And I'm Off

Day one is in the books; safe, sound, sweaty & satisfied with myself. The trip itself was cake; 6hrs to Panama that felt like 10 minutes thanks to some borrowed Ambien, a quick stop at the Panama City mall, I mean airport - there was one hot dog stand there but 5 places I could’ve purchased a HDTV set?! Finally a quick 3 and half hours into Lima where I was gifted my own row & found out cocktails on international flights are free. When we finally landed in Lima I had no real emotion, just calmness. I thought I’d be worried or even excited but I was merely pedestrian.

Immigration, customs & baggage was a breeze & then the greatest signn ever was smack in the front row, “MARSHAIL CAYLE.” My new friend Pedro Huarta was there to greet me with a sign he guessed would be my name; nothing could’ve been more clear. We exchanged our awkward “come esta’s” and off we went. From landing to the house I am staying at it was barely over an hour.

Pedro’s English is about as good as my Spanish, so our conversations were interesting. Luckily we both know how to say & understand Lakers & Kobe. With that, my 58yr old amigo & I were talking about Chinese food & basketball, I knew I was in good hands.

Once back to the wonderful house I am staying at for a couple nights, I became anxious & wanted to walk around the city before dark. I hadn’t picked up a city map yet, so going off the crude ones in my guide book, I headed out. I tried two taxis but they couldn’t understand my desired destinations, so I kept walking. Lima is a seriously chaotic city; cars are everywhere & they don’t stop for lights, let alone people. I was on edge some, seeing I really had no clue where I was going or even what I wanted to do if I got there; that’s what’s interesting about nowhere. Well, an hour and half later the sun had set, I was lost & decided to retrace my steps.

As time passed, I was hungrier & hungrier, sweatier & sweatier (humid is an insult) & becoming a bit more anxious. That anxiety kicked up when a free roaming pit pull started down the same block I was. I quickly changed sides of the street, hurried my step & figured I’d just pass on dinner my first night in Lima…that is until I suddenly heard my name. My good Kobe-loving amigo Pedro was walking back from the market just at that time. We strolled the rest of the way home, sharing a little, and then he offered me a dinner of fresh bread rolls, cheese, olives & instant coffee; it was delicious & I ate plenty. It was nice the two of us there trying to communicate; he asked if I like Obama & knew Bush as an oilman from Texas…sums it up I suppose.

Overall it was a terrific day seeing I got a real taste of Lima & how the good people here live. I actually figured out where I ended up when I came home & have much confidence in day two & three of my adventures. Wanted those who care that I’m safe & here; the world is smaller than we all think.