Well Mom and I made it to Peru and back with only a few minor trials and tribulations. My sister is doing well, but about ready to conclude her Peace Corps term. All the drama associated with life in Peru stunned my mother. The most dramatic trial during our visit was an e-mail from the U.S. State Department (received by all government officials, including Peace Corp volunteers) two days into the trip. It prohibited ANY and ALL Americans from flying on AeroContinente, the domestically owned and operated Peruvian airline. It turns out that an exec with AeroContinente is one of the top 10 most wanted drug traffickers by U.S. officials. The e-mail stated that any American caught flying on AeroContinente could be fined (or worse) arrested and imprisoned. While we all agreed that there seemed to be good reason for the ban, we were in a sticky situation. We had already flown out to Piura (the north part of Peru, very non-touristy) on AeroContinente... and AeroContinente was the ONLY airline that operated flights back to Lima. Our only other choice was a fourteen hour bus ride from Piura to Lima along very windy and (some) non-paved roads. Once Mom learned that the Peruvians tie their goats to the bottom of the bus while in transit (with the goats making an aweful shrieking noise from the sheer horror of being tied underneath a bus going 55 miles an hour), she decided to take her chances being arrested by U.S. Embassy officials. As a matter of fact, she joked that being "put up" in the Embassy might not be such a bad gig, seeing as some of the restaurants we visited had bug problems, cooking problems, and dirty, one-eyed street beggars that would moan at you until you gave them money. When it came down to it, anything was better than listening to fourteen hours of goat torture, so we took our chances and flew back to Lima on the controversial airline. Of course, since the mandate had just been declared, no one was enforcing the ban, so we lucked out and arrived without event.
Seeing Machu Picchu (actually seeing it) was amazing. That area deep in the Andes mountains is the most beautiful place I have ever been. It is unlike anything else I've seen. It is vast and expansive jungle in a mountain range. Wild orchids and impatience flowers grow thousands of feet up on the sides of mountains. Amazing! Of course, my sister and I decided that the trip would not be complete without climbing Wayna Picchu, a 9000 foot peak located just north of Machu Picchu. Had I been able to get a clear view of the vertical trail before I started up, then I probably would have opted out. I had actually made the long journey to Machu Picchu (for the second time) to enjoy myself. But curiosity seems to always win, and consequence never fully taken into consideration. The two hour hike up Wayna Picchu brought back exhaustive memories of the longer, four day Inka Trail hike we had (barely) completed two years ago. I almost didn't make it to the top of Wayna Picchu. And when we did summit (is it still considered summitting if you don't make it ALL the way to the top?), I definitely did not experience euphoric victory... it was more like an unconscious and continuous stream of curse words, despite the beautiful view of Machu Picchu below. We had (mistakenly) figured that the two hour hike would only take us an hour and a half, so we immediately had to begin our decent in order to meet our tour group down below in time. We made it down to the entrance of Machu Picchu JUST in time, sweaty, thirsty, exhausted, and (still) cursing. Machu Picchu itself is truly amazing! I suggest any and all adventurers to make this trip at least once in their life. It's worth it.
As for my current plans, I am wrapping up life in Houston and getting ready to go spend some time with my mom and dad in Oklahoma, then my brother in Denver. My Peace Corps application process is on hold. I want to make sure it is the right step for me before I make any commitments. I still have a little self exploration to do, which is why I have a one way ticket to London booked in September. There are a few volunteer organizations with which I am in the process of becoming affiliated. The Global Volunteer Network has three and four month programs in places like Romania, Thailand, and China. I-to-I has opportunities in Croatia, Ireland, etc. There is also an organization called SERVAS which promotes understanding and tolerance among different cultures by cultural exchange (hosting) programs. All of these opportunities fascinate me, and I am looking forward to becoming involved during my "hiatus". So, I hope to keep in touch with all of you! I want to know how you are, how your children/spouses are, etc. Take care, keep in touch, and dream on!