Take Me to the Home of the Famous ¨Pisco Sour¨ **

Today we leave for Pisco and are quite excited for our first bussing in south America. Although this one will be on the short side (a mere 4 hours), it will give us a good warm up for the longer commutes that lie ahead. But before departing, let me wrap up Lima where I left off...

Yesterday, I woke up at 8:00am still feeling the Karaoke bar from the night before, eating beans and toast for breakfast at 9:30 and on the beach ready for my the first surf lesson of my life at 11:00. There were five of us in our group, including Liora and myself, and it was the first time any of us had ever attempted riding the waves of the ocean.

Our instructors spoke limited but understandable English (heavy on the hand gestures please), the wetsuits as comfortable as wetsuits get and the waves just right for beginners. We learned how to get ourselves out in the water, navigate over the waves and stand up on the boards. After stretching and mentally preparing with a few nervous laughs, we hit the water.

It turned out to be everything we could hope for. Both Liora and I were successful in stading up on our boards and riding the waves. Don´t get me wrong, we both had our wipeout moments, which gives you the reminder of how physically demanding it is to surf, but after a while we seemed to look rather comfortable riding the pacific. Once we swallowed three gallons of salt water and exhausted to the point where we weren't able to paddle over one more wave, we crawled out of the ocean an hour and a half later with smiles and deep exhales. Rewarding? Definitely. Addicting? Most likely. The feeling I had stepping off land and into liquid? Priceless.

Surfing success.

Now where was I? Ah yes, Pisco. We depart today and will go to join the volunteers of Pisco Sin Fronteras to help rebuild the community of Pisco. We are not sure what our tasks will be, but know that we will do whatever we can to help. The accomodations will be slightly less touristy than our hostel here in Lima but I didn't come to south America to play pool on a slanted table or challenge Aussies to a game of ping pong.

Let the journey begin.

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**Rumor has it that the "Pisco Sour" is Peru's famous original drink. Apparently the people of Chile claim the same. I will look to resolve this as I travel. Who owns this drink? It is most delicious by the way so I can see why there would be some controversy. All I do know is there is only one town named Pisco and that's where I intend to start. Salud!