Ahh, teaching is done and I’m still getting paid for a while. Now is the time to do some of the things I have wanted to do. More yoga, paragliding, hiking and writing, the list grows longer every day. Creativity blossoms with time and space. Questions also creep into my mind. What is next? Will I stay in the area (the Roaring Fork Valley) or is it time to move on? I want to devote some time to yoga so I can be a better teacher. I haven’t found a teacher that I connect with in this area. I have been tempted to move to be able to practice with a good teacher on a continual basis. The other possibility is to take another teacher’s training. Intensive immersion in yoga is a beautiful experience! I also need to find work, not right away but soon. Teaching middle school was a great and trying experience which I am not ready to dive back into any time soon. Teaching yoga appears to be my calling but I am afraid to dive into it full-time. Would I get sick of it? I have a few projects that I want to work on. I hope to travel to Chile to work on a couple of ideas. One is a book that illustrates the difficult lives of the pioneers in Patagonia (photos and text.) The second is a mixed media series that will show the beauty of Aysen (11th Region, Chile) how people live, what the area has to offer in terms of adventure and resources as well as local environmental issues. To carry out these projects, I need some freedom of movement. I am hesitant to commit to work if it is going to tie me down. We’ll have to see what opportunities come my way.

   I'm back from Argentina.  It was a great trip!  Our only mishaps were one boken leg and  a delayed flight upon return which forced 2 flight changes and added 7 hours to the trip for a grand total of 30+ hours.  Not too bad, really.
   It felt so good to be back in Patagonia.  I lived in Chilean Patagonia for 8 years and loved it.  The Argentine side is very similar ( I hope no Argentinos take offense!)  What always strikes me is the focus on family and community.  People there enjoy life, they take their time and make sure that they do the things they love.  They are not selfish, by any means.  Folks make huge sacrifices for their families. 
   Patagonia is also quite beautiful, soaring mountains, immense plains, breathtaking lakes and amazing, dense forests as you head West towards Chile.  The beauty is so intense and powerful, it is hard to capture in words or pictures.
   We had a lot of fun.  We mostly took field trips in the area of Bariloche.  There is a lot to see!  My students are young (8th grade) and unfortunately their language skills are limited (not enough Spanish classes!)  I think the trip was a real eye-opener for them.  I hope the experience encourages them to do more traveling and living abroad.
   I have fallen back in love with the area.  I hope to go back next Summer (Austral) and plan to reconnect with my old community of friends.  I am interested in filming a documentary of the area (Chilean Patagonia, Aysen)  focusing on lifestyle,  culture, natural history and environmental threats (Big Dams coming soon!)
   Any zaadsters out there who might be able to help?
Ciao

   Well, I am off to Argentina for two weeks.  I probably won't be able to frequent zaadz as much as i would like.  Sorry if i don't get back to anyone who writes.
    I am taking a group of eigth graders to Bariloche, Patagonia for our Sister Cities Exchange.  It should be a fun trip.  But... 9 eigth graders, over 24 hours of travel, and sleep deprivation (i can't sleep on planes) should combine for some trying moments!
   I will try to get some pictures up online when I get back.
Thank you zaadsters for inviting me into your community.  It is a lot of fun getting to know new folks.  I am very excited about the networking possibilities.  May our dreams come true!
ciao
Sam