Here is Peru: January 2007

Good Times

Memories are rich with the infusion of pain, laughter, smells, and sounds. My memories of Peru are priceless, the good times, and the bad times. I hope the last thing I relinquish to the inevitable process of aging is my memory. Let me sit in my armchair, when I am crippled by debilitating arthritis, when I honestly can't remember the difference between lettuce and spinach, and let me not set my good memories away on the shelf alongside such aging relics such as motor function, eyesight, and the ability to run, and run fast. Let me sit in my armchair with the open book of good memories on my lap, and look into my face, and see me smile.

Photos

On the recent trip that we took over Christmas, my camera ran out of battery power, and as I lacked the forsight to bring a charger for my batteries, I consequently relied on my good friends for pictures for the rest of the trip. Besides myself, the only other photographer here represented is Alex. I have been tardy in recognizing his photgraphic talent, and so henceforth put a (*) sign by his pictures. Thankyou Alex.

Moments from our week

Taking an afternoon shower under the eaves of our house. A moment of joy. (*)

Alex suited up for combat with the wasps. (*)

Cutting down a tree, take note, I am not smiling. If you can click on the picture and enlarge it, you may get a better idea of my expression. (*)

Here I am carrying our monster 36 inch bar chainsaw. Alex and I figure a modest estimate of the weight would be 30 pounds. This is the only practical way to carry the chainsaw long distances. (*)

The problem with Wasps

Apparently, the wasps weren't quite finished with me (see their dastardly deeds in the picture below), so the following day, as I was hauling brush, another of their breed came and stung me in the eyelid. The inflammation was excessive, it felt like someone had stuck a tennis ball under my eyelid. (*)

This photo was taken about 20 minutes after a wasp flew out of it`s nest, and injected it's venom into my cheek with considerable expedition. A subsequent sting to my forhead (see the slightly swollen right eye) gave me the appropriate lopsided appearance! (*)

This week, Alex and I have been working on clearing out the jungle for some fruit orchards. One of the major problems we have encountered is the tremendous amount of wasp nests. We now count ourselves lucky to find a tree without a wasp nest. We have developed a method for dealing with the nests, but sometimes finding out about the nests can be painful.

My face, never overly attractive, was made especially hideous this week by the efforts of the wasps. Of all the places for a wasp to sting you, a face must be the worst!

In the both of these pictures, I was clearing out brush, when the wasps swarmed out and attacked. In the picture of my eye swollen shut, I happened to get 7 other stings in various places around my body.

Alex and I

Note: the pictures in this blog were taken by my good friend Alex, who happens to posses considerable photographic talent. My thanks to him, to whom all credit is due.

Alex and I at lake Titicaca. (*)

Alex and I at Machhu Pichu, Wayna Pichu rises behind, which we climbed. (*)

Alex and I at 17,071 feet. We were on the highest pass of the Ausangate circuit. The mountains rose alluringly around us, but time (and weather) prevented. This picture was taken with numb hands and numb minds! (*)