mom comes to visit...PERU!

while mom was busy looking through her binoculars, i was busy looking at our cute guide...

jungle fever

a lil tease of peruvian and bolivian jungle... more to come

Iquique and outskirts

desert on all sides...than suddenly, the Andes mountains, Iquique, and the Ocean.

hello feet.

Parapente.

we´re not in Kansas anymore... random dinosaurs on the side of the highway in the desert.

parapente

I did it. I took my fear of heights, challenged it, and ran off a mountain cliff off the coast of Iquique with a giant parachute behind me....and up i soared. Yes, my knuckles were white and my stomache was in my throat. True story. But my guy Christian who took me was incredible and coaxed me through the whole experience...with occasional moments of laughing at me when I´d ask incredulously.... You really expect me to run off that cliff right now? you gotta be kidding me, I´d prefer being pushed out of a plane when you have no choice, rather than voluntarily run to the edge of a cliff and take a big step into the air.

But, I did it, and it was incredible. Although I sat slouched back in my harness between Christians legs the entire time becuase I refused to break body-contact with him...it was the only thing keeping me confident; that i could feel his legs around my waist, and there was NO way I was sitting straight-upright when i would be suspended by two ¨strings¨, and nothing else.

We glided for about 30 minutes, thankgoodness no longer. Ive heard about other people staying inthe air for 2 hours if the winds are warm, which is NOT what i was looking foward to. 30 minutes was long enough. We landed on the beach- beautiful peaceful landing as I was watching the sand approach incredibly quickly and got nervous I would take a crash landing. But, all was smooth and tranquil. My first AND last experience of paragliding, but I´m glad I did it. Iquique has been a great few days, the city is terrific. Not much to do other than Surf, Paraglide, and Sandboard. Does life get any better?
Pictures will be posted soon.