Estamos en Chile!

We all made it safely to Santiago! My flights were all early (and Ildi´s too) and the connexion in Bogota was smooth as silk. Lots of policia y perros in the airport. We are staying in a sweet little apartment in Santiago for the night. It has 3 beds, a kitchenette, and a balcony  (pictures coming soon!). Our bus to Valpo leaves at noon tomorrow and the party begins shortly after. The sunshine party begins at 3am, is punctuated by naptime, and ends with a pool party. Dare I say this will be fun?

I am hopefully that the jetlag wears off before tonight, but if not, it should be cleared after going for drinks with some of Emma´s Chilean friends. So far, Santiago boasts many not so tall, but definitely dark and handsome men. If you´re in the market for the 5´8 -5´10 range and lots of gorgeous brown hair, this might be the place for you. The fashion es interesado - lots of patterns! Kelley you might be in heaven here.

Paz y amor .... for now  :)

Taking off

Running water in Joshua Tree? We got sucked down into the quicksand a few times hiking in to Dappled Mare

Across the wash from Dappled Mare

Really cool rock formation on top of the Lost Horse Wall

Walking on the nose

I'm finally down to the final hours before my flight to Santiago. My grad school applications are done, my bag is packed, and there is nothing more to do besides sleep and drive to LAX. The past week has been crazy with Christmas and a spur of the moment trip to Joshua Tree. My dream is finally becoming a reality.

I meet up with Emma and Ildi in Santiago and then we head to Valpo on Friday for New Years. If the past and the chain of emails we've been sharing portend anything it will prove to be one hell of a party. So, here we go!

... and so it begins

It is my last day in Santa Barbara. The move is bittersweet, but the sweetness overpowers the bitterness in the end. I am finally going to devote myself to the pursuit of my own personal legend and the desires of my own heart. I can only know if I am capable of living out this crazy life if I jump in head first with a one-way ticket to Santiago. Okay, there are other ways I could find out, but I have probably tried most of them. Now, car-less and (relatively) free of responsibilities, I head south in search of my soul amongst the volcanoes, lakes, and beaches of South America. Here we go!