Tag Archives: Peru

Peru Dropped Baggage….

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I loved my trip to Peru a few years ago for so many reasons. Peru is beautiful, the people are amazing, the food is awesome. You get to see so many things related to National Geographic specials such as Machu Picchu, The Nazca Lines, The Amazon River but my favourite day on that trip was Colca Canyon.

We arrived early and ours was the first bus there, the tour guide gave us a bit of history and then we were left to wander, sit, watch the condors. The condors are amazing, so big and beautiful to watch.

For over an hour I just sat, watching, taking it all in and running through my life in my mind. Going over the past year, going over crap I was still hanging onto and suddenly I decided to just let it go. Anger, resentment, petty disagreements, doubt, fear. I just let it go (some still clings but now it’s more carry on baggage). The canyon was big enough it could take it.

Then I looked forward and with total clarity in that moment, I could see where I wanted to go. Which path I wanted to take. That is the path I have been following ever since, looking forward, moving ahead, not believing everybody who said “You can’t….” but figuring out in my way how I was going to get to point B, point C, point D.

Yes I have stumbled, yes I have dragged my feet, yes I still have doubts and the past still comes back but from that day I cleared out the clutter to make room for a future that for so long I wasn’t sure I could accomplish.

Well that’s one way to start a trip….

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I arrived in Lima, Peru years ago but my luggage did not. They assured me it would probably arrive in the next day or two. So I was already feeling a little out of sorts the next morning when my friend Becca and I went to explore the city. Over breakfast we had come up with plan B, just in case my luggage didn’t arrive. The good thing about Becca and I is we are almost the same size, so we could share some clothes but we were still holding out for plan A which was my luggage would arrive.

After breakfast we went to explore and on our travels we crossed the bridge. If you are in Lima do not cross the bridge. When we had our meeting the next day with the tour group, one of the first things they tell you is “Don’t cross the bridge….”

Well now you tell us, where were you yesterday?

If you are in Lima, do not cross here:

After crossing the bridge, you immediately notice you’ve definitely crossed to the other side of the tracks. We wandered for a bit and we were just thinking of turning back when the cutest little guy stole my camera. My fault, totally, better my camera bag than Becca’s purse.

He grabbed it and the strap on my bag just snapped, pretty sure he’d done this before. Then he ran, paused and looked back. Becca and I still think he smiled and the only thing that would have made it better would have been if he had stopped and taken a picture.

Becca started to go after him but changed her mind. Instead we turned and quickly, very, very quickly made our way back across the bridge. Then assessed the damage, which was basically one camera gone and us slightly shaken up.

I guess I needed a lesson in minimalism, no luggage, no camera. Yes I had a brief sulk and felt very sorry for myself. Okay universe I get it.

Then I got a new camera, better than the last one and on sale! Since it was day one, I hadn’t really lost anything. The next morning my luggage arrived and we were back on track. Ready for whatever else the trip would bring our way.

(Every trip after I have taken carry on luggage only and my camera fits in my pocket).

If you find yourself in Lima, have wandered all over and are looking for more instead of crossing the bridge, get a taxi out to Miraflores and wander around the plaza del Amor where you will find a beautiful park, a huge mall, wonderful view:

and “The Kiss”