Howdy! I`m in PERU!!! MWA HA HA HA HAAAAAA! We arrived late last night after our plane was delayed by a few hours in Madrid (I've been to Spain!) With Claire for the first week or so I'm completely in charge of transport, accomodation and navigation on pretty much the sole basis that I'm apparently able to read a map. We're doomed. You'll be glad to know that I haven't changed yet. Our leader mentioned that there are places in Cusco that we WILL NOT GO after dark and I immediately thought of the red light district... deary me. Inevitably I succumbed to the giggles. On build up day we had Domino's for dinner (discounts for ISIC holders). Bath at night is pretty. Nivea Sun lipbalm is pants. It may have super duper SPF power but the side effect is dried lips. That is the first piece of advice I pass unto thee. Jess brought some blue material so we've all got sexy matching blue bandanas, our zip-offs are all about the same colour/shade and most of us are wearing our world-challenge t-shirts. We`re so cool... According to my bathroom scales my bag was 24kg but I was relieved to find out at the airport that it actually weighed in at about 6.8kg. Take THAT Mr Bathroom Fat Machine! BAH! Slept through dinner on the plane. Woke up in time to see `Take the Lead`(with Antonio Banderas) which was a good way to pass the time. Iberia does not have individual TVs though, I tell you now. When we arrived (about 4am Englishtime) we were received by 2 buses intstead of one - for double the cost. But it wasnt a problem cos we'd eaten on the plane and so could balance the budget by not having a second dinner. Really, we just showered and collapsed in bed. Lima is different from London, I tell you that. Wicker fences, palm trees, random piles of rubbish and a perpetual polluted fog. But the people I've spoken to so far have been very friendly. The guys running our hostel (Hostal Kullisus) are spectacularly accomodating. The place is clean and although not too spacious we got fresh bread for breakfast and they cut us a couple of pineapples and made us pineapple juice. Right now I'm using their computers. I've also learned "Puedo tener mas por favor" which I am lead to believe means "Please (sir), can I have some more?" Unless I've spelt it wrong.'.. A very useful phrase methinks. I met our contact today - she's a very nice lady and gave me the download on everything while the others either a) watched Hitch b)e-mailed or c) sorted/divided/exchanged the 'potatoes'. I now have a fat wad of 'potatoes' in my money belt and am looking slightly pregnant. I think my trousers have stretched to accomodate. Tomorrow we go to Cusco - we need to be at the airport at 7.20am. Everything is going great and food is ready so I'm gonna go. Thank you all for your messages! Their wonderful. I love you guys. Thanks Tusk and no worries. I've changed my map position to a more appropriate place ,) because although I think it's v. cool it be in the arctic circle a little Miss Baggins complained somewhat. Ciao!