In technicolor! Laura

It's true! We have found a computer that has given itself to us free of charge and with no further adieu we bring you New Zealand! To begin, the colors are incredible...maybe it is the hole in the ozone, but I have never seen greens so green and blues so blue. This became very evident when we were on the Bax Family dairy farm (the setting for the Shire in Lord of the Rings...I really will try to stop the references)
view from the Baxes' backyard

with the wonderful Bax Family eating pumpkin pie on it's New Zealand debut

Katy the farm hand


Mount Doom looming over an other-worldly/post-apocalyptic landscape


The Emerald Lakes at the Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park

Jess in the clouds, literally, scrambling down a summit

Hydrangeas are no exception in New Zealand, the biggest and most brilliant colors...ever!

Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel, it was decent, whatever...

milestones galore! Laura

Warning: the following passage may contain egregious spelling and punctuation errors due to using a keyboard slightly larger than my thumb which is all a result of the lacking free internet access, emphasis on free, in new zealand


Today is marked as a momentous day for various reasons and I will begin with the most apparent...we have a new president! Which leads us to our second milestone, we woke up at 515 in the morning today. Serendipitously we were near a TV just in time to see obama sworn in with jumbled words and all(the nerves were endearing!), as you
may presume, we were
not awake at that hour in order to pay our patriotic duties, but because we were on our way to one of our least-anticipated yet continually most memorable (for better or worse) activities - trekking! Which will be referred to as 'tramping' while in new zealand to refer to one of the most popular activities for its countrymen - it's not just for you granola-eating, subaru
-driving,tree-huggers up in Vermont down here in new zealand. Oh, I jest! In reality, despite how I try to hide it, I have become the greatest proponent of general outdoorsiness in the group. So as today is our ONE HUNDRETH day of travel (yet another milestone to add to your list) and we are in the land of 'great walks' (and lord of the rings), we planned a tramp of EPIC proportions in which one Laura Fox and Jessica Caimi set out at 8 am to conquer or succumb to new zealand's greatest day walk (rest assured that the term 'walk' is used very lightly
here) in which we were to face craters, summits, emerald lakes, and sulfur fields aka mount DOOM, the land of the orgs, etc, all of which are sights in lord of the rings that were shot there - we were hopeful that the similarities would end there and we would fair better than Frodo and Sam :\
(apologies for the unabashed lord of the rings references as I just saw not only the first film but all three last week for the first time)

While seeing some truly other worldly landscapes on the tongaruro alpine crossing, Jess was able to recreate various scenes from the film while I tried in vain to deny my new identity as an outdoorsy person. I suppose while on the walk there were two more milestones - first, we decided that five or six hours is our physical and mental limit for a day hike especially considering that we were not the most professionally outfitted group with my 'streetwear' adidas and all. Too bad the walk took us seven hours...which not only led us to fits of delerious laughter and hobbling on feet that had tried to run away from our bodies hours earlier, but also to the completion of our longest trek/tramp to date! The length was allegedly 18 and a half kilometers but man oh man that last half kilo went on long enough for Jess to contemplate setting up shop in the bush while also talking to herself (first sign of legit delirium, I have recently learned). Thankfully the third member of our party, miss Katy Jane, who had pased on the hike, was waiting at the end of the path ready to mother our rather tired selves.

I have a few photos on my phone from today - not only do they not do the land justice, but I am just not that patient to figure out how to add them now, so I implore you to look up the park online. At the close of this most memorable day, I would like to thank all of you for your support and positive thoughts throughout our first one hundred days and we will in turn send our support and positive thoughts to the states on this the first of, hopefully, many proud days for our country, good deal?

i've traded vogue for gum boots

Hello hello all and welcome to this edition of Jessica out of her element! This episode features a tent and cows!!!

Actually, all joking aside, I have to say that the girls and I have been having an absolutely fabulous time here in new zealand. We arrived new years eve in auckland, and after a good nap, met some other travelers from France and Spain and we all decided to go down to the viaduct area together where we could see fireworks go off at midnight, and experience the great local tradition - the pub! We had a very fun night, which included cutting a line and getting into a dance club for free where we proceeded to dance the new year away. A perfect way to start my year.

The next day was filled with logistics and planning because a) we had decided that staying at hostels was a but too harsh on our budgets because of expensive kiwi prices and b) we decided to take another swing at WWOOFing but had to plan when and where to volunteer ourselves.

After being invited to stay for a week on a dairy farm in Cambridge, we decided to attack the budget problem by investigating camping equipment. Yes, your eyes do not decieve you, I agreed to give camping a try. The decision was made a bit easier when a tent was given to us by the universe. When asking about buying cheap gear at our hostel front desk, the woman behind the counter said, "well, you can have this one here for free if you want it. Someone left it behind." The girls and I eagerly unfolded the tent to find a perfectly functioning tent, plus waterproof rainfly ... for only two people. Well, at least we will be cosy at night, which was a worry on our minds because we had nothing but silk sleepsacks to sleep in. We bought some inflatable mattresses to put on the ground, but searched in vain for blankets. It was Laura Fox who, while exploring an outdoor store, first suggested the idea of using emergency blankets. For those who don't know, emergency blankets are glorified pieces of tin foil that are thrown over marathon runners after they finish racing. I had only seen them before at the finish line of the Boston marathon.

So, armed and "ready" for camping we set off to Waiheke island for the weekend. The island was beautiful and complete with white sand beaches, wineries, and friendly locals. We spent a great day on rented bikes, exploring the island (an excellent suggestion from a friend at home!)Camping went as well as could be hoped. The first night was miserable. It rained and we were all wet and cold. The next night I wore 75% of the clothes in my backpack, and at least managed to stay warm. I can't load any pictures right now, but there are good ones of my poor footsies sticking out of the wee tent, and Katy and I wrapped in the emergency blankets. But, waiheke was fun and gorgeous and we were excited to head back to the mainland to start WWOOFing.

For the past week, we have been staying with one of the happiest, most thoughtful and generous family I have ever known. Compared to staying on the Hare Krisna farm, staying with the Bax family is like going on a fun family vacation. Highlights include riding on the backs of tractors, going kayaking at night to see glowworms, and riding horses. There has also been some hard work and we hope that Phil and Tracy and the entire Bax family has been satisfied with our work. Again, there are some really priceless pictures that go with this story - us wearing farming clothes, us with cows (did I mention we were on a dairy farm!?), us pulling on our intense gum boots in the morning, and also some really incredible pictures of new zealand landscape.
Today was a day of rest spent making feta cheese and watching the Lord of the Rings movies, which were all shot in new zealand! Tomorrow is our last day with the Bax family, and then we are off to pick up a rental car, and then we are letting the wind decide where to lead is next.

We hope all is well at home, and send lots of love to everyone!

Love and baci, Jca

For Marcus - me 77 world 13 xoxo

new zealand, new year!

Hi hi! We've made it safe and sound and have rung in the new year. I hope this post find everyone likewise.

The End of an Era By Katy Jane

Pictures! From this time and last time:


Fox in the pool with a cutie-patutie dog... woof!


Us waiting for a new bus in the apocadesert....bummer!



Gorgeous sunsent in Lima from Harrison´s balcony... que rico!


Inca stone work... wowy zowy!



Us girls at Machu Pichu... OMG!


Team Fox, minus photographer Katy, on the Hiram Bingham train to MP... fambly!
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Hi Sports Fans! I´m going to open this post with a video message from Santiago, Chile:




So happy holidays and all that. We celebrated Christmas by eating Chinese food, lounging poolside, and making a new (and different, though equally excellent) experience of the holidays - away from family, but with a loving family of friends. We have been in Santiago for a week or so, arriving after four long, hot, icky days and three dusty, chilly, stiff nights on busses from Lima. This was our least hitch-free bus ride, as one bus got in a minor collision (we got rear ended, breaking out water tank and the windsheild of the bus behind us) and the other had and unknown mechanical problem (air conditioning?). Owing to this, we had to wait several hours each time for a new bus to come. We did, however, meet a lovely new friend (and mother figure), Juan Pablo from Ecuador, who helped us along the way and brightened our days and nights. Our time in Santiago has not been the most exciting, but it has been essential. We are collectively a little worn out from traveling ever so intensely for over two months, not to mention in countries where even basic communication is often difficult. So we have been resting up, reading up, eating up, and getting super, super, SUPER excited for our trans-Pacific jump to NEW ZEALAND!!!!!! which happens TODAY!!!!!! As I write this, somewhat franticly, the girls are packing their things to head to the airport, where we fly to BA and then to Auckland, where we arrive in the wee hours of New Years Eve Day. We have already been in contact with WWOOFing hosts, and are so excited to be back on the farm, this time learning how to milk cows and make cheese (OMG!!!).

Since today marks the end of the first part of our trip and it is very almost a new year, I think some reflection, recolection, and rememberance is in order. We have had a lovely two and a half months; we have learned, grown, experienced, danced, read, heard, breathed, seen, spoken, tasted, felt in all sorts of new ways. For me, someone who recently wrote a thesis on the American Dream, being on another American continent and steeped in another American culture has really been eye opening. One America could not, would not and can not be separated from the other and we have seen this relationship from the other side. I think one of the biggest things I´ll take away from South America is the responsibility of either deliberately calling myself ¨American,¨ or someone who is ¨from the United States,¨ but now knownign that the two are not one in the same. We have all come to reconsider our ¨American¨ identities as well as our roles as ¨people from the US.¨This I think is the most valuable lesson learned so far, and, on an international level, the timing couldn´t be more perfect.

Jess, just surveyed, reports that adaptablitity is what she has learned most on this trip. We have been confronted with many situations in the last two months that have been hard (Krishna farming), gross (hostel bathrooms), unusual (living out of a backpack with a very limited wardrobe), or otherwise not ideal (sleeping on busses). In contrast to this, we have been lucky enough to experience myriad other situations that have been liberating (having very few material possesion, including clothing), ecologically - and maybe even spritually - enlightening (Organic Krishna Farm), and character building (cold showers). Drawing inspiration from one of our recent favorites, the girls and I would like to think we know what he means when Che Guevara say ¨I felt incapable of making any decisions but clung to the thought that no matter how bad things became, there was no reason to suppose we couldn´t handle it.¨ So thats good and a good lesson learned - a confidence and ability to roll with the punches.

Laura is in the shower so I can´t ask her what she has learned, so in the interim, I´ll include another group realisation. From Edith and our serenditptious mother figures to hostel friends and bus drivers, we have come to realize just how awesome people can be. And awesome doesnt even do justice to the kindness, openness, and generosity we have been shown absolutely EVERYWHERE we´ve been. Not one single person has been nasty to us (excluding drunk men at clubs who confuse sexual advances with friendlieness.. ick!), we have been stopped on the street when obviosuly confused by the the map and asked if we need directions, we have had several people speaking in various languages attempting to solve our probelems. This random kindess is something that has really touched us and stirred in us all the want and desire to pay it forward. Never again will we shy away from the befuddled, non-English speaking tourist in our home towns, but instead listen very carefully, look closely at their maps, and even walk with them to their desination if we deem the directions confusing.

Ok, Laura is out of the shower and reports this: balance and communication. Having all been used to the rigors and schedules of college, we have all had to adjust to life without certain parameters. We are up to our own devices in every sense of the word, from feeding ourselves enough and finding a place to sleep everynight to keeping ourselves busy and feeling satisfied. We have learned to strike a balance between rapid touring all day and partying all night, only to sleep the day away. More importantly, we have learned that importance of communication with eachother, which includes honesty, assertion, patience, and integrity. This carries over to our communications with people at home, which is not always easy or constant, but hopefully becoming more meaningful and relaxed.

So! We´ve lived, loved, learned and now we must go to the airport. Next time we post we´ll be in NEW ZEALAND speaking English in a new year on a continent we´ve never been to... hurray! We love love love everyone and miss you times 10 and hope you are all well and the new year finds you all happy and healthy!

kisses on the cheek like the do here,
katy and the girls

marcus: world - 12 j - 63

Ode to Pachamama by Laura

**DISCLAIMER!!! We are unable to upload our pictures/videos. Please be patient! Our lifestyle ain't always easy and the web ain't always perfect!!!11!!1!!!~~``~!**

After leaving Mendoza at the end of Susie's time with us we made our way to Lima via a series of epic bus rides through the desert and have since returned to Peru's capital after 10 days of whirlwind travel with my dear parents and brother. We have loved Peru and have traversed it by budget buses, luxury trains, and almost every type of transport in between, while simultaneously fluctuating in altitude from sea level to 14,000 feet and back again. Although five out of the six members of the group succumbed to projectile vomiting due to nausea at some point on the most intense and activity-packed "vacation" we have ever experienced, we all emerged with a great love and appreciation for Quechua Socialized living, trekking sandals(!), and above all, Pachamama.
Before the Foxes arrival in Lima, we were once again so fortunate as to have virtual strangers bestow upon us their hospitality and time in showing us their city. The first was our past (and current) host Harrison, an acquaintance of Katy's, who allowed his apartment and life to be overrun by the three of us. Secondly was my college friend Regina's cousin, Esteban, a lifelong Lima resident who generously showed us all around the city from an insider's perspective. This included trying lucuma ice cream, watching him eat the Peruvian delicacy of anticuchos -- cow hearts, and a trip to our consummate favorite neighborhood, Chinatown.
Once our travels with the family began we were able to see the stark contrast between Lima, the colonial center of the Spanish, and the Andean cultures which have preserved their traditions albeit often disguised to quell the Spanish Catholics. Our introduction into pre-Columbian Peru and the scene of our en masse vomiting incident was at the Nazca Lines -- a series of lines dug into the desert that transform into giant depictions of various animals and geometrical symbols when seen from a plane. Mind you the plane is a single-engine cessna and the day was particularly windy (justification for our collective weak stomachs). Although we were very grateful to be back on the ground, the site was remarkable for its millenia old grand-scale engineering as well as for its mysterious origin and purpose.
Next we made our way to Cuzco where I contemplated running away to join the Quechuas to live and work in their socialized terrace farm communities, but decided to stay with the group in order to ride the fancy train up to Machu Picchu (still trying to find the happy medium between socialist and capitalist). While visiting Machu Picchu the "not actually lost city of the Incas," we were hindered rather than helped by the various and often conflicting "life-changing" accounts of fellow travelers so I will not say much in that regard except that it truly felt like we were in a sacred place destined for something beyond this life -- especially after the girls and I hiked, crawled, and side-stepped for more than five hours to and from Machu Picchu Mountain and looked down upon the Incan city. Besides the sacred site upon which Machu Picchu was built, the stonework of all the Incan ruins we saw was incredible -- without metal tools or wheels they transported massive stones and fit them together without space for a piece of paper between them.
Our next big stop was Lake Titicaca -- the supposed origin of the great Incan Empire and what the Spanish thought was the fountain of youth. Lake Titicaca is huge and there are many islands in it that are the main draw of the area because of their culture and traditions that were more isolated and thus better equipped to withstand the Spanish influence. The cities that surround the Lake, however, are a bit lackluster which was further emphasized by our accommodations being located on a converted island prison. Our day on the Lake was really incredible -- we visited one of the fifty Floating Islands which are the result of the Uros people fleeing the aggressive expansion of the Incas. The Uros people base their entire lives on the reeds that naturally grow in the Lake -- they use the roots for the base of their islands and use the reeds for food, ground cover, and building materials. In order to get a better view of the Floating Islands we took a ride on a boat made entirely of, guess what? Reeds! The boat was operated by two oarsmen who were kind enough to let me refresh my bladework skills that have deteriorated since my collegiate rowing days many moons ago. Also on the Lake we visited Isla Taquile which seems largely unchanged for thousands of years -- seen most recently in their denial of a major hotel company's multi-million dollar proposal to build a resort on half of their small island. Their desire to maintain their culture is based on communal living in which family and food have paramount importance whereas money is valued only in order to provide necessities instead of modern comforts. Isla Taquile lends itself to me coming full circle with the title of this entry. Pachamama is the Quechua name for Mother Earth who is just as highly valued as Pachapapa, the Sun God, in accordance with the Quechua emphasis on balance and their deep respect for nature. While in Peru we have experienced various aspects of nature and seen the way in which the people that live in commune with their surroundings have inspired us to be more thankful for what Pachamama has given us.

for marcus: 55 jess 10 world