Hi everyone!So I finally broke down and started a blog for my upcoming travels—thought it might be easier to deal with than the less-than-frequent mass emails I've been sending out.I got the idea from another fellow Alaskan traveler who rode his bike down the spine of the world here in Chile. His name is Collin Stackhouse, from Fairbanks, and you can check out his blog here: www.statravelblogs.com/collinstackhouse

Anyway…I created this primarily for my 2-month trip around southern South America, starting in March, but I'm going to give you a little update on what's happening now.Work with VE Global has changed a bit from what I did in September-December, but I think in some ways for the better.I'm more in a coordinating, administrative role for one of the organization's big projects, a reading program called Vamos a Leer.I've been going around to some of the different institutions that we're associated with (orphanages or community centers) and making sure that the program is set up right and the volunteers there have thing running somewhat smoothly.I'm also managing one of the places personally, doing a reading workshop there.On the not-so-distant horizon is the Carnaval, where we're going to bring all the kids together for a day of merry-making, gluttony and prizes.Should be fun—I'll send pictures.

As the month goes on, though, I'm starting to plan (and to think about to distraction) my Odisea.My friend from Steller, Trevor Golden, just arrived in Santiago yesterday, and we're going to be heading down south at the start of March.We just bought our tickets for the ferry that we're going to take through the Patagonian fijords yesterday, and it's feeling more and more real!I still have to get some visas (Paraguay and Bolivia) but I think I'm close to being set to leave.It's going to be a tear-fest leaving all of my friends here, but I'll be able to see some of them next year on the East Coast, and one of them (a Chilena, no less!) is thinking about coming up to UAA to study.

Well, just wanted to show you the location of my new place of expounding…hope everything is fine in Alaska and elsewhere…I'm looking forward to some cold weather!

Love,

Matt