Complications arose as we tried to cross the border from Ecuador into Peru. We had moved inland from the big city of Guayaquil to the smaller city of Machala (250,000). The plan was to avoid the more congested crossing on the coast. We stayed in a well-guarded shopping center parking lot for one night. We get lots of attention in these busy areas. The chief of security took the tour of our motor home and pointed to his eyes meaning he would have his eye on our unit. Our next stop was the town of Catacocha in the mountains. It is a very pretty town and we stayed on the plaza which was the center of activity. Weather was sunny but cool at altitude of 6,500ft. The small dusty town of Macara was the border crossing. Our paperwork was almost done when our leader’s companion found out she must have a visa for Peru. So we waited in Macara for a week while the bureaucrats in Lima did their thing. We received permission to stay on a military base while we waited. The soldiers were all around us doing their training. They were very polite but were not as friendly as Columbia. We took a taxi twice while we were there to have a seafood dinner across the bridge into Peru. This was a common thing to do and the fish was so good.
Mari’s problem was finally resolved and we were on our way. Peru’s roads are excellent and well marked. Unfortunately our impressions of Peru are not good. There is garbage everywhere and the dwellings are made of adobe or bamboo. This is desert country, so dust and sand colors everything. If you wanted to paint a picture you would just use the grey scale. The first night in Peru we stayed in Piura a city of 400,000. It is very dusty and windy with little taxis that swarm everywhere. There are hundreds zipping in and out. They are built on a 3 wheeled motorcycle and have a roof and hard sides I call them hornets. Bill says they are there just to aggravate.
We moved on to Chiclayo the next day. The drive was through desert that looked like no man’s land. There were big sand dunes and sad little dwellings where people lived somehow. There were a few areas of irrigation that turned fields to green. Within a few miles of nothing was a modern city with a nice supermacado (Market). This was Bill’s birthday so we celebrated with fresh strawberries, ice cream and cake. He was happy to celebrate his birthday in Peru and Mari sang Happy Birthday to him in Espanol. Sometimes we have to stop and think about where we are. It’s not Kansas anymore.
Just as we are about to give up on Peru we turn off the main highway a mile toward the Pacific to the seaside village of Las Tortugas(the Turtle) It is located on a sheltered inlet and is a summer time tourist place. Since it is spring here most places are not open. We parked with our window overlooking the ocean and the waves coming in. The fishermen were just unloading their catch when we arrived. It was such a peaceful place that we spent 2 days. One of the best parts was the restaurant across the street. It was run by a delightful couple. He was 83. They had the best fish ever. The bread guy came by on his bicycle early in the morning. The pan (bread) was hot and crusty. We could have stayed longer but must head toward Lima.
Internet is difficult to come by so stay with us and we will catch up when we can.
Bill and Gerry
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