Hasta luego, Lima.

It was a satisfying feeling, to add the last ridiculously named health food store to my database of potential international buyers and send the document off. It's nice to think that someone might actually have use of it. Our entrepreneurs have some great products, especially the roasted sacha inchi nuts and aguaymanto jams, which could hopefully find solid markets in international health/gourmet food stores.

Next it was time to say goodbye to the co-workers that made me so feel welcome at the NeVos office. We had happy hour pisco sours in Larco Mar, the shopping mall perched on Lima's ocean side cliffs, before heading to San Isidro, where everyone gamely posed for this photo.

On Saturday morning the house maid, Maria, helped me read a newspaper article announcing the closure of the airport in Cusco due to violent protests against a government project to divert the region's water to the south of Peru. I was worried about my flight on Monday morning, but by the time I arrived in Cusco there was no trace of protesters and, in compensation for the interruption of service, a tourist appreciation day was being held. I got some delicious chocolates, kitsch souvenirs and a dance show to alleviate the boredom of staring at a rotation of suitcases in the baggage claim area.

Saying goodbye to Liz, my co-intern/interpreter/Spanish tutor/late night chat partner, was sad. I'll miss the luxury of working next to a Starbucks, the yappy dog who only recently stopped barking at my entrances, and Maria making fun of me each and every time I put milk in my tea.