triumphgal

I awoke to the offer of breakfast and the sun breaking above the horizon out my plane window. I know that Peru is now in the past and that I am going to have to disturb the woman in the aisle seat soon to let me out for relief. I sleep off and on again until we land at LAX. It is a beautiful day and I am highly overdressed for the weather. Thankfully we learned the mantra from Nury, layers, layers, layers! I am getting odd looks in my Peruvian toque though.

The timing through the airport was plenty as we worked our way through one line-up or inspection to another. This is not a very convenient airport for us as where we arrive is a 4 terminal walk over to the one we depart from. Fortunately it was just the reverse of our trip down with the exception that we had to clear our bags through customs and then put them on a conveyor towards our next plane. I am glad we didn’t have to carry them all the way though as the trip has taken it’s toll on my wheeled bag and it is more like dragging than towing now. My experience all along the way with security and customs was very enjoyable. We had laughs and chats and giggles, even one odd conversation about Mammograms. (no the technology at the airport is not that invasive)

By the time Carol-Ann got to the gate there were 10 people ahead of her on the stand-by list for the over sold plane. I know she is very anxious to get home to her kids and grandbaby as the tension is a bit palpable. Colin and Wendy were willing to wait for a later flight if necessary and so was I so I told the agent at the gate that if CA could not get on i was giving my seat to her. It was strange to me that we were not seated at the same time as I booked us as travelling companions and paid on my card at the time. Apparently it was a glitch with Alaskas booking system. I believe CA thinks it is because I booked us through Skyscanner but in any case when the final boarding call came we were both on the plane and in fact side by side…… hmmmmm.

It was good to be on the last leg. Now that we had left our friends and South America behind, I just wanted to be home. A cheese and fruit plate accompanied by a Chardonnay helped.

Arrival in Vancouver to blowing rain and forecasts of a big storm was no surprise. Clearing customs here was easy and I was the second t arrive at the baggage carousel. As I was waiting to pull the others bags off, CA came over gave me a quick hug and was gone. I and the others were sad not to have gotten our good-bye picture together. We got to meet Ruths daughter which was lovely. My Mom agreed happily to drive Colin and Wendy to the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal in order to get to Nanaimo where they were being picked up. (As it happens there’s was the last boat before storm cancellations). We took our last selfie together in the tour and with teary eyes said good-bye. I love these two very much and look forward to more journeys in the future.

I babbled away to my Mom on the drive, stopping to buy major salad ingredients and a bottle of wine. Once home I showed her all my treasures and made sure everything was safe. There were some leakages due to the altitude changes but nothing major. My lamp and beautiful piece of pottery art filled with Pisco made it safely, although the packages of Quinua and Kiwicha are sucked tight but at least didn’t break. Quinua has become such a popular export in Peru it is driving the local prices up and locals cannot all afford the super food that keeps them healthy and fed.

A shower and a salad later and I am sitting with the fire on and the storm brewing outside busy downloading photos onto my laptop. As I go to sync my iPhone I realize it is upgrading to IOS7 and then it glitches and I am unable to get any pictures or videos off it! Now it wants to be restored but I will lose everything. In the morning I will go online and make an appointment at the Apple store as I do not have a phone either…

Home is good but I hope to hold on for as long as possible to the experience that was my G Tour group and the welcoming and beautiful Peru.

In the mean time I am so tired I am falling asleep at the keyboard. Soon I will let the memories roll around, reread the blog, and add photos and any addition memories.

MB in New Westminster, BC

09.29.13