Planes, and taxis and presidents

I don't think I've ever been on a plane out of Cusco which left on time. So yesterday we departed one hour late, after a somewhat chaotic wait in a queue in the airport. One guy managed to lose the plot altogether, and was ejected from the queue, but he may have been pissed and in the wrong place. This time round it was a local causing the fracas, unlike last time when our US cousins were responsible. Still Cusco airport is a lovely wee airport and well worth the hassle.

I was sitting beside a loving couople, she snoring and he sipping on a couple of large whuskies. one at a time of course. Johnny Walker Red Label is very popular in these parts. I think the last time I had a Johnny Walker was in Byres Road in Glasgow, some many years ago, amd probably with one of my many readers. I seem to recall a few wee nips being consumed in those distant times. Ahhh memories indeed. Anyway she stopped snoring when I spilt my drink over her new dress. No I didn't really, just joking.

The wait is always worth while because of the view of the Andes and the adrenalin rush a we fly right into the mountains, hoping that the pilot is not drunk or dosing on the job, and remembers where he is. It's a truly beautiful sight and always inspiring. I have a couple of videos of the flight into Cusco, which I will eventually put on YouTube, if and when I get round to it.

Then very quickly the plane is flying out over The Pacific to begin it's descent into Lima Airport, always a pleasure to see the old Pacific, if only for the relief of having made it out of the Andes safely. I feel like an old hand now flying into Lima airport. It hardly seems like being in a foreign country at all. I mustn't get over confident though, must keep on ones toes.

Francisco was waiting for me at the airport as always in his battered old van, which he describes as an airport taxi. He's a nice old guy, maybe a year or two older than me. His driving has become increasinly erratic over the years. Like all "good" drivers he blames the others. Today he started a shouting match with another particularly bad driver, and I though dear me here we go, a wee fight. Fortunately the other guy did a right turn and we were free. Francisco apologised for his shouting, and I told him it was fine by me. We arrived safely in Miraflores without any further dramas.

He seems to have modified his views about  President Humala, who has just completed his first six months in office. Last time he was pretty down on him, but now he seems to think that he's not doing too badly and is willing to give him a chance. Humala has problems mostly caused by those around him, including his vice president who is caught uo in some corruption scandal. So what's new? He also has an "assessor" who used to work for Lula in Brazil, when he was President. I don't think this goes down to well with the right wing press. But it's hard to follow quite what is happening, but I think so far so good, with reservations.

Lima is hot. It's Saturday so I think I'll put on my blue suede shoes and head off out, not forgetting my sun block. More later maybe......