Ready, set, go!

After almost a year of planning our next vacation stop, counting down the days and hours it's finally here! I've learned some about the history, weather and Eco systems of Peru, and have been sadly not very successful in my attempt to learn some basic Spanish. Instead I've invented a sort of mix of French, Spanish and Italian with a very bad accent! I'm very excited to meet our tour leaders after months of emails and to experience the colours and history of the country. Suitcases ready to go! I hope I can get some sleep tonight, I feel like a child on Christmas Eve.

Stop and Go

An important part of any trip is to pack for certain "medical emergencies". I've put together these necessities including moist wipes and Vicks. Why Vicks you ask? In my reading public toilets in Peru can be a little scary for someone who doesn't like the traditional Northern Ontario Outhouse. Toilet paper is scarce and the equivalent of course sandpaper, thus the wipe, and the Vicks is for my nostrils to help with odours (not that anyone's business is a boquet of roses).

Vacations

Today is the first day of my 5 week vacation, a real treat. This will be the first time I've been off for that length of time for fun! Vacation is a great time to reenergize and put a fresh bounce in your step, take a deep breath and live in the moment! This time I'm so very fortunate to be able to visit a beautiful historic location with my best friend , Anne, and incorporate my love of fabrics, knitting and embroidery (textiles). I hope that all of you following my blog will get the opportunity to do all the things you love in your life, don't wait too long, life is meant to be lived!

Cameras

Today is the day to figure out how to use my new camera! I really should of done this sooner! My new Nikon has WiFi to download my pictures to my iPad to share along the journey. This feature wasn't just a matter of clicking a button, so after reading manuals, finding the right app I have figured it out. Next is to learn the settings and features so I can get the "perfect" shot!
I have made these mats to give as a thank you to our teachers and guides in Peru, I hope they will appreciate this reminder of their Canadian guests!

Pictures

Well it has taken some time but I now know how to include pictures with my postings. This is Anne and I trying out our headlights so we can work on our embroidery projects in the evenings!
Let the fun begin. Only 19 more days before we board our plane to Lima!

Luggage

Thinking about how many luggage pieces to bring. Is a carry on and large suitcase going to be enough? The more I research the textiles and artisans of Peru, the more I believe I'll need an extra suitcase to bring home all those beautiful things!

Packing

Take 1 for packing, what do I bring for 26 days and still have luggage space to bring those special things home? Suggestions? 29 days to go.