Hey Ma and Iris,

Glad you are taking a look at it. I love the book. She is in Bali right now. She is saying she finds true spirituality. A spirituality she had been looking for her whole life in churches and spiritual places but never found. She ends up staying in Bali for 8 years! I cant wait to find out about her spiritual journey and why she stays for 8 years!

Ma, she gets her income from writing childrens books and that's it. These make her enough money to travel. I'm not sure what the 10,000 a year is about, but I really think that's all she makes a year on her books. At times she will only go away from home for the summer months other times she ends up staying in a place for years.

She experiences many incredible things and mostly people while she is abroad. It is these people that make her laugh and dance more than she ever has in her life. for example, I think her laughter mostly came from her experience in mexico. She lived with a mexican family that laughed harder than anyone she ever knew. When these people laughed they truely let it all out. From being around them for months she unconsciously began to laugh just as deep as they did. This to me is one of the true beauties of traveling. The people you meet can change YOU in deep ways forever!! I think when rita goes back hometo the states she laughs like she learned to do in mexico and is proud to have learned to laugh that openly.

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World

Ahh, so I am absolutely engrossed in this book called Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World. The second day I arrived in New Zealand a girl I went out with for a night told me I should read it along with the Alchemist. It stuck with me the whole 2.5 months and for a good reason. It's a fantastic book that reminds me, through intricate details and stories, how incredible traveling is. My favorite quote in the book is when the main character says in response to doubters:

"No I'm not running away. On the contrary I've discovered a new way to live. My life is endlessly fascinating, filled with learning, adventure, interesting people, new and enlightening experiences. I laugh, sing, and dance more than I ever have. I am becoming the person inside me. My life also offers opportunities to give as well. Wherever I am in the world, I read to children, visit classrooms, teach engish, and bring food and laughter into homes. And on top of all that, I'm existing on less than 10,000 a year, including airfares. I'm embracing life, not running away from it. why would I want to stop?"

So far I've read about her travels in Isreal, the Galapagos, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. Next she's going to the forests of Borneo. I dont think I can fall asleep until I read the rest of the book! Ma, I found her trick is that she travels during the summer months so she can give attention to her kids who are in college during the year ;)

I went on a hike today with friends in Big Basin near Santa Cruz. It was nice to be in nature and with company.

This one didn't quite make it

Speakzeez

Here are some photos from the camp we ran this past school break. The theme was super-heroes and I was SPEAKZEEZ, conversor of all languages! Most of these kids have nowhere else to go, we provide a fun and safe place for them to enjoy over break!

ROUTEBURN TREK

This was an incredible hike! I found out it was rated by national geographic as one of the top 10 in the world. This view was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Pictures really dont do justice as Iris can tell you!

I hiked beyond Falls Hut where I stayed the hike. I enjoyed the hike with 3 guys from Isreal.

Again pictures suck, but the forest areas that I walked through were gorgeous. I love the way the light shines through the trees.

These were 2 girls from Isreal I met on my way down from the hike. We all decided America needs to make travelling more of a priority. In Isreal it's mandatory for everyone to join the army for a few years. After they finish the army they go travelling!

I have so many more pics from hikes I've been doing in Mt. Cook, Arthurs Pass, Wanaka and Queenstown. Iris, thanks so much for having me come here. This place has really made me a recycler and a complete nature fanatic.

Hope all is going well! keep me posted on how your doing!

Some Pictures from my Travels that are long overdo (sorry momma.)

The place where Jesus was crucified. A temple of Gold. Ironic, don't ya think?


The western wall on the bottom (the most sacred spot in judaism, and directly above the temple mount, one of the most sacred sites of islam. about a 5 minute walk is the place where jesus was crucified.)



Me and Momma!!



The ancient pyramids.. another wonder of the world.


Relaxing in Tel Aviv Israel w/ some fellow travellers. The girl is my good friend Yael.



Enjoying the vulgars of the crowd..


Hiding from the Jordanian Authorties.. in my DESERT CAMP!



The modern border of Israel and Jordan.. Also the place where Jesus was baptised. 40 days and 40 nights.



Some might say I was captured by the park ranger, others say I was hitch hiking.. :)



The ancient roman city of Jerash. Jordan.


How will they remember me in years to come... The philosopher.. The Tyrant?



On the left side we have europe.. on the right, we have asia, in the middle we have the osphorous.. the bridge that units "east" and "west." Istanbul, Turkey.



Travelling through a Wadi.. Jordan.


The ancient city of TROY. Yea, from the movie.. or from the great epic. Turkey.


A free ride through petra courtesy of my bedouin friends. Jordan.


Petra, Jordan. A wonder of the world.


Sitting down for lunch in a village of about 30 people. I wonder if I was the only tourist to visit this village.. it was an hourr camel treck. Sinai, Egypt.


Mt. Sinai.. where Moses spoke to God and received the 10 commandments. Egypt.

A bedouin party... I got an invite! Siani, Egypt.

My bedouin guides across the Sinai, Egypt.


Clash of Civilizations in relaxation techniques! A castle where T.E. Lawrence spent his twilight hours. Jordan.

To All

If anyone would like to travel, but is in need of some "mula" then let your brother know. I'll leave it up to you as to which brother you ask! Muaha. Or son in your case mother.

Love,
Lowell

Sierra, I only have a few minutes....I will say more later but how long are you in christchurch? What if I gave you a letter to give to my host family? Go to the botanical gardens, the art area near their...go to the skirt man! He has so many beautiful skirts! Go up to the cliffs in the distance and hike around. okie I will be back soon!

Hola!

How are things?

Iris, have you gotten a chance to do anything else with that spontaneous group? How are summer plans coming along and your art class?

Ma, have you gotten a chance to volunteer with that veterans organization yet? I bet Neiko is going to be running aorund like a chicken with his head cut off when I get back!

Life here is spectacular. I'm sad I cant downlaod pics on this computer b/c I've done so many wonderful hikes the last few days. I hiked the routeburn track, roys peak in wanaka, meuller hut and hooker valley tracks at mt cook, and am now off to CHRISTCHURCH where Iris lived! I'm spending tonight there and then taking the transalpine journey to hike around Arthurs Pass. Ohh New Zealand is beautiful and I am such a nature fanatic now!

Hope all is going well! See ya soon mum and scot....

Iris...how about hiking the John Muir Trail next summer?