Farewell to arequipa

Monday/Tuesday 15./16.December 2008

Arequipa, at 2300 m altitude
Continue. Day 13/14: Day 13/14

First recover from the exhausting tour. Surprisingly, I don’t have to report any muscle aches or any other complaints, but I’m still quite tired. And still totally happy about the successful and exciting tour.

My fellow hiker has totally got it, her stomach is going crazy and she is plagued with fever and chills, not so refreshing at the temperatures which are hot again.

Actually I wanted to go on to Cusco on Monday, but the city packed me, doesn’t really like away from the sun, the friendly people and the colourful and lively city. After the 3 days in the wilderness the city was much too loud and hectic for me when I arrived, but it fascinated me again. I love this city!

Here one is addressed friendly on the street, mostly by locals and chatted as well as possible with the linguistic barriers. I have never experienced it like this before.

On Tuesday morning then the disillusionment. The tax office has debited my account properly, I had not expected so much, in addition still additional payments for 2007 and a firmly planned job is clearly reduced in the extent. Whoa, what to do, the money is by no means enough, but I had so much planned on my trip.

After 2 sad hours and a good chat with my son I decided to go home and get my financial stories straight. I have to do my tax return directly at the end of the year, there should be a lot more coming back and I should take care of new orders.

Meanwhile I am looking forward to home, to the children, Milan and Joey especially and to Christmas at home.

Only without having seen the Macchu Pichu I can’t leave, so I pack my things and go to Cusco.