Day 36: Lima, Peru to San Francisco, USA
Friday, March 19th – Day 36 since leaving my house in rainy San Francisco, and the day I pull the ripcord. I was up at 6am to finish packing my gear into my duffel bags, and sorting out what I was going to leave behind. Extra pieces of luggage would have cost $175 each on my TACA flight back to SF, so I weeded out a bunch of non-essentials, and packed ‘em into the top case on the bike, leaving the side cases mounted but empty.
Larry and Moe’s KTMs receiving freshie tires and airfilters at KTM Peru’s service department
We strapped my two large duffels onto the bikes, and rode through thick 10am traffic across Lima to the KTM service department on the north-east side of the city. Carlos’ company, SOCOPUR, also imports the chinese brand Lifan two and three wheelers, which are hugely successful in the region, evidenced by the very professional operation we visited. The service mechanics wasted no time in getting the KTM wheels off to change the tires, and Larry and Moe set about replacing their airfilters. Carlos came by to visit with his son Cesar, who races motocross, and were very kind and hospitable, along with their whole staff.
Just before noon, I jumped in a cab to the airport, checked my luggage in at the TACA desk, cleared security, sat down for a sandwich in the departure area – and started to feel deflated. I texted Larry to say I was already missing the ride. We had spent a number of moments over the last few weeks talking about how our lives had changed direction when we’d set out, and that our trip was not a “vacation”. He texted me back to point out that although my life had now changed back to the normal direction, and theirs would do soon as well, part of us would remain facing the other way. And I think that’s right – the big experiences in life always take some digesting, and we are always changed by them.
I was pleased to find that TACA is a modern and efficient airline – the planes were spotlessly clean, and accurately on time - I think they compare very favorably to some of the better-known domestic airlines. I landed at SFO at midnight-thirty, got home by 1:30am, and was back at work Saturday morning March 20th at 9am, as normal.
Carlos Peralta’s KTM Peru – a first class operation
so poignant, I feel for you and remember the conviction, I also passionately held on my return from S Am, that this had not been just a vacation. I will hold onto the line that part of you (me and us all) remains facing the other way – forward, into change. You will change and you will have changed. I and others to whom you mean so much will be very interesed to see how it manifests in your life. xx