| We set out with a group of 38 singles with and as | | | | poor river people. Here a tooth extraction costs $2 if |
| usual they were initially timid but quickly bonded in | | | | they can afford it. |
| friendship. On arrival in Lima we check into a lovely | | | | There were many highlights! We hiked the world's |
| hotel located in trendy Miraflores district. There was a | | | | longest canopy walk 100' high in the trees. We visited |
| guided city tour, leisure time to explore and a delicious | | | | Monkey Island, a research station for 8 species that |
| dinner of sea bass ceviche at a restaurant built on an | | | | room free. For one photo I held 3 at a time. There was |
| ocean pier. | | | | a lecture by two resident shamans who taught us |
| Next day we flew Lan to Iquitos where we were | | | | about medicinal plants and then blessed us individually |
| greeted by 3 top guides who remain with us for our 6 | | | | as they removed our bad spirits. At the Yagua Indian |
| days in the jungle. They are truly pro's on flora, fauna | | | | Village we traded our western goods for masks and |
| and having fun! All transport is by boat. 90 miles down | | | | blowguns (several of these were later were |
| river we arrive to Explonapo Lodge in the heart of | | | | confiscated by TSA.) |
| Amazonia. No plumbing or electricity, feels like an | | | | The best part of the trip for me was a surprise visit to |
| episode out of "Survivor." Rustic to the extreme yet | | | | a rural school. Inside were 50+ children barefoot and |
| therein lies the unique charm. I fell in love with the | | | | wide-eyed who never see tourists. Tears filled my |
| resident "pets". There was Adrian the toucan who | | | | eyes as they sang their national anthem to us. We |
| would poke his long beak into the dining room door for | | | | sang our anthem to them and deposited a ton of |
| a treat, along with several tame parrots and scarlet | | | | school supplies to the two teachers. It was a glorious |
| macaws. Charlie was a Capybara that looked like a | | | | sight. |
| mutant 100lb. guinea pig. When I'd scratch under his chin | | | | Back to Lima, we all scatter to shop the Indian |
| he'd close his eyes and make cooing sounds. | | | | markets. The dollar is so strong here that several in |
| The pitch black nights were spooky with a symphony | | | | the group bought another suitcase to fill. I did my Xmas |
| of wild noises. Our rooms were connected with a | | | | shopping in May. Our fabulous dinner was at a |
| privacy wall and an open thatched roof. Like a giant | | | | restaurant set in pre-Incan ruins. We toast each other |
| slumber party, we all shouted "goodnight Johnboy" | | | | goodbye with many hugs as I remiss a journey well |
| from our mosquito netted beds. Suddenly Sharon | | | | done. This group was so prefect I'd like to clone them |
| screamed and the guys run to her room. She found a | | | | all for future AFS trips. I couldn't hand pick better |
| giant lizard tucked in with her in her bed. At 3am I head | | | | travelers for this adventure. |
| to the latrine with flashlight in hand. Inside a bat flutters | | | | I have always loved the land of Peru. I am now |
| near my head as I repeatedly whisper "bat's are good." | | | | designing a unique future trip to include Machu Piccu, |
| Enough roughing it. We board our boats for "luxury in | | | | boating Lake Titicaca, visits to natives on floating reed |
| the Amazon" at Ceiba Tops. With air conditioning, | | | | islands and crossing to La Paz Bolivia. For the moment, |
| tropical gardens and a pool, it feels like the Ritz to us. I | | | | I have tired of Europe. There is a spirit of humility found |
| take the world's longest shower as others enjoy Pisco | | | | in the hearts of these people that I am unable to |
| Sours by the pool. We all gain weight with fresh food | | | | adequately describe here. Nor can my photos justly |
| throughout that is both delicious and plentiful. | | | | convey Peru. It truly must be experienced. |
| On daily boat tours we saw giant water lilies, sloths, | | | | Note: AFS has officially adopted the Timicurillo School. |
| countless birds and the elusive pink dolphins. We fished | | | | We welcome your contributions. For just $10 per year, |
| by cane poles for piranha to fry up for dinner. We | | | | you can provide materials for these beautiful children |
| visited a family with a pet anaconda snake. My brave | | | | who have so little. For more information please contact |
| clients drape it around themselves for a photo op. We | | | | Barbara at for more details. |
| delivered medical supplies to a remote clinic serving the | | | | |