'Vacation?', a pantoum

Vacation?

We're going to Peru next week.
We're staying seven months.
But I'm still not sure what to expect.
A city just like ours?

We're staying seven months.
How long before we're used to it,
A city just like ours?
Something completely different?

How long before we're used to it?
We have a month for that.
Something completely different?
It'll all be fine.

We have a month for that.
A month for learning Spanish.
It'll all be fine.
A month for meeting people.

A month for learning Spanish.
That month we'll spend in Cusco.
A month for meeting people.
Cusco will be our first month.

That month we'll spend in Cusco.
Not just learning, also looking.
Cusco will be our first month.
The next four months we'll be somewhere else.

Not just learning, also looking,
Looking for a place to stay.
The next four months will be somewhere else.
In Pisac or Calca or a town in between.

Looking for a place to stay.
In that place we'll go to school.
In Pisac or Calca or a town in between.
There my parents will volunteer.

In that place we'll go to school.
That school is taught in Spanish.
There my parents will volunteer.
Not in the school, but in the town.

The school is taught in Spanish.
The volunteers all speak Spanish.
Not in the school, but in the town.
I don't know enough Spanish.

The volunteers all speak Spanish.
They'll be making water filters.
I don't know enough Spanish.
My parents know more Spanish.

They'll be making water filters.
I'll be learning Peruvian culture.
My parents know more Spanish.
That means I'll learn more.

I'll be learning Peruvian culture.
I'll also be doing schoolwork from home.
That means I'll learn more.
I'll learn and hike and explore in Peru.

I'll also be doing schoolwork from home.
It will be hard; it will be fun.
I'll learn and hike and explore in Peru.
And finally we'll vacation!

It will be hard; it will be fun.
After 5 months I'll know more Spanish.
And finally we'll vacation!
We'll go lots of places.

After 5 months I'll know more Spanish.
Those last two months we'll just travel!
We'll go lots of places!
Maybe skiing in Chile, some ruins for sure.

Those last two months we'll just travel!
Definitely to the rainforest!
Maybe some skiing in Chile, some ruins for sure
Perhaps we'll go rafting, maybe somewhere else.

Definitely to the rainforest!
Travel is months six and seven, August and July.
Perhaps we'll go rafting, maybe something else.
Peru is months one through five, February through June.

Travel is months six and seven, August and July.
Full of fun, but hard as can be.
Peru is months one through five, February through June.
Overall, it should be fun

Full of fun, but hard as can be:
We're going to Peru next week.
Overall, it should be fun,
But I'm still not sure what to expect.

By Katie Hastie

A Short Preamble

Up until today, the possibility of my health status interfering further with our travel plans was very real.  But here I sit, in my hospital-issued nightie, with a soon-to-be detached IV and 130 odd stitches, awaiting release from the hospital.  The surgery was a success and my recovery was stellar, if I do say so myself!  I credit my 1.5 mile daily walks up and down the corridors, and of course Dr. Imatani's tremendous skill as a surgeon.  

I feel great; ready to tackle the last-minute list of things that have to be done before we head out to PDX next week, as long as they don't involve bouncing, lifting, or roller coaster rides (I've had enough roller coaster to last a lifetime these past 6 months!).

The girls seem ready, even if they are slightly scared to death, and Matt has taken care of numerous loose strings to ensure everything is in order while we are gone. 

I have 3 more work days.  The girls have 2 more days of school.  This is really happening!

Yee-Haw!
Cathy