Leg Two: Lima.

Originally, I shouldn't have been able to devote an entire blog specifically to leg two. Because originally, I was supposed to only have an hour and forty five minutes to get off of my flight from Miami into Lima, find my luggage (which I wasn't even sure had left the US), recheck it in to the LAN Peru desk, and then go through security and customs to board my connection to Cusco.

But don't be misled, the hour and forty five minute deadline still existed. I just didn't make the cutoff, which is why I am happily (more so than this morning, anyways) blogging to you from the depths of the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima, where I'm being chilled like wine.

Obstacle one? Our plane arrived late.
Obstacle two? The baggage claim conveyer wasn't loaded until a good ten minutes after we deboarded (is this a word? Let me know one of you English specialists...).
Obstacle three? There was the longest line ever for baggage re-check in. The same length as the one I had to wait in to check into American the first time.


Ultimately, I didn't reach the counter until 7:37am, which left no time for me to reach my 7:45am plane. So I was told to head down to counter 53 where I might be able to be put onto a later plane. My inner id would've said "What do you mean MIGHT?", but little old me, Morgan who's not so id-driven wanted to burst into tears instead. Which I kind of did, though Mom, Dad and Maddie were quick to conduct damage control soon afterwards. =] Thanks. <3


In the end, I end up being rescheduled onto a 2:20pm flight. I'm just happy to be actually reaching Cusco today, so I didn't complain. I called up my coordinator, and told her, which she assured me was known to happen in the Lima airport, and made sure I understood everything would be fine and I would be picked up at my new Cusco arrival time.


Looking for anywhere to sit, I saw a cafe, and figured a little food and drink wouldn't do me any harm. So I ordered una limonada, which was okay. It wasn't all too cold, since I made sure not to take them up on their offer of including ice (not today parasites and bacteria!) And after the aforementioned damage control session with the best family in the world, I set up a mission for myself, anything to keep me preoccupied for six hours.


I needed to find a phone for myself, or a sim card that I could use here so I wouldn't be making $3 a minute phone calls. I found a rent-a-phone stand, and almost signed on the dotted line before asking about their text policy. "You can't text," she said simply. Well that was that, and I had to tell her I couldn't accept the plan if there was no text. "No thank you but I need the texts." I ultimately opted for a phone card for the time being, until I get to Cusco and can get some advice from my coordinator or other volunteers.


In my time here waiting, I've read some of Wednesday Letters, which is quite good, and bought myself some food. A bottled water to pour into my Sigg, soda crackers to ease my stomach churning, milk chocolate to keep me happy, and un alfajor and Inka Kola to make me adjust to Peru a bit. I've also used the treasure of all treasures that is MSN messenger to webcam with my family back home, only to have them witness me drop my alfajor all over my laptop. =] Twas great though, and anyone who has an MSN id should webcam with me! It's completely fabolous and cheaper than darn international phone policies!


Anywho, this post will have to be cut short because Harry (Harry Potter...my beloved laptop) is running low on battery. And though I've walked up and down the terminal, the only outlets seem to be within the hallowed Puerta 14/Gate 14. I have no idea why this gate is so special, but I'm hoping it's the one I get. =] In which case I can restore Harry to his magical goodness. If I do get to an emergency level of power, I'll end the blog here, but just know I'll return to edit later with deets on the flight here, which I will say was lovely. =]