Better Late Than Never

Although our trip has begun, we thought it would be a good idea to post our full itinerary so that everyone can get a sense of the complete path we are taking.

Caitlin and Cora's Gap year itinerary 2010-2011:
September 16 2010- Leave SFO for Cusco, Peru, Arrive Sept. 17
September 20- November 13 - Volunteering in an Orphanage (arranged by program IVHQ)
November 15-December 21 - Traveling though Peru, visiting major cities, and sight seeing
December 22- Leave Lima, Peru for Florianopolis, Brazil
January 3- January 28- Portuguese school ( Step One Idiomas)
January 30- Leave Florianopolis for Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
January 30-March 13- Living in Salvador, Hopefully taking classes to get our TEFL Certificate
March 14- Leaving Salvador to go to Santiago, Chile
March 15-May 15 (Cora), June 15 (Caitlin) - Living in Chile visiting people, and teaching English

As of today, September 18th, we have arrived in Cusco and are living in a volunteer house. Our 13 hour flight went very smoothly, and felt extremely long, but in comparison the the Australian's 24 hour flight, it seems very reasonable.  We have been taking it easy so far in order to adjust to the time time difference (2 hours ahead) as well as the altitude. We have about 15 roommates, some from the US, others from Europe and Australia, everyone is very nice and welcoming. Cusco is quaint and easy to navigate, a good starting place for us. The weather is Bi Polar and similar to Berkeley (cold nights and mornings, and hot days.) The program has many activities to for us as well. So far we are enjoying ourselves, except for Caitlin's cold. We start our volunteer placement and Spanish classes Monday, so we are waiting to find out, what the rest of our 2 months here has in store for us.
We will keep you all updated!