Back to Nature

A summer in Colorado certainly meant one important thing to me: the opportunity to re-connect with nature and explore the great Rocky Mountains. And did I ever? To relax and build up new energy and strength (so that I can continue the fight against human trafficking), I spend time in nature at any opportunity; whether it is hiking, climbing, or camping, just a day in the mountains recharges me immensely. As I often tell my friends, and they subsequently make fun of me for that, the smell of the mountains is the smell of life as far as I am concerned. 

While enjoying the cool, fresh air and the majestic views on several recent hiking and climbing trips, however, I noticed an annoying trend. The current theme of let’s get back to nature apparently means let’s pave roads so everyone can drive to nature and be able to text their friends about it. 

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for more people to explore nature and learn to respect it. I don’t think, however, that paving a road to the top of a 14-er so thousands of people can drive up there is really letting these people experience nature, or really good for nature for that matter. Not to mention that many of those now able to drive up to such a great area don’t even take the time to truly take it in and reflect on the experience; instead, they are too busy texting or twittering. When I see a young person standing at one of the most beautiful views in the world and looking down at his or her phone, I almost have the urge to shake them and say, “Look up!” Further, a lot of these nascent nature-lovers bring with them items that they somehow forget to take on the way back home (read: they throw their cans and bottles and snack wrappers on the ground) and that just drives me nuts.

Personally, I believe that the best part of spending time in the mountains is actually making the effort and taking the hours to hike up the 14-er; as someone much wiser than me has already stated, the journey is far more valuable than the destination itself. If you did not break a sweat to get to the scenic view, can you really grasp the value of nature and truly enjoy it? 

-      Krasi

Changes Part Deux

Following up on a previous post by A. (Changes), I think it’s about time that I share my upcoming move details. Yes, H-town is about to lose both of us and that’s just sad. Not for us, though! 

If you haven’t guessed it yet, I am a little bit interested in human rights and specifically the fight against the trafficking in persons. I now believe I have found the perfect location to allow me to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become an expert in that field and to join actively the fight against human trafficking. In addition, I will have unlimited access to natural areas where hiking and climbing can occur every weekend if I’d like. That location is University of Denver and specifically, the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. The Human Trafficking Clinic and the Alpine Club are calling my name and I just couldn’t say no!

Needless to say, I am super thrilled about the upcoming changes in location and field. There is anxiety, of course, but I am mostly excited about the move. The twenty-some-hour drive will be quite the experience, especially since I am completing it all by myself, but I am going to plan several scenic rest stops so shouldn’t be that bad, right? Right??? 

Now here's something to be jealous about:): Rocky Mountain National Park

 - Krasi

Enjoying Life

Five years ago I made a promise to myself that I will try my best to visit at least one new place every year. I have so far managed to successfully keep this promise. This past week, however, I really outdid myself by visiting three new locations during one 10-day trip. I absolutely enjoyed each one of them and vouched to go back one day. 

The reason I mention my passion for traveling is not to simply brag about my exciting trip (although I can't hide that it was fantastic!:). I am more amazed by the reaction some people give me when I tell them about the trip. There are certain personalities who place the emphasis on the fact that I am so lucky to be able to do it. All I want to tell them is that it has nothing to do with luck, or money, or time. I am a strong believer that if a person wants to do something, then s/he finds a way to accomplish it. And in the big scheme of life, there is really nothing more important than leading a meaningful and enjoyable life. I am certainly no follower of the belief in reincarnation and having the chance to do it all over again so I encourage all to enjoy life now while they have it and while they can. 

It is just sad that so many young people feel bored, anemic, annoyed, dissatisfied and empty. They go through life as if it is a chore. Or worse, they go through current situations dismissing them as an annoyance and convincing themselves that one day, luck will strike and they will enjoy what they think they want, or need. Such a waste of precious time! Didn’t someone famous state that there is no time as the present? The best part is each individual has the power to make it whatever they want it to be.  No one has to wait for the ideal job, or for the ideal family, or for the ideal lifestyle to start living and enjoying life. Seriously, waiting is just a waste of time. 

Anyway, I am certainly not waiting and I try to do what I enjoy as often as I can. And if anyone else is interested in traveling and spending time in the outdoors, below are the places I visited during my trip. I guarantee you’ll find them absolutely phenomenal!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

 

 Zion National Park, Utah

 

Red Rocks Canyon, Nevada

 

   

   

                     - Krasi

Earth Day

Today we are celebrating none other than our beautiful planet Earth, or what’s left of it. There are certainly still gorgeous places to visit and magnificent landscapes to admire, but the number of destroyed and polluted areas increases dramatically with every word I type today.

April 22 was first marked as Earth Day in 1970 when Gaylord Nelson, a US Senator from Wisconsin, outraged by a massive oil spill in the previous year and inspired by the anti-war movement, decided to take a stand and convince people to join hands in a movement for sustainable environment and against water and air pollution. That year, millions of Americans participated in a wide-spread protest against deterioration of the environment. In 1990, Earth Day became a global initiative (The Earth Day Network). 

Even though protecting the environment is now a world issue, there are still many who believe that pollution, deforestation, and mostly global warming are a huge hoax. And that’s their right to do so. But when there are signs all around pointing to the opposite, they can call it whatever they want, it still doesn’t change the fact that humans are slowly destroying the diverse, well-organized and only home that they have. 

First, researchers studying the ice of Greenland have witnessed and experienced first hand the increasing meltdown. Eskimo villages have had to relocate and the future of the polar bear has been threatened.

Next, it is estimated that around 35 to over a 100 species become extinct every day. It is important to realize that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant organism has its place in the cycle of life and without it, the cycle is placed off balance. A great example of what impact an organism has in the chain is the one of gray wolves re-introduced to Yellowstone National Park. This is marked as one of the most successful conservationist efforts. 

Moreover, deforestation continues to spread rampant in the Amazon Rainforest. On the average, 7,000 square miles are cut and burned every day. Considering that the forest produces 20% of the oxygen we all need to breathe and live, its destruction must be a concern for all and its protection must be on everyone’s agenda. 

The above three examples are just a small portion of the large amount of evidence pointing to the fact that humans are methodically and surely contributing to the obliteration of the planet Earth, the only one that we know of that can support us. Most of the information I have provided can be found in the two documentary movies I have listed below. I would strongly recommend them to anyone interested in finding more about both the grandeur and fragility of our planet. 

Planet in Peril

Earth

- Krasi