Check!

So Machu Picchu has been checked off my list - Dottie and I went yesterday, and now we're killing time back in Cuzco waiting to return to Lima. Machu Picchu was fantastic, by the way, absolutely gorgeous and frighteningly high up in the mountains. I really do not do well with heights. In any case, the day was everything I needed it to be, and I'm very glad I went despite being, if I'm honest, not particularly happy to leave Brazil for Peru. Yes, I am firmly of the opinion that Brazil is the most interesting country in South America. I have not been proved wrong yet by Peru, as much fun as it's been. But obviously it's been great to see Dottie again, to get to do this with someone who loved Mom and knew how important this was to her. Like I said - I'm really glad I went. I'll put up a photo or two as soon as I get around to it. Heh.

Anyway, I'm gonna be back in Brazil on the 17th, and I've basically got planned until after the New Year. I'm spending just under a week in Rio de Janeiro, which I'm really excited about given I'm not really sure what one does there when it's not Carnaval. I guess we'll see! Then I'm gonna go to Recife to see Paulinha, who I haven't seen in like five years, which should be amazing. I'm staying with her through Christmas and the new year, but after that... I dunno. I may go down to Itacare in Bahia, see if I can meet up with a friend from Lisbon. Or maybe go up the coast from Recife, beach by beach? At this point, I dunno. Should be fun, though, whatever I end up doing.