I have been in Ecuador... but I am alive!

I don't know when I will have the chance if ever to really do this trip justice but it was so amazing and inspiring and life changing.  I know that's a lot to say... but it truly was.  You can see some of our funny antics below... I'll meet you below the photos to catch you up on some details.

So we all flew in to Quito the evening of the 26th.  There were 12 of us there ranging from 18-30 all having worked teaching boating at some point or another... for some of us (hello) it's been longer than others.  On the 27th we had an early breakfast and then drove to San Francisco de Borja outfitted some boats and immediately put on the Cosanga river.  It was a how shall I say... a bit of a wake up call for some of us who haven't been in boats for a while.  The water was bigger than the guides thought it would be so what is usually a class III- turned into a III+ and IV river.  Welcome back to boating!

The next day we drove to Tena which was about 2 hours away.  Tena is lower in elevation so it was much warmer and the water was a bit friendlier.  We stayed there until New Years Day.  So while in Tena we did some big water runs and some creek runs as well.  But overall it was so so so so amazing!!!!  Yes that is 4 so s and 4 exclamation marks!!!! 

In Ecuador there is a tradition where men dress up as women... and then you give them money.  It's something about father time leaves on the old year, and leaves a widow and a baby (the new year) so the men all dress up in drag.  So on New Year's Eve we walked through the street and danced with boys dressed in skirts.  Light up glasses and bunny ears and some true Ecuadorian fashion helped us 'fit in'. 

There are so many rivers in that area and such a variety which was super cool! 

And yeah, life changing.  It made me remember how much I freaking LOVE boating!  I have not been in a boat consistently since 2004!  Holy crap that's a long time!  So I felt like I did really well considering those facts!  7 years is a long long time.  It made me think about whats next for me and maybe that answer needs to have some more accessible water.  I don't ever want to go to worlds or to be a super proficient Class V boater but I would like to be a comfortable Class IV boater which I think is within my grasp if I were to take some time and just go for it.

So maybe that's what 2012 will bring.  Going for it!  I'm definitely going for SOMETHING.  It's just not clear what direction that will be... I will tell you more as I know, but yeah.  I can see the fork in the road that's coming.  I'm just not sure which way I am headed yet. 

Safely in London now.  And I flew in and got a note from my boss saying that I don't have to work tomorrow so I get to do all those errand things (sim cards and home stuff etc).  But also I get to walk around one of my favorite cities and enjoy the day. 

More to come!



xoxo



kfl

Just checking in

Time passes so strangely here!

Running running running and still not getting anywhere!

I've been dealing with some not too fun stuff lately (as can be observed by my new daily "breakfast cocktail" YUCK!!!) but I am hoping that it will sort itself out before too long... um... to be incredibly vague.  Yeah.

Our city run is about over which means it's time to pack up all my belongings and move!  Packing sucks!  Why am I living a wandering life when I hate hate hate packing and unpacking yet I have to do it every month and a half.  Damn,,,. 

I would say I am 2/3 of the way done.  At this point I just need the bags to make it to Florida, and I have a week to sort stuff out there.  Also way behind on classes which means that while I am hope wanting to spend family time.... I'll need to duck out and do some electronic time too.  Which means I will be neglecting you!

Rest assured.... I will let you know about Ecuador with lots and lots of photos and then the move to London!

Ok... that's my 5 minute alarm... that's all I allowed myself for this one.  Yep, time is THAT tight around here.



In other news... I cut off all my hair again.  I was asked.... Amalie inspired?  Perhaps maybe?  But her's is much shorter.  You can decide. 



Bye bye bye bye bye bye bye!!

K.

Awesomeness.

I'm out of commission for a bit... 'i have some top secret things to attend to.  I'm sure you understand. Until I'm back... I found you this...  xo



Midnight Sun | Iceland from SCIENTIFANTASTIC on Vimeo.

Tickets are booked!

Tickets are officially booked!

Dates for all you other wanderlusters like me so we can visit, chat, have a cup of coffee, beer, vino, or just hugs:

Here in SF until Dec 20 though growing more unreachable every day so if you need any of the above... call me!
Dec 21- 26 Back in FL mostly for family time but I will see some of you at Black Dog right?  Save me a seat outside!
Dec 26- Jan 3 Ecuador.  Paddling my butt and shoulder off.... Lets hope I finish up in one piece!
Jan 3-5 Paris - Tu me manques!
Jan 5- mid Feb - LONDON.  So many people to see so few days off.  FYI my day off is Monday so if we should hang out, clear your Monday!  

Let me know when you will be around!  I can't wait to see everyone. 


xoxo


K

It's hard work trying to take over the world!

It was my day off today and I had so much work to do I did not have very much time to enjoy it!  But I did manage to take a few happy snaps before the work commenced.  I still have a laundry list of things I need to do before we get out of here in two weeks... on the list... LOTS of plane tickets. 

There are exciting things happening soon I think.  I'm trying hard to make some decisions that are big tough ones that need to be made!  Scary stuff but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Up until now I've always landed on my feet. 


I can't say any more about it now... but soon my pretties... soon. 

As always...

xoxo K

PS I found a gas mask today.  Watch out for 2012!