Running around, What next?

Well, off to the races. I leave tomorrow for Puno. I'll be boating out to stay on one of the islands of Lake Titicaca with a traditional family, and off the next day on a bus tour to Cusco. I have 4 nights set up there, to start with, to see local ruins and towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and then off to Mac-Daddy Machu Picchu. Beyond that, I'm really not sure what next. I'm scrambling around trying to figure out an itinerary, should I bus or fly somewhere, there is so much to do, it comes down as always to how much money one would like to spend.

Amazon River would be cool to visit, albeit a little more sketchy, and it's the rainy season, and not the best time to go. Perhaps head to the beach at Trujillo. Hard to decide. Also considering heading off to Quito, Ecuador; I keep hearing that it is a really nice city, and a favorite of several travellers I have met around here. I am torn a little between financial considerations and not wanting to miss out on things, but there is always the prospect of that next trip, next time around. Fortunately, airfares to Latin America are a pretty good deal, especially during their periodic sales.

I'm trying to figure out what to do with baggage. Looks like I'll store it here, and loop back to Arequipa down the road. I brought extra things, such as dress shoes for work, books, vitamins, et al, thinking I would be staying for a year and teaching. I also want to bring back some souvenirs, blankets, alpaca sweaters and such.

After being on the road for a couple months now, I'm not sure that the teaching gig is really all it's cracked up to be. The offer in Costa Rica was about $3.50 an hour, and more than 40 hours a week. Paradise at what price...? Jammed into a classroom full of sugared up kids is not exactly the paradise I was looking for.

Am thinking about returning to the states in a month and working again in a casino, earn a better paycheck, and maybe take a leave of absence next winter for a new adventure. Might return to Washington, or maybe try living in Oregon, New Mexico, or Arizona. I'm not really sure right now.

Due to the emergency appendectomy before I left on this trip, I have a hospital bill that is $25,000 plus. I am waiting to see if I qualify for any financial aid, since I was unemployed and uninsured at the time I became ill. If it had happened a week later, in Costa Rica, it would have cost less than $1,000. Who knows, perhaps I am financially doomed when I get back. Jesse James needs another bank job!

Well, off and running. Sorry I can't send more personal emails to everyone, but I'm in a time crunch right now. Back online again later next week in Cusco, hopefully with new photos and travel tales.

Wish y'alls the best.