The past three weeks have gone by in a blur. Each day I find myself working on another amazing project. I've been shoveling rubble, pouring concrete foundations, volunteering with kids, teaching english, planning community gardens, helping compost, cleaning the volunteer center, planning long term projects, and trying to make myself useful. There are almost a hundred volunteers here with Hands On, and another handful with BWB.

Hands On just got word that they're going to help the flood victims in Bangladesh, and they're already starting to wind down for their exit in January. I've been working with Sam and Neesh from BWB to help them plan for the transition when they take over for Hands On in late January, its really exciting. I'm far more interested in long term sustainable projects and community empowerment, and thinking about the resources that the Burners Without Borders bring to the table is electrifying. The opportunity to spread the principles that go into the Burning Man festival, and create something permanent with the creativity that this community represents, gives me chills just thinking about it.

Tomorrow I'm leaving for Cuzco though, to take a two week break for the holidays. I won't be able to get much done anyway in that period in Santa Cruz, the community where I'm planning the first Pisco Tierra de los Niños. I met with the children already, and they're very excited. We wrote down all the things they like and don't like about their home, as well as their dreams. Each team (there were five teams of about 15 kids each) drew a picture of what their ideal community would look like too. I wanted to meet with their parents the next day, but instead met with the regional governor and the president of the community. Apparently, they're moving everyone in Santa Cruz from tents into modular buildings in the next few weeks, and I don't want to distract them from that.

So, I'm holding off until the first week of January, so that we can have maximum participation from the locals. In the meantime I'll be exploring the sacred valley of the Incas with a group of shamans and martial artists, camping at lakes, waterfalls, and ruins, all while practicing kung fu, capoeria, and mediation. Should be enlightening!

Oh, and check out my pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/ins...2497935927/ .