As the hateful events of last night settle into a greater sense of clarity, we begin to glimpse some forms of positivity; we have our health, we’re safe and we can start to get back on our feet. I chastise myself as I wade through the ever so boring process of changing passwords, erasing iPads and all the guff that goes along with rebooting a digital existence, this process is in truth a blessing. We no longer have to go to post offices, bank branches, solicitors etc, we can even bloody well do it all from a hotel in Peru. Banishing the even more boring first world-ness that we are bored with the expedience of this process we commence the rebuilding process eager to recommence a sense of normality. We are after all safe and healthy albeit somewhat shaken from the incident.

With banks contacted we turn to the Australian embassy for assistance and advice; with the cessation of that phone call comes the commencement of a greater feeling of isolation. We’re very well aware that as we have our passports thankfully and some sort of access to cash we aren’t truly in desperate need of action. What we weren’t expecting however was the relatively open declaration that the embassy does nothing, I repeat nothing. They can offer advice to Australians in need if very strict criteria is met; Monday to Friday, nine to five. A little unsure of what to make of this we take their advice and contact the local tourism authority who are very helpful, finally we’re gaining some clarity. We now have a flight booked so it’s Lima here we come.

The day stuck in the hotel is made no better by the fact that we have very little in the way of clothing, we’re sadly in matching grey hiking shorts and tight bright red underwear thermal shirts, with thongs. It’s good to know that dignity is the latest thing that we’re losing in this debacle. We do however get a visit from Ola and Piotr, they leave Huanchaco, by bus, early and spend the day with us in the hotel. Not only is it helpful beyond description to have friendly and familiar company, their visit also allows us the opportunity to cathartically recount the event, the gift of therapy right now is priceless.

With fond farewells we jump into the hotel car to get to the airport, there’s no chance I’m getting in a cab right now. The greater issue for me here is a lack of trust being that it was a taxi trip that set us up for all this in the first place, I just don’t trust taxis right now. There is a sense of invasive anxiety being in a car and on the road again, passing familiar buildings from last night brings it all back home, it’s unpleasant to put it politely. We’re not generally anxious people but a sudden halt on the highway from a car in front is not what we needed; if anyone comes near this car I am going to go North Korea on them! Not surprisingly this is a normal traffic occurrence like anywhere in the world, the variable is us in this instance, new found emotional baggage we look forward to leaving behind, in truth, I’m over reacting.

On touching down in Lima we are again helped by the local tourism authority, they are a true blessing. But, and there is a but; we have to catch a taxi. After some convincing we are assured of a range of safety measures, we’re off in a very flash cab just keen to get where we’re going. We do arrive without a hitch thankful that we have gotten right back on the horse, the taxi anxiety is a no longer a mountain that needs climbing.

So we’re in Lima and the distance we have taken is all things and more, the sense of security a flood of positivity that we can’t seem to drink up quickly enough. It’s just a little over 24 hours and right now we’re cautiously thrilled at how far we’ve come, we’re beginning to already feel a little like ourselves. It’s been a travel day like most others in most respects, boring, hateful and happily behind us. But this one is wiped clean of all the usual complaints in preference for a higher appreciation of what we still have. Tomorrow is a new day.