Lima the Grey

Lima was not high on the Garbz's list of places to go, but between a local hookup, a PVR recording of Parts Unknown, engineered soirees with friends who had actually been to Lima, and well, Lima soon found its way into the itinerary.

Lima was allotted two days, but as the plans came together we soon realized that it deserved quite a few more. Just the culinary scene alone had us spoiled for choice, and when a local friend offered to personally show us around Lima's nightlife, we soon began worrying about when we could squeeze some sleep in.

"Mark", I said, "we drop our bags off at the hotel, and away we go! We have a lot to cover and no time to waste!"

The 11:45 direct overnight flight from Toronto would bring us here at the crack of dawn, and we'd have plenty of time to bounce around the city. Allez, Allez, Allez! Except everything came to a screeching halt in the morning at Peru's International Airport. 

Perhaps I should rewind a little. In order to realize such ambitious plans, it would be prudent to have a good nights sleep on the flight. Now as it turns out, one of us had a full lie down bed, courtesy of well... and the other was boxed up in cattle class, with a pill of Zopaclon to help knock him out. 

"How about you leave your carry on with me", Mark said. One look at the line-up of the people dragging (this is 3rd world after all), large and multiple carry-ons and I worried for my own bag, carrying a newly purchased Canon 6D (well we are going into the mountains!) and how precisely I was going to fit it into the overhead compartment.

"Just leave it with me, there's lots of room in business class! I'll take the bag out for you as I leave the plane so you don't need to worry about it. Just take the stuff you need with you back to your seat."

"Mark," I replied, "I'm fully intent on sleeping". Well maybe I'd bring along the Nexus, and the earphones. A little soft music may help.

And so there I was, near the back of the plane, window seat (so that I could rest my head), and a Nexus on hand.

The plane landed, and as I waited for the herd ahead of me to pick up their multiple bags, and push their way to the exit, I thought surely Mark must be waiting for me right at the exit, with my carry-on on hand. I had somewhat regretted not having the camera as some of the views from the plane were quite spectacular.

I left the plane and Mark was no where to be seen.

Perhaps he continued on I thought. Perhaps the Exit was far too crowded and claustrophobic. Surely, I thought, he would be waiting for me further downstream. And so I walked, and walked until I found myself at the Immigration counter, with no sight of Mark.

And no carry-on.

And no phone.

And no wallet.

And well... no Passport