Monday, 2/26. Slept like the dead. Took steps two at a time. Life is back to normal. Lazy morning while the additional early morning arrivals got some rest. Overly long briefing at 11:00, punctuated by a toast with whiskey sours, the apparent national drink. Much of the briefing was about the dangers of altitude sickness. We won’t get as high as La Paz, so we who were there yawned through it. No early warning signs from the new companions. Everyone seems fit.

Lunch was fine. Beef stew, which in Lima has not stew. Beef covered in gravy, veggies separate. The afternoon was a walking tour of the local area, including a circular trip around a vast mud-brick built pyramid from 1,500 years ago. It’s not earthen fill surrounded by mud bricks, it’s just a very large formation of mud bricks. The outer layers have decayed to where it looks like a hill, but restoration has returned much of it to the original appearance. Until archeologists came forward, the hill was used for mountain biking.

In the evening four of the Bolivian contingent had a late dinner at a very fancy and well known restaurant, Rafael’s. No reservation, but they had a free table after we’d sat at the bar. They do one seating a night. My sea urchin and scallop omelet appetizer was sensational. The main course of stir-fried sirloin steak was also very good. Deserts were too esoteric for me.

A good day, but not much learned or discovered. (A nearby laundry service charged by the kilo. Virtually my entire suitcase, cleaned for $8! Marvelous.)