Numero Uno

Hello there. I'm not quite sure who is reading this or what I'm going to say, but here we go. We haven't quite left yet, we''re still waiting to leave for the airport. There's a huge snowstorm going on outside, but hopefully we will be ok by the time that our plane has to leave. It's almost time! I've spent weeks in other countries, but this will be the longest by far. The hurdle I'm going to have to face is the fact that I'm going to be taking classes in a language that I've only been truly studying for less than a year. I have a feeling that for the first few days I will be completely lost and have no idea what is being said or what I'm supposed to learn. My strategy is to speak as much Spanish as I can. I guess in four months I'll figure out if it's going to be successful. In all honesty, I'm not as scared as I feel I should be. I'm going into a country that I've never been to, taking classes and living with a family. The idea should terrify me, but I've been trying to stay calm. I have a hunch that the terrors won't kick in until I get there. I live for situations like this though. The two times I've been to Nicaragua I knew absolutely no Spanish whatsoever. I've already experienced the language barrier at it's fullest, now is my time to truly learn the language. The experience I'm looking forward to the most isn't the Amazon Basin or even the Incan Trail I can't wait to meet people and actually have conversations will them, albeit really basic conversations, but hey, it's a step up from my previous experiences. I feel that this will be a test to see if I can truly live in another country. I'm hoping my desire to learn Spanish will get me through everything that blocks my path. Though I may not pass my classes with flying colors, the main goal for this trip, at least for me, is to learn the language so I can interact with the natives.

If there's one thing I want to express to the reader(s) of this blog, it would be to take chances. Take risks, even if you know for a fact you will fail. You can learn so much about yourself from a failed experience. There is always the chance that you can succeed. If you put your heart to something, nothing can stop you. Well, here we go. Next time I post I will be there. Peru, here I come!!

~Andy