Internet Dating

There are few, if any, coincidences in this world. Things, especially in conversation, do not - and I am absolutely speaking categorically here - simply pop up. For instance, it is no coincidence that conversation often turns to dating, and especially internet dating, after a few drinks.

Such was the case on Saturday evening. In the midst of a leisurely margaritafest, one amongst us mentioned contemplating internet dating. Another amongst us (ok, me) said that it was all quantity and no quality. And yet another one said that people only put the profile up of the person that they want to be.

I disagreed then and I continue to disagree now that I'm perfectly sober. And, to prove that I am right (and we know I always am), I have copied my profile below. If any of my dear readers feel I have idealized or otherwise misrepresented who I actually am, and can provide examples to prove it, then I will print this out and eat it.

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I believe that life is an adventure meant to be experienced and explored. I have an insatiable curiosity that often gets me into trouble and usually leaves me happily confused. I am spontaneous, socially poised (albeit more than a little rebellious) and my glass is half full. I LIVE my life and, as a result, am happy most of the time. I've been told I'm intelligent, optimistic, over-enthusiastic, forthright, and resilient.

I have varied interests, and will try pretty much anything twice. I organize a scuba diving group (I had to get over my fear of water somehow!), love to travel, and have kept a journal of my favorite poems since high school. I am active in my community, and volunteering is very important to me. And then, of course, I like all of the usuals: Movies, theatre, dancing, long walks, astronomy, wine, golf, Grey's Anatomy, museums, my family, dining out, books (fiction and non-fiction), skiing, shiny shoes, bird watching, Star Trek…

I'm looking for someone with the same outlook: Life is meant to be lived, stability is wonderful, yet risks are meant to be taken, and laughter should fill the gaps. If you are a man who seeks to grow and learn and love, and is searching for a woman with whom to partner, I will welcome your email and respond in kind. No vulgarity, please.

An Email Home

Apparently, if one does not email one´s beloveds regularly while traveling, the general tone of incoming messages tends to trend downwards. Quickly.

So, I sent a broadcast email, below, to everyone (I hope!) who had inquired about my journey through Peru. While not really a blog per se, I thought the email fitting to publish here. (IE, no gossip, no ranting, no trash talk. Yes, all the editing calloused my fingers.)

Hello from Peru!

If one´s enjoyment of a trip can be gauged by one´s reluctance to remove themselves from the experience in order to communicate with loved ones, then it is safe to say that my travels in Peru have been some of the best in my life. Peru is right up there with India and the Similian Islands. Perhaps even better.

Words just can´t do justice to this amazing country and its beautiful people.

I´ll try to be brief, as today we are in Puno, a city on Lake Titicaca, running errands before our noon-ish bus to Arequipa. Overall, Peru is a very clean country, with kind and gentle people. None of us have ever felt unsafe or even been pick-pocketed. My 4 very male travel companions have wildly divergent personalities, and have kept me in stitches the whole trip. Eric is keeping a log of our journey, but it´s so full of inside jokes that I don´t think anyone but us would understand it!

Lima was our first stop. We slept in a... rather unpleasant... hostel, visited the San Francisco Cathedral, ate churro (YUM), and I donated 50 soles toStarbucks (I´ll explain later). My favorite part of this modern metropolis was the shoe shopping, which I intend to take advantage of on the way home.

Cusco was next, and I do believe that I´ve left part of my heart there. It is a charming city, both quaint and modern at the same time. No high rises, no telephone poles, but still its got all the amenities you could ask for. Eric, John and I museum hopped and visited the artisans of the San Blas neighborhood, while Mark and Mike went up and down the many hills of the city. Eric and I bought gorgeous hand carved picture frames for pennies. I also bought finger puppets and spent hours chatting in broken Spanglish with locals. No one got altitude sickness, which I had been worried about.

Then on to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. We did a strenuous hike near Pisac (in the Sacred Valley) to some Inkan ruins, and my legs complained bitterly for 2 days! That hike was breathtaking - literally and figuratively. The altitude meant every third step I was out of breath, and at times the trail was so narrow that one foot to the left and it was a 100 foot drop. The view was worth it though. I took lots of pictures of the hike and the Pisac market, and bought zambonas, pan flutes. I promised myself that once I quit smoking, I´d learn to play a wind instrument. Well, I´m proud to say that I have quit smoking, and have already gotten a few lessons on the pan flutes!

Machu Picchu... If I were to try to verbalize that experience I´d only do violence to it. You simply must go.

Puno was next, which is where we are now. We stayed one night in Puno, which is a seedy pitstop on Lake Titicaca. Then we spent 2 days on Lake Titicaca, visiting islands and spending a night with a local family. The islands and people were gorgeous. I drank muna tea that the islanders gave me, and one of our errands today is to find some muna (its a plant) to smuggle back. I just cannot live the rest of my life without that tea! The altitude (highest yet) meant none of us had apetites, but wow that tea made up for it.

Later today we´ll be heading to Arequipa. We are planning on relaxing and enjoying the night sky (which has been gorgeous). Did I mention that I have seen thunderstorms beneath me? And the Southern Cross? And llamas and alpacas (alpaca, by the way, is tasty with cilantro and onions)? And condors? And orchids that only bloom 2000 meters up? And I´ve heard locals tell me their stories... some happy, and others sad (most notably involving the Shining Path)? So many new experiences in such a short time... I wonder how I´ll be able to come home and sleep in my comfy bed!

In closing, I´d just like to remind everyone that I was expecting disappointment. I´ve wanted to visit Peru since I was a little girl - even before I became fascinated with India. My expectations were sky high, and so it is a pleasant surprise that this wonderful country is everything I´d hoped it would be. And so much more.

Really, you must visit. In fact, you may have to come here to drag me home!!!

Love,
Shannon