Day 1: Chicago to Lima

First item on the Peru agenda is getting to Peru. With no direct flights from Chicago to Lima, we had to have a layover somewhere and decided to take the earlier flight to Dallas to ensure we had plenty of time for a stress-free layover. We were out the door and on the way to O’Hare at 9:00 am. Once we arrived, we were able to quickly use the bag drop kiosks to check our bags and breezed through security using TSA Precheck. The only other people in line in front of us were people who did not have Precheck and were sent to the other security line.

The blog is in good hands with these trusted handypeople

The Addison blue line is just like Geneva

With plenty of time to spare before the flight, and with the gate right next to the food court, we ordered breakfast and relaxed at a table until it was time to board. Take-off ended up being a bit delayed, and there was some weather we thought we were going to have to go around, but we arrived in Dallas not much later than expected.

Flying away

Let’s not stay in Dallas/Fort Worth

The gate for the flight to Lima was in a different terminal, so we found the skyway tram to get there. What they say is true: everything really is bigger in Texas. Especially the airport. Once we were in the right terminal, getting to the gate was a breeze. We arrived around 2:30 and were getting hungry. What about lunch? Whataburger! Opting not to go for the fancy lounge, we made the time useful by enjoying our food and planning a few activities and tours to do over the next few days.

Finally, it was time to board the flight to Lima. This flight was also a bit late with boarding and taking off, but otherwise went pretty smoothly. We arrived at about 1:00 am, deplaned and waited in line at customs. We had to show our vaccination proof, which they totally looked at very carefully. Definitely didn’t just glance at a phone screen with a QR code. By the time we got through, our bags were on the carousel waiting for us and we walked out of the airport and across the street to the hotel we are staying at for the night.

Made it through customs at 2:00 am.

Things are helpfully labeled in English in Peru

We checked in and were welcomed with our first official pisco sour. We also had concha, a delicious Peruvian roasted corn snack at the hotel bar. Tomorrow we will venture to Miraflores, where we will stay for the next two nights.