Miserable: crossing the border between Tumbes, Peru and Agua Verdes, Ecuador. That was one hell of a sketchy/dodgy day! I felt like Ashley, my fellow border crosser, and I were trapped in a real-life Nintendo game and the object was to avoid getting scammed, dying, or getting lost while holding all to all your coins and not letting them be stolen.Crossing the border-each step of the way- be it getting to the next mode of transportation (minivan, motor taxi, walking across the bridge, taxi) was like passing a level and we didn't win the game until we arrived safely back in the relaxed and comforting hands of beautiful, Mancora, beach and surf haven on the northern coast of Peru. We only slightly got duped out of 3 soles (a little over a dollar), but many others tried and were severly rejected by the Ashley/Kelly force once we were on to them and started playing their game. Our treat for our rough go of a day was amazing chicken pad Thai, a glass of white wine (oh, how I've missed you!), and a shared brownie with lucuma-flavored ice cream (a popular local fruit). We made new friends in our hostel and even got welcome drinks, maracuya (passionfruit) cocktails-yum!
Me with my 8 chins at Level 7
Ashley passed, too!
Pet monkey for sale in Ecuador!
Near the border
Ashleys new bestie. We called him GG, standing for Gentle Giant.
The oh-so-ugly Peruvian hairless dog. Kinda' looks like a leper.
Beautiful sunset
This lil' monkey has been caught red-handed!
New hostel friends from Germany, Denmark, and Massachusetts
Not ready for the 9 hr bus ride home (which turned out to be cancelled! Oh Peru! Thus, we had to buy other tickets to a city 3 hrs from home and switch buses at 6am. Happy for a shower and early bedtime tonight!)
Keewiiii! So glad you made it to level 7 sista! Ay yi yi! Albeit miserable, this is TOTAL fuel for a killa book when you return--move over "Eat, Pray, Love"!!! KRoth is gonna knock your socks off:)
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