Destination Arequipa

I seriously couldn´t make this stuff up. (Mom, you may not want to read this)

So it took me 10 hours to get from Cuzco to Arequipa which is normally 1.5 hours by plane. The map of Peru might help with this insane story (not that you actually care in all honesty). Originally my flight was from Cuzco to Juliaca to Arequipa and then to Lima. I was only going as far as Arequipa. Bascially en route just before we arrived the Arequipa airport was closed due to heavy rain showers. We had to divert to Tacna. Then they told us that we were not going to be able to go to Arequipa and if we wanted to go we had to go via bus, which is 5 hours and it was 830 pm by that time. Many people got off, but I wasn´t sure what to do. Decision can be so critical and determine so many things. When you travel alone, there is no one else to consult and you are at the mercy of others for your information. We sat for an hour on the tarmack and they gave us little to no information and couldn´t really answer any questions to help me make a decision.

I finally decided to go ahead an get off the plane, a second group decided to get off and I went with them. My friend Christy, who I will meet in Peru later this month, has a friend in Tacna. I was able to get ahold of him and I thought I could stay the night and leave the next day. I had it arranged at the counter and I was waiting for Lucho to come. Then as he arrived the lady called me over and said if I wanted to get to Arequipa I had to get back on the airplane and leave right then for Lima. The plane was still on the tarmack after all this time (about 1.5 hours) for no reason that we could find out. So I ran out on the tarmack again and boarded the plane from the rear--surprise I am back!

I land in Lima and thankfully a guy was waiting to take us back to the exact same plane going to Arequipa. So finally at 1130 we leave Lima for Arequipa. I arrived at about 1230 and realized in all the commotion, I left a bag that had my laundry in it on the plane which the attendant found it and said it was in Lima. So now I am down to 2 pair of pants and one is for warm weather. I went to talk to the person with LAN and she tried to help me figure out how to get it. The hotel was supposed pick me up, but since I didn´t arrive on time they were not there. However it was late and most of the taxis had left. However an angel of a policeman came out of nowhere and found me a reliable taxi. All I had was the name of the hotel, no address, because I didn´t think I needed it. So at one in the morning I put my life in his hands, praying that the hotel would be open. He couldn´t find it for a bit and when we finally did---no one answered. It was a bit panicky. Quick thinking and the Lonely Planet guide and the last few seconds of my battery, I found a place that was still open. I got there and went to bed.

I thought I had a 9am Spanish class, but luckily it wasn´t until noon. I will have another 3 hour class tomorrow. I moved to another hostel. I am worn out and thinking of leaving here early. It´s cold and rainy. This whole travel bit is full of ups and downs and surprise challenges. It never lets me get too comfortable. I will be a seasoned veteran after all this. If you care to join me on the trail, I´d love it. Who wouldn´t want to have all this fun. Thanks for the care and support. I will survive. I am learning that I really don´t like big cities and that I like a little bit of familar routine and to know my surroundings. So I will enjoy being in Africa for awhile and really get to know people.

Laura