Parrots on the lick, at last

Friday April 12^th 2019 – a different someplace Amazon jungle – evening

Dawn comes early ‘round these parts pardner. Around five thirty I decided to give up on bed. I had a solid 8 by then and it seemed like a good time to see how bad my leg was. Turned out not all that bad, certainly not 100% but 70% or so. Up from last eve’s 50%.

At breakfast on of my table mates said she had flowers, a balloon and a bottle of wine to celebrate her birthday 4/11. Only rub, she was born November 4^th. One of those lost in translation times. But being a smart woman, too the card and the wine. It would have been bad form to refuse, you know.

It was the same drill as yesterday only at a reasonable time. Down the trail and steps to the boat and wobble across 1x12’s and aboard. A different boat. Instead of a bench seat the length of the vessel we had individual front facing padded seats. It was luxurious. We went back to the same clay lick as yesterday and had a chance to visit with my new tribe along the way. A pretty good tribe. Part of the tribe is a family with 4 or 5 children, maybe more. On the way the littlest one wanted to see a Jaguar from the boat. The guide pointed out a huge tree,I think it was a Kapok tree. Her father asked her what the guide said. She said the best reply of the trip. “Just another tree”. I didn’t have any complaints with yesterday’s tribe, but this current tribe is more interesting and has more depth.

At the cove where the lick in located we grounded the boat and like Springbok leapt ashore. That might be a slight exaggeration. This group took the ‘Shut the fuck up ! And whisper” rule to heart. Not like yesterdays semi zoo. The Macaws were on the other side of the lick today and I was afraid it was going to be a repeat of yesterday’s solo clay Macaw. In pretty short order one flew down to the lick and then another and another. The all joined in, the Scarlets, Green Wings, and Blue and Golds, all jockeying a place at the table. There were a few territorial spats but for the most part. I was amazing, hat I was hoping for and expecting. This was the reason to come to Peru. We didn’t stay an awfully long time but we certainly stayed the right time. We stayed long enough to see the Macaws and for the teenagers to lose interest and start taking cutely posed selfies.

Back on the boat to unexplored scenery on the was to Tambopata. The river was low but running fast. We got grounded once and it took two men with poles to get us free. The guide said that in the dry season they will make some of the passengers get out and help push across the various bars. Arriving at the lodge I was thrilled to see that we only had a single flight of steps from the water sedge. Not like Refugio where I had to climb 50 steps to get to the 80 steps to get to walk uphill for 20 minutes. The area was flat !

We did the usual safari check-in a refreshing drink, and a lecture on the lodge and then the list of activities. Then we were escorted to our rooms. I had room 1. Everyone else in my tribe went one way and I went the other. I kind of figured it was D. Mengele pointing the healthy to thee right and old and lame to the left. Room 1 was a very short limp from the kitchen and dining area. The room is small and really uninviting. I have the feeling it is a room that is used by the staff since staff are on either side of me. But it is close to the main areas. One of my tribe told me that these room were over twice as far as they were in Rufegio. Except fr sleeping and toilet I’ve spent as little time as possible in there.

My tribe is cool. A couple potters, not Harry types. A fashion designer, male clothing

not female. An actress, who I don’t think I’ve seen, but think I will. Lunch of course was served. It had been at least 5 hours since we last ate a full breakfast. Gave us a chance to chat and bond. After lunch an outing was offered but I opted out of it, I was motorvating pretty well in the flat floor, but not so sure about on the trail. I typed a bit before my batteries died and looked at pictures of what I saw on my vacation, through the view finder of my camera.

At 6 a the sign up for tomorrow’s activities time. I (of course) did the local clay lick. I provisionally put my name down for a mi morning hike and an evening sunset boat ride. I think the term they used was ‘cruise’, it’s a boat ride with a drink at sundown, but you have to buy your own drink.

Since the clay lick call time was 445am I thought it would be a good bedtime of 9pm. Shower, a bag of ice, and some mosquito netting and ta-ta.

You can't travel without drama. Right llama?

Thursday April 11^th 2019 – Evening

Last night was an early to bed night I was probably asleep by 9pm. Not a real sound sleep but it was more than being awake. The Howler monkeys were at it living up to their name with a vengeance. Why they had to do it a soon as the lights went out is beyond me. Then since there is no barrier between my room and the great outdoor, the critters came. Played tennis on top o my mosquito net for a lot of the night, with the spectators running on the roof and walls. I the middle of night nature called, not the Amazon nature, it as already calling, the normal nature call. The the decision, flashlight and wake up or no flashlight and step on somebody squishy or stingy. This took several minutes of thinking and eventually the flashlight over came the sound of crunching underfoot. The flashlight would have won out anyway. Is DARK! In this jungle when the lights are out. On Africa safaris, here is always starlight, if not moonlight. Here the stars can’t even penetrate the canopy, so it is like being in a mine.

I set the alarm and set a timer to go off at 4am. I had showered before bed so it was mostly jump out of bed and into clothing, Ala firemen, but no pole to slide down. We made the trek down the path to the steps leading o the water and the boat. I was sweating by 5am. We hopped on the boat in the dark and were up river in a flash. I was surprisingly chilly after the sweat blew off, I was happy the guide advised bringing a light jacket. I was glad Matt suggested that I pack my Uni Bomber fleece it worked well, especially the hood. An hour of going up steam around sandbars, clearing some of them by no more than a foot, if I was reading the depth pole the navigator was using.

We pulled up to a sand bar and stepped ashore to watch the birds an Macaws for a while and have breakfast. Breakfast was pretty basic, not C Rations, but not gourmet. Some Macaws and some other birds came and flew around, but none ventured to the clay lick. We hung out a while then leaped like Salmon back into the boat to go around the corner to a different part of the same lick. Same thing happened as the previous lick. Lots and lots of Macaws and vultures and even a Toucan (they don’t eat Fruit Loops, they eat insects). Finally one brave sole Macaw made it down to the lick, but that as it. Lots of pictures were shot, I looked t them at lunch and I’m not really happy with what I shot, but with lick and no rain maybe I’ll get to make then right tomorrow or Saturday. Our guide was asking everyone for their call phones and took several good ones through the telescope. Back to the boat around 11am and back to sweating.

The boat ride back to the lodge was only transportation. The guide tried t show us a few critters along the way but no one seemed to have their heart into it. Back to the steps up the riverbank and the uphill jaunt and sweating yes again. I have been pouring water in but it is only coming out a perspiration. I’m not sure if I should worry or not. I am not. Lunch was a full meal and pretty tasty. Passed the time with some unknown people and listened to known people retell their adventures.

After lunch I found a few winks in my bed and was back at it at 330pm to walk to the Ox Bow lake, there the Piranha’s live. Instead of my well traveled hiking boots, the guide instead on donning big black knee high rubber Wellingtons. They were tight around my calves and a little loose in the foot. Plus they were HEAVY! Not only would they protect my tootsies from the exterior damp, they guaranteed that my socks would be wringing wet by the end of the walk, since their breathabity does not exist. Off we clomped into the jungle, stopping from time to explain something, like an ant or a Brazil Nut, or a termite. We ended out way down the tail avoiding anything that even looked damp. Good golly why are we wearing the ‘Wellies’ if we are going to step around all the wet ? I could have worn my well loved hiking boots from what I've seen so far. Then we stepped across a damp onto a root and the Over-boot slipped and I felt my calf muscle pop ! Fuck ! Shit ! Hell ! In two steps it was sure I was out of going any further. and dreading getting back to the lodge. “Do you want to go on?”. No thank you. “Are you okay?” Limp, step, ouch – No I am not. Limp, step, ouch on I went. He stuck with me, at least he didn’t shoot me and leave my body for the carrion eaters, but he kept asking if I was alright with the inclination in his voice saying – You are fine. I sure a fuck didn’t feel alright. He walked e back as I half stepped all the way back to the lodge What took 20 minutes to walk took an hour to hobble. As soon as we got to the lodge it was Adios Muchacha and he was about to take off. Then e saw I was struggling with my right boot so (I felt) if not begrudgingly, at least inexperienced y assisted me getting that sucker off. Then he hit the highway, I had to call him back to give him a couple bucks.

I am putting it down to inexperience and not ineptitude. But I ma be a whiny bitch, I at least expected him too walk me into the lodge or notify staff. Instead he melted away like the morning mist. The lodge manager found me later and gave me a bag of ice and a pain relief spray. I am not sure the spray did anything but it sure felt good going on.

I have the ice on a few hours and then went to be among people for dinner,, grabbed some more ice from the bar tender and hopped into bed with ice and elevation and drifted off.

Alot about a little

Wednesday April 10 2019 – 7 pm – Someplace in the Amazon jungle

Sorry to tell you, Dorothy, but I have been seeing other birds. I saw several today and deep down in your DNA they are your relatives. There were three wending their way across the river, they were too high to photograph, so I guess if there isn’t digital it didn’t happen. So forget the previous few sentences.

It was a long day of not too much. Travel, travel – rinse and repeat. Taxi, big bus, airplane, small bus and finally over three hours on a boat. You have read the routine before, check out of the hotel, get to the airport. Find you misspelled name in some guy’s and follow him to your next piece of transportation and finally arrive at your night’s lodging.

There really isn’t much to say, before the river. No fat farters next to me on the plane. I did try the local soft drink, Inca Cola. It is a bright yellow with bubbles. Tastes like Double Bubble chewing gum with a hint lemon or lime in the background. It sounds worse than it is, I was expecting to be overpowered by sugar and as happy to find myself wrong.

The plane landed and I found the right guy and found myself on a bus with twenty other people. Then to the boat with a few more and we were off to our night’s rest. Along the way we passed various birds, a huge rat like create called a Capibura (sp?) and some Camen (mini alligators). A saw a couple Macaws over head but was too slow on the camera draw to capture an image of them. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better Macaw day.

The resort is an Eco-lodge which means the lighting is dim. The shampoos are weird. At least he water isn’t rationed. My room is a movie set. Not that is is plush or anything, what I mean is that there is no 4^th wall. Three walls and then jungle. I was told if you on a movie set you seldom will see a ceiling, to hold the lights. Well my room also doesn’t have a ceiling. There is a roof but no ceiling. It is so open you can hear the people in the next room snore and I assume more.

I am tired, so off to thee room for a shower and bed at 9pm, a 4:45 call to get to the boat to see the clay lick tomorrow.

Paragliders and the three dollar church

Tuesday April 9^th 2019 – Lima,, Peru – Morning

Yesterday was me being just another tourist. After getting back to civilization with a SIM card in my phone it was off to find the places that Lonely Planet tells me I will find more of my kind. The Wandering Tourist.

In past cities I can’t walk 50 feet without a taxi, truck or motorcycle honking and asking if I needed a ride. Here that doesn’t seem to work. I think standing at the side of the road with your arm in the air might work, what I found was to lurk near an intersection and wait for a red light. Then spring from the sidewalk and tap on an empty cab’’s window, and stealthy slip into the rear seat.

The taxi I found knew where I wanted to go and quoted me the tourist price (six bucks). I sighed and made the “Oh, God you are ripping me off, but I guess I’m stuck” noise. Well half an hour later, after a myriad of twists and turns, a bit of freeway driving and then some more twists and turns we got to my destination. Not exactly what I wanted but within a few blocks. I am finding that my Arabic is better than my Spanish, and I thought I understood that the street I wanted was closed, but maybe he was saying I’d over stayed my welcome.

As soon as I stepped onto the pavement was accosted by the money changers and the water sales men and women. I knew I had reached my goal, or at least the general area. The cab driver did explain that one of the street was pedestrian only so I headed down that. Lots of up scale stores and people in a hurry to get someplace else. Not panic some place else, just big city someplace else. Then the was a gaggle of people. Some gawking and some watching a single person facing them talking as they gawked behind him/her. Yes I made it, my first sight in Peru.

A wonderful carved granite fronted church. Really intricate and quite imposing. The guide book said it was where the first mass was said in Lima. I stared and took a few photos before wandering inside. There was a small Mass going on, so I tried to be respectful and not clomp or click too loudly. I really like it, it felt intimate even though it was huge. The icons and carvings were well done and the chanting and response of the congregation was soothing. But enough of peace and tranquility, I had other things to stare at and hardy understand.

So back to the no autos street and onward. Another block or two the street opened up to a huge square and across the square was a two block long building surrounded by a high metal fence. My destination. The governor’s palace. Everyday at noon there is a changing of the guard and with cops, trumpets and brass band. I had arrived about 20 minutes late, but the brass band was still playing and the trumpeters were on the steps looking like something out of King Arthur. The view through the iron bars of the fence was awful and the sidewalk was a No-Go area, enforced by police with riot shields, Glocks and compact machine guns. There was no photo op for me, so I just watched. The band Umpahed and the trumpeters honked and then everyone marched away. – then the sidewalk was accessible. But only yo the nearest crack in the concrete before the fence, about 2 feet from the cold black iron. I walked down towards the ornate gate and stood my respectful half a meter from it’s jaws and raised my Nikon and the nearby machine gunner motioned me forward to the gate to be able to slip my lend trough the bars to get an unobstructed view of the open plaza and edifice beyond. I felt honored, but honestly the picture wasn’t worth the data it took up on my memory card.

Then off to follow the red line in the Lonely Planet. My first stop was a museum that looked interesting on the outside, but I wasn’t willing to spend the money to go inside. Next was the Cathedral. Thick oak doors, studded with short spikes and protected with lion heads. Inside there was a fee. Three bucks to go to church. I thought of the doors and wondered if there was an exit fee too. I really like the previous church better than this huge prayer to cash. There was the alcove dedicated to John the Baptist. I’d seen his head in Damascus – next ! There was the alcove to Mary, I’d been to the place they lived in Cairo – next ! Then Saint Peter, Damascus again – next ! I think I’m a little jaded. Of more importance, where is the Saint John. It had been a long time since my hotel’s bathroom. I fund the toilet and suddenly the art and geegaws were much more interesting. There was a silver stick hung on the wall and people were coming up to it and placing their hands on it and praying. T had belonged to one of the church’s notables and was thought to have the power to answer prayers. – Now I’m no biblical scholar but I thought that for Christians belief in Jesus was sufficient and idolatry as forbidden. I’m so confused.

Back outside, a bottle of water from a disabled woman and a stroll down a couple streets. A glance at the ruins of the old city walls and I’d had about as much fun as I could stand. It was hot and the sun was high, time to head back to Casa Radisson. The taxi was the same price as before, I am glad I had my phone, to show him the hotel’s web page for the address. Again the language barrier got grossly in the way. Why doesn’t everyone here speak English ? I mean, come on ! We are I the same time zone for chrissy sakes !

Back at the hotel a power nap and a little soap and water and life was again worth living.

The restaurant I wanted to eat at only had a two month waiting list for reservations, so it was out. The concierge suggested one a two block walk away. Well, fine ! Well, fine, it was indeed. Jammed full of people, fresh fish, attentive service. Ceviche like I fell from Heaven. Sweet, spicy, fresh and attractive. It was the best thing I had eaten in a month. I tried a Pesco, the local booze. I was advised to avoid the ice and to avoid the whipped egg white garnish for biological reasons. The drink was nice, and I don’t feel that it was lacking anything by omitting those ingredients. It was a wonderful dinner. The price ? About the same as breakfast for two back home at the local diner.

Back towards the hotel it was a bit more wobbly that it was going. That drink surprised me. Safe in my room, I finished the last few pages in my e-book. Turned out the lights and slept soundly until my normal wake up time. Morning routine and breakfast and ready to it the streets for more looking and walking.

According to the bell man the beach is just a short walk away, short walk for him. He isn’t old and overweight. We’ll see. --- Seems he is right. What was to be 2 blocks was more like 5 but basically he as right. I found myself on a high bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Down below was a long pier and bobbing in the water were the morning surfers. It seemed as good a place to stop, I mean I did already walk five blocks, don’’t you know ? Nice little coffee stand with n reason to be there except there was a view. The Americano espresso was passable and the view was impeccable. Heck they even has a water station for the dogs. How could they be more welcoming. Sitting and sipping I exchanged instant messages with a friend back home. Take a photo, and it is there in a minute or two. I am in awe of this electronic marvel called the internet.

After coffee it took a walk south, I had a goal in mind, but it was very flexible. Past the shoperia with names that you would see in any upscale mall in any where in the world. The bike rental station was near. A couple dollars an hour for some well maintained bikes seemed a fair deal. Since I am afraid of the tap water I haven’t been drinking as much as I should. There what should I spy but a little stand with fresh fruit and bottles of water. I got a small water and then found out what I had been warned about. No one has change. He had to dig into several boxes and pockets and a bag to even find a close approximation of the 2 dollar (10 Soles) bill I gave him. Well that taught me, when you have a chance to get a bill broken do it.

Half an hour later I realized I was going in the wrong direction. I supposed to cross the bridge at the dog water cafe, not walk away from the bridge. A simple U-turn past most of the same vendors I had declined previously. When I got to the shopperia, they must have a public toilet. Shoppers have to pee too. Well of course thy do. After that chore lunch seemed like a good idea. Mango Restaurant smelled like a good choice. It was. There was a buffet and an Ala Carte menu. I took the Ala Carte path, with another ceviche choice. This one with an Asian theme. Nice fish marinated in a sweet soy and ginger sauce, served on half an Avocado. It was really good, not as good as last night’s Civeche with Coconut milk, but certainly in the running. I watched the waves, and the Para-gliders soar and had a really nice lunch.

Back on the trail, past the dog cafe and across the bridge and here was the para-glider’s airport. I found a shady bench and watched them take off and land for the next hour. Tandem and solo fliers flew gracefully in the sky. I came to Peru to see the birds, I didn’t plan of watching human birds. The passenger would raise their feet, the pilot would take a step towards the cliff edge and one step on earth and the next in air. I don’’t know how long a fight was, but I had the feeling that the riders got their money’s worth. The two men next to me, cheered the take offs and squealed at the close call landings. They were as much fun to watch as the fliers.

I’m back at the hotel now. A glass of wine at my side, thinking about what to do for dinner. Tomorrow it is Bye-bye Lima and off to the Amazon. It is 72 degrees here in Lima and 86 at the nearest city to the Amazon. Guess I better pack some extra deodorant.

Pigeon porn, with everyone watching

No spying allowed

Monday April 8^th 2019 – Lima, Peru – early evening

In the hotel bar killing an hour before trekking down the street for dinner.

I think the last place left of was in Atlanta. A nice Comfit ofDonald (or was it Daffy ?) in a sweet BBQ sauce and digesting it at the gate waiting for the plane. This plane was a larger one, one of those the has 2 – 3 – 2 seating. I had a window seat and looking at the online seating chart said that I had a seat mate. But, across the aisle was an entire three row that was empty. I’d give up the window to not have a traveling companion. I went to the gate agent and asked if I could change seats. She asked why and I explained about Mr. Three Hundred (I was discrete and didn’t mention the other half) She looked at the seating chart and said I as alone I that row. I had just checked it before standing up, all I can think of is that my seat mate had the same idea, because now that thee across row had someone in it. The gate agent did say she would block the seat next to me, and it would only be filled if the aircraft was completely full. That was really nice of her.

Good to her word, I had the entire 2 seat row to myself. A woman had the entire 3 seat row I coveted all to herself. She stretched out across all seats and slept most of the way from Atlanta to Lima. As on previous rips I usually buy a couple Starbucks gift cards and give then to the crew. They have had varied results and I do it for entertainment. Just to see what happens. An a flight from Damascus to Paris, I offered to write a letter supporting a cabin crew member when he had a “I’m going to have your job!” passenger. He forced probably 2 liters of mini wine bottles on me as I deplaned (something I totally didn’t expect or want). Once on a flight to Paris the crew gave me tons of left over first class swag, and a bottle of wine. Going to as Vegas with Chris, the pilots asked us if we wanted to sit at the controls after we landed. That same trip the Flight Attendant took the card with the same care as if I handed her a dirty diaper. This trip I got a first class chocolate and a nice card on SEA-ATL. ATL-LIM got me a hug (No Joe Biden was not on this flight) and a hint more ass kissing than a cattle class seat warranted.

The FA (flight attendant) asked me I was on a mission to Peru. What the heck ? Do I look like a Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness ? I don’t think I look like CIA or Blackwater. I hope she is on the return flight so I can ask her.

We flew straight south out over the Caribbean over Cuba, Columbia, Ecuador and landed on time in Lima. I wanted to get a photo for Cuban but just as we go over, it clouded up. As soon as we left their airspace it cleared up. Obviously a clever ploy on their part to thwart my spying. Around hour 3 three into the six hour flight I got the fidgets. That was where I really appreciated not having a plane pal. Going to the rest room was sweet. No having to step over the aisle passenger coming and going, just getting up and going and going. Since 1995 every plane I have been n is Non-smoking. Why are there still ash trays in the bathroom?

Got to LIM, made it though the E Ticket line to Immigration and past Customs, with a quick dog sniff along the way. A $20 taxi to the hotel (all foreign airport taxis seem to be twenty bucks be it New Delhi, Bangkok or now Lima) Checked into my room, a quick wash and a Valium and I was in the Land of Nod by 1:30. Seven-thirty seemed to be the time to get up and almost no jet lag. A little fatigue but that was it.

Now it was the trial of the trip – What did I forget at home ? I had put a few thins in the wrong bag,, but everything was there. Amazing. Shower and breakfast and off to see the city with a stop at the money changer and the cell phone SIM card guy, and I was officially a tourist.

The Great Gassby

Sunday April 7^th 2019 Seattle – 445 am (no pictures)

No sitting in the boarding area for the first leg of the trip, Seattle to Atlanta. Not much drama, except everybody at 4 am seems to be grumpy, but they could just be reflecting me. There was absolutely no one at check in for the Delta counter and even before I got to her, she was demanding identification and boarding pass. Good Good lady, it isn’t like there is a multitude of the starving masses behind me. It’s just you and me. She efficiently made me check luggage disappear into the depths of Hades, hopefully to be reborn anew in Peru.

The main TSA check point was closed and so a hike down to the next one. The line was crazy and getting crazier. I waited in line 15 minutes, before I go to the official start of the line. The temporary corral kept getting extended further and further band me. Finally I got to the start of the permanent TSA line and checked my ticket. I had TSA Pre-Check ! Gawk ! Another walk back trough the temporary human maze and a trek even further north (mind you my airplane is supposed to be at the South terminal) to the TSA Per-Check. I think the guy who checked my documents must have been in mourning, for his mother and dog who died recently. I had to nearly beg him to tell me if I needed to remove my shoes or not. I slipped safely through the gauntlet of radiation machines and personal inspection and then had to walk back to the south gate. Felt like I was walking to Atlanta and not flying.

All is now good. The flight is totally fully booked. There is not a single seat available. The are asking for volunteers, a $400 voucher, then they upped it to $600. I’d certainly think about it if I was going home, but the flight the are offering gets into Atlanta after, my flight to Peru, so I am still on schedule.

In Atlanta several hours later. Delta has a class called Delta Comfort. It is not that much e special, a slight bit more ass kissing, but it is basically Cattle Class with a few extra inches of leg room. As usual I opted fr a window seat. I get to help the pilot fly and it gives me some leaning room if I need it. This time I needed it, maybe a seat on the wing would have been better. My middle seat companion was a 300 + pounder. This guy was what you think of when you think obese. How he got the seat belt on is still a mystery. I surrendered he arm rest to him and he still encroached on my seat. Then he Man Spread. Knees wide apart to give The Boys some breathing room. All the time my Girls (well my left one) was getting Triceps kissed by his arm. I scooted over as far as possible and it just wasn’t enough. Then about half way through the flight he became a Human bio-hazard. I don’t know what he had been eating but, it must have been road kill. My grandfather’s experiences in World War One didn’t hold a candle to this guy. I wished I had a candle or a match, but it probably would have it his farts and blown us out of the sky.

We did arrive in Atlanta, and even made it a little ahead of time. I had searched for the best restaurant at ATL before leaving and One Flew South was highlighted. It said that people come from all over the world to eat there. Well, Duh ! It is in the International concourse in an airport, of course people from all over the world go there to eat. I gave it a try and it lives up to the hype. A innovative menu and ell prepared ingredients I had a Duck Comfit sandwich with slaw the sandwich was outstanding. The slaw is generally an afterthought, this slaw could have been a main by itself.

Now I sit t the gate have about an hour more to go before boarding. If I get seated with that same guy on this flight, I’m going to lock myself in the bathroom. At least I know what to expect here.

Where to? Quo Vadis? Donde Vas?

Where to next? Always a big decision. It's a big world out there and I've only sipped at it. Back to places I love, and hope to recapture the feeling? Back to places I hate, and hope to find out I was wrong? How about some family history? Maybe a place I avoided 50 years ago? Perhaps a place that was never ever under consideration? Someplace with feather comforters and meals I recognize? How about bugs in the bedroom and food that I don't want to know the ingredients of?

I haven't been out of the country in over a year. Last trip in 2017 was to revisit Myanmar. One of those places that I loved previously, only to find that it had evolved in absence. My 2018 trip was a new roof. That is kind of important, since rain drops in the bedroom distract me from sleeping well. I did get to meet people from a different country during the construction, but that really wasn't the same as going someplace else.

I thought about going back to Egypt. I love the history, have a few people that I stay in touch with and still have places to see that are new to me. Laos was also in the thought process. I like the food of Southeast Asia, the people are great hosts, the culture is new and different. Europe is a possibility. I haven't been there in over 20 years or explored it in any depth in 50. Fifty years ago, Europe was a mere 20 years post World War II and still getting back on it's feet. India, I disliked the crush of people the first time, and detested the crush of people the second time.

In 1944, my father at 19 years old was nose gunner on a bomber. After several missions over enemy territory, and a few very distinguished medals for bravery he and his crew were shot down over what is now Slovokia. He and most of the crew left their mortally wounded aircraft successfully, though three of the men did not and were killed. My father and surviving crew spent the remainder of the war as prisoners of war. The remains of two of the three crew members were recovered by the local populace and given proper burials (later repatriated and buried in a U.S. military cementery). Where the bulk of the aircraft crashed, in 1995 at the spot where the pilot's body was found a monument was made to the crew by the residents in the area. Hmm.. that could be a destination this year. Maybe fly to Vienna, rent a bike and take a week or so and bike along the Danube to Budapest, making a side trip to the memorial along the way. Think, think, think .. no, not the bike. Not because of the effort, but because I'd spend almost all my time going from A to B and no exploring. Okay, rent a car and do the same trip. That's a possibility. Then a friend said - "Doesen't sound like any of this is up to your usual off the beaten track rough tough journey!"

Well I guess Austria, Slovokia and Hungary are off the table in that case. I can resist anything but temptation and peer pressure.

Now what? My dentist was sharing pictures of a packaged tour that they went on to Peru.

Hmm.. Peru? Not ten time zones away, that's a plus. Food that I hadn't tasted before (Guinea Pig). Altitude over Ten thousand feet in some places. A chance of catching Dysentery, Malaria or Dengue Fever ? Sounds like my kind of place ! .. and .. they have parrots ! Yes, real flying in the sky kind of parrots.

I traded in a pile of air miles and a few Benjamins and had an airline ticket from Seattle to Lima, Peru for three weeks in April. Some hotel points and a few more Benjamins and I had a couple days in Lima. Then a whoop stack of Bennys (by now he and I were getting to know each other way, way too well) and I had Five days and four nights of luxury on a tributary of the Amazon, near two clay licks where parrots frequently fly to for needed minerals that is missing from their diet.

After that ? Who knows. I have a couple ideas. Machu Picchu, the Nazca lines, Penguins are all possibilities. Condors and Easter, maybe. I don't know, I guess we'll see.