Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for August 25, 2014

Q: What’s a fly doing in the ointment? A: Probably the backstroke…. – Good ol’ Gunth seems to enjoy all this “ointment” that soothes his yearning… too bad work is going to get in the way…. – Good ol’ Rosa seems to yearn for the challenges as her uncle is “applying ointment”. Too bad it’s been ‘no work and all play’…

Well, we WILL get to see Gunther’s and Rosa’s new life in Peru! ;)

“A Tale Of Two Duties”“Bore And Peaceful”“A Catch Up… And The Rye "“A Shot In The Arm Vs. A Shot In The Arm”“Canned Wait”

or“All This And Lima, Peru”

This going be one swell adventure for Gunther and Rosa (specially for poor Gunther).

Think they’re sharing a room at that hotel?

Even if things don’t work out for Gunther. At least he had the courage to TRY!

That is one impressive hotel! Am I right in assuming that it is depicting one like it in Lima? ;)

I wonder why Gunther isn’t looking forward to working in the clinic? Is it because he is treating this as a “fun” visit and not a “working” visit? ;)

(1) If Rosa’s uncle was going to be away all this time, why did they leave for Peru when they did instead of waiting until now? Rosa and Gunther were acting as if it were a decision that had to be made right then, but clearly it didn’t.>(2) How much has it cost to stay in a hotel (a pretty classy one, at that) in Lima all this time? Does Gunther have money we don’t know about?>(3) As soon as they leave for the clinic, will Gunther bail out and come back to Moony?>(4) Neither one says anything about the status of their relationship, or even mentions the other. If they have so little romantic attraction, why is Gunther even there?

Looks like we had the same pic!

…Hmmm. Gunther likes Peru well enough, it’s just the part of Peru he might like less is coming up.

More accurately, Gunther’s been behaving like a tourist. He’s about to be an employee.

Is that round yellow structure Epcot in the background? Figures… Disney has their fingers in everyone’s pies ! (X^D)

“Here’s the address and phone number:…” ^LOL! Now, ya tell me! Billy Shatner just took my credit card!

Clinic? Already???

Heck the Kids haven’t even visited the Nazca Lines, or the Tiwanacu and Puma Punku Ruins, yet.

Gee Whiz. Methinks Rosa is Slowly Turning into Delta

“In the picture of the real one, it is not round.” ^No, I’m talking about the yellow “ball like” structure in the first panel on the right…

I have a feeling Gunther will return home as soon as Rosa’s dad speeds him to hell….

Thanks! I didn’t know they had palm trees in Lima! ;)

Oh, gothcha! We were on the same page! – I still blame Disney, though. Y’know… since this is a drawing, and all….

Whoa, WAIT!

Scratch the “Road Trip” You “Love-Birds”.

A 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Just Struck Peru, so They are REALLY Gonna NEED Help at the That Clinic Now…..,

So, the hotel is beachfront property? Perhaps Gunther has been enjoying the beach/swimming pool with Rosa? Actually, he has been enjoying himself far too long…time to get to work, Gunther, or return to the good old USA and MU! You’re just way too young to have a serious relationship with someone who is so different than you and also lives, and soon works, in a foreign country… ;)

Looks like young Indiana Jones meets young Mother Theresa. I can’t believe they forgot to pack their hormones.

Maybe Gunther is (like myself) very squeamish when it comes to being around anyone sick or injured. If so, he will soon be yearning for the hallowed halls of academia…

I’m sure Greg E will have to go to Peru every few months to check on and get updates for Gunther and Rosa, tax deductible of course . . .

Time to get IS Katie in…she has been stretched out on our deck enjoying the cool fresh air. And, I also need to start some zzzzzzzzzzzzz myself as I have to get up quite early this Monday morning! ’Nite all! ;)-—————————————————————————-“Term, holidays, term, holidays, till we leave school, and then work, work, work till we die.”(C. S. Lewis, 1898-1963)

And it would have been quite a bit of wine cellars to mop up….

Wonder if they joined the Mile High Club on the way south…

If Gunther unexpectedly shows up a couple of months from now at his mother’s house (without Rosa), we will be able to figure out why.

Trust me Gunth,what happens at the clinic make all that you wanted to experience pales in comparison. Clinic provides more sights and sounds you ever have.

Songs for us in the shakin’ zone:-Shake, Rattle And Roll – Bill Haley & The Comets-Original by Big Joe Turner.

Is Gunther expected to actually work in the clinic? What would he do? I think he is just on a tourist visa.

Differing perspectives. For this couple, at any rate, it is a clear case of “opposites attract.” They’re probably getting to the clinic just in time to avoid any arguments; Gunther will probably become enthusiastic about the work very quickly. Besides, he’ll be with the beautiful Rosa, so life can’t be all bad!

Yeah, these two as a couple, what could possibly go wrong? At least that’s a realistic development, for a change!

Rosa’s uncle might live in Lima or it’s suburbs. But the clinic might be in a small town up in the Andes Mountains. That means a long drive on poor roads. Gunther is a smart lad. If he doesn’t know Spanish already. He will learn it quickly. Lastly, Rosa’s uncle probably knows, or knows people who do know, people who can get him into a prestigious college in Peru.

but neither one is using a hotel landline…they both are on cells, so COULD be sharing a room…’bout time.

6.9 earthquake in Peru today; felt in Lima. So Gunther and Rosa get to help in quake relief, right?

The speech balloons are on opposite sides of the hotel. so, NO they are NOT sharing a room!

Well, at least Gunther is enjoying the site seeing! That’s a heck of an improvement.

As for the uncle, he could have easily been called away at the last minute to this conference. It does happen.

And, in addition the dialog balloons in the opposite directions, the background colors for Gunther and Rosa would seem different colors (blue/red), suggesting different rooms.

Gunth is going to be an international crime lord in no time. He will own Lima.

Didn’t lima just have an earthquake? Hope Gunth and Rosa are okay. :P

I hope all of you out in California who are affected by the earthquake are doing ok. Keep us posted. I understand a lot of our fantastic California wine was destroyed :(

Perspective

You have boosted my interest in the history of Peru. To Barns and Noble I go.

Opposites getting along is what this strip is all about. ~Gunther has had a paying job, so he has some money. It will go fast if he keeps spending it like a tourist though. Fortunately tomorrow summer fun will be over, and it will be time to get down to business. ~Thank you, Greg, for this story situated in Peru. I am sure to enjoy it.

That’s nice Gunthy. I have to go now, Raoul is ready to show me something.

Uh oh. Gunther’s bored.

Oops. I need to read better. Little discord here.

Rosa is not close to anyone and doesn’t seem to have any parents. The only other person she could call is Gunther’s mom and G is talking to her.

Tiffany has a dad?

All new to him.Old hat to her.*Glad to see they’re still in our lives!

With the kids all having separate lives now, we will have to endure several more story arcs until we find out about TJ’s food truck.

I’m thinking that Gunth is having 2nd thoughts.

Gunther has 2nd thoughts about the time of day.

Why couldn’t they stay at his place instead of an expensive hotel?

Maybe they were still on their way, but stopped to tour Lima for a bit… Maybe Rosa thought it would help relax Gunther. Well, it seems to have worked in re: the tourism part, but still he dreads going to the clinic.

Too bad Greg showed us the specific hotel they’re staying at, the JW Marriott. Cheapest room is ~350 per night. Double that since they have separate rooms for syndicated comic reasons, and

Not bad, actually, given the current rates of inflation (admittedly, I went some years ago). But I can’t buy the 10 week factor. How do you know it’s 10 weeks later? AFAIC, when Greg stops time, he also stops the expenses…. :-)

I’ve never pegged Gunther as someone who would hate luxury vacations, which is what his implausible summer has been.

I’ve never pegged Gunther as even knowing what a luxury vacation is, let alone love or hate it. But, once discovered, I’m glad he likes them (well, the tourist parts)… We’ll see about the clinic.

Is Gunther the equivalent of Anthony in “For Better Or For Worse”, namely the character whom the author has picked out as the inevitable husband for the central character, but who must be kept apart from her until he has attained “maturity” (but which in no way changes the fact that at his core he will always remain incredibly dull and unappealing)? Very original concept, that.

Storylines in the works:

- TJ’s food truck blow-up.-Bedrnice’s roomate and her brown paper bag.-Brad and Toni’s wedding.-Luann possible role in Moony U’s theater program as Quills assistant.-Gunther’s foray into Peru with Rosa.-Delta at Yale.

ps..-Gunther’s receding hairline.

The voices are depicted as being on different sides of the hotel so they must have different rooms.

Gee, I’m really OUT of it this morning. I thought that the four were having a conference call. Makes more sense this way. Still a lot of unanswered questions . . .

I hope Rosa someday realizes what a difference she could have made by going to Yale, but instead threw it away to change out bed pans..but at least she has a reason, short sighted as it may be, for being there; .but Gunther, what a dufus, he’s there for all the wrong reasons ( I guess potentially getting laid is a reason, but I don’t see that happening either)

And I’m glad you two in the Bay Area are all okay. We were concerned about you. And I’m especially glad apparantly no one died or was seriously injured— whether they read Luann or not!

Come on, I really don’t care about Peru, architecture, or sources of finances. That’s for a travel guide. I want to see Gunther & Rosa in the same hotel room, at least hinting at something romantic. They are strangers in a strange land and should be clinging to each other.

Has Gunther worn that same shirt every day? This “adventure” so far has not changed him in the slightest (although he now probably has to get his nightly plate of cookies and milk by ordering room service),

So after waiting a week, we still don’t get to meet Dez? What a ripoff.

So….. INTERESTING, on a variety of levels. Here are some of my thoughts that others may also potentially alluded to:++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++1. Both seem a bit uptight…. Gunther about what is to come (the clinic), Rosa about what is now (not the clinic). I think there may potentially be a “switcheroo” sort of arc coming up by Greg… I could see Gunther really liking the clinic work so that his focus changes, and he heads back to the US for January to immediately become pre-med at Moony, and spends all SUMMERS in Peru for experience until he completes medical training. In the “switcheroo” concept Rosa may become very disillusioned at the clinic, and may head back to the US with a lost sense of purpose, adrift. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++2. Even though some have suggested that Greg “tarted-up” the Peruvian cityscape, I think Greg actually did a laudable job. It is interesting to look at and conveys a sense of adventure. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++3. Rosa and Gunther….. where are they sleeping? Many may suggest that they are rooming together and may be more intimate. Others may suggest that they are in separate rooms and suggest non-intimacy. I do not think either is the case. My opinion is that, yes, it has been about 10 weeks in Luann time… and a) to be able to afford the hotel for that length, even a “rich” Rosa and “poor” Gunther would not be able to pool resources for two pricey hotel rooms for that length of time….. so I think they are sharing a room, but b) I suspect they have separate beds and only “chastely intimate” (aka kissing) if at all.

-Didn;t Rosa grow up in Peru-According to Wikipedia, Rosa was born in Washington DC and raised in Italy, France and Mexico. Her father is a diplomat, so she is likely to have visited many countries during her life. -I suspect that Mr. Evans has Rosa talking about how boring her first few days have been not because she is bored with the country, but because she is intent on starting this new life of ‘living’ (that is, actually working and making a difference in someone else’s life), as opposed to a life of study…

or she caught Delta’s community activist bug.

That’s what I said… :-PPP “She took her ‘Delta’ pills this morning.” :-)))

BTW, the Facebook comment for today is out. All it mentions is “How things Change” and shows pictures of Gunther and Rosa in the various stages prior to and including today’s strip. Focusing on Gunther’s change.

Facebook Luann

“Peru is very close and at some point crosses the Equator”*NG & Torad – Thanks for the geography lesson!

> Peru is very close and at some point crosses the Equator. Part of the Amazon is in Peru. If you want cool stay inside or find a mountain.>No. From Wikipeida’s article on Lima:-“Lima’s climate is in transition between mild and warm, despite being located in the tropics and in a desert. Although classified as subtropical, Lima’s proximity to the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean leads to temperatures much cooler than those expected for a subtropical desert, and can be classified as a mild desert climate (Köppen: BWn). It is neither cold nor very hot. Temperatures rarely fall below 12 °C (54 °F) or rise above 29 °C (84 °F) throughout the entire year. Two distinct seasons can be identified: summer, from December through April; and winter from June through October. May and November are generally transition months, with the warm-to-cool weather transition being more dramatic.”-We see from the world weather report for Lima that yesterday’s temperatures ranged from 61 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gunther and Crystal’s Janitorial Service-I think you meant Knute and Crystal? Good one though.

scratch the last one ..I think Delta is long gone ….-I don’t want to count her out yet. Some counted Gunther out….

I bet someone else has already called this, but I bet Gunth loves it and Rosa hates it.

just the opposite …all that closeness and rubbing together … it’s a miracle more haven’t lost their virginity on long distance flights!

Either that, or face “sexual/inappropriate contact” charges. 8-O

I almost always flew solo and, IME, I never got a seatmate for which I’d have “enjoyed” such contact. Quite the opposite, actually. In fact, for some flights, when the seatmate wanted to raise the seat arm to “get more room,” I had to lower it again and explain I didn’t want it raised. Yeah, it pi$$ed them off, but hey… At least I wouldn’t get my ear chewed off the whole flight. :-PPP

-torrid love affair-LOL!!!

For the hotel, see:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/limdt-jw-marriott-hotel-lima/

No idea what the yellow round thing could be. !

As far as Rosa calling Luann, she probably is the best friend Rosa has ever had. She’s moved around her whole life and has likely never had the chance to develop close friendships. To whom else, besides Gunther, have we ever seen her relate?

And what’s with everyone (almost) trying to throw young couples into bed all the time. Has everyone lost their moral compass? It may surprise some people to find out that, no, not everyone is doing it.

The point is, if you’re going to join the mile high club, you need a private plane. With a VERY discreet pilot.

Tell us two things:

1. How was the flight?

2. What does the certificate say?

Sorry… no personal experience there… ;-PPP

I had seen it on “That’s Incredible” or some show of that nature….

I didn’t read any of their faces or conversations they way y’all did. I thought Mom looked happy to hear from her boy and that he seemed to be enjoying his trip so far.

I thought Luann just looked like she was listening to a friend.

I thought Gunther was having a blast seeing so much of this new part of the world. As to money, it is probably his life savings and now he will have to work and use his scholarships when he gets back, probably not to MU. His mom will get a scholarship letter while he is in Peru.

Rosa has done what her family has wanted her to do til now. She is guaranteed to be a little self-centered for now, but she is still wanting to help/do for others.

It’s a little early n the story arc to be tearing them apart.

A McGuffin, alright! With egg on our faces…

Well said Texan!

I know! I know! I’m sorry! Couldn’t resist!

Before taking off, I’d certainly recommend checking the ETOPS rating on the plane…

As I recall, they were not jets but turbo props. Something on the order of a Dash-8 or a Twin Otter.

Ah well… ;-PPP

But seriously, a McGuffin makes sense there, in the same way some characters on TV shows are also “McGuffins”, spoken of, but never seen to the audience…..- Bern could tell stories of this person, and it leaves it wide open for Mr. E. to do a lot, without limiting the background, etc. and makes it convenient in keeping fresh new angles….

Sounds as though they are NOT looking for the same experience at all. This does not bode well for a future relationship.

True clarky, he was taken hostage in the 90s

When Gunther actually helps somebody – he’ll get on board.