Wrapping Up and Saying Goodbye

Wednesday, August 22. Wednesday morning Hotel Britania awakens to crazy Americans rushing around sorting through their rooms packing and getting ready for the busy day ahead.

Oh, no! Last minute emergency before we head out the door. Dena thinks she may have broken her arm falling over backwards on a bench. Not good. The three team leaders take off for the clinic (play scary music in the background) while the team is handed evaluation forms to fill out. Hmmm... not our favorite either. Can we go to the clinic instead? The fearless three return an hour or so later. Good news! No broken bones! Just a bad sprain that will heal in a couple of days. We all heave a sigh of relief for our favorite violin virtuoso.

For last minute sightseeing everyone jumps on the bus. “Sound Off!” After roll call there is no Pastor Salazar. Missing again? The Master of Vanishing is here one minute gone the next. Finally we make contact with our Pastor who will follow us in a Peruvian taxi.

The show must go on. We leave to find a backdrop for a team picture. “EUREKA” (quoted by a true Californian). Mission accomplished: we found the wall of promise. Scurried off the bus… team shirts collide… “Take your place, don’t move or you die!” Laughter echoes down the Peruvian sidewalk as crazy Americans take over the street. We also draw the attention of two policemen who watch us make weird poses, laugh for no reason at all, and jump in the air. (OK, so we were kind of strange.)

Next on the menu: famous Peruvian empenadas by the fifties. I am afraid we scared the bakers by the hungry look in our eyes.

Off to the fish market! Why the fish market? Because you can catch a really cool boat ride if you're brave enough. Everyone explores the fish market (that part happens fast... smells not the greatest), pauses for photo ops on the jetty and pier, then piles onto two boats for a tour of the bay.

Now the pace starts to slow down. We gather on the beach for a final team devotional and debriefing. The reality of our departure begins to sink in. We won't all be together tomorrow. Uh oh - tears are getting close to the surface. Some good final admonitions from Andy... time for everyone to share short testimonies and stories... singing the blessing song to each other... do we really have to go?

Back at the hotel, everyone scrambles to zip up suitcases, haul stuff to the lobby, load onto the bus. We jump back off at the airport. Half the team is checking in for a flight now. Nine others will leave in a few hours. The last four southern Californians don't leave until tomorrow night. We think the adventure is just about finished... but no... we've left Andy's luggage back at the hotel! Ahhh!!! When the dust all settles, Andy ends up on the early morning flight instead of with the late night crew (Andy's a good sport, by the way) and eleven of us board the flight to Miami.

It's hard to say goodbye to Peru, even harder to say goodbye to the rest of the team.

Beth

Feeding the hungry pelicans

A bunch of the team bought these cool sweatshirts and jackets that said Peru. We were starting to look like some kind of crazy sports team.

A great sister experience, even if the colors do clash.

The boat ride

Our friend the boat man. Each team that has come to Peru has gotten a boat ride from this same hilarious boat owner. He remembers the team leaders each time they show up with a new crew of Americans wanting a tour of the bay.

Wait! Who's driving this boat?!?!

Saying goodbye is never fun. We've all made some incredible friendships these past three weeks.

With our bus and bus driver. Carlos (the bus driver) brought his daughter to meet us today. She's a cutie!

Catching a bit to eat between late night flights. You know you're in Peru when your three options for dinner after midnight consist of Roky's, Norky's, and Bembos and the menu includes fried pig's ear and snout. Ugh! Some of our senses of adventure were waning this late at night and we voted to skip the pig's snout.