Written by Kim
Posted in Across Borders

Sometimes traveling is about being comfortable with the unknown and then there’s those times you are full out conquering raw fear.  What was described as an easy half day hike to Xela’s nearest volcano peak turned out to be about a 3000 ft climb that had us scaling rock at the peak.  At one point we entered a crack of a cave in the mountain where we climbed and shimmied over and through rocks pieced together like a puzzle gone bad. 



After looking down at the city below and the crazy path above, I told myself, “You can do this” and took it one baby step at a time.
Mi esposo, a city-guy really dug deep, took long breaths meant to calm and plunged ahead.  Somehow this struggling woman in her late fifties even made it to the summit.   Our hiking group was awesome, offering massive encouragement and many helping hands.
 
We were rewarded with exhilarated success, a beautiful view and a group of young Guatemalans flying paper air planes off the top.  They were all wearing jeans and normal street shoes.  We even saw guys carrying large piles of wood down the inactive volcano. 

Going down was harder but we again had a reward waiting for us...  a natural sauna to relax our sore muscles.  The soreness felt over the next few days were a reminder of our triumph.

Written by Kim | 20 April 2009
Posted in Across Borders

What's possible when you combine a passion, people and the internet?  Connection happens.  The world of Lindy Hop reaches to all corners now a days.  What originated in Harlem in the 1930's and then a rebirth in the 80's is enjoying international appeal culminating with a spectacular 5 day festival in NYC in May.  The celebration focuses around Frankie Manning who will be turning 95 and continues to inspire dancers everywhere.

Frankie Week just ended and the fruits of the project are all in.  Over a hundred videos of a popular line dance called the Shim Sham have been submitted to YouTube from 25 different countries ranging from Argentina to Korea involving an estimated 5000 dancers!  Check out the locations on this map.  The mission:  To bring the Lindy world together and wish Frankie a Happy Birthday.  A montage of all the videos will be on display at the Festival in May. 

How exciting to think that during March 12-22st, people from different cultures collectively bonded internationally over a man and a dance.  That sense of community is more of what our world needs.  Reach out today and see what relationships are possible with your favorite hobby. 

Check out the amazing compilation by Akemi Kinukawa: