Pearl #11 ~ Excerpt from Walking With Inkas

This is an excerpt from my travel blog, Walking with Inkas, and was originally written on May 18, 2006

Flying South

SUMMARY:

Got to O'Hare, just in time, but then my flight was delayed. Enjoyed people-watching and sipping coffee to relax (I know, that's not how caffeine's s'posed to work) after a hectic week of moving. Made a few friends on the way down, including a Brazilian business man who offered to show me around Rio di Janeiro, and a girl named Jessica as I took my first steps on Peruvian ground. One of my bags got lost, but my driver was waiting with my name on a sign (another life dream accomplished!) to take me home.

Pearl #10 ~ An Excerpt from Walking With Inkas

This is an excerpt from my travel blog, Walking with Inkas, and was originally written on May 11, 2006 

Expectations

SUMMARY:

Alright, the nervousness is gone for the moment, now I'm excited. Here are my expectations.

Pearl #9 ~ Orion of the Multicolored Belt

Today's six-word memoir:  The first step is showing up.

Reuben, our guide, shares his infinite knowledge at a ruin along the Inca Trail.

On our last morning on the Inca trail, the porters woke us earlier than usual with their standard wake-up call, "¡Coca té, señoritas, coca té!"  Let me tell you, there is nothing like an Incan trail porter shaking your tent and offering you coca tea to make you want to climb out of your sleeping bag.

Pearl #8 ~ An Excerpt from Walking with Inkas

This is an excerpt from my travel blog, Walking with Inkas, and was originally written on May 10, 2006

The Eve of Peru

SUMMARY:

Getting nervous about leaving, but it will be okay. I can do it.

Pearl #7 ~ Llamas in the Stars

View from the Inca Trail, day 3

Our third day hiking the Inca Trail was complete, night had fallen.  I was looking at the amazing collection of stars on display, so similar to those back home, and yet so foreign.  No dippers to be found in the southern hemisphere, but the Southern Cross plays almost the same role - that beacon of familiarity winking down at us as if to say, "Welcome, visitors from the north, we're glad you came."

Pearl #6 ~ An Excerpt from Walking with Inkas

This is an excerpt from my travel blog, Walking with Inkas, and was originally written on May 7, 2006

One Week to Go . . . A Dedication

SUMMARY:

Thanks to everybody who has supported me throughout the years, and shared in my little adventures. We're off to Peru!

Pearl #5 ~ Live Every Moment

Today's six-word memoir:  I'm wearing my Inca trail pants.

Perú has been on my mind lately, I'm not sure why.  But it's clear that there's a pearl or two begging to be recorded.  I should clarify, there are two Peruvian chapters in my life so far.  The first was the summer of 2006, when I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the "Land of the Inkas" for a three-month internship with the Department of State.  I know!  Who does that?!