Thres, dos, uno.... anda!

YaY! I will be starting my trip this weekend! First stop is in the beautiful Valle de Elqui where I will stop at an Ecological Village to volunteer for my stay. I will be stopping at these villages, two in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and in Mexico: http://ecological-farms.blogspot.com/. I cant wait!!! The programs consist of a small fee between $5-10 and working between 4-6 hours daily. They are vegetarian only and have permaculture and yoga classes daily. I plan on taking a week for each camp including travel time in order to make it to Mexico my June.
These last few days here in Santiago I will be focused on preparing for my journey and wrapping things up until next year. I am currently washing my laundry and packing up my backpack in preparation for my departure this weekend. This afternoon I plan on stopping in at the Latinoamericana School of Chinese Medicine http://www.medicinachina.cl/ to do some research about studying in 2011.
I will try to post once a week between ranches and it looks like I'll see some of you in about 8 weeks!

MOCHILIANDO

Las ultimas horas de verano vienen
Las ojas estan secando
y los dias oscurando
El viento ya cambiado direccion
y lleva el olor de otono
quemadito aun frescito

Los signos los veo tan claro
El momento esta cercando
Lo de alla que me llama

Me llama mae
cara de negrita
me llaman gringita loca
la unica
si po jackie me dicen
¿Por que te vayas?
Me llaman hasta al norte digo yo
Y norte voy

Cerrando las cosas
Abriendo las puertas
Conectado con energia
Distancia no existe

Hay que empezar el viaje

Jackies Big Adventure

Hi family and friends, I write to you from my house for which I have much carino for. Especially with all of the terremotos its nice to feel the protection of her strong foundation and firm walls. I am so thankful for here, for Chile for the life I live and for the luck and protection that follows me wherever I go. I must admit that my cup is more than overflowing and I couldn't be any more happy and content. I continue planning my trip north and it seems I will be leaving shortly. I will not be driving north in my vw bus this year but will be happy to pick it up next year on my trip back down to Chile. I am currently working on a route north and am looking forward to visiting friends and family along the way.
The time again has yet approached, preparation is underway and the next adventure is about to begin!! Although in times like these it is easy to stress I figure the only way to take a trip like this is to take it like you take life...day by day or as they say "paso a paso." I must say that I will be sad to leave my community of friends and cosmic family and yet I know they will be here when I get back so as always I bid farewell to those I care much about.