The Boys were back in town!

We apologize for the delay in posting, but the internet has been acting up.  I guess we should be happy to have any connection up here.
Anyway, Sam and Mike came down to Peru for nine days, as Boeing and BYU were both closed for the holidays.
So what do you show someone who is new to this part of the world?
For starters, the Obelisk of Junín, commemorating the Battle of Junín, which took place there on August 6, 1824, and marked the turning point in the military conflict for Peruvian independence.  However, 5 Soles a piece was a little steep, so we cheaped out, took the picture from afar, turned around and went on.

Can you really say that you've been here without standing in awe of the Giant Maca of Huayre?! (see here)

Or the high plains of the central Andes (13-14,000+ feet)?

Or the pigs of Cerro de Pasco?

Or the eroded weirdness of Torre Torre?

For a change of pace from the high parts of the Mission, we traveled to La Merced, in the jungle on the eastern slopes of the Andes.

We visited several of the spectacular waterfalls in the area.

The guys clambered on the rocks,

while Paula enjoyed the warmth.

Sam and Mike, in their usual discovery mode, found a room 'behind' the waterfall,

and got pounded by the falls themselves.

The second falls, 'El Velo de la Novia' (rough translation 'Bridal Veil Falls') had water that even they wouldn't brave.

Each adventure here deserves a heapin' helpin' of Inca Kola, founded in 1939, and now owned by Coca Kola.

The last evening, we found a nice hillside overlooking Huancayo, and talked for a while.

And threw rocks for a while.

And took pictures of a passing shepherdess (before she demanded payment).

The next morning, we saw the guys off at sunrise for their flight to Lima, where they spent the day with good friends before their red-eye departure for the States.

We were delighted to have them here, and miss them a lot.

We hope your family visits are as nice.

Dave & Paula