awaiting my flight back to reality...

Well as I sit here in Lima under overcast skies... I regret nothing about this trip except the hours I must spend here awaiting the inevitable flight back to reality. The last few days of my travels are full of colorful experiences that will be hard to forget. Let me share with you a few...

A last minute change to my itinerary brought me to the Bolivian boarder where I explored for a few days Lake Titicaca: the world's highest navigable lake in the world clocking in at 3,830 meters! (there is a fun jeopardy fact for ya).
Anyways instead of just cruising the lake I thought I'd go for the full experience and stay overnight on one of the inhabited islands.

So I joined a group that made this all happened and for 2 days I ate, slept, danced and lived with this beautiful family... who spoke no English and only limited Spanish (a Quechua speaking community) that lives a very peaceful life with no electricity or running water. What was a few more days of strengthening my quads with a squat toilet right? The photos attached are of sunset at the top of Pachamama and one of the many beautiful children running around the island trying to sell you a variety of different things for "un sole... un sole".
I knew that when I made my travel plans I would have an extra day in Puno... but at the time I didn't know why. Although as I have learned from experience everything in life happens for a reason. For those of you who know me well know that it's the boys whose first language is not English and have a different color passport if not religion than mine, tend to always catch my eye. Well sure enough lightening strikes again... this time in Puno.

We met on the boat out to the Islands and the next few days we spent together in the area were fantastic. Dwight... a recent graduate of a University in Cuzco in tourism explored not only the Lake with me, but yesterday the mountain area surrounding the lake as well. However, this time by motorbike (for all those parental units reading... don't worry we are back safe and sound... I know after Australia I said I'd never do the motorbike thing again, but it was a hard invitation to resist).

Anyways my last days in Puno were spent salsa dancing and getting to know many of the locals. Not to mention improving my Spanish. Dwight even represented me well as I picked up some last minute items at the tapestry market... cheaper than I would have ever gotten myself. And for those of your who have shopped in markets with me before know I can bargain like the best of them, but I guess the local angle is one I've never had:) So have no fear... no visa research is in the works or anything like that. It was great getting to know him, but no plans for the future.

So that is pretty much the last chapter of this adventure. In about 12 hrs I depart for the states and if I'm lucky this last piece will be uneventful. I'll be posting more pictures soon!
And if you can't tell from the posts... if you are thinking of a holiday recommendation. I highly recommend Peru!

I'd love to read a note from you during my layover in Miami... write me!