The weekend in Texas was somewhat stressful, but ultimately successful. We arrived late Friday night and picked up our rental car. We decided to add a navigation system, which proved very helpful, as we ran into an accident and had to detour before we reached the hotel. The rest of the trip, it continued to prove its worth--some of the residential areas we were looking at seem to have been designed to contain a minotaur.
Saturday morning, we started fairly early with a list of 15 homes and the Realtor assigned to us by the relocation company. She was a Vermonter, but had lived in TX for 25 years, so she had an interesting accent: Yankee with a hint of Southern. We started off with some of the houses that were the highest on our list. The first few either had strange layouts or didn't show as well in person as in the photos. Another looked great until we kicked the siding in back and it crumbled like sawdust. After that lipstick-on-a-pig special, we took a break for lunch, having found one house we could live with, but nothing that thrilled us.
After lunch, things immediately picked up. We toured a house we hadn't considered as much because of its excessively large size, but it didn't feel as excessive in person, and it was quite nice. Then, we stumbled upon The One. It was a home that we'd almost eliminated from our list. I think we'd taken it off and later put it back on as a remote possibility.
Unlike some of the other homes, this one showed better in person than in the pictures. It had a nice layout, a fabulous, updated kitchen, a warm family room with rich wood paneling and a gas fireplace, dental crown molding, and an upstairs game room. It also had enough bedrooms for everyone and seems to have decent mechanicals. More importantly, H and I both just felt good about it, like this was a home we should make an offer on. We saw several other nice homes after that and identified a backup house in case things fall through, but nothing to compare with that house.
On Sunday, we drove through a couple of nearby cities we had wanted to see, but we didn't need to tour any more homes. We drove through the neighborhood, past the schools, and went to church at what would be our new congregation. We weren't ward-shopping, but it seems like a decent ward. We'll be pretty close to the church and closer to an LDS temple than we are now in Utah.
On Monday morning, we saw the house again, then we made an offer, they countered, and we settled on a price 1k less than we paid for the house we are in now, plus they are throwing in the pool table. We celebrated with a lunch of some excellent Texas BBQ brisket and turkey, headed home, and picked up the two kids who were staying with Grandma and Grandpa. (With so many houses to see in such a short time, that turned out to be a huge help--thanks again, Mom and Dad!)
I just faxed back the final paperwork and we expect to have the sellers sign it today. After that, pending a clean bill of health from the home inspection, we'll be moving into our new home at the end of next month.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Off to Houston
I still haven't blogged about parts of my trip, including the Amazon, but I've been so busy since I returned, catching up at work and also working with the details of the relocation. I've had dozens of phone calls and emails related to the various details of moving to Texas. My new employer provides a wonderful, comprehensive moving package that is very generous financially, but there is a lot of paperwork and other hoops to jump through.
I'm just about to head off with H, S, and R now to Houston. We'll have Saturday, Sunday, and half of Monday to find the house we're going to buy. We've been researching online and through people we know in the area for months, but it's still scary. Wish us luck. We have a list of about ten homes we want to see, so hopefully one of them will be the right one.
I'm just about to head off with H, S, and R now to Houston. We'll have Saturday, Sunday, and half of Monday to find the house we're going to buy. We've been researching online and through people we know in the area for months, but it's still scary. Wish us luck. We have a list of about ten homes we want to see, so hopefully one of them will be the right one.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Back from darkest Peru (I)
In the Paddington Bear, stories my mom used to read to me as a child, Paddington was from "darkest Peru." After a journey of 36 hours to get home that included two boats, a hike, a bus, five flights, and a car ride, I don't question the appellation.
My trip to Peru was great, a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For those of you who are interested, I encourage you to check out my brother's blog. He is a more diligent blogger and has many additional anecdotes to report.
Without backtracking for now, I'll pick up where I left off, which was getting ready to head into the Amazon basin with my dad. We didn't know if M would join us; after commenting to my dad about my supposedly "weak constitution" after I was smitten with an intestinal bug for the second time on the Machu Picchu day, he got ill just as I was getting better.
In fact, I started feeling better shortly after I threw up and dragged myself onto the train. While the train ride down to Machu Picchu--yes, down, for while Machu Picchu looks to be high in the mountains, and it is at 8,000 feet, this is almost 3,000 feet lower than Cusco and over 1,000 feet lower than Ollantaytambo--was highlighted by the spectacular scenery, it was dark on the ride home. So naturally, the train crew, after serving drinks and snacks, put on a fashion show. They modeled some clothes with an Andean touch, like Alpaca shawls and sweaters, but it was mostly, well, a second-rate wannabe J. Crew fashion show. Weird, but not as weird as the strange man dressed in some sort of traditional Andean costume who did a little dance down the aisle, making sounds rather like a guinea pig, before the train attendants came back to try to sell the clothes they had just been modeling. I wasn't feeling well and mostly pretended to be asleep.
Anyhow, the next morning I was feeling somewhat better, so Dad, G, and I headed back to Cusco. M, however, had been hit hard with the bug during the night and was simultaneously fighting vomiting and diarhhea. He was not well enough to come with us and he thought he might have to skip the jungle part of the trip. Luckily, some doctors from Houston were staying in the same hotel, and they wrote him a prescription for various drugs. Since they are available over-the-counter in Peru, Dad and I also picked up some Cipro to clear up our own lingering intestinal issues.
We all proceeded to Cusco and G got ready to head to Grand Cayman and Dad and I to the rain forest. Luckily, M dragged himself in that evening, looking like death, but clinging to hope that he could join us the next day. The next day, he was indeed just barely well enough to come. Dad and I were still tired, but looking forward to the trip into "darkest" Peru, and G headed off for some scuba diving. This post is getting long, so back to work. Next post: the long-awaited trip to the Amazon.
My trip to Peru was great, a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For those of you who are interested, I encourage you to check out my brother's blog. He is a more diligent blogger and has many additional anecdotes to report.
Without backtracking for now, I'll pick up where I left off, which was getting ready to head into the Amazon basin with my dad. We didn't know if M would join us; after commenting to my dad about my supposedly "weak constitution" after I was smitten with an intestinal bug for the second time on the Machu Picchu day, he got ill just as I was getting better.
In fact, I started feeling better shortly after I threw up and dragged myself onto the train. While the train ride down to Machu Picchu--yes, down, for while Machu Picchu looks to be high in the mountains, and it is at 8,000 feet, this is almost 3,000 feet lower than Cusco and over 1,000 feet lower than Ollantaytambo--was highlighted by the spectacular scenery, it was dark on the ride home. So naturally, the train crew, after serving drinks and snacks, put on a fashion show. They modeled some clothes with an Andean touch, like Alpaca shawls and sweaters, but it was mostly, well, a second-rate wannabe J. Crew fashion show. Weird, but not as weird as the strange man dressed in some sort of traditional Andean costume who did a little dance down the aisle, making sounds rather like a guinea pig, before the train attendants came back to try to sell the clothes they had just been modeling. I wasn't feeling well and mostly pretended to be asleep.
Anyhow, the next morning I was feeling somewhat better, so Dad, G, and I headed back to Cusco. M, however, had been hit hard with the bug during the night and was simultaneously fighting vomiting and diarhhea. He was not well enough to come with us and he thought he might have to skip the jungle part of the trip. Luckily, some doctors from Houston were staying in the same hotel, and they wrote him a prescription for various drugs. Since they are available over-the-counter in Peru, Dad and I also picked up some Cipro to clear up our own lingering intestinal issues.
We all proceeded to Cusco and G got ready to head to Grand Cayman and Dad and I to the rain forest. Luckily, M dragged himself in that evening, looking like death, but clinging to hope that he could join us the next day. The next day, he was indeed just barely well enough to come. Dad and I were still tired, but looking forward to the trip into "darkest" Peru, and G headed off for some scuba diving. This post is getting long, so back to work. Next post: the long-awaited trip to the Amazon.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Machu Picchu
Sometimes you wait so long for something that when it comes, it is a little bit of a disappointment. We have seen so many cool ruins on this trip that I was afraid that might be a little bit the case with Machu Picchu. However, I was not disappointed, except that I wasn´t feeling great.
After seeing awesome ruins on Sunday afternoon in Ollantaytambo--the entrance was just a couple of blocks from our hotel--we arose early yesterday morning to take the train to Aguas Calientes. The ride along the Urubamba River was spectacular in its own right, but the bus at the end of the line on the dirt road up the windy switchbacks left much to be desired. In fact, I felt ill and the rest of the group went ahead of me. My dad and brother wanted to hike Wayna Picchu, the peak you see behind Machu Picchu in the pictures, but my constitution wouldn´t allow it. I barely staggered through the gate and took a nap on the grass near some llamas.
Luckily, my strength slowly returned. I began slowly seeing some of the ruins, stopping when I got tired. I eventually ran into my bro in law, which was nice, and we saw more sites together. The hike to Wayna Picchu wiped out dad and tired out M, so I probably saw as much or more of the ruins as they did. I got sick again just before I got on the train, but I made it back okay, and I feel somewhat better this morning. Dad and M, however, are quite sick and are in bed. G has felt fine this entire trip and has been flexible, which is nice.
Anyway, despite that, the ruins are almost beyond description. It is amazing how the Incas built such cities high in the mountains with stone age technology. It was worth the trip and is something I will always remember.
After seeing awesome ruins on Sunday afternoon in Ollantaytambo--the entrance was just a couple of blocks from our hotel--we arose early yesterday morning to take the train to Aguas Calientes. The ride along the Urubamba River was spectacular in its own right, but the bus at the end of the line on the dirt road up the windy switchbacks left much to be desired. In fact, I felt ill and the rest of the group went ahead of me. My dad and brother wanted to hike Wayna Picchu, the peak you see behind Machu Picchu in the pictures, but my constitution wouldn´t allow it. I barely staggered through the gate and took a nap on the grass near some llamas.
Luckily, my strength slowly returned. I began slowly seeing some of the ruins, stopping when I got tired. I eventually ran into my bro in law, which was nice, and we saw more sites together. The hike to Wayna Picchu wiped out dad and tired out M, so I probably saw as much or more of the ruins as they did. I got sick again just before I got on the train, but I made it back okay, and I feel somewhat better this morning. Dad and M, however, are quite sick and are in bed. G has felt fine this entire trip and has been flexible, which is nice.
Anyway, despite that, the ruins are almost beyond description. It is amazing how the Incas built such cities high in the mountains with stone age technology. It was worth the trip and is something I will always remember.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
In Peru
I´ve been writing mostly via email to family, but I thought others would like to hear about the trip. I´m several days into my trip with my dad, brother, and bro-in-law. Last night, we ate at the hotel where my dad was staying (my brother and I were around the corner in another place). It had a lovely little courtyard with flowering plants and hand-carved wooden tables. I ate trout, which I hadn´t eaten for many years. My memories of trout are of gutting and frying up the fish my brother and I caught as kids. It was always strongly flavored and often had a few bones. This trout was very good, though. It had a nice garlic sauce and a very mild flavor. It also came with delicious sided of mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. The latter was nice because many restaurants here serve as sides primarily plain white rice (dry) and potatoes with no salt, butter, or other fat (though papas fritas--french fries--are also common).
This morning, we went to the Sunday market at the Plaza Constitucion in Pisac. There is a market there every day selling the typical tourist stuff we´ve been seeing all week (jewelry, alpaca clothes, handicrafts), so we wondered how this would be different. This time, the locals were out buying as well. They had closed the street in front of the plaza and they were selling real market stuff, i.e., foodstuffs. I ate crepe-like banana pancakes for breakfast and didn´t try the cooked food, but I bought a couple of mangos, and they were delicious.
After we ate, we rented a taxi, who took us to the ruins at Pisac. They consist of the remnants of an Incan city built into the hillside. The extent of the construction was impressive, and much of it remains. The terraces into the hillside were huge, and there were perhaps 15-20 terrace levels at some point. We ascended some narrow paths while our guide´s four year old daughter cantered ahead, dangerously close to steep dropoffs.
Eventually, we came to a low tunnel that was used as a defensive point to restrict the passage of enemy troops. On the other side was the temple of the sun, a small altar with a large stone and sundial. We could also see the terracing below cut into the shape of a partridge--the ¨pisaca¨
We left Pisac and continued in our taxi up the Sacred Valley. We followed a beautiful valley along the Urubamba river until we eventually reached the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will stay tonight. The balcony up the stairs from my room may be the best view I´ve ever had from a hotel where I´ve stayed. On one side, the near Andes tower seemingly to the sky. To the right, the distant, taller mountains are capped with snow. On the other side, the impressive ruins and agricultural terraces of Ollantaytambo loom just a couple of blocks from our hotel. It is magnificent. Our room is sparse but comfortable and nicely designed.
So far, this has been a wonderful trip. We´ve had ¨discussions,¨but no real arguments. Hopefully Dad doesn´t mind. Machu Picchu tomorrow, and then Dad can apparently die happy.
This morning, we went to the Sunday market at the Plaza Constitucion in Pisac. There is a market there every day selling the typical tourist stuff we´ve been seeing all week (jewelry, alpaca clothes, handicrafts), so we wondered how this would be different. This time, the locals were out buying as well. They had closed the street in front of the plaza and they were selling real market stuff, i.e., foodstuffs. I ate crepe-like banana pancakes for breakfast and didn´t try the cooked food, but I bought a couple of mangos, and they were delicious.
After we ate, we rented a taxi, who took us to the ruins at Pisac. They consist of the remnants of an Incan city built into the hillside. The extent of the construction was impressive, and much of it remains. The terraces into the hillside were huge, and there were perhaps 15-20 terrace levels at some point. We ascended some narrow paths while our guide´s four year old daughter cantered ahead, dangerously close to steep dropoffs.
Eventually, we came to a low tunnel that was used as a defensive point to restrict the passage of enemy troops. On the other side was the temple of the sun, a small altar with a large stone and sundial. We could also see the terracing below cut into the shape of a partridge--the ¨pisaca¨
We left Pisac and continued in our taxi up the Sacred Valley. We followed a beautiful valley along the Urubamba river until we eventually reached the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will stay tonight. The balcony up the stairs from my room may be the best view I´ve ever had from a hotel where I´ve stayed. On one side, the near Andes tower seemingly to the sky. To the right, the distant, taller mountains are capped with snow. On the other side, the impressive ruins and agricultural terraces of Ollantaytambo loom just a couple of blocks from our hotel. It is magnificent. Our room is sparse but comfortable and nicely designed.
So far, this has been a wonderful trip. We´ve had ¨discussions,¨but no real arguments. Hopefully Dad doesn´t mind. Machu Picchu tomorrow, and then Dad can apparently die happy.
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