One huge continent, 5 countries, 19 destinations, 7 metropolitan cities, 84 days, 25 hostels, eternal bus rides and countless dangers awaiting... Two young girls and two pepper sprays. (Which we still haven´t used). Central- and South America turned out to be a place way different from what we imagined--in a good way! And travelling through some of it, and living day by day has taught us some great and important skills:

We´ve been through a pretty intense spanish class--by being surrounded by people who don´t speak a word of english (nor norwegian), we´ve gotten a taste of the culture and the life style of all the countries we´ve visited--and we like to call this a cultural exchange. International socializing has helped us getting rid of former prejudice for people from different parts of the world. Our history class was filled to the brim with the Cuban revolution, the life and merits of Che Guevara and the amazing story of the peruvian Incas. We also aquired some serious outdoor skills, to mention some: making a camp fire, living in tents, surviving with minimal hygiene facilities on the Inca trail etc. PE class (gym) consisted of Cuban salsa classes, Argentine tango classes, Brazilian samba, surfing in Costa Rica, walking (LOTS of it) to Machupicchu and snorkeling in Brazil. Among the extreme sports that pumped our adrenalin was rafting in Argentina, ziplining in Costa Rica, horse back riding in Cuba and jumping down that insane 13 m waterfall.

We´ve experienced some wild contrasts. In one moment we´re struggling up the steps along the Inca trail wearing plastic pochos--and in the next we´re living the jet-set life and enjoying VIP-parties in Buenos Aires. We´ve seen some extremely beautiful nature, that went way beyond our imagination (Iguazu falls, Inca trail, the cloud forests of Costa Rica and the beaches of Brazil). But we´ve also spent some serious brain power on navigating ourselves through each city, through each huge bus station, finding hostels and sometimes it was hard even finding food (Cuba). We´ve washed our own clothes in the sink, we´ve paid everything from our own pockets--which may be the reason why we´ve been great customers to many a supermarket! This really is the school of life--and the best way possible to spend our time. It also is truly the best way to learn what you have at home. F ex. toilet paper! Haha just kidding, we´re referring to more serious stuff such as a family, a home, free education, a working public transportation, great people and beds that aren´t crowded with ants(!!)

Surviving all of this we´ll be looking back at a journey of great challenges (which makes it even more interesting and fun when you succeed!) but most of all, we´ll be looking back at (possibly) the greatest trip of our lives. We´ve had a blast all the way from Cuban communism to Brazilian samba and lazzzzy beach days. We´ve met a lot of amazing people, from all parts of the world, who have totally added to the experience as a whole. We wouldn´t have wished any day to be different...

MAN WHAT A GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT TIME WE´VE HAD! Thanks to everyone for following us and supporting us all the way. Couldn´t have done it without you guys! :P

See ya in a week!! <3

PS: You probably won´t recognize us; Linda has got an afro and Helene got three tattoes and a nose piercing. Oh, almost forgot to mention her dredlocks!