Hola!

I cant imagine that some of you are in a blizzard there...I am wearing as little as I possibly can, and feeling suffocated by heat. But in a nice way.

We are in the southernmost part of Ecuador, in a valley town called Vilcabamba. they say that the fountain of youth is here, that the locals live to be 120.....I wouldn't doubt it. There is an uncommon peace in the air.A loveliness accentuated by flocks of butterflies and trees bent low with heavy flowers.There is absolutely nothing to do here except breath and contemplate, and once aday trek to the internet cafe to make contact with the outside world. it is nice.Dex and I hitchhiked here from Quito. It took two days, nearly every moment of which was lovely.The scenery, the climate, the people. the notion of fear is completely forgotten. everyone is so nice. nice nice nice. That is the only word that occurs to my lazy mind.

The first night we were adopted by a bunch of indigenous folks from the paramo, who took us to their village. we slept in a cement shack, amongst the garbage and dead chickens.....it is squalid but wonderful. They taught us words in Quichua, and laughed so that the gold in their teeth sparkled in the dim lights.

The next day we were picked up by a nice man and his grumpy teenage daughter. He bought us lollipops and we sat in the back seat like children, watching the scenery like a Sunday matinee. Britney Spears greatest hits album provided the most perfect soundtrack.Funny how spending time here has that same gratifying effect of working, putting money in the bank. the longer I spend here, the more I accumulate some ineffable currency. It feels like an upward trajectory, even if I have very little in the tangible world to show for it. I am getting richer every day. Life is nice.  (nice!)

I love you all....happy everything!

katnice

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