Hey guys!

So I am starting this informal blog as a way to update people on what's going on in my life while I am traveling abroad for the next year or so. This summer I will be in Panama with the program Amigos de las Américas, and then in August I leave for Peru and other parts of South America, where I will be spending my junior year of college abroad. Because of this, I won't be seeing any of you, so I figured that it would be easiest to keep in contact via this blog. I do not intend on writing any sort of commentary on Latin America or traveling abroad, just little updates about what I'm up to and where I am. I am happy to discuss my thoughts on international development and traveling abroad, just not too much on this blog, so just shoot me an email if you're interested (my email is rachelmilito@gmail.com).

Right now I am sitting in my room at home amidst a mess of clothing and massive amounts of pepto bismol and bug spray in my attempt to pack for Panama. The weather forcasts for thunderstorms every day haven't exactly been reassuring. Tomorrow is my last day at home (read: my day to frantically throw everything into a backpack and get everything in order) before I leave for Panama on Friday at the ungodly hour of 5:40 am. So the moral of this story is that I should get off the computer and dive headfirst into my packing list.

I hope that you all enjoy my blog and please please update me on your summers/lives! I love sending emails or writing letters so please give me your email address so we can stay in touch. Also, for those interested, my mailing address in Panama is:

amigos de las américas
rachel milito
correo, entrega general
penonomé, provincia coclé 0229
república de panamá

I will certainly miss you all and want to stay in touch! But for now, back to packing.

Rachel