A visit from the Myers

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As with most P-days, we started with a van ride. This one was to Marcona with Hermanas Mayberry, Onate(Ecuador) Herrera(Colombia).

It was a little warm in Nasca but the cool ocean breeze felt wonderful in Marcona

There was a hole in the ground up by the motorcycle that dropped into a tunnel that led to this part of the beach.

There was a price to pay to get out of the tunnel. You can see Joyce making her way through the pile of trash that had washed up into the tunnel. 

On Thursday morning we as we are getting ready to leave for the day, our neighbor Meco, knocked on the door to tell us we are almost out of water.  He called a water truck to come fill up the cistern. You may remember a few weeks ago I thought we were getting short. We had seen the water truck a few houses down the block the day before and thought we would be calling him soon.  The city water wells are not producing as much right now so every one is having to buy extra water. The truck cost 60 soles($20.00). That is double our normal monthly water bill. 

So after the cistern was filled we went to see how the Nasca people got their water 1500 years ago. This is one of the "Puquios". At the bottom there is access to an underground stream.  It was getting hot and I wanted to dive in to cool off. Unfortunately the stream is only a foot wide and six inches deep.

This is the beginning of the exposed part of the stream.  Our taxi driver was kind enough to take a few pictures.

After lunch we loaded up in the dune buggy"Tubular"  and went to see the Cajuache ruins and cemetery and then to do some sand boarding. 

There is always a competition to see who can go the farthest and as you can see Joyce beat us all. 

Don't tell Joyce but I traded her boards after the first run...

As you might imagine, sand gets everywhere when you go ripping down those hills. 

A group photo before the 40 minute ride home. There were 13 of us in this buggy. 

The Myers at the Cajuache cemetery. Yes those are real human bones there at their feet. The ground is littered with them.  

Selfie time. In the back seat of a Cessna 206, getting ready to see the Nasca lines. This was our second time up and we were amazed at the other lines we saw this time. The first time we were focused on the primary lines but this time we looked around more and both of us commented afterward at all of the other lines there were out there. 

On our way back to the airport. 

Back to the airport safely. 

The week wouldn't be complete without helping the youth send and receive emails from their friends and family serving missions. 

We Saw the Nasca Lines This Week

The McGinns and their niece were here in Nasca Monday morning.  We met up with them at their hotel (The Casa Andina) and waited for our ride to take us to the airport.  

We were scheduled with AeroNasca for their first flight of the morning. It's about $80-100 (depending on the season) per person and there is a fee you have to pay just to be out at the airport.

Not much wait time out at the airport.  They weighed us and got us right out to our flight.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that Manuel was the co-pilot for the flight.  He has been to our English class here in Nasca.  

The pilots did a great job.  They circled the plane so that passengers on each side would be able to see all the lines.  They would put the wing right above the figure so it would be easy to find.

The Nasca Valley from a little different perspective than we're used to.

The Colibri (Hummingbird) 96 meters

The Astronauta (astronaut) measures 32 meters.  Isn't he cute?

Selfie time in the plane.

After the flight, Manuel asked if Curt would like to get in the pilot seat.  He said no but I thought it would be a fun photo - he wasn't hard to convince.

Pres. McGinn gets his turn in the pilots seat.

A picture with our entire group.

After our fun filled morning, we met up with the Hermanas and took them out to eat at La Encantada.

I like this wrinkly cactus.  It's on the upstairs balcony at the restaurant.

We jumped on one of the buses heading towards Ica.  For just a few soles, the buses will drop you off and pick you up at the Nasca Lines lookout tower.  A much cheaper way to see the lines (and  you don't get motion sick).  You can see three figures from the tower.

This is the view of the Arbol (Tree) from the lookout tower.  It's 70 meters long.  

Another selfie?!?

We now have a metal door!  If you count the deadbolts, there are 8 locks on the three doors getting into our house. Feeling a bit safer now.

Curt had picked up strawberries for me so I dehydrated and froze some while we were home for the day.

We headed up to Lima on Thursday.  We stayed at a nice hotel in Mira Flores and enjoyed some time together relaxing.

We spent some time (and money) at the Inka Market.  

Don Quixote?

Cute stuffed llama.  Most of the merchandise is either made of silver or alpaca wool.

This might show my age since I think the commercial was from the 1980's but ... Dunkin Donuts - It's worth the trip!

A little nod to our West Texas friends.  We found a Chili's in Lima and all their decor was about Terlingua and the chili cookoffs (although nothing about the goat).

Kennedy Park in Mira Flores.  It's beautifully maintained and we love that people actually always use the parks here.

Which one is me?  There's free wifi in a few spots here in Kennedy Park.  This park is known for its cats.  People can come once a year and adopt cats that live here in the park.

Heading from Mira Flores to La Molina to spend the night there and then meet up with our district who are traveling up for a temple trip.

We were able to stay in the Alburgue (temple housing).  What a wonderful view from our room!

I'm supposed to be doing something?!?  5 more minutes?

Pres. Galagarza from the Vista Alegre Branch and his new bride from Mexico.

Gloria and Ronald were sealed in the temple for time and eternity. 

 The country doesn't recognize church weddings so they get married civilly and then the following day they can come to be sealed in the temple.

We met a couple of members at the bus terminal.  They had traveled up from Arequipa to attend the temple.  It's about a 16 hour bus ride,one way so I'm guessing they'll be pretty glad when their temple gets built!