Im in Lima, people! Wahoo!

Just wanted to post a quick note that I made it here okay. The flights were long, but I made several new friends on them. I´m checked in safe and sound and this promises to be mad cool. My driver from the airport was insane, but quite good. People at the hostel are nice and outgoing.

I need to get used to living out of the backpack, though. Okay, theres a line for the internet so Id better boogie. More later. Time for a walk around the ‘hood.

Also the towel they gave me smells like bacon cooked on a campfire. Mmm. Welcome to flavour country, btiches.

Almost time to leave, people!  I head to Chicago on Wednesday evening to fly out bright and early at 6:00 AM on Thursday morning.  After a sure-to-be-awesome 7 hour layover in Fort Lauderdale, I’ll touch down in Lima at 10:00 PM.  Ha! Excited? You bet I am. This calls for another picture of me giving a thumbs up.

I returned from Wilmington, North Carolina where I joyfully fulfilled my best manial duties at my brother’s wedding (see left) and braved the possum-playing cockroaches (see right) and offers of cocaine (unfortunately not pictured) at the Wilmington Motel 6 apartment complex.   Shoot, bugs and coke peddlers — it’s probably pretty good practice for South America, right?  I’ve spent today doing final packing and getting my stuff in storage.  The bags pictured below are what I’m bringing actually bringing with me.  The backpack is carry-on, the cinched up duffel full of knives, liquids, and gels (oh my!) will be checked.

I had some nervous moments over the weekend thinking about the trip, but today I’ve just been both relaxed and excited about the prospect of finally starting this baby.  No nervousness now.  We’ll see how I feel once I’m actually on the plane to Lima.

I have reservations for four nights at the Barranco Backpacker’s Inn in Lima.  Their website is awesome?  During that time, if I like Lima, I might look for a room or apartment to rent for a month.

That’s all for now, kids.  I need to go and make a fake bus or airplane reservation to print as “proof” of onward travel from Lima.  Apparently I’m technically supposed to have that before I’m given a tourist visa or allowed to enter the country.

My next post comes to you from Lima.  My next post comes to you from… victory!  Hah.