{"id":3374,"date":"2015-03-27T21:49:54","date_gmt":"2015-03-27T21:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jimily.org\/?p=3374"},"modified":"2015-04-12T17:38:41","modified_gmt":"2015-04-12T16:38:41","slug":"pondering-pennys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jimily.org\/?p=3374","title":{"rendered":"Pondering Pennys"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Thursday we returned together from Cusco to Lima for our final night, in reflective mood.<\/p>\n

Ma, Pa and Dan returned to the Marriott, and Jim and I to another great apartment more central to Miraflores.\u00a0We were straight down the shops for philly and pringles, and pot noodles. To think of the esteemed history of the pot noodle eh? Descended from Incan technology – freeze dried!<\/p>\n

Immediately you feel a bit brighter now out of the altitude. There is nothing really discernible when you get to 3000m, just a bit out of breath up stairs. But when you come down there is definitely a change. Its the difference between thinking “Don’t really feel like it” and “Let’s get straight down the shops for some beers!”.<\/p>\n

Oxygen’d up, we walked out to eat traditional food at Saqra, outside in the warm evening air.<\/p>\n

“What are candied potatoes?”
\n“They tell you exactly what they think”<\/p><\/blockquote>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n

One of the owners was creeping around the tables on his crutches to mingle with his guests…..<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

“The owner is coming around to meet everyone”
\n“He’s on crutches”
\n“Yeah, he must be after tips explaining ‘I’ve had to cook\u00a0with crutches!'”
\n“Have you ever tried turning your oven on with a crutch?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Great dinner, especially puddings, and if you’re ever there check out the toilets!<\/p>\n

The final day was spent lazily getting up for breakfast, and meeting at Larcomar for another amazing meal at Tanta. Puddings were absolutely incredible, and we got in our final pisco sours and ceviche (or if you’re Dad, a massive club sandwich!).<\/p>\n

“What did you have Mum?”
\n\u201cGrandma\u2019s old squash soup…
\nOr Old Grandma\u2019s squash soup…
\nOr Squashed Old Grandma’s soup!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n

And of course a splodge was dropped on Mam\u00e1’s clean white top which she was flying home in….<\/p>\n

“Its OK Marian, your splodge is covered!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\nngg_shortcode_2_placeholder\n

And so… to reflections.<\/p>\n

What an amazing experience, travelling with your loved ones and filling your memory banks to brimming with the incredible, the joyful, the warm and the heart-wrenching… and your Sister’s phone\u00a0with a thousand photos and messages!<\/p>\n

What began as surreal, seeing your family after 5 months and it feeling like 5 minutes – but in extremely strange circumstances, didn’t really stop being surreal at all. The entire two weeks seems like an extremely intricate reality conjured during a lengthy stretch of coma, or a bout of insanity. I can’t believe it has happened.<\/p>\n

Although its hard to single out moments, I forced Ma and Pa to pick a few – as follows – and then there are a few more thoughts from me about what having family with us has meant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HIGHLIGHTS OF PERU<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Mum:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Mam\u00e1 Mercedes and her Chicha bar<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_3_placeholder\n

2. Moray with our local guide Percy<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_4_placeholder\n

3. History: Incas are an astonishing race<\/p>\n

4. Our epic 12 hour trek across the Andes<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_5_placeholder\n

5. The stunning Ollantaytambo, set amongst high mountains<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_6_placeholder\n

For Dad:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The first revealing of “The” view of Machu Picchu<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_7_placeholder\n

2. Pudding at Tanta: choc, strawb, passionfruit, cream cup<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_8_placeholder\n

 <\/p>\n

HIGHLIGHTS OF HOLIDAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hotel – El Albergue, Ollantaytambo<\/strong><\/p>\n

You could walk straight out onto the train platform to catch your train. And you could walk straight out of your room into a gorgeous garden filled with tropical plants and buzzing hummingbirds.<\/p>\n

The Pool – JW Marriott, Lima<\/strong><\/p>\n

A “launch” after more than 10 years, on a special day for Mothers…<\/p>\n

The Church – Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus, Arequipa<\/strong><\/p>\n

A decorated ceiling that elicited an involuntary gasp of wonder.<\/p>\n

The Wildlife – Hummingbird, Cusco<\/strong><\/p>\n

A\u00a0hummingbird so close you feel their fast vibrations in your hair (or their wings hit your ear!).<\/p>\n

The Pudding – Tanta, Lima<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you earn the nickname “Meringue Lips” and your “Playful” fruit drink makes you so happy you feel drunk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0OBSERVATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n