Homeward bound

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Well I am finally back where it all began 3 weeks ago - in Lima city.

Yesterday I enjoyed more of Arequipa and spent some time at the huge San Catalina Monastery as well as just relaxing on the roof terrace of the hostel reading. I am on holiday, after all!

Last night I had dinner at a Turkish cafe and got talking to a German couple who had just arrived in Peru a couple of days ago, also on a 3 week holiday. As we chatted and I advised them on the various cities and options I realised that I had become the same person I met in my first few days out here, offering all the tips on where to stay, where to eat and whether to spend 1 day or 2 in various locations. It's not that I've done any more than scratch the surface here at all, but I have done the usual Gringo route which most tourists do and in that respect I have become knowledgable.

With that in mind, it now feels like the right time to head home. Having 'cheated' and taken a flight back from Arequipa I avoided the 18 hour bus journey. I am staying tonight at a sterile, westernised hotel with a bath, hairdryer and cable tv so I can fully relax and prepare for tomorrow's flight. I'm in San Isidro and there's not much to see so I will just enjoy my last night of pure selfishness and have a long soak in the tub.

I fly at 2.30pm tomorrow from Lima to Panama, then Panama to Amsterdam, and hopefully arrive in Leeds from there before 5pm on Saturday. I've very excited about coming home!

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