I want to start planning a trip in August to Peru, but my summer plans are so unsure at the moment, I’m not really certain when or even if I can. I don’t know how research works this summer since I’ll no longer qualify as “undergraduate”, so I don’t really know if there are stipends that I can use to cover housing.

On that note, I have no idea where I’m going to live. I have friends who have already signed leases for next year. I suppose I can ask around. My mom seemed interested in putting me in grad housing, so if she would help with the costs, that would be great… Otherwise I’ll be kind of using money I’ve saved up from scholarships and summer jobs and such. I have enough for the year, I think, but considering I do not have a job, it might get tight. I still have to pay for my ticket to Peru and whatever other expenses we will have there.

I would love love love for my whole family to go with me, but it is, again, about money, and while my mom is not closed to the idea, I am fully understanding that it would cost a minimum of $3000 for my family (not including me) to go, and that’s with Juan covering some of the hotel and food costs. In all, the trip comes closer to $4000 for just my family, which is not money we just have laying around. I don’t think it will happen. I think I’m going to have to go on my own.