A Mystery Trip
November 9 – 17, 2008
By Gerda Kreyer
This sounded intriguing to me, so I paid my $500 deposit. A month later, I was told that the destination was Trujillo, Peru. Great, a country with history, perfect climate and no time change. I was excited. We were 13 ambassadors from 8 US states. All of us met in Miami.
The welcome at the Trujillo Airport was spectacular. A large military band with native dancers greeted us. We were hugged and kissed by the hosts and given a red rose. The welcome dinner took place at Club Central, a huge, very elegant 130 year old Spanish colonial building.
Every day was an exciting new adventure. With our English-speaking guide we visited excavation sites of Pre-Inca civilizations, Chan Chan, a museum with Pre-Inca artifacts, the local newspaper printing building, to name a few.
One day we traveled into the desert to tour the irrigation and hydro energy project of
Chavimochic. 
What a progressive
engineering project. It not only supplies drinking water to Trujillo, but also irrigates
acres and acres of desert, producing fruits and vegetables. We saw how the white asparagus is grown in long rows, harvested daily and exported all over the world. Green Giant is one of the customers.
We were told that we had to march in a parade on Sunday. It was national Flag Day. So, we lined up with our hosts in their green jackets, holding the Trujillo Friendship sign. What an interesting parade. There were school children of all ages, casino workers in mini skirts,
cooks, waiters, and men in business suits, floats with children and several sharp-looking military units and their band.
Our farewell lunch was at the club president’s beautiful white hotel at Huanchaco beach on the Pacific Ocean.
What impressed me was the outgoing sincere friendliness and gracious hospitality of all the hosts and their joy of living. At every event, whether formal or informal there was singing and dancing.
I will never forget this great
trip.
Gerda with a Trujillo
taxi
Chan-Chan
