Pre-Departure Rambles

Holy beejeebees! Saturday morning's departure is fast approaching!

I figured I should do the stereotypical travel blog, but here are some disclaimers:
1) I have horrendous grammar and spelling abilities...my apologies. Just deal with it

2) I predict my posts will become less and less frequent as my trip goes on; this does not necessarily mean I have been kidnapped

3) I enjoy both sarcasm and the super mushy gushy cutesy stuff...be prepared for intermittent boredom

So now, for some background:
Not too long ago my best friend, Katie K, told me, "Dude, your life is on fire!" Why yes, it appears as though it is? I have now left my job (not too sad - I was ready to go), my boyfriend (absence makes the heart grow fonder? uh oh), and Portland (the most AMAZING city that has been my home for almost 6 years). While I should be in some form of emotional turmoil, I have way too much excitement about this upcoming trip to feel the weight of any of it.
It's rare that a chunk of cash and chunk of time exist simultaneously. With some preemptive planning and budgeting, I somehow made this trip a reality. I've rationalized this trip as something every 23 going on 24 year old has to do, especially before starting graduate school. However, we all know (and love, mind you) the part of me that is just downright batshit crazy. I'm so glad you tuned in!
Over the next 3 months and some change, I hope to travel in Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. We'll see how much of this becomes a reality!

I have appreciated much of the advice that I have been given over the past few months. I'll take this as an opportunity to share some of it with you:

1) "Yeah, you're most definitely going to get ripped off until you learn better... so? whatever." - Trevor aka T$

2) "You have blonde hair so you don't need to budget too much for your alcohol spending" -random waitress in Portland

3) "Kate, don't forget to say goodbye to your brother. You're going to get kidnapped and we're never going to see you again" - my mother

4) "Although there may always be things to be scared of on your trip, don't forget to choose enjoyment" - Katie K

5) "More knowledge to drop on your face. I'd try and pre-order some soles from your bank before you leave. Also don't get stabbed" - Jon

6) "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!" - Ms Frizzle (you should feel ashamed if you don't know who ms frizzle is)

7) "You will find when you get down here that you need half what you brought and what you forget doesn't really matter" - Grant

8) "It may be difficult to get a llama through customs" - my dad

9) "Don't do things quickly...do things deeply. Give yourself the down time" - David

Flawless advice, team.

On a random packing side note...does anyone else find it odd that one of the side effects of cipro (prescribed in case of the unfortunate event of traveler's diarrhea) is in fact diarrhea?

Well that's all for now. Check back soon for the first official post from South America!