A Trip of a Lifetime

Imagine our surprise last year when Jack & I discovered that we both had one identical thing on our bucket list. It was in a passing conversation that I said, "Someday I want to go to the Galapagos Islands." Jack's reply... "I've always wanted to go too!" soon gave way to research, calendar checks, more research and finally him surprising me in January with a full blown itinerary (seven choices of routes, sizes of boats, etc). Along the way Jack decided that as long as we were going that far that we needed to see Machu Picchu too. So off we went. Three long plane rides later we arrived in Cusco, Peru for the first leg of our journey. That's us up above at the look-out building at the top of Machu Picchu on our first day there. Talk about a "beauty spot" as they say in Ireland. I have been to many places around the world and nothing compares to the awesome beauty of these Inca ruins. We spent two days hiking & exploring. The first day we had a tour guide who showed us all the historical landmarks. The second day we hiked on our own & discovered even more breathtaking views. All too soon it was time to repack our bags & make our way from Peru up north to Ecuador. We were to have another long day of travel-three flights with the first one at "oh dark thirty." That day before our travel I began feeling under the weather. I couldn't figure out if it was an intestinal bug, the altitude, or what. Jack & I had been extremely careful...always drinking bottled water...even when brushing our teeth and I was still taking my altitude medication. I felt pretty yucky the whole day as we traveled and by the last leg of the trip I mentioned to Jack what when we got to Ecuador I thought I should see a doctor. After getting some rest at the hotel & eating breakfast I quickly went from bad to worse. A doctor was at the hotel in ten minutes. Thirty minutes later I was being transported to the hospital and four hours later I had an emergency appendectomy. Here I am with my wonderful doctor, Dr. Jaime Pes'antez (right) and Dr. Emad (left) who was a resident from Toledo. Dr. Emad was the only American doctor around & he helped translate when my doctor came in to see me. So, our trip of a lifetime was cut short. We didn't make it to the Galapagos but I don't think they are going anywhere. We'll see them eventually. I'm very happy to be home and feeling top notch. What a crazy ride!