Sivan's South American Adventure

So this is the big day. A lot of excitement mixed with of course nervousness because I don't know what I'm doing. I finally finished packing. Don't worry... this isn't another entry about packing! But I will say this- that 10 lb thing was a total underestimate. The final poundage is 20 lbs and that's with just the bare essentials. That is one fifth of me. My brother strapped me into the backpack last night and I keeled over backwards (onto the bed) and just flailed around like a turtle for a while and he just observed the scene and said "um. yeah. you're in trouble."

So the plan is to arrive in BsAs (that's the insider's way of writing Buenos Aires, yo) find my hostel, and get my bearings. I will only speak in Spanish, that is my one condition. This may mean that I might not always be able to manage to do some things, like eat or use the bathroom, but I'm stickin to it.

I also found a few travelling companions! The first is Michael who will be accompanying me to Iguazu Falls. In case I go missing, he is from LA. Michael from LA. Great. I have an acquaintance down there also, an American who lives in the city and who has started a band that has quite a following already. He invited me to their show on the 17th so I'll stay for that. And after that, I leave BsAs (it's addictive) for the rest of the continent with a nice Norwegian girl who likes architecture. Remember that one too, just in case! We might go down to Patagonia to see the penguins, but who really knows.

So today, the final day being home, is the day of "lasts". This refers to the melodramatic way I approach my usual routine everytime I leave for a big trip. "Oh! This is the LAST turkey sub with mayo that I'll EVER have!!". Or, "Awww...this is the LAST time I'll EVER load the dishwasher". It makes my trip sound really important and final. But then I also get sad and start missing my bathroom mat or something. Speaking of, I should get to it.

Wish me buena suerte! Til next time, from BsAs!

it's one week to takeoff and i have nailed down only the bare packing essentials: 5 pairs of socks and some random gadgets that wooed me at the mall. forget pants and a hairbrush! i have a lurking suspicion that i will soon need my new beeping flashlight compass alarm with (optional) dinner fork attachment. but if we're on the topic of packing, i'll list my list, if only to get it off the napkin i wrote it on. Hey, it's my blog. I get to do what-ever-I-want:

Things That Keep Me from Getting Arrested (aka Clothes)
[*]3 pants
[*]3 short sleeve shirts
[*]2 sweatshirts
[*]1 fleece
[*]5 pairs of socks (check!)
[*]undergarments (that's an 1800's word, isn't it...)
[*]1 skirt
[*]3 pairs of shoes: sneakers, sandals, and flip flops

Things That Help Me Make (and keep!) Friends
[*]toiletries
[*]cosmetics
[*]bug spray
[*]febreeze
[*]travel towel (dries in 3 minutes or your money back!)

Things That Make Me Look Like a Pro
[*]bowl, fork, spoon, knife, 7" cutting board, salt and pepper
[*]first aid kit
[*]flashlight
[*]safety alarm (beats trying to bring the sword)
[*]alarm clock
[*]combination lock

Things That Make Me Look Like a Tourist
[*]cheap digital camera
[*]undercover money belt
[*]passports (yes, multiple, don't tell the authorities)
[*]AAA card (i'm not sure about this but i feel so loyal to this organization that i just can't leave it behind...we've been through so much)
[*]ATM cards

so that's it. all of this is supposed to weigh less than 10 lbs or else I tip over backwards. it's funny how this limitation makes you start thinking about how much everything weighs. a 5 oz camera is way too heavy! 8 ounces of shampoo? i don't really NEED to wash my hair, right? i plan to weigh my ATM cards tomorrow. if they're more than .5 oz, they're out. will keep you posted on that development.