Hello Family and Friends-
We're back from Peru - our 28 days there were amazing and action packed! We visited Machu Picchu, had an expedition into the Amazon Rainforest near Iquitos, and scoured Lima for countless weeks with family and friends.
We met with many artisans, and bought over 2,000 items to bring back for "Lindo Peru Imports". Coming back to the US we decided to jettison our conventional type luggage, and exchange them for an all plastic, zero weight, gigantic bag. In addition, we decided to each pay for an extra bag, yielding a combined bag total of 6 check-in and 2 carry-on. Little did we know that every official in the airports (both Lima and San Francisco) would be shocked at our luggage allowance.
Luckily we declared all the goods, and we broke no laws. The Taca employee helping us with our bags in Lima kindly told us that 7 out of 8 bags were significantly overweight (40 lbs allowed - each bag was over by 10-20 lbs). An overweight bag costs $50 additional, and two extra bags cost $100 each. We should have been charged $500 in extra bag/weight, but for some reason he was kind and only charged us $100! In the Lima airport, a plain clothed police officer detained us for a few minutes asking why we have a mountain of luggage. We think he wanted a bribe, but when Kathy mentioned that her Dad is affiliated with the police force, he said "Okay, have a nice day!". Thanks Crusty!
Kathy and I had a wonderful time bonding with family in Peru. This trip gave me a chance to finally know Orlando Junior, to see Christian in his natural element, and to visit with Ghil as she starts her round of classes. We stayed in the Jesus Maria apartment for the whole vacation ad probably saved around $2,000 in hotel charges. Despite the savings, it was so worth it to be in the apartment so close with family and it would not have been such a great trip otherwise.
The meals we had in Peru were amazing. On average, one eats for the low low price of $2-$3 dollars. When we would have group dinners having Pollo a La Brasa, salad, Inca Kola, desserts, french fries, the works, each person would eat for $4.00. Taxi cabs across the city, lasting for 15-20 minutes would only cost 15 S/. which is like $5.00.
We can't wait to go back. I immediately started looking into airfare for this coming year, and booking in advance the cost is around $340 round trip!
We'll be back Peru! Here are pictures of us in Cusco, taking pictures with the Cholitas. Notice the baby, baby llama, and the big piece of corn in one girls hand. This is called choclo, and the corn nuggets are gigantic (about the size of a quarter)- and delicious!
