Feliz Siete, Siete!! (Happy 7, 7!)

It’s what I imagined the inside of a solitary confinement prison cell would look and feel like. Dark and damp with no hot water, towels, toilet seat, or even toilet paper. We sat facing each other on the edge of the hostal’s twin beds- it was our 7th day in Peru and our 7 month wedding anniversary.

“I can do this, but do you think we can step up our game?” I pleaded with Marea.

Marea, our financial expert, was eager to save a buck and seemed excited not by the prison-like accommodations but the great deal we’d just gotten.

“Hector (our taxi driver) said that we got an amazing deal. And all the other hostals will be a lot more expensive than this,” she reasoned.

It was a private room with a private bathroom for $8 a night afterall. I couldn’t argue with that but I did insist we just take a look at the recommended hostal next door, just to see.

The moment we walked in the door of the next hostal, it was all over. I looked at Marea and said, “I want to be here.” Looking at my frantic, red face and panicked eyes, she sweetly agreed.

Yay! For $17 a night, our 7 day- 7 month anniversary changed from a “shoe” scene in Orange is the New Black to a fun and relaxing experience in a unique and beautiful oasis.

We spent the next couple days in Huacachina sandboarding down freakishly high sand dunes, cruising around a small pond with healing powers, enjoying a fancy anniversary dinner, and relaxing in a local cafe that serves “real coffee!” instead of the usual powdered nescafe as advertised. It was just what I imagined our trip would be.

As a self proclaimed adventurer, avid camper, and my ability to infrequently shower, I’m confident that we could have done it…. but I sure am glad we stepped it up.

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