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Published: December 26th 2007
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My name.....Bon, James Bon.......and I am on a trip with my Moneypenny of 30 years= Audie! Little off on the name and for clarification it will be Boberto from now on. So Big Trip and we should get off to a good and easy start right? NOT!! - So here is what happened- 0830 San Jose Airport with the kids, hugs and checkin- not a good look on AA´s Ingrid´s face- We Got a Problem Houston! Not only a problem but we are in violation- not good for my profession- our transfer from domestic to international at LAX was deemed ¨"Illegal" - not enough time, -tank that plan- but no worries it´s just Xmas Eve Day should be plenty of flights and additional costs not a worry. Well Aud -in as cool a mind as she could muster- requested a "miracle" of Ingrid and low and behold it sort of happened. We will still fly sort of south rather than waiting another day- now to LA then to Miami rather than direct to Lima, then from Miami to Lima still early enough to catch our Christmas morning flight up to Cusco. No choice we accepted and she was able to waive the horrable Christmas fees as their delay had a tad to do with it. So we kissed and hugged the kids, sort of made it through secruity- as Aud wrestled with the inspector but the inspector won and her jar of peanut butter was lost!
To LA fine, on to Miami- there at 10:30 pm- attempted 45 calling card calls- yes left that -blackberry at home! -to my travel agent- certainly didn´t want to bother her Xmas Eve tooooo much, then on the red-eye to Lima- Lima totally rested from the VERY comfortable seats at 5:30 am. Now for more of the reality show- first our flight to Cusco was cancelled because our previous ones were changed and most flights were full going up there because of the holiday season-but this couple wasn´t going to lose the "Amazine Race" on that little detail- we were on the waiting list and then wondered what country or region our luggage was at?¿? So back through Secruity (en espanol) accompanied by a guard we found our bags!!! So we got the flight, very few seats remaining, ran to the gate and then I didn´t have the boarding passes- Bon runs back to security, their answer- NOT --runs back and yep- in my back pocket- BP at this time= 192/122. Off to the Andes!
So we checked into our quaint and beautiful little hostel approximately 24 hours after hugging the kids goodbye. But how can you feel tired or have any anxiety when you are in an environment that consists of accient colorful people, cobbled streets, and at 11,000 feet + with the typical mountain dramatic clouds and constantly changing weather. We adapted quickly. We fell asleep! Actually we walked around feeling pretty good and the clouds were as beautiful and dramatic as we had ever seen- took just a few shots and then, YES ,,, We passed out! We were awaken early afternoon by the hostel that our friends-family were downstairs. So much like superman in a phonebooth. we put ourselves together and their they were= Cesar and his younger brother Coco, two of the 3 sons and 1 daughter of Maria that Aud stayed with 2 years ago for a month of Spanish emersion. More hugs and hola´s and then the exchange of the contraban. Sorry folks but we are not what you thought we were- Of course=totally upstanding citizens of the US of A! This dark side of us is that we are part of a sumggling operation between Rio Del Mar and Cusco. The "Goods?", well two bottles of Jehgermiester (like i can spell it) and a new Gateway computer. Only one of the bottles was inspected. Well it turns out that in the last two years, Cesar who is 27? has purchased not one but two bars and we were helping him stock the liquor that those young worldly travelers drink now (very difficult to get in Cusco) and the laptop for his new bar the Indigo! Also laptops extremely expensive here. And yes, the pay off was good, visits to both bars last night as we made sure that we strickly followed the recommendations from a highly regarded medical journal out of the milehigh city of Dever that the best way to acclimate is to drink plenty of ........? as you can get very dehydrated at high altitudes, keep active like dancing, and eat as much local food as possible! so we complied and survied!! When we went to his first bar- Km-0 - that´s were Maria works and boy, you don´t see more heartwarming encounters than this one... when Aud and Maria hugged and Maria during the hug lifted Aud up and down in utter joy!!! Both are two of the greatest mamas I have ever known. She´s a single mom raised 4 kids in tough Cusco by feeding-caring for visiting students in her own home!! Now she and Cesar´s younger brother Coco, who looks like a cross between Brad Pit and Happy Gilmore, are the keepers of the Soles ( da money) at both bars. Good that you can always trust your family. Hey Lou, Ab, what did we hear already about the cops coming to our house for a party going on.........?¿?¿?¿?
Well we had a great night sleep, still adjusting slightly but you know ¨"E Ticket Aud and Bob". we just booked a very strenuous 28km (?17mi) dayhike up in the Andes for tomorrow. Trout and buried lamb for lunch, and a guide who has his metalic black hair sticking straight up-he said he stuck his finger in a light swich last night- so IM SURE IT WILL BE A VERY SERIOUS HIKE!! Then we are booked into the 4 day Inca Trail starting Saturday- Tues, yes at 0700 we will be at Machu Picchu New Years Morning! So may all of you take care and hope your Christmas Gatterings were very special and Bring on 2008!!
Talk with you soon.
Boberto
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abigail
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what police?
Ha Ha HA papa. Very funny. I am so happy that you both made it(with all our bags) safely in Peru. :) Love ya