Iquitos has a nice little airport... it has two gates and a gift shop. Both gates... side by side... however, exit to the exact same spot on the tarmac. I suppose it makes people feel important to have a gate number stamped on their boarding pass.

We were met at the airport in Lima where we didn't return to our favorite hotel.. but to another one, the Jose Antonio. More modern but not as charming. When we got to our room which had a lovely view of the city, we did the smart thing and dumped out all our luggage and repacked for the trip home. Heaven knows how tired we will be by the end of this day, and it will be a comfort to know that our bags will be ready to go. We leave for the airport at 7:30... right after dinner.



After all the packing is sorted out, Cuz and Gyspy head for the local shops, as we have mucho Nuevo Soles burning holes in our pockets.. and they will buy us nothing at home. We walk the main streets of the Miraflores area and there is a lot of activity and shopping.. the weekend, I guess. We arrive at the market area and do a lot of browsing and bargaining.. and non-bargaining... and happily return to our hotel laden with Inca treasure!



After a delighful dinner... honestly, the supper served here is MUCH better than it was in the charming hotel... we head for the airport... and are ready to be on our way. We have our luggage.. our marvelous souvenirs.. and a thousand wonderful memories of Peru... the Andes and the Amazon. We will just forget that we were ever in Lima.

We checked our bags.. and then took ourselves through security a couple times. No problems. The people in Lima don't seem as eager as they were in the US. Also, Gypsy was careful NOT to wear her boots, and Cuz doesn't even own a hairpick anymore.



We were lucky on or flight to have a couple empty seats in our row... so we could spread out a bit and try to nap.. it is a long, long flight to Miami.

Good thing we snoozed on the plane because once we arrived in Miami, we found we had to walk about 50 miles to our next gate... and oh, yes... some more security check points.. that sure does slow things down.. WAY down!



Back in Boston at last with just a moment's apprehension.. our luggage were the very last two bags to be put on the conveyor... whew.. we were afraid we would never see them again.

We are the luckiest travelers you have ever seen... just as we come out the door of the terminal.. the Portland bus is stopped in traffic right in front of us. Cuz is dragging both duffles.. so Gyspy hails the bus and practically throws herself under the wheels to get attention.... it works.. we have a comfy ride to Portland.



The Gypsy King met us at the station and even bought us dinner on the way home. We appreciated it, as we were hungrier than we realized.. but we were so stupified with fatigue we were extremely boring dinner companions, I'm afraid.

Well.. we are home at last. It has seemed like one of the longest trips we have ever taken... not only to us, but other people say it seems we have been gone for ages. Why do you suppose that is?

We will enjoy the cold and snows of winter, now.. and get rested up for our next adventure in the spring... Unless we have some soup made from the head of a black dog... in which case... we may never travel again.

Arlene, The Gypsy ~ October, 2001



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