The above picture really needs no introduction. I don't know how much they paid our taxi driver to actually take a picture with those 3! They were such clowns! He safely drove us around Cusco the day before and dropped us off at the airport the next morning. The boys look fresh and clean. I am not sure how clean however, considering their was no hot water that morning at the hotel. I know I jumped in and out! I guess the city of Cusco also has say over when the hot water heaters will be operating. :)
But this was our last day in Peru. It was bitter-sweet. Peru was a ton of fun. It was beautiful and exotic, a true adventure. But we were ready to leave. A few things come to mind: we missed toilets, toilet paper, water to shower, water to brush teeth, water to wash face, water in general, driving without chanting "please don't let us die, please don't let us die", and eating lettuce.
Our flights were supposed to leave around 11pm-midnight, so we spent the afternoon touring the great city of Lima!
Cool banana yellow government buildings:
Peru's equivalent of the White House. We asked Wyatt to introduce us to the President. He declined.
Fancy hey?
More colourful buildings:
Close up of the Presidents house!
Reese and Wyatt talking Spanish and leaving us in the dark...
Probably the most fashionable dog I've ever seen. I had to zoom in and snap quick. I didn't want the dogs owner to charge me for taking the picture...
Does Mary Poppins come to mind when you look at this picture? All those dirty, dirty birds. "Feed the birds..." comes to mind. Lets just say we made a mad dash to the Cathedral.
Just a regular, old police car. No big deal.
Should this have been a sign to hide our goods and go back to the airport?
I think Jon just missed a near fatal, bird attack. Recovering...
Another movie that comes to mind is Birds.... again, I am pretty sure I took these pictures while running to the entrance.
Some beautiful architecture.
Really cool door!
Inside the Basilica Cathedral of Lima. This place is truly ancient! It was first constructed in 1535. It has been updated quite a bit since then, but the colonial structure and facade is still the original. We happened to walk in during an event of sorts...
Stunning, right?
In one of it's reconstructions in the late 1500's, the inside was made to look like the Cathedrals of Spain.
Oh how bad are we? We walked in during a funeral!
Just some more pictures of the inside:
We got to take a tour that included seeing all the bones buried in the basement of the Cathedral.
Thats a lot of people!
And thats about as close as I could get with a camera. No camera's were allowed in the actual basement. So you'll just have to go to Peru to see it!
And the last few pictures are just of the Cathedral itself. Some of the stuff is very pretty. Some is very creepy.
And for our last meal in Peru, we had our taxi driver take us to a place. Landed up being a pretty good idea, since he really delivered. In hind sight though, maybe it wasn't such a good idea considering the fact that he could have taken us to who knows where and I wouldn't have been able to post about this trip! So, if you are going to Peru, it seems like the typical taxi driver is trustworthy! :)
Wyatt enjoying his last meal:
The fam!
The fam + me!
On our way to the airport, we stopped by the mission home to make all the missionaries there feel homesick. Just kidding. Wyatt wanted to say his good byes and pick up his stuff!
And the week we were in Peru, the Temple was completely closed off due to construction. SO this is as close and fuzzy as it gets! I guess we're going to have to make another trip down south just to go to the temple!
It's very pretty, you'll just have to take my word for it!
BLESS THIS COUPLE'S HEARTS! Wyatt didn't specify what time he was leaving when he said 11ish and they arrived at the airport in the AM, not the PM. And they waited at the airport THE ENTIRE TIME. Just to say goodbye to their favourite Elder. Now if thats not love, I don't know what is!
And that was that! Both our flights were delayed, so it was a long wait at the airport... but we finally did make it home! Peru was amazing- we will be back again!
And this chocolate face.... She was at the airport ready to greet us, sunglasses and all!
Cute hey?
"Oooh, treats?"
Reese and I had a 5 hour layover/laundry stop in Phoenix before we hopped back on a plane to go to Albuquerque. It was worth the unpacking/repacking madness to FINALLY meet my newest nephew, Maddox. Isn't he to die for?
Such a handsome, sweet boy!
And of course no trip is complete without our favourite 4-year old niece, Sadie. She is a crazy little girl. So beautiful and clever!
We had a wonderful 2-week holiday with the family and enjoyed every bit of the food and fun.
