I finally made it to my hotel in the Miraflores section of Lima just after 1 am local time (two hours ahead of Denver). Total flight time was 8.5 hours passing through Houston International Airport. Most flights from the US arrive in Lima near midnight. If you’re headed to another destination, e.g. Cusco the next morning on an internal flight, try booking a room at the Ramada Costa del Sol at the airport. You’ll give yourself an hour’s worth of additional sleep.
As I made my way through the immigration line at the Lima airport I was thinking how smooth the day had gone. I should’ve never let that thought make its way into conscious thought. As my passport was being scanned, I saw an Interpol warning flash on the screen and the man behind the desk asked me if I had any problems he needed to know about. I said no, and he let me go after a few moments of my heart racing and blood rushing to my face.
A few minutes later at the baggage carousel, an Interpol officer approached me and said he needed to verify my documentation. I thought my heart was racing before. Now, my chest felt like it was going to explode. I told him I wouldn’t go into an office without someone who spoke fluent English and Spanish with us. Luckily, I was able to find a volunteer eager to practice his English. I’m still not sure why my passport was flagged, but apparently I’m not the only Sheridan Samano out there, and the other one must pose a security risk. I always thought my name was unique enough to be a “one and only”.
I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come over the next 9 days. Let me take that back. I guess the adventure has officially begun.
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