Well, we leave in two weeks from today. I haven't started packing but I have thought about packing so that's 75% of the battle (now that I think about it, this is much like how I approach paper writing and I never leave time to edit so maybe I should start packing).
Val and I had our (probably) last trip planning meeting (actually, we met for lunch but that does not sound nearly official enough for such a grand endeavor as Machu Picchu). We had a few tasks to do downtown (after lunch, priorities please). We spent so much time planning for sock needs that we almost forgot to pick up our Soles.
I used my Christmas/Birthday money from Chris and Mom & Bill. Val used her OT from Christmas day. We each bought $500.30 Canadian to buy $1140 Soles.
Some facts on Soles. One is a Sol. Sol means sun in Spanish. The Sol replaced the Inti in 1991 (one million Inti to one Sol, yikes!). Inti is a Sun God for the Incas. Sorry, Incas, you devalued too much and the Spanish swooped in (too soon?).
Just so we are all on the same page, the currency code for Peruvian Soles is PEN and the currency sign is S/ so that is what I will try use from now on. Let's do it together: We each bought $500.30 CAN to buy S/1140 PEN. Nice work team!
Speaking of money. I found some Mexican pesos in my passport wallet so I'll take those so we can eat in the Mexico City airport on our layover. And of course CAN$ for the Vancouver Airport. Plus some US$, the universal O negative donor of cash (everyone accepts it). So, four kinds of money, probably in three wallets, that won't be confusing at all.
We bought our Soles at FX Connectors again. Which was not as fun this time since they got a cash window so no being ushered into an office to pass money back and forth - not nearly so imagination-of-my-unlived-nefarious-life inducing. Am I still talking about money! Move on Joanne...
Yes, let's talk about much more important things: Socks!
I actually bought new travel socks before Christmas. Quick trip into MEC, four pairs, out. I was still using the white Running Room socks I bought for my first trip to Africa so a) they are not white anymore and b) I think I got my money out of them. Val needed new socks too.
Back to MEC. Ok, MEC, you need to do something about your shoe/sock area. It is too small for what you are asking of it. It was so crazy in there, so we left. But not before Val memorized some prices. Then we went to Robinson's Outdoor store. They have a lovely relaxed shoe area with two helpful assistants. So helpful that Val bought merino wool socks (mucho S/PEN!) and I bought new travel sandals. Val got the lower MEC price matched and my sandals were on sale so we can't blame those lovely helpful assistants too much for their obvious mind control tactics. (plus, nice local store)
Since I already had socks, my outdoor store goal was a new laundry line. I have been using my travel laundry line forever (also from my first trip to Africa). Good old Coghlan's, it lasted 13+ years. It finally was so stretched out that I decided to give it a proper burial (garbage can in Oaxaca) and buy a new one.
MEC has laundry lines but they were sold out. Plus, not Coghlan brand. Why Coghlan's? Their double strand elasticized line doesn't require clips. Robinson's didn't have them. So, off to our favourite store (there's no store like it!), Capital Iron. Yes, Success! And only $6. Why did I wait so many years. Plus I bought a rain poncho (drab green) and a new lightweight dry bag to protect my camera (I am hoping for the best, but planning for the worst). Plus a couple of Biners (this is my version of security for my day pack, you have to unclip and unzip to steal my stuff).
Oh, I am so sorry to make you read this long post about nothing. I am avoiding cleaning the kitchen.
Val and I also looked over our hotel bookings. We checked the Puno festival schedule, we get there one day after the first big day and leave one day before the other big day. Discuss, discuss, we are going to stick with our original plan (partly because of our timelines and partly because we can't change our reservation, everything in town is booked).
We have some nights we are booked in two places while we figure out what we are doing about night buses etc. The rooms are so cheap that, at worst, we might lose $10. Val is in charge between Lima and Puna. We are going to wing it, nothing booked except Lima. I am in charge from Puno back to Lima, we are almost fully booked. A nice balance, I think (I mean that).
Today's task (beside the kitchen), is to sew my security pocket into my pants. Which means I have to decide on which pants I'm taking. No easy task. Socks I am ready for, pants are next level decision making.
Ok, you are released. Go free.
Here is a picture of Pigeon thinking about life on a rainy day, that I took while writing this post.
Val and I had our (probably) last trip planning meeting (actually, we met for lunch but that does not sound nearly official enough for such a grand endeavor as Machu Picchu). We had a few tasks to do downtown (after lunch, priorities please). We spent so much time planning for sock needs that we almost forgot to pick up our Soles.
I used my Christmas/Birthday money from Chris and Mom & Bill. Val used her OT from Christmas day. We each bought $500.30 Canadian to buy $1140 Soles.
Some facts on Soles. One is a Sol. Sol means sun in Spanish. The Sol replaced the Inti in 1991 (one million Inti to one Sol, yikes!). Inti is a Sun God for the Incas. Sorry, Incas, you devalued too much and the Spanish swooped in (too soon?).
Just so we are all on the same page, the currency code for Peruvian Soles is PEN and the currency sign is S/ so that is what I will try use from now on. Let's do it together: We each bought $500.30 CAN to buy S/1140 PEN. Nice work team!
Speaking of money. I found some Mexican pesos in my passport wallet so I'll take those so we can eat in the Mexico City airport on our layover. And of course CAN$ for the Vancouver Airport. Plus some US$, the universal O negative donor of cash (everyone accepts it). So, four kinds of money, probably in three wallets, that won't be confusing at all.
We bought our Soles at FX Connectors again. Which was not as fun this time since they got a cash window so no being ushered into an office to pass money back and forth - not nearly so imagination-of-my-unlived-nefarious-life inducing. Am I still talking about money! Move on Joanne...
Yes, let's talk about much more important things: Socks!
I actually bought new travel socks before Christmas. Quick trip into MEC, four pairs, out. I was still using the white Running Room socks I bought for my first trip to Africa so a) they are not white anymore and b) I think I got my money out of them. Val needed new socks too.
Back to MEC. Ok, MEC, you need to do something about your shoe/sock area. It is too small for what you are asking of it. It was so crazy in there, so we left. But not before Val memorized some prices. Then we went to Robinson's Outdoor store. They have a lovely relaxed shoe area with two helpful assistants. So helpful that Val bought merino wool socks (mucho S/PEN!) and I bought new travel sandals. Val got the lower MEC price matched and my sandals were on sale so we can't blame those lovely helpful assistants too much for their obvious mind control tactics. (plus, nice local store)
Since I already had socks, my outdoor store goal was a new laundry line. I have been using my travel laundry line forever (also from my first trip to Africa). Good old Coghlan's, it lasted 13+ years. It finally was so stretched out that I decided to give it a proper burial (garbage can in Oaxaca) and buy a new one.
MEC has laundry lines but they were sold out. Plus, not Coghlan brand. Why Coghlan's? Their double strand elasticized line doesn't require clips. Robinson's didn't have them. So, off to our favourite store (there's no store like it!), Capital Iron. Yes, Success! And only $6. Why did I wait so many years. Plus I bought a rain poncho (drab green) and a new lightweight dry bag to protect my camera (I am hoping for the best, but planning for the worst). Plus a couple of Biners (this is my version of security for my day pack, you have to unclip and unzip to steal my stuff).
Oh, I am so sorry to make you read this long post about nothing. I am avoiding cleaning the kitchen.
Val and I also looked over our hotel bookings. We checked the Puno festival schedule, we get there one day after the first big day and leave one day before the other big day. Discuss, discuss, we are going to stick with our original plan (partly because of our timelines and partly because we can't change our reservation, everything in town is booked).
We have some nights we are booked in two places while we figure out what we are doing about night buses etc. The rooms are so cheap that, at worst, we might lose $10. Val is in charge between Lima and Puna. We are going to wing it, nothing booked except Lima. I am in charge from Puno back to Lima, we are almost fully booked. A nice balance, I think (I mean that).
Today's task (beside the kitchen), is to sew my security pocket into my pants. Which means I have to decide on which pants I'm taking. No easy task. Socks I am ready for, pants are next level decision making.
Ok, you are released. Go free.
Here is a picture of Pigeon thinking about life on a rainy day, that I took while writing this post.
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| Are you there God, it's me Pigeon. |
Those double layer socks are my personal fav! Excellent choice on critical clothing item.
ReplyDeleteKnowing my blog habits (verbose), I will probably provide regular sock updates :)
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