May 22, 2001 - Quito, Ecuador
 
The Spanish language school business is extremely competitive in Quito. One-on-one classes can cost less than two dollars. Any one who speaks Spanish here can and often does call themselves a Spanish teacher. 

I decided to brush up on some advanced grammar and I was introduced to two sisters and a brother who were just opening a new school.  

 
They listened intently as I shared my insights into the mind of the gringo/ traveler/ consumer. “Change your name.” “Put a picture of the cute sisters in your ads.”   
 
They implemented my ideas and I got free classes!! A heck of a deal for everyone. 
 
Learning Spanish here is an incredible deal here. You can get weekly homestay packages that include meals and a cultural exchange certainly not available at the Hilton. And there is a weekly Salsa dance class included. I recommend my new friends at La Puerta Latina very highly.

May 19, 2001 - Tucson, AZ

Here I go again. Questioning. Wondering. Again from my current perspective. This time the thrill and excitement of it all has waned. I’m struggling with my writing at the moment.
 
 
In the last seven weeks I have not completed and posted a single journal entry! Not that I haven’t started any… there are photos, titles, outlines and notes for at least six entries. I could complete them and continue but I’m just not into it!
The homepage on the other hand is complete and very cool. All it needs is some new content! Not that much to ask… or is it? I just haven’t followed through to completion. I seem to have multiple personalities. A part of me wants to complete these things and forge ahead. “Come on, you can do it Mark.” Another part, more dominant at the moment says, “**** it. I just don’t wanna. I ain’t into it.” 

Two voices. Two little birdies. A good angel and a bad? Very distinct. Not headed in the same direction. Perhaps some mediation or outside intervention is in order. Have both sides state their case and come up with some sort of compromise. The ‘**** it’ guy is not even interested in participating. The spokesperson for the Anti-Nike movement, “Just **** it!!” 
  

 
Well folks, that’s all there is to say. Tune in again soon to see if the stalemate is ever broken and the writer is able to push through to complete anything.

Hmm. That feels complete! It’s done! I finished an entry… I think there’s hope!

May 10, 2001 - Tucson, Arizona  

The title pays homage to Arizona Highways, the inspirational magazine of my home state that features magnificent wildlife and scenic photography. The magazine is a fixture here in the state and with fans of Arizona around the world. It has been around perhaps longer than I have, with many people maintaining monstrous collections of the monthly issues. 

   
I am here in Tucson in time for the blooming of many cactus flowers and an unusually good year for wildflower blooms due to unseasonably heavy rains here a few months back.

And it goes without saying that the sunsets here are world class pretty much year round. 

I have collected these images in the last few days from my own neighborhood for my own humble ‘magazine’ issue. Hope you enjoy them!