Ten days and I will be on a flight to Quito! I can't explain my excitement. For the first time, today I very clearly pictured myself landing in the airport in Ecuador, sleeping in hostels, hiking...I can barely contain myself! In less than two weeks I'm finally off on my very first international journey! I sort of wish I had booked my flight earlier, though, because I want to leave right now! But alas, I must remain here, working, until the tenth.
I have my backpack, my hiking pants, my flights booked, new and broken-in crosstrainers, a first aid kit, and my insurance. I got my final vaccination (measles/mumps/rubella) yesterday afternoon, and it went very pleasantly :) The shot was a quick "ouch" and then done, with no pain or soreness afterwards- unlike tetanus, which made my entire arm so sore for a week! All I need now is new hiking boots, which I should be getting tomorrow, an appointment with a doctor so I can get my antimalarial pills, and I'm 100% ready to go.
I am trying to load up on my favorite foods this week, because it's doubtful I'll find much fettucinni alfredo or Ben & Jerry's down in Peru. Maybe not quite as bad as mom thinks ("You're having two desserts? Well, go ahead, I guess. Eat lots of dessert, because in South America you're going to be eating rats."), but I will miss my favorite foods. Of course, there will be loads of tasty new things to try on my travels! And Carmin, the guy who rented the floor above our basement suite in Vancouver and who also went to South America a year or two ago, gave me his own "Carmin's Guide" the other day, did happen to mention a general area I should be able to find in Bolivia where I can bring a 5-gallon gas can and fill it with rum for $10. That would be something worth persuing, I believe!
Anyway, will write more this week as I must be off to shower!
Paz y amor!
