skiing, healing and snow

THIS IS FROM LAST NIGHT


So many things are happening. If only I could have my own reality tv show that I could also edit and narrate as things were happening so you would just know everything that I see and do and feel. But of course then you would interpret it completely differently because that's how we experience life. Before I start to explain how I have been interpreting my life I'd like to thank my brother jacob, who managed to fix my "broken" palm pilot from 1000s of miles away, over the internet. It's thanks to him that I hooked up my portable keyboard and am typing this in the (relative) warmth of my room in my pjs and listening to creative-vibe music (jewel). So, THANKS JAKE! It really was charging I just didn’t realize it! I don’t know how I am so bad with technology when my brother is so good at it and I grew up in a technology age! But I am so positive right now and just ready to ponerme las pilas, to take action and apply myself in everything.

There was another earthquake on Thursday morning, just a temblor. It was at 830am and I was sleeping, but it incorporated itself into my dream in the form of Tica Ortega and I getting ready for a yardsale (a weird mix of things that happened this summer!) and someone tipping over the table of stuff we had just priced. My host mom came running in to see if I was ok and I was so confused,didn´t know where I was, etc. We were not at the epicenter this time, it was in a different province, San Juan,and apparently it was pretty strong,a 6. It's a great conversation starter,as in "where were you when the temblor happened?"

I caught a horrible cold last week and am still recovering. I do NOT like such a dry climate and I was coughing forever. My host sister and mom assured me it was because of that ONE cold shower I took when the hot water heater broke and they will never let me hear the end of. BUT I am feeling much better...I watched a ton of tv, drank probably a gallon of tea and mate and just took care of myself for a few days, something which I forget to do when I'm abroad because I'm so busy experiencing things to remember to sleep well and take vitamins and stuff. Also the zonda wind was running last week. I am no longer a zonda cynic, it is a real occurrence and it affects people SO much. IT causes low blod pressure, headache, etc. It was really hot (80 degrees F) on Thursday and today it is SNOWING, all because of the zonda. Snow in Mendoza is like snw in Florida, so it is a huge deal. A few flurries and everyone is speculating if we will wake up tomrrow to a winter wonderland.

Yesterday I lived one of the most surreal experiences of my life, although most of my travels seem surreal to me. I went skiing for the first time in the Andes mountains. As in THE ANDES MOUNTAINS. WOW. We went to Los Penitentes, a resort about three hours away. The drive there was scary because there was a snowstorm in the mountains and we were careening around curves in a minibus! At one point we couldn´t get through and so we stopped and got out. We took pictures and frolicked around in the frigid blizzard while the driver talked to other drivers about how to get through. I loved it, my first snow of the year plus it was just amazing. We finally made it to Penitentes and the sun was shining, blue skies, and the challenge of getting myself all dressed in ski gear. I was quite the sight in my rented one piece astronaut ski suit, gloves, hat and of course the boots and the skis. My suit was gray and yellow and looked like a sumo wrestler costume! I was so proud of myself for just getting dressed and figuring out how to strap my skis on! It was SO indimidating to finally head out for the hills. AHHHH. I can™€t believe people actually ski downMOUNTAINS. Incredible. I went to the smallest hill possible and sidestepped up the hill. I didn’t fall EVER which was cool but I also never braved even one lift. I just climbed halfway up and then flailed around while everyone yelled at me to turn. HOW??? Next time I will take a lesson. I still had SUCH a great time. After about an hour of "skiing" Marie and I rode the first lift HIGH up the mountain. We took pictures and tumbled around in our astronaut suits. It was so peaceful on top of the mountain and I layed in the snow and was able to reflect on life, in the middle of the Andes with views that are unreal. Penitentes is the base for Aconcagua-bound climbers and we could see it from where we were. Aconcagua is one of the highest summits in the entire world. I really can’t say enough about how much the experience was good for me. Something connected inside of me, being surrounded by so much natural beauty. I can always think so much clearer when on top of a mountain or a pyramid or at the beach orsomething. Nature reminds me to slow down a little bit. Skiing in the andes, CHECK

Today I went to a cooking class at my directors house. We made empandadas, a type of roast beef dish, humita (a corn casserole), tomatican (a tomato dish), and yummy Flan. And homeade bread. I had a great time and it was nice to spend the day chitchatting about Argentine and American politics and just laughing with friends. And drinking mate. I love mate so much and it is very addicting. Someday I'll write an entry just about mate etiquette that I am learning

Sometimes we don’t realize what we are experiencing in the moment. My host family. Such great people and so interesting! Remember it is a very artsy laid back but also political atmosphere. We always have interesting artsy friends over. Tonight I walked in,freezing cold after church, to find 8 or 9 people crowded around the table, drinking wine, everyone talking at once, eating homemade pizza. After introductions and kisses on the cheek, Ama and I escaped to her room to catch up on weekend gossip. We are starting to have an actual relationship, which is great because we really have nothing in common but we can still interact and have a meaningful friendship. I found out that two of the guests are important people from Buenos Aires, a photographer and a reporter, who had t leave for a radio interview. Super intersting people who use art to fight for the things they believ in. There are still many causes to fight for in Latin America (in North America too). Anyways I am completely in aweof my host mom because she is really famous around here and could be a world famous artist. I really want to buy one of her pieces and ship it home!!!! Despite the stress of living with someone elses family, I would never choose a different situation. THey are still here, strumming songs on guitars and TALKING. People here really talk to each other, inteact. It's wonderful.

And now, I say goodbye. Classes have started and I like it. All is well. I miss you!

SORRY ABOUT ALL THE TYPOS, THE KEYBOARDS SOMETIMES THINK I AM WRITING IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE AND PUT RANDOM THINGS IN HERE AND I'M TOO LAZY TO PROOFREAD.