Today the journey back home continues. Waking up to the smell of something cooking, I hopped into a hot shower and came out ready to pack and get on with the day. Even though breakfast was being prepared just a few feet away, my plan was already to go to Starbucks and enjoy a proper cup of coffee and whatever food I can find there. I packed everything and got ready for the trip home and then headed out the door in search of a dark cherry mocha.
As always, Starbucks did not disappoint. I returned to my room, checked out, and they allowed me to put my bags in storage so that I could go for a hike. My flight to Lima, Peru did not leave until 4 o’clock in the afternoon so I had some time to kill.
The nice young lady at the front counter, when I asked her how to get to the cross that I see on top of the hill, asked me if I was referring to “sexy woman”. I said I didn’t think so but I was looking at a cross on the top of the hill and I’d like to hike up to that. She said that I could hike to Cristo Blanco and also “sexy woman”. Putting Cristo Blanco into Google, I headed out the door with a bottle of water.
The hike to Cristo Blanco was nearly straight up. When I say hike, I mean stairs going straight up the hill. I took in the views along the way and once I reached the top I was at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet.
Turns out “sexy woman” was only a short distance away. Since it cost nearly $20 American to enter, I walked back down the hill.
I stopped for coffee on the way down and enjoyed a nice cup of joe while seated just feet away, a baby was waking and possibly hungry. As any caring mother would do, this mom just pulled down her blouse revealing the source of nourishment and began administering lunch on the spot. No shame in her game.
Gulping down the rest of my coffee and retrieving my belongings from storage, I began my walk to the airport. It’s a pleasant walk in that it’s mostly downhill gradually. Where it is not pleasant is what you’re actually walking through. Lots of commotion and traffic and vendors. In fact, I walked by a lady selling what appeared to be prunes and a baby.
I did see a cool tower with a statue of someone who is, no doubt, important to these folks. Here are some pics.
So, I bid adios to Cusco and hope to return someday.
During the flight I had a thought that has never really crossed my mind before. Flight attendants. Isn’t it weird that it has become customary to be 30,000 feet up and someone is walking around serving us drinks and snacks. To me, it’s strange enough to believe that we can actually fly in a tube from one place to the next, let alone have someone hand me a glass of orange juice to go with my breakfast bar. Now we would probably think it strange if we didn’t see a flight attendant serving us. Is it really necessary though? Why not save some money on the ticket and leave the snack obligations to the passengers? Sorry flight attendants. Please bring me a blanket?
I’m in the Lima airport for a six hour layover. Arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 7 am tomorrow, I only have an eleven hour layover before my flight to Jacksonville and then I drive home. Can’t wait to cross that bridge!
Peace!
Journey Man 