Ilana in the Cloud Forest

Hello everyone!! I wasn't sure I was going to get around to writing to you, but I felt a jolt of inspiration, so I thought I might write to you after all.  On Monday, I finally made it back to Neblinas after having been in Tilaco for four nights. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy spending time in Tilaco, but I knew it was time to get back to reality and readjust to my life in the community.  The readjustment wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Things felt familiar — I have lived here for almost 9 months after all — and I was welcomed back into the house and into the family like no time had passed at all. It does surprise me how quickly one can revert back to the way of life that they know. Two weeks back in San Diego, and I already sensed quite a difference in the way I act and interact. And of course, that's because I have lived in San Diego for the vast majority of my life, but I do sense a sizable change in myself when comparing my San Diego self to my Ne...

Hello everyone!! Writing to you once again from Mexico.  I'm still not back in Neblinas, but I am safely back in the Sierra Gorda, and I have spent the last few days in Tilaco with Henry and Carmen. I first have to say how lovely it was to spend the last couple of weeks at home with you all. I truly enjoyed spending time with my family, relaxing by the pool, getting to know my future brother-in-law, and seeing all of your beautiful faces in person once again. On Wednesday morning, I left San Diego and spent the majority of the day traveling back to Querétaro, having had a layover in Monterrey and experiencing some minor delays in departure schedules. But by evening, I made it to Querétaro and I was greeted by a cloud-filled sky with the sun shining brightly through the dark clouds — quite a beautiful site. I was also greeted by incredibly green scenery, which is quite a change from the environment I was in just a few short weeks ago when I left to come to the U.S. After getting off...