Ecuador Day 2 %$###@(*&^^%*$* -

Hi All,

Dec.14 - We´ve got a beautiful day for flying but are waiting "patiently" for permission to fly into Peru. I am now on a first name basis with Liliana in Lima as yesterday we called every hour to check on the status of our request, only to be told to call back 40, 50, 60 minutes later. First they asked for further information on my medical, hours later it was for Lorne and Harold. Finally they pointed out that the call letters on my insurance policy were for the plane CFEGT not CFIGT. So a call to Halifax this morning appears to have this straightened out. (The Halifax office was the first one open in Canada this morning).

The only good thing that came about yesterday was when we decided to ship Harold on ahead by commercial airline to visit with his "daughter" Katia in Lima. We got word that he arrived safely and we are happy that at least he can use this down time to visit. our hopes are to meet in Pisco, Peru tomorrow.

Interestingly enough when we arrived at the hotel yesterday evening it had no power, so our $56 rooms were reduced to $46 including breakfast, taxes, internet, supper and free drinks. Would have been great had we been in the mood to celebrate. Rather we opted for a walk along the Malicon, the boardwalk along the river. It was very nice and we were treated to the sounds of a live naval brass band. The 100+ musicians played Spanish songs and a few Spanish Christmas carols which made me very homesick. However we should be in the air soon.