Sir, There is Something Wrong with Your Language

Looking back on the last few days, I can honestly say that if you ever have a chance, you have to go to the Galpagos Islands. The place is incredible. Puerto Ayora, the main city in Santa Cruz, itself is an incredibly charming, laid-back town, with some pretty patient people. The southern islands, as I can no say from experience, are beautiful. Each island seems to have its own distinct personality. Blue Footed Boobies, however, are still creepy and will forever haunt my dreams. I found out, by the way, that they get their name from diving into the water with their beaks open.

Being able to be in a place where animals take precidence is an experience in and of itself. It was refereshing, especially because they seemed to know it. Even crabs, as tasty as they can be, roam untouched in overwhelming abundance, despite colorfully patterned shells that seem to scream, "EAT ME!" Maybe though, I have just worked in a crabhouse for too many summers...

I honestly don't know if I would hav had as much fun if it weren't for the pople that I took my tour with. Serg was about three weeks deep into work with no holiday, but still seemed to have a passion for what he was doing. At the least, he did everything he could--within respectful limitation--to ensure that we were well informed and entertained. Neil, Coralie, Rob and Bev were great--I don't know what I would have done without people to make smartass remarks with. Its the one thing (smartass jokes) that you can't really understand, or get, when you are beginning to learn another language (at least when somebody else is telling a joke). They lose their charm when you have to break them down word for word, or they can go unnoticed altogether--at leat the little ones.

Language is, however, the gap that divides us from the rest of humanity. As my brother, and now also my ultrawise tour guide Sergio, say, we are part of a family and learning a language allows our family to grow. As I've already found, there are thousands of wonderful, amazing people out there just waiting to make our lives. We just have to learn their language. Although only speaking Spanish makes me as homesick as all hell sometimes (it limits what I think can be the greater parts of my personality... haha), learning the language is the only way that I know I can go somewhere in the future and not get homesick--its the one way I can crack a smartass joke anywhere in the world, and maybe, just maybe, get a rise out of somebody.

In some ways, it wasn't the cultural experience that I could have gotten (but it WAS amazing). It did, however, show me the importance of learning a language. Of course, it isn't only about cracking jokes... Though, that is a part of maintaining my sanity.

Anyway, after four delays of two hours a piece, a computer malfunction and subsequent delay, I made the two and a half journey through the air from Guayaquil to Cusco. My initial impressions are positive... though I could do without the thousands of offers for a massage. I'll explain more later though... I have to get ready for my trek.