Today was an incredible day. We literally climbed Fox Glacier. We flew, sis and me, plus three others and our guide, in a helicopter for about 4 minutes to get to the icicle paradise. Experiencing a helicopter ride for the first time was of course, quite epic. The short journey felt as if we were soaring like an eagle, so smooth and beyond stunning. Once we landed on the glacier, I could not stop looking around. The colors were insane with bright blue, light blue, white, and clear. It was nothing like I’ve ever seen before and I felt like I was in a magical ice land. We trudged around carefully with our crampons attached to our shoes, walking across beautiful blue pools of water. We stepped into igloo-like caves filled with unique crevices with water flowing down across the ice. I had to pinch myself to pretend it wasn’t one of my many exotic and vivid dreams. 

At our first spot to climb, our guide hooked the rope up top, and we took turns belaying each other. We climbed using a pickaxe in each hand and the crampons on our shoes created traction with the ice wall. We completed four different lines. The last one was straight vertical and quite difficult, my whole body was shaking. I struggled and didn’t know if I would make it to the top, but sis shouted encouraging words from the bottom, and our whole group succeeded. We also did one climb with just one pick ax for a little more difficulty and one climb with no ax, which was even more challenging. It felt good to push my body. 

Fox Glacier is moving a few meters a day in some spots, and shrinking, so it will never look the same as it did today, just like me. I’m growing and learning every day. It’s crazy to think how much I’ve changed since even arriving in New Zealand, nearly 3 months ago. I feel like my eyes have opened even wider in appreciation for Earth. 

My connection to Mother Earth feels magnified and in a way, sensual. Ever since I went home with that light and fluffy goddess, I almost feel more connected to her, the spirit of nature. As sis and I have been venturing around New Zealand, I catch myself in awe of her beauty, but more aware of her personification as a woman. Looking at the Southern Alps, I recognize a woman’s curves. In the bodies of water, I see her glistening skin. The sharp edges of Fox Glacier make me cherish her strong tone. Even the sun shining down on us each day feels like this nurturing, warm embrace. The Earth’s energy is so clearly feminine, and I now consistently want to caress her. I want to explore all her crevices, just like I dream of doing to a woman’s body again one day.

Honestly, I feel like I’m falling in love with her, Mother Nature. It’s an indescribable feeling. I awaken each day filled with grace and love that she will once again deliver something magnificent to my eyes. She never disappoints. 

Maybe my growing affection for her is the reason why I’m so emotional over the global warming crisis, causing the glaciers to melt and retreat. Plus, it’s so much more than just the glaciers. I scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef again while I was in Cairns my last week in Australia, and I could even tell the difference from 3 years ago, when I visited during my semester abroad. Mother Earth is sick and dying in many ways, and it’s devastating to witness it firsthand. I feel this call to action and yet, I don’t even know where to begin. 

As I’ve said with a lot of my uncertainty in life, I think communicating is of highest importance. Opening up and sharing inner thoughts is how people connect to one another and become inspired. I feel like I don’t have to join an organization, or donate my time or money, or feel pressure to illicit actions among others to help reduce climate change. I’m young and none of that is necessary when I can barely support myself right now. Instead, I can share my wisdom through conversation and story. There’s a lot of people that are probably in love with the goddess of nature too, and maybe some that don’t know it yet.

Perhaps if we begin accepting her as a female entity, worshiping her body and everything she gives, there will be less coral bleaching and glacier melting, as well as the many other destructive results from the current warming trend. I sure hope so, because I don’t want to lose her.