the bug, the itch, and the basement

The arches of my feet cramp up, toes curl under, and I transfer my weight to the outside edges of my feet - the goal is to have as little surface area make contact with the cold bathroom floor. My shoulders lift up and forward as I softly place my bum on the seat. freezing. 

and to think that one year ago I was in such a different place... in so many ways.

I have been back in Jackson for seven months. The summer came and went too quickly. I spent most of the warmer days leading two three-week backpacking expeditions accross the Teton Crest Trail and up to the summit of the Grand Teton. Sleeping on the earth and waking up with the sun just seems to put all things in their place. The mountains make my heart glow. Hiking the crest, climbing The Grand, riding horses on the ranch, yoga on valley floors, and echoing laughter filled my long summer days.

This winter has been one of the faster seasons I can remember, maybe because it never really came in full force.  The Farmers' Almanac was correct in predicting frigid temperatures for the majority of the winter, now an early spring has been teasing as I swap flip-flops for Uggs on a daily bases.  It is an El Nino year, which is the periodic warming of the Pacific waters occurring every two to five years and lasting about 12 months.  From what I gather, this is one reason we have had minimal amounts of snowfall.  So I find other joys in living my life in a ski town.

The crisp and clearness of the days allow my mind to synch with the space outside of my head. The external environment seeps into my body and clears my noodle (thanks thesaurus.com for the synonym I couldn't help but use!)

Discipline and self study are two gifts of a snowless snowboard season!  Studying Ayurveda ("the science of life," an ancient eastern holistic healing which has been in practice for over 5,000 years) has brought me to a deep awareness of the qualities of foods/ spices and in greater tune with the natural cycles of the day, month, year, etc.  This has paired well with the new yoga studio opening.  I teach two classes there, and I have found this to be great inspiration for continuing my education.  I have found many joys in my life this winter and have found a great peace in my decision to live a less-than-traditional lifestyle (whew!)

Now, for the title of this entry. I have been living in a bit of a cave; My domain is a huge basement dwelling, fully equipped with a nice bright bathroom and zen meditation room.  It has been a great space for the winter (bear in hibernation-mode style.) But, I have learned something about myself- this girl needs light!

With the cold, short, dark days of winter, the basement heightened my itch for adventure... it fed my travel bug.  And now I get to go!

I have two days to pack up my belongings, to move into my new space for the summer.  In this time I also must pack a carryon bag for six weeks of South America!  (and learn the entire language of Spanish... sometimes I am so grossly american it hurts)  I take off on April 7th and I couldn't be more excited for an adventure, more thankful for an opportunity, nor more blindly jumping into a foreign experience! Thanks for following my adventures in wonder once again!  Peru, Chile, Argentina are all on the agenda- any advice?! comments, questions, and concerns?! 

Off to pack. xo