Did hear a good joke at the hospital:
An elderly man was having some difficulty. The ER doctor listens to his symptoms and then asks him to produce a urine specimen, a stool specimen, and a semen specimen.
The elderly man can't hear too well and asks his wife what the doctor wants.
The wife responds: the doctor wants your underwear...
Image from: R2Blue
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sample
Care
Had the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life this afternoon.
Diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, sweating, went pale. I nearly fainted.
Went to the UCLA hospital emergency room. They didn't take a stool sample (high cost, low yield) - instead, they gave me a pregnancy test.
Turns out I'm not pregnant.
Image from: suzanna
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Flight
Every single Bogota half-Marathon runner and Cyclovia bike rider is between my taxi and the airport - and they're winning.
Their routes have us blockaded. Traffic is not being directed. My fare rises higher.
Linda rode her bike - and look - there she is ahead of us!
I hoot and holler. We stop, put the bike in the trunk, and ride together to the airport.
Good. Now we can split the fare...
Image from: puja
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Finale
Family and friends -
Hello again! Last week of 5 here in Cuzco Peru.
Week 3 was spent battling a cold in the sunny Northern shores of Peru. More surf in sunny Máncora, then our first ruins tour in Trujillo: Moche sun, moon, and rainbow temples, as well as ancient Moche mud cities. We took a brief escape to the Peruvian highlands in the beautiful countryside of Cajamarca until the Peruvian teacher protests ended. They had blocked the road to our next stop in the world's second highest mountain range in Huaraz Peru.
Week 4 we acclimated in Huaraz (3052m) before heading on a 4d Santa Cruz trek through the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in Huascarán National Park through Punta Unión Pass (4750m).
Along the last hundred or so meters up, the guides described Linda's altitude induced teetering in terms cervezas. I was no hero, I left her behind - slow and steady, like a condor - as our guide advised. Pictures of her 4 cerveza teetering, cocoa leaf cheek filled, red faced ascent to come!
Now, we're in Cuzco. Last bits. We've had good luck meeting up with friends: a local Peruvian guide, 2 public health nurses, and doppelganger travel buddies we've ran into randomly in 5 different cities (imagine a taller version of me and a redhead).
So, after 4 cities in Ecuador, 6 in Peru, and countless hours in a bus (I will count them), it all comes to a close here. Best to end with Machu Picchu, newly elected to the New 7 Wonders of the World and then home Sunday, July 29th.
Best,
Jackie
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Sweet
My Arcor candy description reads:
peanut and crispies filled frog shape chocolaty bonbon
Image from: dos en uno
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Coastal
Folks -
Right now I'm sitting next to a redheaded Jew as she beats a poor defenseless keyboard to death in Montañita Ecuador, the center of Ecuadorian surfing. We're nearing the end of week 2 of 5 on our southbound travels from Bogotá Colombia to Cuzco Peru.
But first, our 2-day stay in Puerto Lopéz Ecuador. The trip began after a sleepless 12 hour bus ride from Quito. Next time I'll take Dramamine. The dusty town of Puerto Lopéz is gateway to Ecuador's National Parque de Machalilla - home to a dry coastal forest (think Mojave desert brush fire heaven) and seasonal breeding ground of humpback whales (think dorks).
Monday, we body surfed in the Playa de los Frailes and yesterday saw humpback whales en route to and from Isla de la Plata - where I danced with blue footed boobies and Linda made giant albatross parents nervous as she clicked photos of their fledglings just beside the trail path.
When heading back to the mainland, we saw a whole flock of birds diving into a school of fish below, which were also being devoured by a carpet of dolphins sweeping across the ocean. They happily swam and jumped alongside our boat, bellies full. We passed them and turn around - only to see three humpback whales gallivanting about. Pictures to come!
Right now, in the surf capital of Montañita Ecuador, we're waiting for the tide to rise. Surf conditions here are okay - we're currently in their winter overcast off season, but I'm sure the place remains laid back and liquor full year round. One more day in the surf, soon to Guayaquil Ecuador.
Best,
Jackie
Image from: jackie
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Towns
Hi folks -
We're just flying right through Ecuador...
Right now I'm in Quito. It's a beautiful city enclosed by a cauldron of mountains, volcanoes, and a massive statue of Mary overlooking the city (and my hostel in the Old Town).
Yesterday we had a great view from the bell towers of a Basilica in the middle of Quito. I rang the bells to celebrate the treacherous climb through winding stairs, steps and wooden planks...
Today we're going to enjoy the New Town in the north, ride in the ciclovia bike paths, and eat a 4-course lunch.
Next - to humpback whale watching and the best surf in Ecuador on the Southern coast!
Best,
Jackie
Image from: jackie
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