Final post

This will be my last post in Peru.  I have come back to Lima and for the last two days I am living the high life at the Sheraton.  Oh my, how wonderful is a bathtub with hot water.  A room with warm air, and television with popular American shows and movies.

I forgot to tell how scatter brained I was going into Cusco.  I arrived at the airport very early so I sat down for a bite to eat.  Watching the time I played games on my iPad.  When suddenly it penetrated my brain that I had not yet gone thru security.  OMG will I make it to the plane?  I rushed thru, stressed as security of course takes its time.  Get thru look at board.  I was told gates 1 thru 7 just look at board to be sure.  I see a plane leaving for Cusco with the announcement " last call".  I rush down to the gates and run to the desk in the nick of time.  Except that wasn't my plane.  I still have about 5 minutes for my flight.  Lol, catastrophe averted!

My first night back in Lima I brave the bus to go back to Miraflores so I can show my host family here how to use their gift.  I had brought them a chefs envy as a gift.  Actually I had forgotten it back in Dallas and Ted mailed it.  But two weeks later when time for me to leave for Cusco it had not yet arrived.  Turns out the mail delivery was not working.  My host family got it the day I came back from Cusco but only because she went to the post office and asked for it.  The important thing is that it arrived so I could show her how to use and hopefully she will keep all of her fingers.  She was thrilled with it, as she had been cutting all by hand.  Who knows the company may suddenly get a rash of orders from Peru.  Although judging from the shipping costs I doubt it.  It cost more to ship two here then the machine itself cost.  

In the elevators here they advertise the morning buffet as 49 soles.  Pretty expensive even by American Standards.  About 20 bucks.  But I am living high so I go for it.  Imagine my surprise when I must sign my bill and the costs is zero!  I think there must be a mistake.  But she says no it is included.  Well that makes me feel a little better.  I was quite annoyed to find that my hotel, which I chose based on the fact that there was a casino, has not had a casino for 4 years!  Also apparently I was given some sort of card when arriving at the airport that if I still had it they would not charge me taxes.  But of course I do not have that.   So I will have to pay taxes but my breakfast is free.  Since it was a buffet and 20.00 I was determined to get my money's worth.  But I was torn.  I have lost weight and my stomach now easily accepts a small amount of food to be satisfied.  Do I really want to go backwards just because of the price?   I stopped when full, so again even happier that it was included.

Today I plan on shopping around for last minute souvenirs.  I lightened my luggage considerably by putting all heavy jeans and sweaters in my carry on.  Which made it difficult to squeeze into overhead.  But I made it.  And of course it is heavy to carry.  But it will not be for long.  I will hand it all over to my husband as soon as I get home.  That's why we get married right?  

In conclusion, I now know most of the pitfalls and can manage to get around Peru.  I definitely recommend the trip it is worthwhile.  Hopefully, I can get Ted to come with me and we can return someday.  I still need to see Arriquipa, Nascar and Paracas.  Then with taking Ted to see Machu Picchu that is a full trip.  Maybe my mother even.  If you can spend a little money it can be an easier trip.  And did I learn any spanish.  Well yes!  I feel I can confidently say I speak Spanish.  I may not know every word.  But I can understand and be understood in most circumstances!   Now I have to decide to I want to immediately go to Montreal or go work the New Mexico State Fair?  The fairs have sounded like a lot of fun.  Seriously may need to check that out.  It will be the company's  only fair until next year.  

Tonight the hotel will have a wonderful Brazilian steak house type buffet for 115 soles.  Pretty steep, not expecting that to be  included.  Depending on my level of hunger I may indulge!