Andean Paradise

Nuff Said

Calendars

If I was to live in a calendar what day would I choose to live?  I mean truly soak up what it is that I'm here for.  So that every part, nook and cranny, is filled to the brim with life.  So much so that a single smile could change an individual and the world at large.  It could be done.  No magic nor spell, just be-ing all that "me" is made to be.  This is unmistakably off the beaten path being such an individualist in so many respects.  But really... What if?  What if all of the days spilled into one; no longer allotting time to mark decisions or points of beginning or end.  Would I  rather  be so immersed in what is or what should be?  Hmmm.  Something that can be considered, refuted, accepted, or placed aside to be dealt with at a later point of convenience.  I'm keeping it tight under my arm.  Running wild with untamed curiosity.  Lending a hand to an enemy and wishing my feet would never regain contact with what I once considered the ground.  New soil.  Fingers intertwine with the richest soil. It bleeds into my skin.  Enriching the soul and spawning growth from the inside out.  I cant imagine what will become of this-- it already is. And so it is.   All is splendid, nothing is.  Yet here "I" am .  Calendar marked, "Day I choose to live".

Moving Forward

Much to be said of the past couple of months here in Santiago.  We experienced a magnitude 8.8 earthquake which shook Santiago real good and destroyed much of the epicenter being Conceptcion.  The short time period afterwards saw Chile and its 17  million inhabitants pulling resources together and lending hands in whatever way possible.  Many of the Universities here allotted the first month of classes towards aiding in the south.  It really was a fantastic display of humanitarian efforts here.  I aided at a High School and was very impressed at the number of youth who stepped up to the plate in their country's distress.  We all worked diligently at accepting donations and then packing them in preparation to be sent to the South.  Hats off to all those who took part in this enormous effort.  As can be assumed, there is still countless volunteers and continued donations needed at this point.  Folks effected the hardest are still living in mock housing, mainly tents and such, with none of their once available comforts.  As for me, well I have it good here in Santiago with no damages to speak of and things returning to normal fairly quickly.  Extremely fortunate and grateful.  Not at all the way Chile was expecting to start the new year and presidency of Pinera.  But from what i've seen this grand obstacle is being met head on and will hopefully only serve as a testimony to Chile's heart and might.

The picture I'm attaching is of the new Titanium Building which now is the tallest in all of South America!  It is an incredible display of Chilean engineering, and rightfully so.  This 55+ story building had but a few windows broken and minor cosmetic damages. "8.8" =  Fuerza Chile!!!

Live performance of Sun Giant / Sun It Rises / Drops In The River by Fleet Foxes

Live performance of Sun Giant / Sun It Rises / Drops In The River by Fleet Foxes