My plane leaves in 4.5 hours!

I finished my grades, and only need a couple more signatures on my check-out list and I'm on my way! I packed last night, and I need to tell Rebecca Patel exactly how it panned out:

My carry-on bag has:

• one pair of pants
• one short-sleeved shirt
• two long-sleeved shirts
• a fleece pullover
• a windbreaker
• one pair of socks
• one pair of tights
• a fleece hat and gloves with a set of liners
• a bag of toiletries and meds (including prescriptions)
• a digital camera
• Creative Zen 8 GB mp3 player and data storage device
• a book to read (Snow Crash)
• a notebook and pen for journaling
• a compact Spanish-English dictionary
• my passport, plane tickets, ATM card, etc.
• dried figs, dried apricots and two Cliff energy bars

In my big suitcase:

• two more pairs of pants
• two more long-sleeved shirts
• one pair of socks
• one pair of undies
• two sets of quick-dry, mid-weight long underwear
• water bags and water purifying chemicals
• a sunshower (which will at least get me enough warm water to rinse my hair
• paper, pens, pencils, note cards, Spanish language books, markers, colored pencils, glue stick, sketch pad, microcassette recorder and tapes, and other misc. "generic" teaching supplies
• hot chocolate mix, 6 Cliff bars, instant oatmeal, instant Cream of Wheat, vitamins, a lexan cup, spoon and fork
• a personal-size fleece blanket
• my zero-degree sleeping bag

That's pretty much it for a month. I'll probably pick up an alpaca scarf and sweater (super cheap) in Cusco. I may also buy some clothes that the Peruvians genearlly wear themselves. Not that there's any chance I'll blend in, but I could blend in a little bit.

If there's something in particular that you want from Peru, email me and I'll try to get it for you. I will have room in my suitcase on the way back, as I am leaving as much stuff behind as the people can reasonably use. I'll also use up a lot of my own supplies, so I've gotta fill my bags with something!

Please check back regularly and email me if you get a chance. I know I'm going to be a little homesick, and hearing from people while I'm away will be so nice.