Going on vacation, soon :) :(

[Mare]

I'm super excited about a two week trip Tim and I are planning to South America :) ..that's on one hand. On the other hand :( ..I'm really stressing about leaving my birds for that long. My brother, Larry, lives in Bogota, Columbia, with his wife and young daughters. We speak on the phone often and he told me awhile back, about a trip they are planning to Machu Picchu, in Peru, before they head to the U.S. for their one month, once a year visit. He asked if Tim and I would like to join them.

A few years ago, I traveled to Bogota to visit the fam down there and it is a beautiful city, no doubt! Tim's never been there. We've been discussing this and unless unforeseen Devils get in the way..Tim and I will be leaving end of June to spend four days in Bogota then, on to Machu Picchu, we'll be gone for two weeks.

Our three kids are excited for us and say they will be here, at the house for us and not to worry about the gardens, all the critters and the birds. I know it disrupts their life..they work and live elsewhere but also enjoy each other. SOOO, I'm hoping that my daughter, Kate, will allow Amigo his freedom and my son Noah, loves him some Sassy girl and Wyatt, (who get's no bird affection, at all), will help with the feeding and watering :)

We aren't planning on leaving for a few weeks, just thought I would mention it :)

[spiritbird]

That sounds exciting. You are a lucky woman. Take lots of camera photos for us poor folks that cannot take vacations.

[Mare]

Thank you, Dianne, I will take lots of photos! One part of our world I truly want to see before I die is, the eastern U.S. side of our country, I've never been there but think/know I would love it. Mexico is beautiful, the people are friendly and their culture is special to me. I'm just starting to venture into South America and am excited about that :). For some reason, I've never been interested in visiting European countries..not sure why, just don't..?..

[kendrafitz]

Oh, wow! Mare that will be an awesome trip! So great that the kids will help and you will have an awesome time! Can't wait to see pics and read all about it. :)

[Macaw Lover]

Have you been to an infectious disease doctor to get all your shots for the various areas you are going to? If not, you need to do that immediately as some of the shots needs to be done as a series.

I was going to join a group to see the Macaws and had started the shots for that region but then things fell apart when one of the ladies husbands died and the rest of her friends did not go on without her.

Contact your local hospital and they can direct you to a doctor but do that today as you don't have much time.


Have a great time down there!

[Mare]

Thanks, Kendra and Renee', we are looking forward to it, I'm just hoping the elevation won't be too much of an issue for us. I've had issues with high elevations before and know it takes a few days to acclimate. The elevation in Bogota is around 9,000ft., we will be flying from Bogota to Lima to Cuzco, Cuzco is a bit over 11,000ft. Tim and I are both healthy, active old people so, hoping it works out :)

Renee', thank you so much for the reminder! I'll have to ask my brother about that! The last time I visited with them, we took a flight down to the Amazon for a few days..I did need a type of malaria/yellow fever shot for that trip. I know Tim and I are good for Bogota, I'll definitely check into traveling forward! Thanks, again!

[Macaw Lover]

Unless your brother is an Infectious Disease Dr, I would still get my butt to the infectious disease guy as they can pinpoint the region you would be in and current issues the area might have and get you covered. I want to say the program they can access is through the CDC but not sure now.

[Mare]

Thanks, Renee' for your concern :). My brother is the soul/one and only aircraft mechanic for the U.S. Embassy's plane in Bogata. They keep him very well informed on travel throughout the country.