I’ve decided I’m pretty much powerless in this city. I can’t help but revert back to my old ways. Drinking too much, no exercise, not eating enough fruit. I’m pretty sure I’ve only eaten Indian food and muffins since I got here three days ago. Normally my body would refuse such abrasive contaminations, but here it seems to find a way to absorb them, even the worst ones, and keep going. In fact I run on a higher energy level than in my normal healthy existence. I blame it on the super intense energy field that surrounds this city. It’s the one that everyone feels, whether in a good or bad way, when they are in the city. When my bus first pulled up to Port Authority my body recoiled. I remember thinking “Oh thank god I don’t live here anymore, I just couldn’t.” By the time my feet hit the sidewalk, my legs walked me directly to street stand and my fingers paid too much for a pack of cigarettes, I decided I actually could live here, even if it killed me.
What can you say about a country filled with tropical plants, jaguars, and magical crystals? It’s a place where you never have to take off your swimsuit, everyone speaks three languages including perfect English that’s twinged with an envied Caribbean flare. Yah man. Here the Belikin beer and multiple flavors of rum flow like the purified water. For the last week I was in Belize on a photo shoot for Teva sandals. I pretty much never tire of such trips that are all inclusive, totally paid for and consist of activities they try to convince you are work like going rappelling, hiking and tubing. Um, yes, more please. The crew was exceptional, which is the clutch for these kinds of things. Though I can’t imagine many sane people who could muster a fit under such circumstances. They would have been voted off the trip within the first few days anyways.
I brought my climbing shoes wishfully thinking some rock would pop up. In fact I saw multiple gapping caves stacked with stalactites and featured limestone faces. Some caves tunneled for close to a mile and the features where nothing short of Kalimnos’ dangling refrigerator sized stones. Of course there were no bolts and the humid conditions would only be the first hurtle in cleaning and opening areas there, (think giant, hairy tarantulas in every crack and crevasse). Many of the caves were filled with ancient Mayan artifacts and guided by locals for the touristas. But considering I never signed a single waiver before being lowered over a cliff or whipping down wire cables, the regulation thing may not be a huge issue with bolting cliffs.
In general the country had less of a tourist vibe than I thought it may have. Perhaps the resorts were slower than usual, but most areas were generally mellow and our presence was rarely gawked at. The crescendo of my trip was the nearly deserted island we spent a night on. Littered with colorful palms trees and surrounded with crystal clear waters, the tiny island was hour and half off the coast by boat quite, quaint and enchanting. In fact I’m only slightly embarrassed that I was drug kicking and screaming from the paradise hub, it was that fabulous. Ugh, on my list for honeymoon spots for sure.
Now I’m shaking the Belize buzz from my brain and returning to the outer realm of my “reality”, which luckily isn’t too harsh and allows for relatively simple shift from crippling beach intoxication. On the itinerary: Nashville till Thurs, then NY for five days, back to Vegas, shuttle to Hurricane, pack away the life, then back on the road. Joe and I haven’t verbally decided on the first climbing destination area, I figure there will be plenty of time in the van on the way there for that.
Tomorrow I fly to Belize for a modeling gig. These opportunities are pretty few and far between, so I try to jump on them when the chance arises. I’m flying out of Nashville since I had already planned on being here for my mom’s graduation. That’s right, my mom’s graduation! She went back to school later in life and has kicked ass in academia. She graduated with a freaking 3.99 GPA!!! Nuts! She swears it’s because she didn’t have a blooming social life to battle, but I’m pretty positive she’s a genius!
When I’m in Nashville my focus revolves around family and friends. That juggle usually takes up most of my time and attention., but this time I’ve actually been enjoying the climate and scenery more than usual. It’s more incredible because it has nothing to do with climbing. In fact it’s definitely my lack of climbing that has led me to enjoy the thick air and rainforestesque coating that has blanketed my old stomping ground. There’s green for miles with overflowing lushness in every direction. My skin feels fresh and my hair curls at the ends. My desert dryness is being soaked in humid air that’s thick and warm as breath. When I can embrace the rain because I’m not obsessed with climbing I remember that I love it. I mean my parents are British; this drizzle is in my blood.
I’m going to Belize Bitches! 
Last night was my final night at the Hurricane house. The last two weeks my schedule has dramatically changed from a world of constant climbing to a more varied and elaborate routine.
Since I hurt my finger over two weeks ago I’ve attempted climbing twice, both times went better than I thought, but still my finger felt only 70% healed. I’ve done my best to embrace my rest. In reality it’s the optimal time for something like this to happen for a number of reasons. I just sent my project! We’re moving on from the area. For the next two weeks I’m doing some extensive traveling that is not based around climbing, that will take me to Nashville, Belize and then New York City. My once wavering psyched has completely been re-boosted and everyday I don’t climb I grow increasing pumped to do so. Plus I’ve been more motivated to follow up on some worthwhile job leads, like a personal trainer gig and some real time work with the daunting world of freelance writing. These are all great experiences and needed eye-openers for future happenings.
The last two days I dragged Lauren down to SLC with me where we went on a girl party rampage with some of my favorite ladies there. It was AMAZING@!! There’s something to be said for quality girl time, it heals the soul. I’m only saddened when I have to leave because our time is so brief. Kami, Cerre, Rosie and Lolo I love you guys!
Joe has been in Cali for the past five days doing some media work for Gregory. It’s been strange not having him around as we’re constantly together, almost to the extinct that we can even take each other for granted sometimes. Plus the these two weeks, this will by far be the most amount of time we’ve been apart and I’m already sad thinking about itL. We’ll meet back up in New York City for the EMS Soho store opening. Then we’ll fly back to Vegas to collect our things and head on the road for most of the summer. First stop Ten Sleep, Wy. Now I just have to get through these next six plane flights.
I’ve also had extra time to pull out the G-nizzer and get some lovely desert shots. I’m completely enamored with this place and one can bet if any of these job opportunities take shape I would seriously consider spending some real time here. It’s just breath taking and the scenery never gets old. Even these warmer days have not turned me off as the nights are incredibly comfy and watching the moonrise is my dinner entertainment every night. Goodbye desert I will miss you…
Joe and I both sent our long term projects this week! I did the my second 8a Resurrection, probably my hardest route yet, and Joe completed the FA of his half bolted, link-up The Re-Up, completing his third 9a. We’ve been in Hurricane for three months now and our time is quickly coming to a close. I would like to jump on at least one more hard route before I leave on the 15th, but I managed to strain some muscles in my hand on my final Resurrection attempt. It’s funny because I NEVER push it when it comes to tweaky fingers, ect. And my own going joke with myself is that sure I never get injured, but I never really get stronger either. So I guess I just had to go for it, and at least I got injured for the sake of doing something hard. Fuck it. I’m resting until Mon. then I’ll play it by ear. Until then it’s Yoga, biking, running, reading, writing and filming. Not so bad really. Oh yeah, and I’m going to Belize bitches!!!
Here are some Keith shots of Lauren and I from a few weeks ago at Joe’s Valley. That place is sick, if I didn’t work on my stupid ass project for so long I might have actually done some of the boulder problems pictured below.
