There are miles of difference between Mexico and Alaska. Yesterday, I went sledding for the first time. Maybe now is the time to tell you I’m twenty-one – not the average age of a first-time sledder! Who were my sledding buddies? Two enthusiastic bright-eyed friends who barely pass my knees. The sparkles in their eyes matched the sparkles of the snow as they greeted me in great excitement when I stepped out the door.
               “Santi! Santi!” they exclaimed. “Come sledding with us!” Purple and blue hoods flying, their cheeks were rosy from play.
               “But I’m not prepared! You see? No gloves, no jacket – I will get cold.”
               “It’s not that cold!”
               And soon followed my first lesson in steering a sled down an icy hill by a seven-year-old girl and her little brother. We flew down the hill in our orange sled under starlit skies.
               I was to discover that sledding is not the only thing I could do in the snow. This afternoon, I entered the school and was met by my teacher. Giving me a silver bowl and spoon, she said,
               “Don’t take off your boots, Chacho! Fill this bowl with clean snow!” (Chacho is Spanish for servant!)
               She didn’t even give me time to ask questions. She interrupted me with a short “Shhh!” and gestured me out of the building. Soon, I was collecting snow while she laughed and snapped photos. And so I learned how delicious snow can be mixed with condensed milk, chocolate pudding mix, and marshmallows.
               Though there are miles of difference between Mexico and Alaska, I have found snow is a pretty exciting change. And I’m not done learning about it yet! Yesterday – sledding; today – snow cream; and tomorrow? Snowboarding!