We are finally here.

Hello friends, family, and anyone who has stumbled upon Hablog Ingles!

I am very excited to tell everyone that this is our first post from abroad. After a grueling 26 hours of travel for Amanda, and a less grueling 14 hours for me, we arrived in Lima, Peru on Dec. 29. While we were ready to venture off into the great unknown, Amanda’s luggage was still clinging to its familiar American life. It never made it on the plane in Los Angeles.

We were met at the airport by Susy. Susy has just finished converting her home into a guesthouse – two days ago. I am proud to say that we Americans were the first to eat her breakfast, sleep in her bed, and stink up the brand spankin’ new bathroom. Always conquering new territory, we are! We met via email through her father, who runs a guesthouse in Huancayo – our next destination.

Susy is the nicest Peruvian. She has been so helpful with everything we ask of her. I truly hope her guesthouse is successful.

We spent the day walking – I’m guessing about 10 miles – around Lima. We soaked up the sights, sounds, Christmas lights. Most Peruvians are on Holiday right now so the streets are teeming with life.

Today I counted 5,789,789 Taxis, 987,890 adorable little kids, 43,765 people selling chiclet, and 3 crosswalk break dancers. It’s a huge city and although it has so much to offer, we are happy to be leaving its chaotic streets tomorrow for the Ano Nuevo festival in the mountain town of Huancayo.

At this point we are both dumbfounded by the fact that we have completely jettisoned all responsibilities we faced in the United States. As tedious and monotonous as our working lives can become. They fill our waking lives with activity producing a certain level of comfort. This first day of roughly 225 has been one of disbelief. We have both given up so much to be here. We have both gone against the advice of so many that are close to us. We have both spent the last year preparing for today.

And now as I sit here at the close of our first full day, all I can say is: we are finally here.

Yes, Amanda´s pack finally arrived.