Less Than Two Weeks to Go

This is Ted here...less than two weeks to go for our intrepid travellers...how's everyone doing? I am getting more and more excited by the day. I still have a couple of things to finish up at work but am looking forward to heading back to South America.

For me, this will be my second time in Peru. It will be my fifth time to South America. And one of the things that I am look forward to the most will be the chance to share this wonderful continent and its wonderful cultures with people whom are going to be experiencing it for the first time! A fair number of folks who are on this trip are doing their first "big" trip...some were almost vibrating with excitement at our last meeting. Knowing what they are going to see (and perhaps what the are going to feel) makes me excited.

I can remember my first time down in South American and what it was like for me. An 18 year old from Kamloops, the only thing I could relate South America to was Mexico. Of course looking back on that, I realize how idiotic that was. Regardless, there I was, after being picked up form the airport in Buenos Aires, adorned in a red blazer (the red representing Canada of course!) carrying a suitcase and trying to cross the widest Aventine in the world (9 de Julio). I can only imagine the inner laughter my Rotarian friend (I was on a Rotary exchange) held back upon seeing my fear-fill face. I was only halfway across the street when the light turn red/yellow and a fleet of black and yellow taxis began roaring my way! Run for your life little Ted, run!!!!  It was the first of thousands of 'culture shocks' I was to have in my unforgettable South American adventure (the second one was slightly better when a stunningly good looking Argentine goddess introduced me to kissing as a form of greeting people...on the cheek but all the same it was a pretty good experience!)

I am excited to be able to step back and share in the experiences of the group. I am hopeful that many of our families, colleagues and friends will have a chance to follow our adventures along with us on this blog!

Please feel free to comment along the way. For those reading this and who are going on the trip, where abouts are you in terms of you packing, your excitement, and your expectation levels right now? For those following along...well feel free to comment as well!

And lastly for those in Edmonton...where is a good place to book a reservation for Chinese food for our last group meeting?

I am also going to post up our itinerary so people back here can follow along..but maybe I will leave that for tomorrow.