Packing for a trip where temperatures will range from the mid 30’s up into the upper 80’s (Fahrenheit) is a true challenge, especially when traveling alone.  LAYERS!  I have nine different flights where I will be wrestling with luggage, so I must keep it to a minimum.  I have managed to get it down to 38 pounds—one small suitcase and my NRA tote bag (which I got for free when I joined).  I will be meeting up with sister Mary Pat and her hubby, Rick for a portion of the trip so I will not be alone for three of the flights (but they have their own luggage to deal with).

This trip to Panama and Peru will range from sea level up to 11,152 feet.  I booked most of this trip last August so am very excited that it is finally imminent.  To get ready, I was merrily reading blogs written by previous travelers to the region when I encountered several discussing the plight of altitude sickness.  Having suffered through a particularly virulent case of this malady when I drove out to Utah at the start of my Americorps stint (and that occurred at only 7,100 feet), I realized that some advance preparation may be called for.

Ascending slowly is the best preparation but that isn’t an option as we fly directly from Puerto Maldonado (840 feet) to Cusco (11,152 feet).  Maintaining adequate hydration is a necessity and I don’t see that as a problem as water is the best beverage on earth.  I read on several blogs that chlorophyll taken daily several days beforehand as well as during the time at the top can alleviate any symptoms.  Yikes!  I’m leaving tomorrow!  What to do?

I immediately went online to find where this potentially magic elixir could be found—GNC in the Mall, closing in 45 minutes.  So, I jumped in my car and drove over and picked up a bottle of chlorophyll gel caps for the three of us.  I also decided to stop at Walgreens for a pulse oximeter which measures oxygen level.  Some of the blogs recommended having one because if your blood oxygen drops too low, it can be dangerous.  My level today is an excellent 98 mm Hg,

It looks like a diet high in complex carbohydrates will also help the effort to keep oxygen levels high and, according to a couple of websites, laughing is a great way to increase oxygen levels!  So, maybe I had better swap out some of my murder mysteries with some humorous reading.