An Excerpt From My Journal: June 15, 2009, Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua

An excerpt from my journal, and a little peek into what I reflected upon during my travels:

I am experiencing an interesting feeling. The only word I can think of to describe it is contentment. I have always been a planner, a goal setter, and then an accomplisher. I decide I want to do something, usually write out a plan of how I am going to accomplish it, and then I work toward it. Writing out plans and budgets is how I graduated from college in three and a half years, saved money for our honeymoon and travels since, trained for a half marathon, taught high school for three years, saved money to co-own a property, saved money to partially pay for my master's degree, etc. My whole life has been spent doing what I set out to accomplish. It may sound like I have no spontaneity, but this goal setting addiction I have has enabled me to have pretty great moments in life from crossing the finish line after running without stopping for 13.1 miles to standing next to flowing lava in Guatemala to hearing about miracles from rural people in Nepal to road tripping in a mini van with my family around New Zealand to reading thank you letters written by high school students to their public high school teacher to doing research in Bosnia-Herzegovina for my master's degree.

But despite all of this, I have never really felt content. I have always wanted more, not in the sense of material possessions, but I have always thought about what I am going to do next in life. When I graduated from college, I planned when I would go back. When I finally started my career as a high school teacher, after three years I decided to get my master's. Half way through my master's, I thought about getting my Ph.D.

I know I sound like a neurotic fool, and I guess I am. But there is a point here.

I think I have done almost everything I have wanted to accomplish in life (besides having babies, which will come later). For once, there is not a next step for me. I want to go home to San Diego, continue to live in community, hopefully have a job, and be content.

Am I relinquishing the idealistic counterculture in me or am I finally really living into it? It's not that I want to become a boring self-centered person (although this entry screams of self-centeredness). It's not that I hope to relish in mediocrity. It's just that I want to live in contentment- being present, and not always thinking about what is next.

Coming Home, Part Two

Like I said two days ago, coming home from traveling is actually quite nice, especially when you are welcomed with this:
Thanks friends!

And this:

Thanks Colin and Laurel!

And as you arrived through the back gate of the property you live on, you were greeted by sweet faces, including one five year old boy who apparently waited near the gate all day for your arrival. And that first night home, as you were hanging out with your seven year old property-mate, she drew a portrait of you and your husband:

Thanks Paige!

Once Again an Equal Breadwinner

I found out this morning that I have a job.

I realize that I am incredibly lucky, and as I am a person who feels an abnormal amount of guilt for everything in life, I even feel guilty that I now have a job while I know so many people that have been searching for one for many months.

But despite that, I have a job that I couldn't be more excited about.

I entered into my master's program in Peace and Justice Studies after teaching high school for three years, hoping to be able to focus on education and how to incorporate issues of peace and justice into the high school classroom. Part of my personal statement for my application read:
"It is these epiphanies I see in my students that give me a desire to learn how to include peace and justice studies more into the high school curriculum. Currently, there is a lack of teaching about topics that are relevant to today’s culture and the concerns of students. Many students are interested in furthering peace and justice in their world, but they are unsure of what problems can be addressed as well as how to confront such ideas. I would like to create curriculum to teach students about peace and justice at a time in their lives when they hunger for knowledge and a desire to impact our world."

I didn't know if this would ever become a reality for me. Throughout my program, I wasn't sure that I wanted to go back to high school teaching, or that I really had a choice in the matter. Getting a high school teaching job is not easy even in a good economy, and with our state on the brink of bankruptcy, the opportunities out there are meager. And teaching in a public school doesn't always allow for numerous opportunities to incorporate peace and justice issues into the curriculum as one is often forced to stuff the CA state standards down the throats of the less-than-thrilled students (and we wonder why they are a little apathetic?).

My new job is at an alternative type of high school called High Tech High. I will be a 10th grade humanities teacher, focusing on world history and world literature. It is very cutting edge in education- it is project based more than test based, theme based more than fact based. They actually told me this morning as I met with other staff members, "You can really just teach your passions," obviously incorporated into the curriculum. They don't even have textbooks, so I really will be able to create curriculum that I am passionate about. And they are very interested in my master's degree, which is nice, considering in an interview with another school I applied for, they didn't ask me one thing about it.

There you have it. I will be leaving the world of studentdom and entering the world of the working. I start work on August 10 and begin teaching on August 31, so the end of summer is quickly escaping my grasp... but I already have butterflies in my stomach because I am excited for the next season of life.

Coming Home

As I sit in my bed this Sunday morning, with a husband sleeping peacefully beside me, and the morning light gently streaming through my windows, I am trying to reflect back on our summer of traveling- what I learned, what it meant for me. What an amazing summer it was- so full of history, natural beauty, love, adventure, learning, living. But one of the best things about traveling is missing home and friends and family, because despite the adventure you've been on, it doesn't really compare to the relationships in your life. Those who you live near that have such a natural presence in your weekly and often daily life- friends that are more like family. And those who you are related to through blood or marriage- the parents, in-laws, aunts, cousins- the people in your life you daily wished you lived closer to.

Coming home isn't so bad... it's actually quite nice.

Huaraz, Peru

Our last stop before heading back to Lima was Huaraz, which is home to the highest mountains in South America. The range is named the Cordillera Blanca and is a part of the Andes. Unfortunately, we had to leave Huaraz a day earlier than we planned because there were more scheduled transportation strikes and we couldn't risk possibly missing our flight out of Lima to Los Angeles. The transportation strikes in this country are quite inconvenient, but the beauty and intrigue found within Peru makes up for its inconveniences.
Laguna Querococha:

The ancient city of Chauvin was built in 1200 B.C. and is the earliest known ruins in Peru. These people were a part of the pre-Incan cultures that resided in the region. This temple was built about 2700 years before the Incan ruins that are more famous. The similar style of architecture is apparent, which clearly later influenced the Incans.

One captivating part about these ruins is that you can actually go inside of them. The Chauvin people built inside tunnels, rooms, and prisons, which are open to visitors like me:
Laguna Llanganuco:


P.S. We are at home in the United States now, after arriving safely last night in Los Angeles at about midnight. Glad to be back.

Strolling the Streets of Cusco...

...very slowly after all of that hiking we did.

Machu Picchu

Note: Read this post first for the full story of how we got here.

We woke up at 3:45 a.m. on the fourth day of our trek to be some of the first people let into Machu Picchu. Our trekking group began the hike up 1,600 stairs at 4:15. When we reached the top, we eagerly waited in line to be let into the park, drenched in sweat from the rigorous climb. We were some of the first people in, walking through the ancient city enveloped in morning mist and dew. It was magical.




The mountain directly behind Machu Picchu that is seen in all of the famous pictures (including the one we took at the very top of this post) is named Huayna Picchu. In order to be able to climb it you have to be some of the first people into the park to get a ticket, because they only allow 400 people on it per day. Because of this restriction, it is somewhat special to be one of the 400. Our trekking group arrived early enough to get a voucher to hike it at 10:00 a.m.

Huayna Picchu:



The trail was a little steep, as you can see. That is my butt hiking up in the picture below. The Incas were pretty crazy. Not only did they build Machu Picchu on top of a mountain, but then they decided to build more structures on top of Huayna Picchu:

We made it to the top. Hanging off the edge:
I was very happy to be here and alive at this moment:The ruins look so little and we are so big:
Then the craziest thing happened. Remember how I said only 400 people in the whole entire world could climb Huayna Picchu per day? So what are the chances that you would see someone you knew at the top of the mountain as you are enjoying the view and eating your lunch? Well, it happened to me. My friend Takeo, who I am in my master's program with, just happened to hike the mountain the same day at the same time as me! It was more than exciting to see him at the top:

Matt and I were lucky enough to get to spend about 10 hours at Machu Picchu, and I wouldn't have wanted one minute less. It was a beautiful, majestic day that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Huayna Picchu and me:


Matt likes llamas:
What a perfect day:

The Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu

Not to worry, we are alive and well and greatly enjoyed our trek through the jungle to Machu Picchu.

Day One:
Biking
Elevation loss: 4300 meters-2400 meters (6234 foot loss-- Biking only downhill is pretty dang fun, even though it is cheating).
Our path:
Can you find me in this picture?
Our view while bike riding:
Day Two:
Hiking 23 km (14.3 miles)
Elevation gain: 1200 meters-1900 meters (2300 foot gain)

Hiking along an Inca trail that is over 500 years old:

Can you find me in this picture? Hint: I have a red backpack on.
A little sweaty:



Our hike this day ended at some delicious hot springs. Picture a jacuzzi the size of a swimming pool set in a beautiful mountain setting. Not too shabby after a hike.

Day Three:
Hiking 20 km (12.4 miles)
Elevation gain: 1500 meters-2000 meters (1640 foot gain)

Just on the other side of this mountain is Machu Picchu... we are getting closer.

The third night was spent in Aguas Calientes, where there was a festival:
Day Four:
Hiking approximately 2,400 stairs (1,600 to get to Machu Picchu)
Elevation gain: 2000 meters- 2701 meters (2300 foot gain)

Stay tuned for the best day of the trip... Machu Picchu!