Frequently Asked Questions & Their Answers

FAQ #1: "Why Peru?"
As we tell others of our extended honeymoon to Peru, the question we are asked most frequently is: "Why Peru?" Well, the short answer is that Peru seems to have it all: the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, the Pacific coastline, the desert, Spanish language learning opportunities, a central location within South America for traveling elsewhere, and strong opportunities for teaching English! What more can you ask for?

FAQ #2: "When will you leave?"
We leave September 6th!

FAQ #3: "What will you do down there?"
Jeremy and I plan to do a little working (teaching English) and a whole lot of traveling. During our first couple days there, we'll be enjoying a wedding gift from my aunt. She's arranged for us to stay at a very nice hotel in Lima that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. What a way to start off our trip! Then, for the next month, we'll be in Cusco (see link to the right) near Macchu Picchu where I will be taking a monthlong certificate course on how to teach English as a Foreign Language (at Maximo Nivel -- see the link to the right). Many of you know that Jeremy already has his master's degree and teaching license in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages so he doesn't need the course. While I'm learning how to teach English, Jeremy will be taking Spanish classes and possibly doing some volunteer work. After that, we will go wherever the opportunities take us!

FAQ #4: "Do you have jobs lined up?"
No, actually we don't. In part, this is because we've heard that it's better to knock on doors down there to find jobs than to arrange them from abroad. Understandably, most high quality institutions and organizations are not likely to hire someone from abroad without ever meeting them in person. Another reason is that we want to find out from others where we might like to go. And third, we are interested in traveling as much as teaching, so we are probably not inclined to sign long-term contracts for teaching. A benefit of me taking the certificate course is that Maximo Nivel provides job placement assistance to its graduates, so we should be in good shape to find jobs!

FAQ #5: "Are you open to visitors?"
We would absolutely welcome visits from our family and friends while we're there. Check out the Exito Travel link (to the right again) for flight info.

FAQ #6: "When will you be back in Minnesota?"
At the moment, we are planning a 9-12 month trip. We have a return flight booked in late May, but we specifically chose this flight because it was changeable. We'll see what opportunities exist (both in the States and in South America) when it gets closer to that time. In the meantime, check this blog often and find out where our adventures take us!

Our First International Adventure Together -- Benin, West Africa!

The day after Christmas 2004, Jeremy and I boarded a plane for our first international adventure together. We headed to Benin in West Africa to visit my good college friend Suzy. Suzy had been in Benin for about a year and a half as a Peace Corps Volunteer. This picture of us was taken at the Sacred Forest in the city of Ouidah, the voodoo capital of the world!