I spent most of today in the air conditioned comfort of my room again, posting Peru photos to my gallery, catching up on accounting my spending, doing laundry, calling my family, taking advantage of high speed internet, and reading. It was hot and sweaty out there again today, and I just wasn’t motivated to go out exploring in the heat. But in the last couple hours of daylight, I set myself a few goals that required leaving the hotel.

First, I still had a sushi craving after finding the restaurant I researched yesterday closed. So I chose a couple more sushi restaurants nearby on google maps, and found one easily about a ten-minute walk away. One of their kitchen staff was learning English and was happy for the chance to practice with me, so there were no communication problems. I got the tuna and salmon nigiri to satisfy my cravings, and the first mission was accomplished!

My second mission, to find hair gel, was more challenging than you might imagine. I tried a grocery store, but they only had one option and I didn’t like the smell of it (ladies, you know how important that is). Next I tried a drug store, and couldn’t find any hair products at all, other than shampoo and conditioner. Then I wandered past the window of a fancy salon shop, but still didn’t see what I was looking for – and with the super high prices on display, I wasn’t inclined to go in to look further.

Finally, I wandered into another drug store, and someone immediately asked if they could help me. By now, I’ve taught myself to say that I don’t know Portuguese (nao falo Portuguese), which I said to the lady and she eagerly went to get someone who could understand my question. A male employee came over and took my hand, asking how he could help. (I don’t know if I looked like I needed emotional support, or if hand-holding customers is just a thing in Brazil…) He helped me find a lightly apple-scented hair cream that should work with my curls, and that mission was accomplished as well.

And last but never least, I wanted more ice cream! I wasn’t sure of the procedure when I went to an ice cream shop last night, but tonight I found a shop with a long line, and it became obvious that this is a scoop-your-own culture.

There were a couple of dozen options in freezer cases, with several scoopers in water in front of the cases. (I’m not sure of the hygiene of that system, but ice cream is ice cream!) I scooped out some chocolate, lemon, and a red fruity flavor. They weighed my selections and tried to ask me questions at the register, but “nao falo Portuguese” and a smile was all the answer I could give. Nonetheless, the price was displayed on the register, so I paid for my purchase and left to enjoy my treat while walking back towards the beach.

With the sun down, the many vendors with drinks, umbrellas, chairs, etc. were packing up for the day. However, there were still hundreds of people playing in the waves, walking, jogging, and sportsing (soccer, volleyball, beach tennis) all over the beach. I walked barefoot among the incoming waves for a time, looking for a quieter spot to perform a little ritual.

Tomorrow I depart on my 14-night cruise, and I wanted to make an offering to the ocean while asking for safe passage. I took a minute to ground and center myself while letting three waves wash over my feet. I called silently to each of the four directions for their blessings, then threw two stones as far as I could into the water. The first stone was a pebble that found its way into my suitcase from the high altitude of Peru, meant to represent the polar opposite of the deep ocean. The second stone was a smooth, shiny piece of green aventurine, a “good luck” stone meant to represent the placid waters I requested to encounter on the journey.

Now I can relax in my room for the rest of the evening, enjoying the mini bottle of Jameson whiskey I bought from duty-free with my last few Peruvian soles at the airport, and a good enough internet connection to kick back with a little Netflix!

Day 29 - Missions Accomplished

A Beginning

Power

Sanctuary

Comparative Luxury

Debutante

EPIC

Fear, Money, and Veggies

Holding Pattern

Transformation

Stefanie D. Warren