me.

Also, I started a vision board for what I want in my life this year. Thursday we are going to a documentary about Bob Dylan at Brewvies.

This is the good stuff.

Too small for you

You must learn one thing:
The world was made to be free in.
Give up all other worlds
except the one which you belong.
Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness
to learn that
anything or anyone that does not bring you alive
is too small for you...

Espanolism

:::::Another Night In the Jungle::::

I just have to say that my Spanish was pretty freaking decent by the time I left Peru. I was able to understand most of what people were saying. Speaking always comes last...

I could have very basic conversations with locals... I definitely could ask for what I needed and directions. I got professional at bartering in the markets.

I even had a cute little Peruvian grandma adopt me on my bus ride to the Amazon... she fed me her bread and shared a blanket with me...We talked about her daughter with asthma and her other daughter going to nursing school. She pointed out animals, trees, and flowers and named them for me. :)

I can only imagine how the experience would be heightened if you could fully converse in the native language. That's the only way you won't feel so much like an outsider and get to intimately know the country you travel in. That's the only way you can truly make a difference too.

One of my goals this year is to keep up on it and learn it. It has been on my goal list every year.... and I always neglect it. This year.... no excuses.

Mi Mariposa

Love is like a butterfly: It goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes.

Time Flies.

Tomorrow I fly home.

I have fallen so behind on writing what has transpired within the last couple weeks......

Not a word since I went to the jungle.

I don't even know where to begin. I fell in love with the Amazon Jungle. I trekked on top of the world on the Inca Trail. I experienced peace on Machu Picchu... I have laughed until tears come out of my eyeballs... I have met some seriously wonderful people. People I will remember forever that make your life that much more beautiful for having known them, even if for only a short time.

All I can say is what an amazing, life changing experience this journey has been. I have learned so much about myself... and people... and confirmed things I already believed in.

It is soooo good to meet like-minded people; To meet people who have new ideas; To exchange cultural nuances; To know that you are not alone in the world, wherever you go; That you can go anywhere... you can even go alone... and people are going to love you and take you into their worlds. I standby my belief that traveling alone is the best way to go if you want a life changing experience.

You create your life; your experiences; your happiness. And it's SO GOOD if you let it be and take risks.

I pierced my nose today. I just wanted to solidify what I have experienced and learned on this trip. So for me I guess it is a bit symbolic; like piercing it all into my being, my soul.

It's good.

I think later I will write about my experiences if it strikes me... or just keep them sacred in my heart and my journal. It's all yet to be determined. Such is life.