Introductions can be so difficult, but I feel that for me a proper introduction should be made so that my readers will know my background and so I can earn their trust.

Other than some posts I’ve put on a favorite sports website, I’m a first time blogger. My reason for blogging, quite simple; I need to get some exposure for my cause and I believe that my cause is a good one.

I have lived in Latin America, specifically Peru. In living there I’ve gained a love for the people as they’ve left an indelible mark on my soul. I first arrived in Peru, a naïve 19 year old who was yet to experience anything other than small town USA and a freshman year of college education. It was August of 1988. The love affair began and Peru became one of my great passions.

I saw a people in the midst of a civil war that was about to tear the country apart. Indeed, by the time I had left Peru the Shining Path was on track to take over the country in a projected six months. I never thought that I would have ever been in a war zone, but something happened at about 7 am one morning that changed that. I was on our roof top doing some light exercises and heard an explosion. It was close enough that it shook me. On my way to breakfast was when I realized just how close it was; about four blocks from the apartment and right along our route to our daily breakfast spot. The intended target was a political candidate and fortunately nobody in the home was injured. The front side of the home was completely destroyed.

I was in the northern coastal city of Chiclayo and terrorism wasn’t a daily occurrence as in other areas of the country. But after listening to RadioProgramas Peru each morning and hearing the list of names of those killed in this violent revolution, terrorism had finally hit home.

Alberto Fujimori’s name will be mentioned for good and for bad, but the truth is that he and his government were responsible for defeating the Shining Path. Now only isolated pockets of revolutionaries remain hidden mostly in the jungle and far away from the casual tourist. Yes, Fujimori was a crook, but he saved Peru.

I arrived in Peru just after the arrival of the Inti, a new currency replacing the much devalued Sol. I saw the Inti devalue from 3.25 to the Dollar to 110ꯠ to the Dollar in just two years. Currently Peru is using the Nuevo Sol, a much improved version of the old Sol and the Inti. It’s been stable for at least the past six years and possibly longer.

I returned to the US a wiser version o