It's important to have specific dreams. Dream Big. Dream without fear. — Randy Pausch

Slowly catching up on my journal entries while the memories are still fresh, I have found, is a fine art form, the perfect balance between the quiet moments of reflection and being a willing participant in the day’s adventures, this is my new routine–for a new chosen life.
8:15am and I feel as though I’ve become lazy in the last few days. Previous to arriving in Poptun, I had daily courses full of physically challenging activities and I was beginning to miss this. Thankfully, opportunity called and I am there to accept the charges and answer without hesitation. This morning I find myself surrounded by four other Americans as we trek through the jungle to Cueva del Rio, a local cave in Peten that has a river flowing through it. The group brings local ties as Ryan and Lisa are from Boulder, CO and are the second crazy couple I have met in the last twenty-four hours that are bicycling round the world. Completing successful tours through Europe ending in Turkey and now taking on Central America, I am still in awe of these hardcore enthusiasts that are on a different level of experiencing the world. Dan, a biologist from Haines, Alaska, is familiar with both the area and the Finca with visits almost ten years earlier and has come back to this quiet paradise that has seen little change over the past decade. The last of our entourage, Saskia, a teacher and artist from Northern California that grew up in Spain and still carries much of her Spanish influence with her, she has also become our unofficial translator with our guide, Manuel. One of the perks of volunteering at Finca Ixobel is the ability to take part in any of the various excursions that are offered at no charge, as long as I am not working. Lucky me, I have the day off and the opportunity to save the Q75 ($10 USD) exploring the region with new friends.



