Science Fiction or Science Fact? 57Later, after Richard had helped me put my things in
the back of the car, I took a sheet of paper and a pen out
of my briefcase and made a few notes on some of the
things Rama had told me. Even though I kept telling
myself there was absolutely no way she could be a
creature from another planet, some of her ideas intri
gued me. I decided to keep a record of everything she
said.
I went back to say goodbye to Richard. I asked him if he
knew anything about the ice peaks Rama had pointed
out to me. I didn't mention the possibility of them being a
UFO base. I didn't want to invite any more cynical
remarks about my state of mind.
He told me that one can't see them from Huancayo
and gave me directions to a certain point where I would
be able to see the Nevados of Huaytapallana. It took only
five minutes to drive to a place near the Mantaro River
where I could get a clear, far-seeing look at them, high
against the sky. Again, I was awed by the magnificent
sight of those icy peaks glistening and cold against the
blue sky.
A little past midmorning, I was on the central highway
back to Lima, wondering what I was doing, going back to
talk once more with my new acquaintance from outer
space.
I parked the car as close as I could to the bathhouses.
Rama was waiting for me. We greeted, happy to see each
other again, and went straight to a bathhouse. She wa s
carrying a newspaper. She laid it down as we began to
undress. I noticed it was the Denver Post. Today's copy. I
checked my watch. It was only 10:51 a.m. At this
moment it was 8:51 a.m. in Denver, Colorado. I didn't
know exactly what time this newspaper hits the streets,
but it certainly was a little too early for it to be on top of
the Andes in South America, about 12,000 miles from
Denver. This newspaper couldn't have traveled in a