Re-(freshed,vitalized,vamped,lieved)

Hello again!
ah.. I am writing from my home in Vina after coming back from a weekend in Santiago. I went there with my family for the 9th birthday of our cousin. Along the way, we picked up our Uncle, Aunt and two cousins (15 and 6 yrs.), and ALL (8 of us) cramped into our small car to go into a neighborhood in Santiago to celebrate. Upon arrival, we were all greeted with the standard hug and kiss on the cheek, and I was immediately offered hot tea and told to have a seat, make myself comfortable, and enjoy. (this was amidst the baloons, streamers, Hannah Montana table covers, and Simpson's party bags full of candy) The entire family was there, grandparents, aunts, uncle, cousins, friends... It was all very warm and very comforting, and A LOT of really fast Spanish. The conversations I was engaged in were mostly about the United States- what Colorado was like ("It doesn't rain in the winter?") and if I was sad when Michael Jacson died. Mostly, it reminded me of my own family. A lot of love, talking, good food, and yes, even some jokes and bad puns :). My brain was telling me to rest, so I went to my room at the early time of about 11:30 while the others stayed up until who knows what hour, talking, laughing and drinking Chilean Vino.
It is so great to be immersed in this culture of beautiful, family-oriented people. So far I have yet to meet someone who is not warm, friendly and genuinely interested in the fact that I live at least 20 hours from the nearest ocean(!), and nowhere close to New York. So great...
AND, on another note: Traveling!
I want to do a South America loop that consists of (for now) Peru, Ecuador, Colombia (mom, don't freak out-its actually pretty safe!), Brazil, Argentina and of course, the Patagonia region of Chile. I would like to do most of this with some one (or others) but am thinking about some solo travel as well (not in Colombia, though-don't worry...). All of this is very exciting for me, but I feel like just meandering throughout these countries is not enough. What am I going to give back?
I was searching travel tips on the internet, and happened to come across this manifesto that really struck me. I would love for you all to take a looksie at it and definately answer the two questions- I did. http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/files/2008/06/worlddomination.pdf
It is definately worth reading, thinking about and talking about. I can sense that the world IS changing, IS moving towards something new and different (it always is, right?), and it is up to us to push it in the way we want it to go. We MUST know what our vision is for this world; or else we leave it up to those who control it now (and look where that has put us ). WE are the people. WE live in this world, WE must decide where it goes. You all know I'm all into the environmental aspect of it, but what are YOU into, what do YOU want from this big mass of rock and water? If you don't know, its time to start thinking about it. And if you already are thinking about it, its time to start doing it. Small things, big things, whatever. Something. Thats all it is. Just something. A ball won't start moving unless it is pushed. Weather my the wind, a hand, or telekenisis, something has to move that fucker.
Do it! push the ball..... yes.......
ok, thats all for now. Thanks for reading!
Caio!