Two months til we head down South. While most people will be huddling around their stoves to stay warm, we will be hiking to our first volunteer location: Sacred Suenos! Yep, Lil and I have been accepted to volunteer at this cute organic farm located in southern Ecuador (it is about 3 hours from the nearest town by foot). I know what some of you may be thinking- 3 hours, by foot, with no TV, internet or other means of talking with the outside world. We already checked; they aren't mass murderers or anything- they just don't believe in how much technology most people need or are addicted to. I am really excited to be in a place without the modern day conveniences that I rely on, from phone to Internet. Lil is pretty stoked as well and is looking forward to hard-working days on the farm and good nights playing music around the hearth.
Til then, we have been spending time in this white stuff that floats to the ground- snow. Despite being a foreign concept due to global warming, snow does strike and when it does, downed trees, spinning cars and puffy coats abound. In order to take advantage of our shortened winter, Lil and I have been spending time on the mountain, her skiing and me boarding. We went up about a week ago and had a blast, even without a lot of snow on the ground. We are planning to go cross country skiing tomorrow with all the new powder that hit town (12 inches!).
Over the next two months, Lil and I will be planning out the rest of our trip, from passport photos to immunizations to more farms, spanish and climbing locations. We hope that you all can join in on this trip and take part in the journey with us...to Jurassic Park... I mean South America!
-Hopper
