27 Days and Counting

Glad that everyone on the Peru trip has all their permission slips in and documents ready. Now comes the tricky part - making plans for how each of us likes to travel. We will have out last meeting as a group on the 16th of March - everyone HAS to be there. We will go over a number of important points, review necessities, and get ourselves prepped to go. So what do we think about before that meeting? Here are some ideas:

1) Packing and traveling light. I can only recommend you travel as light as possible. We will be handling our items numerous times on the trip - into the bus, out of the bus, onto the plane, off the plane. Follow the advice of others - make a big pile of what you think you will need to take to be properly clothed, then set aside half to leave behind. You really don't need a completely new outfit everyday. Just the necessities. Look at the temperature in Lima and Cuzco and then figure out what you need to be both warm and cool. Bring comfortable shoes - I will bring tennis shoes and sandals, for example. Along with some good socks. Get a multi-purpose jacket that isn't too heavy and might even double as a pillow in pinch. Be creative.

2) Souvenirs. Check out websites about Peru before you go - and identify somethings you want to bring back. What are the specialities in Lima, Cuzco, Pisac? We can get some nice quality items without bringing back scale models of Machu Picchu. This is another good reason to not pack too much - a little space in the bag for memories is a wise idea.

3) Think about where we are going to be - altitude matters. Take some time over the next few weeks and build up your walking legs. I have already started. We might well feel a bit ill from the altitude - and there will be lots of things we can do. Drink lots of water. Take medicine. Get rest. But you don't want to spend the trip in the Andes feeling miserable. Build up your leg muscles, get that oxygen flowing, and make sure that you have considered the altitude. You are going to need to drink a lot of water quite regularly. It will definitely help.

4) Friends and friends. We will all be in close contact with each other for over a week. We are bound to get on each other's nerves (well, not mine of course, because I think each and every one of you is the best!) so be prepared to be open-minded and caring. Getting upset because you can't sit next to someone on the bus? You'll catch them the next time. Hurt by someone you were sure was your best friend because of something they said? Give them another chance, and then another. Worried that your fears or concerns won't be paid attention to? That's what we adults are here for - to pay attention to you. Just relax on this fabulous trip, let the water wash off your shoulders, and psyche yourself up to be the best you possible. It will be worth it.

If you have any great ideas in support of 1-4 above, just add them as comments. Let's all take care of each other.