FIRST Post

  Thanks to some solid advice from my aunt and uncle, I will be posting all the trip progress I can on this blog.  That way y'all can check up on me at your convenience at one place.  I'll also try to post the best of my recent pictures and updates via email and FaceBook and MySpace.

  As of this moment, I'm not really giddy with excitement because it doesn't seem real yet.  Once I'm there, I'll likely begin soaking it all in and feel different, but for now I'm more looking forward to the educational experience and the anxiety/boredom from waiting of international travel.  Only another maybe 2 hours of shopping and prep time, plus packing everything up in an orderly fashion and tying up loose ends.  Then, hurry up and wait I guess.

  As my situation changes, I'll put more on here.  If you, my friends and family, want to share this blog with anyone you think I might have missed, feel free to do so.  I'll try to remain faithful to it as best I can...

  In parting, here's a famous Robert Frost poem about journeys that may help inspire me as I make my way by plane, train, bus and boot from Brazil to Cape Horn to (hopefully) Peru (and HOPEfully Machu Picchu maybe). 

  Many, MANY thanks to all of you for your love, support, advice and gifts.  I'll put it all to good use, I promise.  Live in love.

Brad