Peru-Day 1

When making our travel plans this year, it came down to two places-Tanzania, Africa or to climb Macchu Picchu in Peru and while down there, hit up the Galapagos Islands. After much consideration, South America won, mostly due to our age and the physicality involved in the climb and because I want to do Italy next, so Scott got his wish. 

Our trip was 13 days long, and beyond incredible-we have over 700 photos, though I'll only include highlights. These forthcoming posts are truly for us to remember the nuances of the adventure because I wrote most of them while finding time and Internet abroad. If there are punctuation mistakes, it was due to a foreign keyboard where I gave up locating certain keys after a while. I do hope those reading enjoy our account as much as one can secondhand.

After traveling 18 hours from Los Angeles to Miami to Lima, we finally landed in Cusco, Peru, to meet our local guide for a Half day tour as bonafide touristas.

Noteworthy observations thus far:

• Public toilets generally lack seats
• Peruvians do not heed Bob Barkers warnings of controlling the pet population. That was a rough to see. Dogs were everywhere.
• Peruvians, not surprisingly, also do not have much of a code enforcement  division in their local municipalities.
• Driving is nutso as expected in a foreign country and takes defensive driving to a new level.

Much of Cusco and the Sacred Valley is quite poor. Houses are all made of mud, bricks, and stone and built perilously into the side of mountains. They speak Spanish and Quechua, the native language of the Incas.

Streets are narrow and steep, often making traffic crazy.

The first days tour included stops at what could only be called an alpaca/ Llama petting zoo, but it's true name, Awanakancha.  Peruvians of this region hold the animals in high regard and in true Indian fashion, historically utilized all of their parts for survival.

Tourists generally stop in Cusco en route to Machu Picchu to get acclimated to the high elevation. Another stop included the Inca ruins known as Ollantaytambo.  Here our guide shared the history of the Inca civilization, Spanish conquests, and general information about Perus history. I was huffing and puffing, thinking I was in moderately good health, working out 5-7 days a week. Upon hoofing it up 300 two-foot stairs, my fear really sank in about the four day trek ahead.

We also stopped at a large local market in Pisac, a town built in the form of Partridge,  known for two
reasons: the crafts market, established between colonial buildings, and for hosting one of the complexes of terraces most impressive of the valley. The market consists of dozens of posts displayed and the sale of products worked by the inhabitants of the area.

Passing routes included roadside bbq-guinea pig, a local favorite. Though I'll admit the most unusual of fare we enjoyed was alpaca-tasty.

That afternoon, were also informed our pick up time for our four day camping hike to Machu Picchu was 230 am. Our itinerary had read a respectable 6 am but due to local factors, moved that up to the ungodly hour.

After more sightseeing we finally made it to our hotel in the Sacred Valley, about two hours from Cusco, at 330 pm. 

The hotel was amazing-it had its own peacocks, a cinema, culinary kitchen, library, and spa. I wish we could have spent more time there.

We showered, and assembled our packs and went to bed at 530, missing dinner* just to rest before the early call and subsequent trip, and from traveling fatigue.

*As I write this on day 6, Scott lost 11 pounds, not sure about myself. Perhaps due to the altitude, we've not not had an appetite as well as the physical demands of the hike burning through calories. It was 25 hours between my last meal (lunch) in Los Angeles on Sunday, before my next meal on Monday, a late lunch, and no major hunger pains. This is coming from a girl who forces herself to wait until 1130 most days to dive into lunch.

21 Candles

I remember the day mom and dad told me you were coming before catechism, at Bob's Big Boy. I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to tell Kerri who already had two younger siblings, that I was finally getting one.

You came, you screeched, and were the epitome of a little sister. Demanding of time, things, my heart.

We've certainly had our struggles. Seven years felt more like 15 at times.

 But as you've grown, the gap has decreased, and finally, we're friends.

In many ways we couldn't be more opposite-in looks and personalities. 

But I love being the yin to your yang.

I admire your independence, fearless questioning, and the care you show for others. And your hair. Gosh I wish I had your hair and the skills to you possess to do it.

Happy, happy, 21st birthday. I can't believe how the time has flown. I love you.

Cheers to you. Enjoy your Champagne :)

Endeavor

I'm not sure I've experienced a more American moment than watching the space shuttle fly across the sky.

Other locals took way better photos-it looks like a smudge from my iPhone photos. Worth the multiple sweaty trips to the office roof with the suite mates.

The ship is massive, as was its NASA escort. I feel so lucky to have been able to catch a glimpse. Definitely the highlight of my day, and probably the random air conditioner guy that was also on the roof.

Animal Lover

Everyday I am asked for a dollar for food, a bus ticket, coffee, whatever.

Everyday I say no. I hear them call me a "regular." I see their glazed-over eyes and hear their tripped out nonsense. I see their hours somehow mirror mine. I see cell phones and am furious that people heading to Starbucks are duped and donate.

I see their animals, puppies and kittens on leashes and my heart breaks for the irresponsibility of pet ownership. I question if they really are homeless. I see the fatigued animals, sweltering in the nearly triple digit heat and become depressed, falling down the rabbit hole of the possibility that this exists here and on an exponential scale.

I don't dispute mental illness but I detest laziness by able-bodied people. Mostly I'm infuriated by the prospect of these 20somethings lack of work ethic.

Cats and dogs are domesticated here and require food, water, and shelter. I understand the need for companionship. Again, is it responsible if you truly are without a home (and not a faux-bo, as a friend has dubbed it) to have a pet?

Against my better judgment I went to PetsMart after work to buy a particular dog owner some food, who asks me every single day for money and occasionally something for the puppy. I bought a few cans of Science Diet and hauled them to and from my office on my various outings yesterday. Of course, the day I do it he isn't there. But it's in my office to try again next week.

If it isn't obvious by now, I am an animal lover and would take all of them home with me if I could.

In the past few months, our home has had a homing beacon on it for lost animals. More than a few times, Scott has heard "I rescued a cat/dog today." I like to let it hang there for a moment because he doesn't share my love for being the neighborhood shelter.

The funny thing is 2/3 of the recent occurances have happened over my lunch hour when I'm home--of course at the end when I'm on my way back. I've sat in the gutter (in a skirt, of course, makes for a better story later) for 40 minutes trying to coax a kitten out from under my car. Just yesterday, a dog was in the middle of the street and I pulled over, praying it would have tags (yes! amen!). I called it over, wrangling to get access to the tags (in a dress, again) and thankfully was able to quickly locate the neighbor who'd left their gate open.

The bottom line is I want animals to have a good home. I know I can't solve the problems of abuse and neglect or provide homes for all, but if I can help a few along the way at least selfishly  know I've tried.

4 Years Fly

One of my favorites from September 7, 2008. The best day of my life. Not only for marrying my best friend, but for sharing it with the friends and family who traveled to be there, stand beside us, and kick their heels up on the dance floor. Our parents for blessing it and our siblings for supporting us. We are so lucky.

Our happiness aside, I'm sincerely depressed by the news of Amy Poehler and Will Arnet's split. PLEASE WORK IT OUT!

Happy Labor Day

I think every Labor Day weekend we encounter some kind of clusterF situation and yesterday was no different. But the issue is now about 98% resolved and we can enjoy the remainder of the weekend, starting with this:

Nutella French Toast, recipe found here.

Bowling

Tonight my parents were finally able to cash in their 2011 Christmas gift with us-a night at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring John Williams, Maestro of the Movies, conducting the LA Philharmonic. It was magical! We had such a great time, it was worth the 10 month wait.

I'd have to say the most magical part of the evening was when John said it was the 30th anniversary of ET and he called Steven Spielberg to see if he could use the final reel of the film while they played. Watching the last 15 minutes of the movie with the theme behind it was simply magical and pretty much the epitome of any movie-going experience I've ever had. The audience was swept away in the cinematic elements.

The evening was also paid a big tribute to the Star Wars fans in attendance with equal time for for the Dark Side and the Alliance. Probably the closest I'll ever get to a convention with these people.