Well, i've been informed by a precious few that they do actually still check my blog- which means that i have been sorely lacking in updates these past few months. Its astounding, really, how fast time goes, how quickly one gets established into a pattern of daily life.


Since arriving back in the states in December, i have moved up to Killington, VT where i am working in a ski shop. It was a pretty whirlwind tour- I flew into JFK on December 22nd, promptly drove up to Long Island to have bagels and lox with the jewish grandmother, drove down to Swarthmore for a Hannukah party (on Christmas Eve), celebrated Christmas with my dads family, and then drove up to Vermont on the 26th of December to be at my first day of work on the 27th.


I wish i could blame my lack of blogging on this whirlwind adventure- but somehow it is already three months later!


Its been pretty bizarre to have a "real job", as much as working retail and setting up rental skis can be considered as such. Im working 40+ hours a week in the shop- but still managing to get at least 2-3 days a week on the hill. ( I think im just over 30 days on snow this year- not bad considering.... some of my friends here have 100+!)

I will admit to being pretty slack on the photography front- busy at work, cold hands, etc... here are a few scenic shots from this winter.

Sunset driving home

Icicles

Snow covered field

Skiing here felt "fake" at first- especially after all my time kayaking on rather remote rivers, and hiking in the mountains of Nepal. The mountains here in vermont don't quite compare to the Himalayas, and to ski with chairlifts and so many other people around feels like an amusment park for grown-ups. It took some time to get used to how confined I feel up here- pretty much all the time, even when skiing. Im hoping to get out and do some more back-country skiing this spring- maybe a trip to Tuckermans Gorge in New Hampshire- to get a different feel for the sport. It has been a good winter up here snowwise, and i feel pretty lucky to be able to take a break from work and get out on the hill- even if it is just for a few hours.

Retail can be exhausting, in that you must always be polite, upbeat and friendly- even when you have worked a 12 hour day, are tired, and wish that the person trying on the coat you zipped 13 times that day would either buy the jacket or leave the store. It isn't unlike guideing a raft or a kayak trip in that you become a public persona. Every job i have ever had has dealt heavily with customer satisfaction and service- never a bad thing, but it can be a relief to walk away at the end of the day. With retail, you don't necessarily recieve the same rewards as when you are coaching. We have had a few customers that have purchased goods- and come back to experss their satisfaction with the product, or our advice. At the end of the day, if someone walks away happy with their purchase, i suppose it is a success. However, i miss the fun of seeing someone progress that i had with coaching.

I've met a few fun people up here- and fortunatley for me, i enjoy everyone i work with. We have a pretty good crew going- and generally tend to hang out together after work as well. That said, my social circle here feels pretty small at times. In reality, i know a handfull of people reasonably well. I suppose it was the same in Uganda and Nepal, but becuase the situation was so much smaller, those few people felt like a much bigger network. Getting used to the cold up here was a whole other challenge- i feel like i am constantly overdressed!

Some of the highlights of this season so far for me were being able to see my cousins-
Hannah, Sophie and Max. The three of them are gifted skiers, and compete for Mount Snow and Waterville Valley in freestyle (moguls), slopestyle and big air. In short, they huck themselves off jumps and down mogul courses- trying to go as big and as fast as they can. Its been a lot of fun to get to see them on and off the slopes.

Sophie charges down the freestyle course

Sophie with a Huge Spread

Sophie with her friends

and showing me how to do a "Daffy"

Sophie had an awesome weekend, placing 3rd overall in her last championship weekend. Its been nice to be able to witness what they are up to.

And of course, America has its other perks- like the internet and soymilk! Thats about all for now- ill be sure and update sooner with my plans to get back to paddling, not to mention some Ugandan/Nepali updates.

cheers!