South America!

Moon shining brightly on the patchy clouds making them glow at 11pm and through the clouds rests patches of lights in small clusters. Can it really be? South America is below and soon my feet shall touch this continent. Turning to Erin, I can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. This is really happening.

Already the trip has gone on forever...getting stuck in an airport related to a delayed flight, then switching to another which also was delayed from a toilet not working...and then finally to Miami only to miss our next flight, but oh so much fun! We stayed in a hotel and then got free airport food the next day! Meeting people and starting to hear some Spanish around us, it really was a good day. It's all about attitude.

Finally we exited the airport. Taxi drivers beeping horns and yelling, it was nice that our luggage was lost...we didn't have much to carry. Trying to speak Spanish, brain feeling fried from lack of sleep, we were off. It didn't take long to realize that the driver was lost. Yep...going down one street and up the next only to turn around and go back down the street again. Mumbling Spanish under his breath and then yelling out the window and asking for directions a couple of time. Finally we arrived.

Melinda. What a blessing. Opening the front gate, we passed 3 more gates before we finally reached her lovely apartment. Dark wooden floor and a simple table and couch. We stayed up talking even though the hour was so late or actually early....

Friday we went to Melinda's school. I loved working with the kindergarteners. I even taught a lesson on autumn. Playing with them at recess, I was amazed at all the places these young kids have been. Oh! And we received our luggage at the school! Fresh clothes were wonderful!

Today...wow...going to the open market reminded me so much of Benin, Africa! Loved it. Meat just hanging out; chicken with the guts colorfully arranged on the muscle, fruits and vegetables in bright patterns and spices filling the air.

A edible swan and shelves of pastries that looked more like artwork than something to eat. Amazing flavor, Erin and I shared a few.

Wind, a powerful strong force. Gliding through the air...flying because of the wind.... and seeing the beach, coast line and city. Brushing the top of a tree with my foot. I think I know what it feels like to be a bird.

Eating raw fish with onions and lime. It's a specialty here and really the meat just melts in your mouth. Best part? Eating with Erin, Melinda and a Peruvian...learning some Spanish and more of the culture surrounding us.

This is Lima, Peru!