La bienvenida a todos!  This is my first time getting involved with the blogger scene.  It is a pretty sweet way to display events and thoughts to all who are curious about, "just what in the heck is going on with that guy"?  

I have been living with my Uncle Greg and Aunt Sylvaine in Santiago/Chile for over a month now.  It's hard to believe it.  I came here with next to no certainty's other than knowing I have a place to stay, some limited funds and well that was about it!  It may sound a bit crazy. And yes it has been a little but it's a perfect opportunity to step out of the norm while gaining some perspective.    

Now the whole deal isn't as fly by the seat of your pants as it may appear.  One of my main purposes for being here at this juncture in my life is to be immersed into a Spanish speaking culture to develop more in the language.  I just finished a month long intensive Spanish course through ECELA which was very beneficial in helping me solidify some basics in composition and comprehension.  I'm still at a beginner level and have a long way to go but it was an excellent start and good way to make connections as well. 

Secondly- and in no particular order, I wanted to explore family ties.  In Chile I have two sets of family. My Aunt and Uncle Sylvaine and Greg whom I live with.  And then my other Uncle Ross and Aunt Sashico who have resided here with their family of three boy's for 20 years.  Both uncles are originally from Beautiful Colorado and came out here with the desire to live and build their businesses in a completely new environment.  And both of them are my birth mother Holly's brothers.  This is a very rich opportunity to explore a side of my family that until now I've had only bits an pieces of contact with throughout the years.  

And what would  any second be without a third.  Drum Roll Please….....  travel, travel, travel... Probably could have guessed this one.  Needless to say I have been afforded many blessings and abilities in my life.  This was one that I simply could not pass up.  Chile is a place drenched in culture and tradition.  Its long slender body encompasses some of the most diverse variety's of environments in the world.  In two hours east or west you can be in towering Andes mountains or taking in the buena vistas of the coast.  To the north of Santiago rests the driest desert in the world and to the south lakes abound with temperate ancient rain-forests.  Very cool!  

So now that the LD has been passed on.  ( "LD" stands for Low Down, for all the geeser's out there :  )   

I'm excited to keep a dialogue through this blog not only with you but as an alternate form of journaling too.  

Blessings and Respect,  
Joshua