KTtravel

I don't know how I missed this report the first time around but I really enjoyed reading it now. My husband and I visited Peru last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Your trip report made me feel even better with our decision not to attempt the Inca Trail although I am so impressed your family did it.

Having visited other ruins before MP, I was worried that MP would not live up to its hype. I was so delighted to be wrong - our visit to MP was a great highlight.

I miss you in the Lounge!!!!

xcountry

GOTG I had just finished reading the article below when I saw you had posted here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/money/s...-a7714576.html

"It’s an industry that is once again accused of being set up to support men more than women, the research suggests."

I think it's time for you to return to Wall Street and boot those old crotchety males to the sidelines. You'll make a fortune and your daughters will thank you.

KTtravel I remember your trip report and the culinary tour you took. I really wish we had done that.

There is a thread in the Europe Forum now about Paris ruining travelers for life. A bit over the top but I remember the view from MP and thinking my gosh, nothing will ever top this. We'd love to go back. Okay I'd love to go back. My wife says she will be happy to return as soon as the cruise lines begin stopping there.

crosscheck

Just wanted to weigh in and say I miss you in the lounge too, although I'm just a lurker there and rarely dare to post.

Considering a return visit to MP after doing the very challenging Salcantay trek in the 80s, when I was considerably more sprite and it was considerably less touristy...Mr. Crosscheck has never been and can't decide whether it belongs on his bucket list because of the altitude thing. I'm afraid it won't be as much fun without a life-threatening trek.

girlonthego

Cold, wouldn't it be grand for me to return to the ghost town of wall street! LOL Computers do most of the work these days although I think I might be able to win a sexual harassment suit of some kind! I am sure most of those crotchity old men are still the same jerky horny old dudes as they used to be.

re the article: I find myself more into safe investments than my husband picks so there is truth to that. I guess that means I need to change it up and bet on the market again!

Now, I guess if I want to chit chat with you, I will have to plan a trip to Peru...

xcountry

Crosscheck I crack up every time I think of the name you use for your husband. Best ever. Post more in the Lounge. The humor level can always use a boost.

GOTG I had no idea those guys were horny too!! Only so many things can be straight at the same time. I gather it wasn't their thinking.

kja

What an extraordinary trip report – a true gift to the Fodorite community! Kudos for the balance of information and introspection; what you were experiencing and what you were thinking; the highs and the lows; and of course, the serious and the humorous.

And kudos, too, for the ways in which you opened the world to your children and showed them how to confront a fear – and for sharing that story about your boss and the “last” trip. FWIW, although I’m not particularly VC, I have incredible difficulty seeing loved ones near precipices. I have no idea how you managed to tackle your own reactions, let alone to watch your wife and children!

I’m contemplating a trip to Peru and have learned a great deal from your report, including (a) to stop regretting that I am not contemplating the Inca Trail, (b) to stop thinking that maybe I should try white-water rafting, for the first time, on the Upper Urubamba River, and (c) to keep mountain biking OFF my list of options. ;-)

I can’t thank you enough!

xcountry

Thanks KJA - yes that mountain biking mishap. And our son saying later he thought I was dead. It just cracks me up, so to speak, every time I think of it.

Speaking of heights I just posted this picture on the Europe Forum:

http://www.pbase.com/henkbinnendijk/image/32131331

That was the end of the Preikestolen climb for me. Not a chance I was stepping out over nothingness to get to the top.

I hope you make the trip. Your keen eye would notice so many things we missed. I am already counting on your detailed trip report.

gruezi

Where is the family headed this year??

xcountry

You know what it’s like Gruezi. One moved out. One’s away at school. Things are so quiet around here I glance at the odd cruise brochure.

I’m thinking of saving for retirement. Maybe in a couple of years. Can you start saving for retirement after you’ve retired?

gruezi

Oh yes. The money thing. I think you are lying about the cruise. And don't for a minute believe your offspring are done having you pay for their trips. They will still be packed and ready to go at a moments notice until they are...50.

Retirement can be hard on the joints btw. Mr. Gruezi has to go for PT now because he's been playing too much tennis and paddle. He's threatening to spend precious retirement money investing in starting up this silly sport in our area:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padel_(sport)

I'm the only working person in my town it seems. And a friend who is a T&E attorney. Everyone else is gardening and golfing and going to FL for the winter. We joke about it, but there is something odd about it. We must not have invested properly?? I may give Mr. Gruezi the Padel $$ just so he would not be home during the day messing up the kitchen making sandwiches.