Destination: ____________?
 4th de Julio. Dia de Independicia y celebraciones dulces para míi! The morning started out like the previous days. A little yoga, breakfast and fog. This morning, there boats for Isla Ballestas were also cancelled due to the strong winds. Si, tengo suerte! Alberto says this only happens 7 times a year. Weird to have 2 days in a row. I was excited to move on to my next hotel although NOT thrilled with having to repack my backpack. It took me about 45 minutes. People probably thought there was someone else in my room since at times I spoke aloud to motivate myself. “Keren, seriously, get a move on.” “Keren, after this, you will only have to do this 3 more times.” Today is the 4th of July, a holiday in the States to celebrate our Independence from the Brits. This is usually observed with a day off work to head to the beach, the park or backyard to BBQ. The day ends with people watching fireworks explode into the sky. This independent traveler is proud to be an American. I feel lucky to be privileged to be produced and born in a country which allows me so many freedoms. One of my most cherished: the freedom to roam the world (except Cuba, technically for now). To celebrate, I was not going to char meat on a BBQ, set things on fire or view any fireworks but I was going to celebrate in my own fashion. I was declaring my independence from the life of a backpacker. In true American fashion, I was going to be indulgent. I was headed to Hotel Paracas, a Starwood property, that was nestled in a perfect waterfront spot on Bahia Paracas. I arrived to the property wearing my running gear and backpack. It was only 10:30. The sky was still covered in clouds. The plan was to check-in, drop off my pack, run and return with my other items. The bellmen took my backpack with a smile rather than a look of horror. Classy! I sat down to check in. The lady smiled and began the check in process. I had reserved a garden view because the next room upgrade was $50 more and knew I could score it con una pregunta y sonrisa para nada. It worked, I got my upgrade. Of course I am a Starwood member so why wouldn’t I? She said my room would be ready in 10 minutes. Change of plans, I returned to Backpackers for the remainder of my things. Once back, I allowed the bellmen to take all my belongs since I had been schlepping them for 150 days. We entered my suite sweet! Freaking SWEET! If my buddy Colin was here this would have been a 5 minutes SAH-WEET, DOOODE! exchange. Damn! Money. Well. Spent! On average, I had been spending roughly $10 per night on my lodgings. This cost me roughly 20 days. Many of you ask how I can afford to travel for such an extended period of time. Answer: avoiding staying at places like this on a frequent basis. After tipping and bidding adieu to my bellman, I danced and skipped around my room. This was not my first time in luxury but the first time I had actually worked for it. Prior to being asked by Pfizer to pack my bags, they treated me to many luxurious resorts due to my ability to create rock hard sales erections through my stellar sales of Vitamin V. Arriving to these trips, I generally felt disgusted with the over-the-top lavishness and indulgence. For me, I want to work for something to feel like I deserve to be pampered. Days I go mountain-biking through the mud, I feel much prettier after a shower and ready for an elegant cocktail dress. After a 20 mile training run, nothing feels better than a manicure and foot massage. After traveling modestly since January without some creature comforts like warm water, quiet private rooms, reliable warm cozy beds and private bathrooms, THIS. WAS. HEAVEN. Even though I was tempted to soak up the sheer elegance of my room, it was time to get soaked with sweat and then soaked with the rays of the sun. In my giddiness, I am not sure if I actually went for a run or a skip. I ran/skipped my Paracas routine out and back run: Hotel Paracas to the Reserva Nacional de Paracas. As I began to walk to cool down, on cue, the sun began to break free of the clouds. Si! Yo tengo suerte! Everything works out! I lubed up and went out to the pool deck. Purple Piglet had told me that she just made the trip to Peru to take advantage of the 4th of July Holiday. I thought for sure there would be other fellow Americans here at the resort. Today, strangely, I was in a mood that I wouldn’t mind being around fellow Americans. As I skimmed the deck, nope, no Americans. Actually, no humans except for the towel boy. It was just me, him and several aves. It made me laugh that the pool was actually a giant bird bath. One brave/curious bird sat on the lounge next to me and watched me. Maybe he thought it was strange for a human to be invading THEIR environment. After sufficient lounging by the pool, I returned to my suite. There was a beautiful balcony awaiting me. It too was getting bathed in the sun’s rays. I positioned the table and chairs appropriately as to not cast any shadows on my bikini clad body. I was able to work on my tan as I worked on some projects. I tried to not get too much into a zone since I wanted periodic breaks to zone out over the beautiful vista before me: colorful gardens, palm trees, blue water glistening in the sun and getting blown by the strong winds and large desert sand dunes in the distance. Before my sunset excursion, I had to make a difficult decision: shower or bath? The bath had a standard faucet and extendable shower head. The shower had a high and mid shower head. Both had reliable warm water. Just in case you just needed certain parts cleaned, yes, there was also a bidet. I opted for a shower pre-sunset and then a bath pre-dinner. I wandered the grounds. Still empty. I felt like it was the beginning scene from “Day After Tomorrow”. “HEL-LLOOO?” Perfect, I romantic sunset with me, myself and I. There was a water front bar. I had one drink to watch the sunset and aftermath. Sadly, it was of the muted variety: the bright sun dropped quickly leaving only a grey muted sky once it left. Damn, I was hoping for a post-set kaleidoscope in lieu of fireworks. After my sunset cocktail, I retreated to my private lair for a luxurious blissful bath. Yes, I should be conserving water being in the desert. However, I had been conserving water on MANY occasions during this trip due to frigid temperatures that made it so I look record-speed 2 minute (if that) showers. Plus, today I said I was going to be indulgent. This is how I indulge. I throw on a comfy robe, turned on the TV, hopped into my King-sized bed and dialed room-service. Ah, what a way to wind down the day and my time in South America. In one week, I would return to my Sweet Spot in SF. Tonight, I enjoyed my sweet suite and sweet dreams.
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