vJune 8, 2006 Quito, Ecuador

It´s hard to believe it´s only been two months away from the world of travel. It took me two days back home to realize that I was ready to leave as soon as possible. It took me two weeks for me to rent my house again and it took me a few visits to realize a home is where you make it. So here I am off again...two weeks pre-packed.

It took two months for my back to forget the pain of carrying luggage that really belongs on the ground with wheels. It took two months for the airlines to change regulations and now charge passengers $2.00 per checked luggage at the gate. It took two months for me to forget my number one rule, run from the water.

It took me several walks to the toilet to remember to always go bottled regardless of what anyone says. Thankfully, I had two months to buy a large supply of Costco sized Tums.

It took me one good laugh with the Tias (Aunts) to remember that they have a cure for everything. Just in case any woman hasn´t had nightly friendly visitors to keep her company for awhile....just have some fig tea. It evidently cures, cleans the womanly system right out. Who knew?

Regardless as I sit threw the third rainy day in Quito, Ecuador, I am surrounded by family and I couldn't be in a better place.

As I work on the experiences to come, one thing is for sure... I am Glad to be on the Road Again.

Besos y abrazos....from my newest continent.

Thanks for all your support!

In a year,

I've seen the cruelty of pollution and encourage all to be respectful to nature,

I've seen the cruelty of war and encourage all to understand without weapons,

I've seen the lonliness of solitude and encourage everyone to reach out,

I've seen that family is a true bond and I encourage everyone to cherish they own family,

I''ve seen that you can touch any child or elderly person with the simpliest gesture and I encourage everyone to smile,

I've seen that the World and it's people are good and I encourage everyone to eliminate hypocracy,

I've seen that we don't need so much and I encourage everyone to donate to a charity rather than buying a fancy new..anything,

I've seen that people are beautiful regardless of color, religion, believes and I encourage everyone to open their minds,

I've seen that culture is true and strong on all continents and I encourage everyone to embrace it,

I've seen that education can be recieved from every encounter and I encourage everyone to see the value in all that they experience,

I've seen that children are the same everywhere and I encourage everyone to maintain the innocence of their own children for as long as possible,

I've seen that hatred, racism, anger is a taught emotion and I encourage everyone to love and understand first,

I've seen that given encouragement that anyone can accomplish anything and I encourage everyone to give support rather than criticism,

I've seen poverty does not define the humanity of the heart and I encourage everyone not to be scared of those less fortunate,

I've seen that wisdom does not come from a degree or piece of paper but from understanding nature and humans and I encourage everyone to see beyond the pages of books,

I've seen that everyone can make a difference and I encourage everyone to volunteer,

I've seen that time passes quickly and I encourage everyone to appreciate every moment,

I've seen that language is the easiest way to communicate but not the only way and I encourage everyone to open their minds,

I've seen that traveling is an experience and that being a tourist is visit, I encourage everyone to be a traveler,

I've seen that inner-strength is real and that we can accomplish everything we imagine and I encourage everyone to believe in themselves,

I've seen that dreams due come true and I encourage everyone to DREAM!!!
___

It's March 21, 2006 at exactly 12:12 PM, I sit in the Wildlife Hostel located in Wellington, New Zealand.

I awoke this morning to the sky crying, I can't help but think it's shedding it's tears for me. For today, is the end...the last day of THIS jorney...the last moements of this dream that has come true.

It is a pensive moment...for I am sure that it was just yesterday that I left. Yet if that was to be true, when and how did all this happen to me..how did my dream come true?

I return home with much the same curiousity on the day I left for now the confirmation is real...the world is a beautiful place and the true people of the land fill your heart with warmth, love and humanity.

I sit considering this moment and realize that I have almost crossed the globe, seen the sights of exotic lands, accomplished things I thought to be impossible. I've been touch and I hope to have touched others, I've been open and trusting in ways I never imagined, I've experienced moments that one could only dream off.

It's been a beautiful year and although this leg of the journey may be over...this is Not the End of the journey.

Frank Joseph, New Zealand March 15, 2006

(Birthday message sent to friends and family)

A year ago on this very day..the 15th, I was surrounded by friends and family. A few of my senses tell me that day that occured a year ago was a century past, yet the other senses tell me it was just yesterday.

Today, the presence of my friends and family are with me celebrating my new year. They are amongst the green pines, snow capped mountains, ever white glaciers that are in Frank Josep, New Zealand. They woke up with me on this brisk morning and they will be the last one's I think of before I go to sleep.

It's been a great year!!! A year unimaginable...A year that is soon coming to a close. I go with a softer heart, a smile and a few tears for this year has touched my soul with love and laughter.

Last year on this very day, I looked in the mirror to find a reflection of a black fancy dress, hot pink boots and a face put. This year, I look in the reflection and find the same girl with dirty stained cargo pants, windbreaker, sneakers and hair uncombed and I am just as happy.

As it turns out, I've once again become the scruffy girl from college days that loved sweat pants, baseball hats, hight top sneakers, men's boxers and long snuggly flannel shirts. Maybe this year I grew younger rather than older, wiser than expected, simplier than most would imagine and most of all appreciative of all things.

It's been a great year~~~

I just hope you all recognize me....in a few weeks, for homebound is only a few days away.

Happy Birthday to ME!Today is March 21, 2006 and I sit in the harbour of Wellington, New Zealand.

It' seems that I left

New Zealand March 6-21, 2006

They say that this land is God's country...it's not hard to understand why with it's rolling hills, valleys, tall pines, crystal lakes, beautiful oceans.

It's a mesmerizing place filled with the freshest oxygen I've encountered...the greenest forests I've seen, the bluest skies and oceans imaginable.

The feeling is stillness here for the snow capped mountains show themselves for miles, the grapes grow hidden under a net of white, the people greet you with a kind smile and a quircky accent, you can drive for miles and not see anyone, pass a town in a blink of an eye and be confronted with another natural wonder.

It's not hard to imagine why God chose this place...for amist it's cold weather, there is a blanket of warmth.

(Picture to follow)

Northern Thailand, Febuary 19, 2006

As I left the two old woman with a smile, I walked slowly to my driver. As usual, he was patiently waiting after I took more time than expected to aquant myself in a village.

I saw what appeared to be rice approaching and a man at rest. It was not an uncommon sight from those I have seen repeatedly in village...as children slowly approach, women give an eye of curiousity and the men wave.

Thailand, Chaing Rai Febuary 18, 2006

I found myself confronted with another small village that contained only 6 houses and 35 inhabitants. The fresh smell of hay permiated from the newly built roofs and the huts for the animals were still shiny from the recent construction.

It was a village visit like any others, me with a handful of tangerines in-hand, ready for any child to approach me or any woman looking to sell her goods. I walked slowly, saying hello to all and my visit was over in just a flash, so I thought.

Thailand January 2006

Am I Superman? For a moment, for this moment...I believe I am. We're both still searching, still in question, still in wonderment of what our place in this world is.

As I sit, hearing Jim sing the Superman songtrack a tear is shed. For I am Superman....the journey continues.

Superman lyrics...

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find
The better part of me

I'm more than a bird
I'm more than a plane
More than some pretty face
beside a train

It's not easy to be me.....

Laos & Thailand 2006

In the remotest of places, people welcome me. They welcome me with a smile. I could be approaching a small hut and have a piece of food bestowed to me, or a precious cup of water but that token is always presented...first, by a smile.

It is with great gratitude that I accept their genorosity and welcoming spirit even when I realize the water provided is from the river that flows outside. It is a sense of politeness that as their privileged guest, I am honored by their welcome.

World Traveler....

As I wonder through this world for eleven months there is one thing that has changed. It happened slowly, barely undetected, looking back on it. It might have happened in Latvia when a flower couple made me smile. It might have happened in Turkey as I sat with three women from different generations. It might have happened in Morroco as I ate, slept and rejoiced with a kind family. It might have happened in India with a kind man that welcomed me with big eyes and the gesture of welcome.