tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47714894261920897242024-03-05T03:10:35.113-08:00adventures of a traveler."my heart is warm with the friends I make,
and better friends I'll not be knowing;
yet there isn't a train I wouldn't take,
no matter where it's going."
- Edna St. Vincent Millayshauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-7821553698682228222011-03-30T12:40:00.000-07:002011-03-30T21:20:31.145-07:00Lovers Park and Condoms for sale.<div style="text-align: left;">6.30.2008</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Monday</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">In the morning, we took our time getting up and showered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We set out or find breakfast and the grocery store for some snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We stopped in a corner café for a roll and washed it down with some orange juice that closely resembled Tang.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Next, we headed to the grocery store to peruse the local produce.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We got a Cherimoya, a Maracuya, a star fruit, and some small plums.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IlkOEbduujWrntKZ997rMSL_DlA2RSza5WWdAeOlHLjoJ120tssmI7a9bQp3fXluTgpcW8WRHif8S8boGckrlos3jjA_G-kBcnNDrTrGaAdAJbFqiUE4ui210q7-jTThGa6HX_oYli4/s400/fruit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589973151975631986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We checked out of our room, as we would fly home later that night, and walked a couple blocks to catch a colectivo bus to the Miraflores District.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the bus, which cost s/1 to Miraflores, entertainment was provided by candy vendors and a video of Michael Jackson circa 1993.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We deboarded at a shopping center built right into the side of a cliff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBqQN9X_wjvyjQqYh_pXujMKSy8hCozXz33ML2ukdBXIihud2acRQ4SdEFESoiuNCvxvLfZ5tg3v9nrQnTWequ3M-oGrjsSKfGAXQS2dJgAuOwLo09LGJ265ymTVX3lBrOZqSLZeiWoc/s400/cliff.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589972880999845922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-rjZ5SZnFS2kZjLuF99opCPYkkEp6mYi4KTYFbvxA5ZhU0FKzv3bOEx9Kv3IIyzjy-2o4SuwDR0MYmbyhrGq5fx1pesCq9bVtKbZ6ajbI-fa3KHoOCD5vMGCElDi-30C0-s4dcWMh2c/s400/IMG_6809-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590092208892422562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQZpXdvFHY3qLp656M4nnmuQmuvV0ftG_CF3ScOwf25P4u3f-ZYVycUV3MZr4WPAtLTDQivPkEVGepFYV1tKSQJuskhmh25udcdrIjBQX1Z5G7s6SZAVYQFcZKVZ16LddSoYfN3apm3U/s400/IMG_6813-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590092215162253666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSQi8GyjgUGRCo9BJ15BKnRJUAMGKvsy6yPQradSCs263-kEUZPLL85K1G5XRpneUmQq2PDxKOhHsEPl0Bmb0yPagaFi57ycadEcQ3cKKo9mwT8jNpaVYd8lPdn2VWR2gEhEWIWTHdXI/s400/IMG_6817-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590092218990668866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>Way below, we could see mini-surfers trying to surf the mini-waves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We came upon El Parque del Amor – Lovers Park.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A giant statue of two Peruvian lovers making out demanded attention in the middle of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All around the statue were benches, carved and decorated in a way that replicated Antoni Gaudi’s <span style="font-size:12.0pt">Parque </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black">Güell</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">in Barcelona.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Lover’s Park, inscriptions were written in mosaic pieces all over the benches proclaiming love.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGNhO_fgBHZs_hbYjXFgvOUcJOy3fnqtr6YGiSBCKuEpzMhbD6XPrI_Y1i4cgU0J0tFp4irpP1mvp0dJDnuf_8UCFFnrl6lBOEe1jvJIajkCQZ9bj2-33C7SnMg729mXqx9xjbzQfAM0/s400/better+lovers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589972888185517602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></p><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDNniJ1ZiffXlsqo-8x4_Cd1V9H8EPJQteTMurSf2F45cq8nq_AHr79OPPLFEoBRdYfZYQ9W-x68fDdG_Ja5gk9gsBt__KRk-gdhKt63UFif3dnJMUILIi3Mi8awvI_nnyHTIzaO-EOo/s400/benches.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589972893017711874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BOrkCeh3OeuZUnhmfQaG77UAOCXjUFOPJpTyIopG9FPZON77_XKidSCkO5H2FxErtxU4wogEFDz02zjy-_dm6M9_i6elf888eF-w7LW5yjKXZG7mLWvFLrPVH0c7EoC3UHSnit1RAQk/s400/carved.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589972901418397378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4d7OQnoONjxrwfz77erihni8EeGiv6tRiVz-5lBJ4bzQH20P_Ml-en7K0LM9VNmsiRX9kQWxYMR0_LtgeyZYx3ntsRWgINtu-neMqetNwMhvYegTJ964OJFqWpqv6lyFHHc31TaYuQ0/s400/us.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589972911323441554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">After killing some time by seeing a movie (El Novio de Mi Madre, or Homeland Security), we made our way back to our hostel to meet Santos and head to the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Back at Hostal de Las Armas, we still had some time before Santos would arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walking down the street, I saw several women standing alone, leaning against the buildings, just hanging out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I flashed back to a sign I had seen earlier that protested prostitution in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hmm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Inside Hostal de Las Armas, in the room across from the front desk, and the same room we had left our bags in, was a giant video camera and movie set lights.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through our partial view of the room, we could see a painting of a unicorn on a mountain displayed right next to the bed, where a woman was laying down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was strange. A very strange situation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were several men standing around talking outside the room, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We saw another man walk into the hostal with one of the women from outside on the street, and get a key to a room down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Twenty minutes later the man exited the room, with the woman trailing behind him, he turned in the key, and left.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-xoVoICgHVU_LCm5gWT4BefB4uomjRYrte7yYGBZW1WBUVNw0EQaiWEJHcXckNdblu08NqTXII7o7e2nT6uhbH66UAN8EuM2ibAE37JqTAU8Dj7bv6BsL45t0baL-uMgfr_B8AqSvmQ/s400/DSCN5577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590089372602357154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ummm….<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">A few minutes later, another man, in a business suit and briefcase, walked out of another room, with a woman in tow, turned in his key, and left.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ok. Something is not right here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The movie filming continued in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We were starting to realize what was going on.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We. Were in. A whore house. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ok, well maybe not an actual brothel. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But there were plenty of comings and goings to lead us to believe there was some shady stuff going on in that hostel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, there was a chalk board with “Condon - Condoms 4 Sale” written in chalk above the front desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Back in the room with the cameras, the woman crawled out of the bed with a robe on, dressed, fluffed her hair and walked out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A man placed a wad of soles in the palm of her hand, and with that, she left.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Another woman off the street entered the room and began taking down equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We were stunned. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Could it be? It must have been. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">A porn shoot?! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Well, what else could it have been, honestly. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Cameras, lights, directors, exchanging of moneys before our innocent eyes to women a woman who had just crawled out of a bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I think this WFT moment took the cake.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We sat at the small table near the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The giant stuffed condor and buffalo head staring back as us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We hoped Santos would get there quick.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And that, by some stroke of luck, the rooms upstairs (where we had slept, showered, etc.) were travelers only rooms.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmuyX2gkgZTjIQiOEKqVeIILvXkbW027q3YKdN7M1FOJcOsOzGNMFU14buN00fR76Wpl4gVaOmEeDswEmJYFMUc2CCPENQPhp_RVfkO0eHex6xiZnMzYfeiRAdy0XHWrGgwkRHdJl0qA/s400/DSCN5578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590089378052246530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">By the time Santos arrived, we were totally ready to get out of there as quick as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the ride to the airport, I asked about making movies at the hostel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Santos laughed and asked what kind of movies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I told him I had seen big cameras, lights….perhaps adult movies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Santos said he didn’t think so.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said, in all his 14 years working for Hostal de Las Artes, there hasn’t ever been an adult movie made there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said it was probably just a couple trying to have fun. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ha, doubtful.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Waiting at the airport, Jill and I shared a personal pan pizza and she told off a bunch of kids who were making fun of homosexuals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally, we boarded the plane to leave Lima and leave Peru.<o:p></o:p></span></p>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-35226933455318858402011-03-29T21:54:00.000-07:002011-03-30T12:40:04.152-07:00Anaconda, and Airplanes, and Risky Adventures, Oh My!<div style="text-align: left;">6.29.2008</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Sunday</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We woke again to jungle sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had breakfast with Donald and Wadee’s friend, but Wadee was nowhere in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Too much fun the night before, we supposed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We ate our banana pancakes and fried egg, along with fresh fruit from the fruit trees.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Later we headed into town to find an ATM and happened upon a little ice cream shop, selling ice cream in various typical flavors of the area.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had a cone with one scoop Lucuma (a fruit found mostly in South America) and one scoop Brazil Nut.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The flavors were bold and tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>More muy delicioso! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUENMDSibGRkwMv6B3p8WHCCbyzn1v1bYdV-ET4a3_Fx4BO24G9jv61Ats6zDLtO_UW8BBTVdG5EaZTIeprE1lcqUFg4aReB_ppAYkh_eRtvkFGihSgAwlpoTCgeVFEl32j1gL0dlNhSA/s400/cart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589959626905148354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgd3PjH2-lzucP0GuA8SxIic9Yjsuwk6_JaV7WXG_UQrlpgVnSstnZmzu2KFB9FTPV5quc-wXf0mhQZW_01_OobzRxbif8VbnJl9vV79bYDChAENBR_SnbdfrCPJMggd5w-HmS-6DE3Y/s400/ice+cream.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589947853808511874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We returned to Anaconda and loaded up the moto-cart with our backpacks and Jose drove us to the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Before we left, Donald cut down some yellow and red bananas from his banana trees for us to take for a snack on the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpzofCT29Sx8rtmF49rDeSCWMT7Qy4RHvKmwQ0cCK3ByQjoCRQrICLLOZJ3E_YiPvcPFC_UTRCnWXgyTEWTTF37WonewNtj8vp1bUQCHKYsXXrueXeP5E9IXgUJy-rk0xdQ5tz2Feu_c/s400/bananas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589947860020636914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>At the airport, we boarded the plane for our 5<sup>th</sup> and later 6<sup>th</sup> flights of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were headed for Lima.</p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEUyJN34lbAoM6ICjRTe4HYPL1dqWQizq_gEVJgi5VfAhWi3qjMHG-Xatt_9GpMVRGxgyY1q_ZuGvPM4aRK0yK3NdEUSkAgs6K-6otCfaAQPP9JK-XTGzBn5QBMoZwJNKpCjAuW9wJfo/s400/plane.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589959627442592834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">When we arrived in Lima, Santos was waiting for us with a sign with my name on it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A short drive later, Santos dropped us off at Hostal de Las Artes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hostel seemed to be in a bit of a seedy area of town, but there was a security door and the staff was friendly. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We decided to walk the 15 blocks or so to the Plaza de Armas and el Catedral de San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we got more information about where to go and what to see at the front desk, the desk attendant suggested that I take off my watch and hide it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said it wouldn’t be uncommon for someone to just walk up to me and cut it off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Keep in mind this was my Velcro, $10 Target travel watch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ok, got it. Guard up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He gave us the information, told us good luck, and we were on our way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lima was dusty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The plants were dusty, the building dusty, the taxis and colectivos dusty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We locked and guarded the one backpack we had brought along with us, but the desk attendant’s suggestions and “Good Luck” had me on edge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We saw the Plaza and the Catedral, surrounded by brightly colored buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We got a tour of the monastery and the catacombs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were layers upon layers of bones places in intricate designs, placed there to be closer to God in death. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">It had been a long day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anaconda, airplanes, and a risky adventure in Lima.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I fell asleep quickly, only to be woken up by Jill a short while later, who told me I was breathing deep and heavy, like a maniac. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-1183243534090860342011-03-29T21:23:00.000-07:002011-03-29T21:54:06.979-07:00Lover Proposing and Slapping and Dancing<div style="text-align: left;">6.28.2008</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Saturday</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">The next morning, we left in the boat, and headed back to Infierno and then Puerto Maldonado.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Along the way, we spotted a neon green and black snake, about a meter long, lounging on the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just basking in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It poked it head up, spotted our boat, and decided to go for a swim.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It slithered its way, on top of the water, up to our boat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It must have found us completely uninteresting because it slithered around the backside of the boat and continued on up the river.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe looking for something a little easier to eat for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2SkUZn_XZZyUPJ1tFvu3S-YJq9mdl1QL5XxiBohauadlAAYg1EO_V7wJVa86UzQQsgPpb2t9IfHtpTDGaXwpHI8obsX-PPffnde3vqAvFQVMgE5fjuf8Ye6ShdY7z_5jP8RMGpxMHrc/s400/IMG_6733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589727280228806594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Back in Puerto Maldonado, Explorer’s Inn dropped us off at Anaconda Lodge, where we would stay until our flight the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walking down the dusty dirt road, we saw the fading sign: Anaconda Lodge/Thai Restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hmm, those two things don’t quite go together and certainly strange to be paired together in small jungle town of Puerto Maldonado.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We walked through the gates and were approached by a staunch, German looking man striding to meet us, complete with a little black nylon fanny pack.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The grounds were a little piece of jungle heaven inside the city.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The owner, Donald, showed us all around (he was very excited about the tour) and let us choose our room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each cabin had a pair of hammocks on the front porch, which we promptly used to take naps in the afternoon sun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Later, over a cup of tea, we found out Donald was from Switzerland and his wife, Wadee, was from Thailand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ah ha! Now the Thai restaurant makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Donald said he wanted to create his own jungle and had planted 50 different types of fruit trees on the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD01ycBi4OkFR9sx-JrtDa1MCAx-qYRKp_u4PamPfjP9NnDsbedeeQVYCr2dNZ3MD_8jKA3-jMQhoiVbvb2rmVgOpepZ7v3XvKz8Ppqnl2VsbI5_8Kms01aMQuXXqLzwQYZzWAwE9zKu4/s400/IMG_6736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589727294399728802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">After our tea time, Donald and Wadee said they were headed out to a party/feast of sorts and asked if we’d like to join.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It took 30 minutes by moto-cart (literally a cart hooked onto a motorcycle, driven by Jose, an employee of Anaconda) to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gd9Z2LyH4_RNCQr-IkhC0OiYjPD9HQVufvq3pfxuIc0IIX8KS2DjU8GREJ8NEqu4V-tYA_g8EDuIqGDaIUwTAjnfzkmvgRtkJK7ZBnxl-fkU1-e6UN0FutJCti9Bqh45rhSw8cUfsaM/s400/IMG_6748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589727303721889762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9fTAQAaOVh77bXIn_1FqmvrRtXcwgXpLbqxMTvzF-k4Kr5emOHSA6s6YsY8cYxR8caoXg5djxqnm2Zb1zr44R6Wk4GjeC5CYuaOrEY-3GhY5I_ngXvvw0lI60xXein4JwzofClcUet0/s400/DSCN5540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589727306383900962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>It was the beginnings of a small carnival, complete with a big-wheel make-shift carousel ride.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had a popsicle – coconut flavor, with real coconut pieces in it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Since the carnival was only just beginning to be set up, we went on our way soon after arriving. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA9B2FmjSrsysr0e4I-DmmRFsvf0yoYnUMG47N2LD-19yxqkxW035CrfVWoW5VMybtEuLMxeULUYZPCg-9OC79e4uUC6ADDA7sBGBHgq8c9CqsuLVg91FK2iAxLgg4_iqw0IgYwSNXQ0/s400/IMG_6749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589729968677494514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghre7gDm4hNFCEvItvGKbw_RhsGZ0KmYWdHVArvvRZoY139bBIQqQZMhlFrLoepmBRl5IqIH9oylEKEGZjohCsWwG_QAlkouUtqGCO_N0hHAS7LfAdouM1t6c6bdLnMppKa9dWjGx1aVU/s400/DSCN5544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589729985227472530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">On our way back to Anaconda, we stopped at a park and were greeted by a white throated hog, nuzzling our legs and wanting to be petted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His fur was course and thick, his nose large and moist.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were animals of all kinds in this park, which was fenced in, and may or may not have been open to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ducks and baby ducklings, macaws, happy little birds, and…. a sloth!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A three toed sloth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It looked like a little alien and moved so s.l.o.w.l.y.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We all sat at a picnic table and shared a Coke, poured into little plastic cups.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All of a sudden a Tamarin jumps onto the table and tries to steal the Coke! The cup was too heavy for his little arms, so he tipped it over and the Coke spilled out across the table.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The little monkey was satisfied with this and sat there licking up the sugary beverage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After he was satisfied, he used a hand rail to wipe his face clean.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He began jumping around a bit, using our legs as spring boards.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He jumped onto Jose’s shoulder and perched there while we walked around the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUgGk7SDL-72jwq36G7rB_FU_rcH1p618rmjB6Jbgpw64hKndR3iSRF7U1xUt1KyDICFAi2Q7mN45EfdmhGpwzvu7F8LOeZSH5x7FZ9w0A_bJlGw9PXrtICYMgfTByHmW1b5jo_cQ7Pc/s400/2008-10-20+PERU+2008+73.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589729976943158370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">As we drove back to Anaconda, we realized that the entire town was all motorcycles! No cars! No wonder we were being chauffeured in a moto-cart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When we returned, Donald gave us an hour long tour of his plants.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fascinating for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But this guy was REALLY into his plants.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N8hyyFrJofH9Aqnp3CkHKSLBj2Q1DqWQnptulrjAHjWwGdQ51LYJI70Pc29ucp7dqOSPDAIPOslMLvEtMh3BgkChOz4qPc1JC73cySFJ_Uj_CYfzsduBNrVSolqsFaTps3G9O2LGIbM/s400/DSCN5561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589729988564395906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Now, you may be wondering “How come this fanny pack wearing man is spending so much time with only two of his guests?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Great question.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Turns out, we were the ONLY guests at the Anaconda Lodge that night (also why we got to pick our cabin ourselves ;) ).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Later, Wadee made Pad Thai for dinner, which was muy delicioso!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>From Anaconda, we could hear loud music, a concert, nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wadee, a friend of hers and Jill and I decided we would head out after dinner to check out the concert.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Donald, concerned and not to be attending the concert, repeatedly told Wadee to not drink many beers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Donald had the strong opinion that all Peruvians drank too much and never know when to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, that they were lazy, and dishonest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It seemed that his love of the jungle made up for his dislike of the people and culture.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Later, we left to walk to the concert, and left Donald behind.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Once we got to the concert, Wadee, her friend, and I all bought a <span class="apple-style-span">Cusqueña beer (“The Gold of the Incas”), and Jill bought a Coke.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were perhaps 20 other concert goers there watching, but the band was loud and powerful! After a while, we started to dance along with the band dancers, who were dressed in sparkly bras and knew high white pleather boots.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We danced for a long time and Wadee (who definitely had had more than one beer) got all the Peruvians watching to dance too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jill and I were hot commodities! I was asked to be a man’s lover and I turned him down of course, but he was angered nonetheless when Jose and I danced a bit later.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He ended up slapping Jose in the face, which made Wadee mad and she slapped him in the head too! After all this lover proposing and slapping and dancing, we thought it was a good time to get going.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wadee, tipsy at this point, leaned on me all the way back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We knew Donald would not be too happy about Wadee’s defiant debauchery, but it had made for an entertaining night.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi43jMg-CgrOL9SXMbnNowffMSyvzuFuyFzI4t9p77nM3x1hnTB3HqbTeKCp5q46MLcVA8c1YC1uhm5rdjxZym6TdqeUztaTGfSJuQaeFqvlbooftpAJDaorL69eNpAphzDPFOEJRiEpg/s400/DSCN5559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589731241086819730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></p><div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman""><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-80240346625833364082011-03-29T20:42:00.000-07:002011-03-29T21:20:12.900-07:00Strangled By a Vine, One Foot Thick.<div style="text-align: left;">6.27.2008</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Friday</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">I woke to the sounds of someone puking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As first I couldn’t tell if it was in our room, or another one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was about 12:35am.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jill comes walking out of the bathroom to find a flashlight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Horrible to be sick while traveling!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She thinks it was the vegetarian food she had for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She also said she hadn’t thrown-up since 5<sup>th</sup> grade (!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was a trip of a lot of “firsts in a long time” for Jill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Three hours later, we got ready for breakfast and our morning hike through the jungle to catch a glimpse of the small river otters on their morning swim.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, the “morning hike” turned out to be a half-day 10K hike.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And completely exhausting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, we did see a family of Tamarins, wild hog tracks, and all kinds of insects.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We saw rubber trees that bleed white sap and trees that bulge out in the middle when they hold water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We learned about a snake, perhaps living somewhere nearby, who’s venom could kill a person within ½ an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We ate the stem of a plant that made out mouths completely numb for five minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We saw a 300 year old tree being strangled by a vine one foot thick that had wrapped around the trees trunk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily, we did see the small river otter family (which we only had a 50/50 chance of seeing), swimming happily along the river in the morning sun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally, we came across a family of howler monkeys.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gih0reHomTs0UKBVGM6o0CZaJX02eaOYo6LNISI2wjatzhUjthDjdy8n8zxd-vH50IhIBRn7uhwcFUPM9MU1Lc9zvuh0sIfs5KR8PEAk9An9VBpjq-4qfNpph57ID5-sRZHU_EPmS7c/s400/2008-10-20+PERU+2008+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589718682555690882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABlNtMmsh44kwLqism66gNfgI91fDwOUr1XmlEGQ2wRHPrNsvlZDoJy0AMe3bk31rgWBCbowpkyWGAc5TAdw-hTP7Jfw8lXDE_Of-k_CbR3reVAPw3fFCOzVSIAjOTD-vvqYHi-jgWZ4/s400/IMG_6682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589718692013647234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPy6Jlu0b60pZsfPVOazxAlzjbb4oPEbkRejoS34sUwxRsEhYOGkBSNMbvdm59dxGvL_8s50yR0ZR4p_VbB5Rygsb4Ti26OqucOVPKwBmkeJodDwvj9auBNufecq0_X_tKAzEgvRNtfg/s400/IMG_6687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589718700648047826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0hVGkhAzl_yDBz68AialliusnirD6zD7uk-y1JCbeRPBegIFyIx9qIA1elxRpxSjWlg9686JNjHDB0-Bwb4rNK2xwIAEC1JFmc1flExptJepa1Wo4mi5rKEn3Vu6ReqaTAr7q3kxVJU/s400/IMG_6688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589718708896430290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUfZfRcizqGx0YHwl3UocW6i3h1sbgenyh4susztz_KKbx9toUIzBibtxRnqttUurOd52t7OtOWB2cp_PNQh8gyIgKbkwTuB0xmhtGlpDc0ZLiACUwDq2pruUqkUSnL7Nx0hslCTBcxc/s400/2008-10-20+PERU+2008+71.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589718693914070082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">The hike was difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although the jungle was in a “cold spell”, it was hot and humid.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walking through the jungle was slow work, climbing over roots and around mud swamps.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The rubber boots we wore were not quite the right size and rubbed in awkward places on my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally, we made it back tired, sore and drenched in sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The icy water from the unheated shower was shocking but felt good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We ate lunch and rested for the afternoon, Jill and I happy we had scheduled the jungle trip as our last big adventure in Peru.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXWw4jvD9F-WHJW8blMOsaDQhkO34eJbdPOTCJK4RwB5-IqEGth78UohBX2S4-Fnqi5P3jTPLuw3CX6p0GiTva5ygCVYjra8YI_x_GVZHdzx7_5z8uF2-rFdYni-s6Bd7_52AqLrQhwc/s400/IMG_6717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589721491435262290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>Later that night, we took a night walk through the jungle, which started with seeing a pink-toed fury creepy crawly tarantula! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In all, we saw three types of tarantulas, along with many more spiders.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some poisonous, others not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We also saw an ant that lives in solitude and can paralyze entire sections of your body (eek!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAPjT3_qoPpi20l1LYXJ5m9mpquV_2jeOPSACcdpA7QTR30lFpLUWgQXWRBvsOrDkPAaqFNe_kf2B4rnqm6Dkp92RYGtCQ6mrpfTfhgcQ6xvC5RUGFKMOIl_rOIpAEW2Hk_KfDiEondM/s400/IMG_6707.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589721485889154770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We also saw lemons on a lemon tree the size of softballs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We never see lemons like that at home. I suppose the wonders of the jungle are endless.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtiQIgoI328LD1ci6Nf5ElhDFfihk28ELRlmjwQj4adihUlObQCvaS7dxH-m_zq_BROa3qm_uOx3HDKIBaMk5hYbVNl2oJ5P79L8qs4cDsACtVq5_UhSvjjpGmJgB61_z04Z75-ON6TI/s400/IMG_6648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589721494761585266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></p>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-43035902212904716772011-03-29T19:56:00.000-07:002011-03-29T20:41:59.656-07:00The Mack Daddy of Caimans.<div style="text-align: left;">6.26.2008</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Thursday</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyufRBqDv9Yf6cC5R1M3djTxoiB1YoxxqXtYXGwypJ8FqCkBgZW3lAuFJ8XQAS_nD4Ol96N_bpMdijJy21LxV0Ts1o2ArawL4qYbONeQRHgsUPDdqOgwBBILaeTzmVtG58A8advcBtVu4/s400/DSCN5482.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589709777792034594" /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We are in the Amazon Rainforest! The Tambopata Reserve to be exact.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After having tea and a scrambled egg at our hostel, Jill and I left Cusco for the last time to catch our flight to Puerto Maldonado and head into the jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We got there with plenty of time to spare, not wanting a repeat of Mexico City.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:normal">Boarding the flight, we realized the flight would be only 30 minutes, approximately $6.50 a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We arrived, expecting very hot temperatures. To our surprise, it was only 65 degrees – but the air was thick and damp.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We found our tour guide – from <a href="http://www.explorersinn.com/">Explorer’s Inn</a> and boarded the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our guide said Puerto Maldonado was in a “cold front” for the next 3-4 days, so we could expect cooler temperatures than normal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were 12 others on the tour with us, all English speaking, but no others from the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We drove 15 minutes to the Explorer’s Inn office where we left our bags and took the bus another 1.5 hours to the Tambopata River launch in the Infierno Community.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just so we’re clear, “infierno” means “hell” in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s just the kind of place you want to hang around.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We climbed into a covered canoe, put on our orange life vests, and started down the river toward Explorer’s Inn, the only lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The jungle canopy wasn't quite as tall as I imagined, the river more brown and mucky than I imagined too.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9j0sx86XUAvgRKE9pzTxVTZe8dZ8-s8ya8nhctDapjb2T_HGCGKjiGtBlz0wrnrx4Lw8ghxwkIACUYuR6fd2_vF3CkJQnYII43Oo5OjgAAXObxwWomEpQp-730rYiYPZLOL0qc5tgdg/s400/DSCN5488.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589709781384742690" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa2OSSBq7rp-ynzEgU3XJWrIdkujqA8BJef9tcc5WXBjzcCRqV3GMSM72rohBnDB2T6lUKHzfHBqkZpcI8alQ6CHhLb9E_DkIK0U4IXN2UQHW1Os0E_6DMgdo1yeBa9xojUDefKFg9G8/s400/IMG_6626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589709788463881010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We meandered down the river, eating our box lunch of balls of chicken (those balls of chicken again!), rice, sticks of potato with ketchup (that might as well have been pure sugar), a whole egg, and some kind of bean/fruit salad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Every so often we could hear the boat motorist using a plastic bucket to bail water out of his end of the canoe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were told there were caimans and piranhas lurking in the river.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Right before we pulled up to the Tambopata check point (where we would get our passports stamped) we spotted a big caiman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A big black caiman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The mack daddy of caimans.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was about 1.5 meters long (the biggest we would see all trip).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Completely uninterested in us gawkers, it slithered into the water and swam away.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsqrgeA_N-npIwE056np0yAFgYP7rxu3vcMRb3EB-HPZk2B7CMtqXaDBeqrw8ozr6t3tl3S6vLeWO11oX7QmoMYmbYD_Q-BD058YGFtmB6gjHU_v6cgQqSRrxKLz4ft142zpCInd84kg/s400/IMG_6634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589709796826483154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">After the check point, we motored into the Explorer’s Lodge, climbed off the boat, over some boulders, and up a set of very steep stairs leading up to the jungle lodge . <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We arrived at a beautiful site, with a main dining hall and 4-room lodges surrounding it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkPPSF2tRlnfzLGU1DHO_j-Lqs0DNWoIf7SNLeGpcwtQ1dbIp1DoCFKYIODqeuJoWwru7x1euyLCW_EdS6A8HMpUtCtiUYy27GUdEU6sarcO4DqWXRqkD6GdHZN1C6i8kz_o879CfMYw/s400/IMG_6638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589709799295780466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>We had a welcome glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, and went to find our rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our room had big, flowy bug nets draped over the beds and had a rustic country feel of all wood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was no electricity, so candles were placed throughout the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The walls were paper thin, and we could hear every sound anyone made from any of the three rooms around us.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyAfWZnBUX05EHD3nKTrYILbFm22nYvrvwwzfk-N503p-46LJZh55hV0LE_1vZZCa_EtShFkZhEH0_wfTs5HGNlFDhzYWGqjIo_wPZzFt45hEXnX8H_V5RvUyWjSWlHbwTJnREkJsps4/s400/DSCN5490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589712027851288434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">The Inn had saved three macaws from being sold on the black market and had set them free in the wild near the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They had the freedom to go as far from the lodge as they liked, but they preferred to stick close.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ZAf0sGn0G6Q-fGEdytB7LbOr-AkIU9X7Gwi9Ra_XiHmWOOjHq_LTxZ7FKuAyFle8yzss0dB_CBi0vXMt4JoGXA9SNY6MCgFoIESy7XFFErjRxi6_aNGTJu3kaGOLJtm_nGTwM7myXc/s400/2008-10-20+PERU+2008+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589712031192687378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>That evening, we went on a caiman watch in the boat, the tour guide sweeping the banks with a flashlight (or torch, as others called it).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She had light signals for the boat operator for when to start, slow down, or stop the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She was quick quick and good at spotting caimans, even some as little as foot long on the shore.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Later that night, we ate dinner and went to bed, eagerly anticipating our 4:30am wake-up call.</p></div>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-64470427629009491302011-03-28T20:26:00.000-07:002011-03-28T20:52:07.236-07:00"You want lollipop, lady?"<div style="text-align: left;">6.25.2008</div><br />Wednesday<div><br /><div>Today we explored Cusco. We planned our day over breakfast. First we visited La Compañía de Jusús, a Jesuit church converted from an Incan temple by the Spanish Jesuits. Like the Sixtine chapel, it boasted an alter of wood with gold leaf overlay. Most of it had to be reconstructed in 1650 after a massive earthquake, and again in 1950 after another devastating earthquake. Next we visited La Catedral, also in the Plaza de Armas. La Catedral had taken over 100 years to build and had three sections; two side churches, and the grand cathedral in the middle. In the basement of the grand cathedral are an original Incan’s ashes encased in a bejeweled box, placed behind glass. Also, the famed (around Peru) black Jesus. According to Peruvians, this Jesus represents loving death. </div><div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LolTWWmD9U0TtTFNPDAYobT1sbMA4iEcnuRtzNmzL5tvTLoVDUhYniw8DXLHnSFnMjARcV9VISfjdIxw12BqQfL8BOcbm856W_ZiTKiYo5Nj9T7WS0YaoGWkU6NMWYduW06ggIAMYHk/s400/IMG_6584.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589341870073020626" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After La Catedral, we saw La Iglesia de San Blas. Inside San Blas church, there is a wooden, carved pulpit that is supposed to be one of the most intricate wood workings in the world. It was extremely detailed. Beyond this piece, more wood with gold foil overlay. </div><div> <br />We stopped to get empanadas, much better than those in Aguas Calientes, and only s/2.50 (89 cents). We also bought a baby mango pie and a banana empanada for dessert. Both were intensely rich. As we sat there eating, we were bombarded with vendors. I stopped saying “no gracias” in my annoyance, and started just saying “no”. </div><div><br />“You want postcard, lady?”<br />“No.”<br />“You want lollipop, lady?”<br />“No.”</div><div><br /></div><div>We watched the passersby in the plaza for awhile. Next we went to the Museo de Arte Religioso. We bought a pass for s/50 to get into each of these four places, a great deal! El museo was full of dark religious art, lots of baby angels with man shaped heads. I don’t really understand why the baby angels need man heads, but anyways. We took about 25 minutes for what our guidebook said would take 1-2 hours. A surprising amount of the art was Spanish Catholic, from when the Spaniards invaded Peru. <br /><br />Next, we stopped to see the 12 angled rock. This rock has 12 angles on it, made by the Incas. It is said that the number 12 was very important for 12 Incan kings that lived in Cusco. Around the corner, it is said that a certain set of rocks form a rock wall in the shape of the puma, one of the three sacred animals (in case you are wondering, the other two are the condor and the cobra).</div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The street of the 12 angled stone was well known for another reason. One side was built by the Incans, the other by the Spaniards. They say “one side was built by the Incas, the other by the incapable” (tee hee).</div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXcRDKMzkvF996RNfGR4a2BSjg7DHGfE-2l-OkdR85tFTOSkyTp-VhQ7liojbDnhGjVwDHOBPcsvKvsG8oMtiCQ5n4nBmEZp4n2PI4KV_iSWbPu6cN_VLFN1P8iCyoXLXi6qiBVbPB10/s400/IMG_6587.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589341876142563202" />Next, and finally, we went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coricancha">Qorikancha </a>(or Coricancha) and Santo Domingo. The Spaniards, once again, had built on top of, and all but enclosed, an Incan temple. They had stolen all the gold inside the Sun Temple and melted it down. In Qorikancha, like all the other places we visited today, you could see the undeniable combination of Incan and Catholic religion. Qorikancha had Incan Ruins, as well as religious art, and some modern art. The site had a lot of astrological art as well, showing the influence astrology had on the Incans. The gardens around Qorikancha were beautifully manicured and individual Incan ruin blocks were strewn about. Finally we saw where the Sun Temple of the Incas originally stood, but has since completely disappeared. </div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKenJtEHVV230WGH04XSBVeoY6yUZFzCp3p3Qjb3cE0rk0eoFf3MT9Sn31ZCIpRv1mUv7b8MyhlF0D_dfOaZ2krE2k3yXvfv8d0hIoOF3qp9_S-uY-onIvTbHcWOvErOQdBnz23717p4/s400/IMG_6596.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589341879596975186" /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXzoCVGM_8Gvnk4NzQTjP9JcfyJESRJf-yn5gSKRKBk5DqSa1hailOMx6EmEVqzXv-eEVQcdLqXqRSZaFqUTK8ozf75RoiosXrA_VHMwPmqLdwLqvr8kG1aU1xUeXALO5wy-yq4XbV7A/s400/IMG_6600.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div>After Qorikancha, our last historical stop for the day, Jill and I spent some time in the Plaza Regocijo – noticing how much care was taken to tend to the flowers, trees, and grasses. We watched a little Peruvian boy slide down a block of cement beside the stairs over and over, never quite making it to the bottom without falling off. Jill and I spent the rest of the night relaxing and enjoying our last night in Cusco.<br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCipOPJn-g9igD8LKeIRO-lf90F34ZrY-4UThSCVOKJEq3PWGdobYMktt4Le6ddBWpnNBCkLOlVTvGJlLf_Q3xzroKq1zeSmfIRhV_tntLnyf4D3d28D_j6GLEIGMwZa7qyJnjnWC7YKs/s400/IMG_6606.JPG" /></div></div>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-45848342610251756482010-06-25T17:34:00.002-07:002010-06-25T18:27:51.171-07:00Sexywoman and the Sun Gods.<div style="text-align: left;">6.24.2008</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Tuesday.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Today is Inti Raymi! Yesterday we went to the store and bought goods to make a packed lunch, including Bimbo bread, peanut butter (straight from Iowa), and mango marmalade.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The little baby peanut butter cost a whopping s/16 ($5.63)!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><a href="http://www.cusco.net/articulos/intiraymi.htm">Inti Raymi.</a> <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is the Incan festival of the Sun Gods.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Incan beliefs are still very important to Peruvians today, and you see a very creative blending of Incan and Catholic religion in all cities and towns.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The parade starting Inti Raymi consists of 600 people, all with blood lines from the 14 different Incan regions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Inti Raymi is the fiesta of the winter solstice and re-enacts the traditional Incan festival of the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jill and I got to La Plaza de Armas about 2 hours before the procession got there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33-u_JqiRUjpNzhs3uFWCkp_x_-VFEcd8fHFXz2vERcrNJc902LtRULfGv68DMwfJiS-4u9Jl0xRxy3PzskZJPT5TXKMKBVKnc1UhEhIM2sD8pyD-9GrpSNo88IwB6kINTpKz72kDYfQ/s320/IMG_6504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486883011386103394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>The performance was long, almost 1½ hours long.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People dressed in all different kinds of clothing, dancing all different types of dances, all around the square.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Moon Goddess came in, carried by about 12 men, with very long black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Sun God, the Incan warrior, was big and strong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bigger by far than most Peruvians I had seen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When he appeared, carried by about 30 men, the crowd erupted in applause.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The whole performance was beautifully choreographed and presented.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNuc7cQpQBnh7yk_v5lDSza4bnGtf2I3XTrrxoqB13pYSyfkrGjGXV1F9FPJ3GGJL6AfxvmNZuOYJ9YYJ7HuyYcr4LCTm9CE4WQfwKRWI2_dFABSkz_mkzcmX8Yy5fOxtNUmYR-dx_6o/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNuc7cQpQBnh7yk_v5lDSza4bnGtf2I3XTrrxoqB13pYSyfkrGjGXV1F9FPJ3GGJL6AfxvmNZuOYJ9YYJ7HuyYcr4LCTm9CE4WQfwKRWI2_dFABSkz_mkzcmX8Yy5fOxtNUmYR-dx_6o/s320/IMG_6515.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486876940695656002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBE3WmwQHhx2OEHSwNJY6ndkA2YpwelkhpqTxei1gLomVAP3SpNIuugUtLF06CFULrZIY4LlntVf8KGFN16bxS95MXvIO0x-x2Ix65f4_sEswd1uR5v5eaEjQlcGy9TGKmMYFV9AQqoE/s320/IMG_6527.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486876950779347298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZdj7aeBUhc3alzOvGMLd6up1UMHu5ZphbduAYokRiqRCw0mXjSOsiNudQQxhvF24w6p0nKIM4Sp-T-5dcPqOOIznB1fcEpJpQBBX6mdUzqxNr-W2aa9eH3GH2l7QDuW5kAfpKlFyK-0/s320/IMG_6534.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486876961949503826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsyYXyTjbAX23DHhlkhnWMDEaMwF4-fiGw9Q1E5dF8lkM_-2Yawyx04cVIOiDdRx9E53bo2_eiqwZbCK0pamfoFAKqRyyCWyw9emSIcAQxiv5kMaEUiUcnntgQFClLv8UPY9b0uV5TAk/s320/IMG_6541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486876976064422306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83oBqb7cMnSWQUIB_RFghNwZ1DJOQOMEEJEhhpuv2F98xLK8WIA-wF5h8K1_FwdLLn7xaqseg7DunpsM1163WW9KhhyphenhyphenT_H_m9dQh08yiuRNIlADp_IiW4QtJEpMMJc8GBLLB-nYlk1M8/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83oBqb7cMnSWQUIB_RFghNwZ1DJOQOMEEJEhhpuv2F98xLK8WIA-wF5h8K1_FwdLLn7xaqseg7DunpsM1163WW9KhhyphenhyphenT_H_m9dQh08yiuRNIlADp_IiW4QtJEpMMJc8GBLLB-nYlk1M8/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879409156218306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix66I0Ptu0k-8uLRv13YAzsoDfbjsVQTRJ700riKfH3TahJqCfOj8S2N_3K8aSiCdiYKkOlhEqi-VNuarq1kMgX44-cp3GB9IdsIxRqCAn7qDFogarU3WA2dAcnlbIuELzqu-L0rK1oDI/s320/IMG_6543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879424246345906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPom5ElxBhAKG4JwCqQH0p0qlywvsfOn0xdxAbGvm4agvDXiFN9r-8Xej4ae_969we7JW-M-uTqN93OdWxky5c7Zu7icqLzK-zv7jtOqlU2_G-UTkAGx_hSr_jJ6W-zafeFvttk7-8q4s/s320/IMG_6556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879431078582706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Jill and I ate Jello/custard from a tall Dixie cup, purchased from a street vendor for s/.50 ($0.18).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were getting braver with our street vendor experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXmGJa8DFqS4tJGHJnIjo5oQiKlw98ldQJvEK-DHR4U6iJSsqrKeVFsLN9lb-dNyPFG5Sp76xTiNGU3mXJhah5mm_LWehNuFa7vLJhmS7qpjx6vrgsINupiM99YUcfTtIbte9XN_yn8A/s320/IMG_6511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486876928762181938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>After the performance, the crowd rushed to follow the performers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The performers took buses up to Sacsayhuamán while thousand made their way up the steep vertical path to the ruins.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The climb was tough and hot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I could feel the burn in my muscles and sweat dripping off me onto the dusty dirt path.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sun was hot, and at this altitude, the sun was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">close.</i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were at 11,000 feet in Cusco.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL5alrONaOaR5B5egKWVXih6q6Jm5D9VrYmQV6fjsRjePfiV1OeMvUfnvJFrHSWW6erUA8BNhYNcixycRBfy2-o0HjDzGCrEtlwInyL7nE7_jait9kk-mLN4MUg5CHfCp0iPqBdha4i8/s320/IMG_6576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879440024549314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacsayhuam%C3%A1n">Sacsayhuamán</a> (pronounced Saqsaywaman – or Sexywoman!) is a walled fortress outside the city of Cusco, constructed by many thousands of men.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Incan emperor, Pachacútec, began construction in the mid 15<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Massive blocks of limestone and other types of stone were brought from as far as 20 miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Garcilaso de la Vega (the famous Spanish soldier and poet) wrote:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;line-height:normal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"This fortress surpasses the constructions known as the seven wonders of the world. For in the case of a long broad wall like that of Babylon, or the colossus of Rhodes, or the pyramids of Egypt, or the other monuments, one can see clearly how they were executed. They did it by summoning an immense body of workers and accumulating more and more material day by day and year by year. They overcame all difficulties by employing human effort over a long period. But it is indeed beyond the power of imagination to understand now these Indians, unacquainted with devices, engines, and implements, could have cut, dressed, raised, and lowered great rocks, more like lumps of hills than building stones, and set them so exactly in their places. For this reason, and because the Indians were so familiar with demons, the work is attributed to enchantment."</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">As thousands of people flooded up to Sacsayhuamán, street vendors sold goods all along the way.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD-Z-0tAni-7NMLdgBAaZUsYO7lZV3AJDtztM4e6RYZcAJSanbnLkLE8W74ej9-wOfTJVAwZ5WUwO7cgtJ93ulYtSMYmQgPEmSrtqz2C3ZnwB09XZb25HovoTmycQPkZTW9GTO6EBCTQ/s320/IMG_6577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879450859839330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Peruvians carried 2 liter sized bottles of soda with them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Vendors sold qui – guinea pig – whole and roasted (I admit, we weren’t not THAT adventurous with the street vendors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mostly because Jill is vegetarian and I didn’t quite feel like embarking on that voyage solo).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were Cusco security, Cusco police, and national police patrolling all areas, one of the first times I’d seen Peruvians concerned with safety.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To see the reenactment at Sacsayhuamán of the two llama sacrifices up close, seats cost $90.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They used to actually sacrifice two llamas, but they don’t do so anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They must want to appear animal friendly (I wonder what the roasted guinea pigs on the side of the dusty road have to say about that!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So Jill and I took a place on the hillside with most of the other Peruvians and tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We ate our peanut butter and jam sandwiches while Peruvians around us ate their boiled potatoes, meat, salads, and pasta served from cookware, by using silverware, forks, spoons, and knives, along with practically the rest of their kitchens. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Vendors sold little kids toys and noise makers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It reminded me a lot of the <a href="http://www.fortvan.org/pages/fourth-home">4</a><sup><a href="http://www.fortvan.org/pages/fourth-home">th</a></sup><a href="http://www.fortvan.org/pages/fourth-home"> of July at Fort Vancouver</a> - everyone all excited anticipating the big event! </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Several areas on the steep hillsides were blocked off by caution tape, but every once in a while a few people would escape past the tape.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The crowds of people would cheer and applaud! And all the police would run around trying to catch the escapees, weaving between the ruins and the cliff-like rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally, a large group of people broke through, which started a stampede of people rushing the hillside, trying to jostle for a prime spot on the cliff rocks to see the reenactment of the llama sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The scene looked like it could be pulled right out of a horror movie, right before people start pushing and shoving and the bravest start getting knocked off the cliff ten at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hundreds and hundreds of people slammed into each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People were even running with their llamas!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Odds are that eventually people would start falling off the cliff side.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But alas, no, nobody fell. Thank goodness…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqev1qzAXH4RvpJayY9jHJQh6OzJqrexsMJM_AG7d-XN2pUs4LDfgWA8ifmddcxXWDC3RVccufmKhEgeieutGtGbeoYA20IYhaJhKyV05Ijdk6WGE2HdBdmI5GlDMPPcUIJcmGjFqWYbQ/s320/IMG_6579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486883029056556578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KAI_H4e5jD0fh8JHCgrVnSoip9vDGXMZDehzPoLKIV0xdNHEa-XYA0z9e3nIaRhrTHWTypeiwsmsENRmaCBnOpc1cnHKRDJhBxz6AX_gsmBPAp0OZO67Ue80AS2yFfidbyeaJTFI4ug/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KAI_H4e5jD0fh8JHCgrVnSoip9vDGXMZDehzPoLKIV0xdNHEa-XYA0z9e3nIaRhrTHWTypeiwsmsENRmaCBnOpc1cnHKRDJhBxz6AX_gsmBPAp0OZO67Ue80AS2yFfidbyeaJTFI4ug/s320/IMG_6580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486883038039966642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JTF6bUazmuc9Uen7Iqb_xH1o8JRM87Bm2lmNND1St8CegYP2aKxPa_dW_qd2GNbQbbZTtwyhDbdARobSPToRBMu8FiUcghZ1ixHC38oIxUwhyphenhyphenIixzOlsTpMjpMtjYh3P7BvxlZPXlvM/s320/IMG_6581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486883048205191378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71_UWCec-Dy9vB_XLZU-iQwFCdfzjRWeGymUbrXxoh-McH-hHahWw1eZxu-bKTYbYJRBAxqNQTWkQ-CaRkLOTrSYvyAgoxrlmai32ayZIWxi2hynTS0d9y5Ci7l55PvK3360DMGgWUFk/s320/IMG_6582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486884352437215074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">From the cheap seats (meaning free on the hillside) we couldn’t really see or hear any of the reenactment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It didn’t really help that it was all in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quechuan_languages">Quechua </a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>either.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We did, however, see a “mami” take her son over to a dirt hill to take a shit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I shit you not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After the little guy was all done, she pulled his pants right up and they went on their merry way!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Although we didn’t see all of Sacsayhuamán, we did see the slides – big stones with deep smooth grooves kids use to slide to the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFzSRTeIgqcO5aEvgVN-MIG6au4SEq8_aSkf4BUlGHYr8cNYOt8qd4ztgNCNN-TYQipwcsMXwnw0WNYQk8a6F16kHJJahHG51B2JREnUL4ghbuqjfjsuu8lX8f5qcgbyJrqUnXYPkd1g/s1600/DSCN5472.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFzSRTeIgqcO5aEvgVN-MIG6au4SEq8_aSkf4BUlGHYr8cNYOt8qd4ztgNCNN-TYQipwcsMXwnw0WNYQk8a6F16kHJJahHG51B2JREnUL4ghbuqjfjsuu8lX8f5qcgbyJrqUnXYPkd1g/s320/DSCN5472.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486883017147851026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss7f8BwCLlKkx9h6fbyyJHeQX-2Xhsz-OErdlYBuPG55EYrP8hnTX2s77vQtcGF-puE1SmHcrgt5Mk2mZKpQ6-k5d45E5y77tDzgZa_s-Nk1eDbks3rePBwrAZBT2tURzCVJHY8OgrTg/s1600/DSCN5475.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss7f8BwCLlKkx9h6fbyyJHeQX-2Xhsz-OErdlYBuPG55EYrP8hnTX2s77vQtcGF-puE1SmHcrgt5Mk2mZKpQ6-k5d45E5y77tDzgZa_s-Nk1eDbks3rePBwrAZBT2tURzCVJHY8OgrTg/s320/DSCN5475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486884368381870738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxEbQ5BuioTLGXFa791tKTIwrXCs99lliU4kewRoLJG85OMyIhJjEgHsHi2pexAT-Dlkbcr5AwSIK8TLV8SVUx-4_pSkuo6i39DNij6JZ0J9cpOqklheOhfKzwqru0GoFaXiHhOo2E4Y/s320/DSCN5474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486884359219129362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">Having had enough of the heat and sun, we made our way back to town.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Back at the hostel, we realized we had been burnt by that close sun, despite re-applying sunscreen two or three times.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal">We assumed there would be more partying and beer drinking and meat on a stick after the celebration, but if there was, we weren’t invited.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The square that was so lively the night before had again turned back into a quiet, peaceful square.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No meat on a stick tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We settled for a little café in Plaza de Regocijo, where we had pasta (I had a nice dish of pasta carbonara) and a glass of red wine for s/15 ($5).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Since no fiesta was to be found, after dinner, we went to bed. </p>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-41308543416894093232010-06-23T20:35:00.000-07:002010-06-23T20:57:37.116-07:00meats and potatoes on a stick.<div style="text-align: left;">6.23.2008</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Monday<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We arrived at the bus station at 8:20 for our 9 am bus to head back to Cusco. As we searched for our bus company, we encountered a large sign stating “Puno-Cusco 8:00 am”. Well damn it. Luis had told us the wrong time and we had missed our bus! We ran around looking for one leaving at 9, crossing our fingers, hoping we wouldn't actually have to wait until 8:00 pm to take the trip back. Cruz del Sur had a bus pulling out at 8:30. 5 MINUTES! We hurriedly bought tickets and were the very last two to board the bus. The bus smelled musty and like smoke. But at least we had a ride to Cusco!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Once off the bus, a taxi driver offered us a ride to our hostel, but we only had s/4. He said no and turned up his nose. So we started walking. A ways down the road, he met up with us again and said he would take us where we wanted to go for our s/4. We got in, and right away I felt like he wasn’t taking us the right way. I knew our hostel was just two blocks from la Plaza de Armas, and so I asked him about this. He replied “No, es lejos” (no, it’s far). I explained that our directions said it was 2 blocks from the plaza and I didn’t feel like we were going the right way. He said (in Spanish) “oh you don’t want to go there anyway, they just smoke cigars and marijuana all the time. Women aren’t allowed. I’ll take you somewhere nice!” This is when my “this is not a good situation” meter kicked into high gear. I was all of a sudden very nervous and very upset. I said, as calmly as I could in Spanish, “SEÑIOR! You will take us to this hostel and I don’t think you are taking us there”. Then the taxi driver got u</span></span>pset and pulled out a map to show us that roads were blocked because of the parade, and explained that he was taking detours to our hostel. Ok, ok my mistake. But seriously, you don’t eff around with two young traveling girls like that. Images of being sold into slavery flashed through my head…</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztNB9Nw8MmJ8PujG812XKStQZDrgFzHFrZ1_hiiUwKd1yppmtxVsMmlW2Oe4t9Vx-gLExw7E6CKAlpju4z5BBvqZGMCM_jA6bSZXcpZUkNFF9s8lfNozdC80Ql102oH0zxU5rEWSTFRo/s320/DSCN5454.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486180761943269714" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We arrived in one piece to our hostel in Cusco, Monte Horeb Hospedaje, that afternoon and went up to the front desk to check in. The location was great, just two blocks from La Plaza de Armas, and just one block from La Plaza Regocijo. We gave the front desk our names. The nice Peruvian woman behind the counter replied that she had received a cancellation for Jill Cox on June 19</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">! Say, what!? Well there’s just no way! We had been in Ollantaytambo and Pisac on the 19</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, with no internet or phone access. The lady behind the counter said she would give the owner a call because they had a room for that night (Monday) and Wednesday night, but not Tuesday night. At this point Jill and I were freaking out. This was exactly why we had made reservations back in March. Cusco’s biggest celebration of the year was the following day and we would be hostel-less! The owner was on her way. When she got there, she showed us the e-mail: indeed a cancellation from a Jill Cox, but one with a very different email address from my Jill Cox’s. I’m thinking either ambush (!!) or total, complete, weird coincidence (two Jill Cox’s?! In Peru? At Horeb Hospedaje? On the same nights?!?) or perhaps severe computer glitch? Who knows. Despite our worries, the owner said not to worry, that she would rearrange some things and make sure we had a place to say. Thank goodness for friendly Peruvians! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We dropped our things off in our - almost wasn’t ours – room and went to explore the town. In preparation for Inti Raymi, a giant parade was parading through town. We guessed by the number of signs for each group in the parade there were at least 200 different groups (Two Hundred! Just in case you missed that…). We walked around for a while watching the masses of people and intricate dances in the parade. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxUmUpsNqn2j1q9jCLpo5QIRGQ9VahQNpjch0MDTaDiyjRoURXMOlf3fbygAGaW72txbxJP7CZLbdeqGbxVU1Ck3sjrNGjp_RqRAjNsEv1YblWBjbPM98p45XlOIHtalLqnCeohz0fZU/s320/DSCN5456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486182028224540034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></p><div><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BFC7EGen-VCruGkiIkRRaNEBursoNUzyJtcUfK7HbiCNfvOapPZEwX5uLwBtjzFnsX_8F3P-zpgPr5Ash08AvlNNXOSm47QCtUfgLWwpJEB2jsFT3Sw0eZ6MqimztWsJwlSEOtIOItw/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BFC7EGen-VCruGkiIkRRaNEBursoNUzyJtcUfK7HbiCNfvOapPZEwX5uLwBtjzFnsX_8F3P-zpgPr5Ash08AvlNNXOSm47QCtUfgLWwpJEB2jsFT3Sw0eZ6MqimztWsJwlSEOtIOItw/s320/IMG_6482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486182047571135010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the plaza de Regocijo, all the people who had finished with the parade began to party. The entire square was a giant festivas beer garden! There were many food carts selling quinoa, hamburgers (the thinnest burgers I’ve ever seen), and meat and potatoes on sticks. I got two meet sticks (feeling brave tonight), one with sausage slices (or something similar? No way to really tell) and one with beef (well…maybe alpaca). Despite the meat from unknown origins, it was delicious! I asked for one with all potato, which she happily ate, despite the possible meat cross-contamination. The three sticks cost all together s/4.20, or about $1.40 each stick. I also tried Cusqueña beer (purchased from a 9 year old girl). It was pretty decent! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wTw1VkBhBTmAHuLuoRE6uGE4lLCR_TQ_F3euw_YztPsiJKBfWEuP7cjnGW1XaKM1gQgUeX66s-L6lFWW-ljA56BtRXhf-XNWzsLuP4B2TPq4a-hyswCGF_xSkbKyYyh3K1tMRIyrlME/s320/IMG_6490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486183086862701986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></p><div><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H1X_873UPNKByXN8NX-W5NmiNGK33tA0GIO0Kqankj_LqBWBhf6LekD2Q51RsG1L65XpynZ7GlUEBpy4uUvjFHYYHl4HshadsBka8FiN5Zso7RHkf25guUrsvYvSF2eDczApYEOi9fA/s320/IMG_6491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486183096118759218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BUq5MErr-LwORu91yuskbp0jEb6vIHK4IDRazuUcZFA0UpR8ms0aI290ex8mJ1y9ivBrik3gVtrJ_09oMIgb1jotcN7TFEJLileTpEJXMU8V9oxySE0WBj6g5d0MryM4FG_RIyR_EtM/s1600/IMG_6493.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BUq5MErr-LwORu91yuskbp0jEb6vIHK4IDRazuUcZFA0UpR8ms0aI290ex8mJ1y9ivBrik3gVtrJ_09oMIgb1jotcN7TFEJLileTpEJXMU8V9oxySE0WBj6g5d0MryM4FG_RIyR_EtM/s320/IMG_6493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486183119508114034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVWDbQoC7IL4l8tcg9EHCrRvILOXx8UQR_s0BBWSYaW73yyOL-c-_Cm02FrLtlTSf3bSjXolCs1lD6gEIArJioL2zJhSRUSQxKgIS0YecIUEpHmpjJGFld2XxumUBw4r020XWrHj2wyU/s320/IMG_6503.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486183138699789442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We strolled past the several Peruvian men relieving themselves on the backsides of the port-o-potties, through the streets wet with beer and piss, to get some ice cream. Then headed back to Horeb. We could hear people celebrating until at least 3 am (a normal party end time when I’m home in Seattle, but certainly not when I’m traveling!).</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><p></p>shauna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12777607517437857136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-4818608344074434442010-05-09T17:24:00.000-07:002010-05-09T17:29:19.330-07:00Peruvian Chulos, Pompoms, and Love at 14<div class="MsoNormal"><b>6.22.2008</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Sunday</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At 6:15, we awoke to Papi pounding out rabbit furs on wood. We dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. All the women of the family were there, including Mildred, who had taken a liking to watching every move we made. For breakfast we had very thin pancakes, like Swedish pancakes, with strawberry marmalade. They were beyond delicious! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was time to say goodbye and head back to the boat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbZzYJrL07Za2owQ72zHEertbOKFVCEuj_KvSLqpCCvlyFZabsL085kyKw3aHaRsSn4rJwfC_jGWrG4FnIiAzNsFLEqrtvdgrp1HOF96QoI-4W8kWYgK8fUgs5ce7KI04_dZmONrhIQIE/s1600/IMG_6437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbZzYJrL07Za2owQ72zHEertbOKFVCEuj_KvSLqpCCvlyFZabsL085kyKw3aHaRsSn4rJwfC_jGWrG4FnIiAzNsFLEqrtvdgrp1HOF96QoI-4W8kWYgK8fUgs5ce7KI04_dZmONrhIQIE/s320/IMG_6437.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1k-WSR1baflT2SvvJvnXtlR2K35HezY7X2p9mhXN4djXrOoDCX5XhJOjgowUzJm7OJFYBhn7mShV56us8bmfHLWmyrdZe0Hq3-WkfddNLlwV3FeFb-boLUDu-fIwRGjSM8UERXylZNz_/s1600/IMG_6440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1k-WSR1baflT2SvvJvnXtlR2K35HezY7X2p9mhXN4djXrOoDCX5XhJOjgowUzJm7OJFYBhn7mShV56us8bmfHLWmyrdZe0Hq3-WkfddNLlwV3FeFb-boLUDu-fIwRGjSM8UERXylZNz_/s320/IMG_6440.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOYrRMICvUem7b2LugXHvokK3OPcAZM2Ns76i_qf-6Mz46v4BSDYcKgUNTiYDpze_4obSt-K0ZphBMJgqW5pZBMKrSR9qBD4xaQwQS6RhAQ5IU3O6-6H8K8AhuoVMfUgHj_EyKb1aX9DV/s1600/IMG_6442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOYrRMICvUem7b2LugXHvokK3OPcAZM2Ns76i_qf-6Mz46v4BSDYcKgUNTiYDpze_4obSt-K0ZphBMJgqW5pZBMKrSR9qBD4xaQwQS6RhAQ5IU3O6-6H8K8AhuoVMfUgHj_EyKb1aX9DV/s320/IMG_6442.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIcOXNF50L5qxfjGnA-1CoU7wNPMkywoSf3cIHnuYy6WaTAkavB00DP52OvYXmGGO0EdYbgJmRouxDFB6zSfnad_6Uek1Dc3nTMPVQfQ3kloKt1TOGL7WHJ6uDuK1FJf8PqPK_Rq8W_ii/s1600/IMG_6445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIcOXNF50L5qxfjGnA-1CoU7wNPMkywoSf3cIHnuYy6WaTAkavB00DP52OvYXmGGO0EdYbgJmRouxDFB6zSfnad_6Uek1Dc3nTMPVQfQ3kloKt1TOGL7WHJ6uDuK1FJf8PqPK_Rq8W_ii/s320/IMG_6445.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">We left for Taquile Island at 8 am and arrived there a mere hour and a half later, only to be informed of another intense hike. We hiked literally straight up for about 15 minutes and at a steady incline for another hour, until we reached the very top of the island. From there we could see Lake Titicaca in both Peru and Bolivia! Walter informed us that customs on this island are very different from the last. Single boys and men wear stocking caps (chulos, not to be mistaken for <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chulo">chulo</a>) that are trimmed with red on the bottom and are white on top. Married men wear chulos that are all red, and leaders wear chulos with neon colored designs. Single women wear shawls with long pompom attached to them, little girls and married women get pompoms to, but they’re shorter than the single ladies. <br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqh2MmdgTodjiiTQUlKX1wPQZlE0L2RZfIbKzuL1rQVxZIEBCW9QEcaGDpSSSoABkcknAGPfcJIbt1BCQ2ix_XIgc3pC8oePESf9n2CHBtDZTDfCP_vZ51NY4Y9KloLyJI0d2bvUMFXUR/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqh2MmdgTodjiiTQUlKX1wPQZlE0L2RZfIbKzuL1rQVxZIEBCW9QEcaGDpSSSoABkcknAGPfcJIbt1BCQ2ix_XIgc3pC8oePESf9n2CHBtDZTDfCP_vZ51NY4Y9KloLyJI0d2bvUMFXUR/s320/IMG_6447.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h4rG4CyXkOnFRlU1PyMUjihe14WNEQzWX9CIts_-FW-6OJQckkoAPfn2B1ke_m_DY7ULW-la4gVzSvVLvQrfa642GNHIk2u7Hivy9_lHcCmhgItt9bCzOdbY8xbjf0nW00j_DL7ap3YP/s1600/DSCN5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h4rG4CyXkOnFRlU1PyMUjihe14WNEQzWX9CIts_-FW-6OJQckkoAPfn2B1ke_m_DY7ULW-la4gVzSvVLvQrfa642GNHIk2u7Hivy9_lHcCmhgItt9bCzOdbY8xbjf0nW00j_DL7ap3YP/s320/DSCN5431.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93FvUaHaKHMf6rIsXx6pDdJDb5o5aJSarL9JR1F7BY5YqPoAoFfCgkpew2QZ9fZdkRhtQrFfcqkTgNvqa2LNIS84Ph1DsIbfQBk32cM8emUA10u_EPV7X-utNxxr-PpfHKRf9tTxpAnn9/s1600/DSCN5434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93FvUaHaKHMf6rIsXx6pDdJDb5o5aJSarL9JR1F7BY5YqPoAoFfCgkpew2QZ9fZdkRhtQrFfcqkTgNvqa2LNIS84Ph1DsIbfQBk32cM8emUA10u_EPV7X-utNxxr-PpfHKRf9tTxpAnn9/s320/DSCN5434.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsNnSaKRvuEZngSzkmeK7gFkLXfahbbUumidFZxw_ZOicZNfAA5od0q5tpb_XmhtP9f8x48Bd61_m1a03CqD6wk5RFQfgbrR4oDmgUgCTJs08a9-NEnW84nqnlzqo9zkefVF02CEZXeqB/s1600/DSCN5440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsNnSaKRvuEZngSzkmeK7gFkLXfahbbUumidFZxw_ZOicZNfAA5od0q5tpb_XmhtP9f8x48Bd61_m1a03CqD6wk5RFQfgbrR4oDmgUgCTJs08a9-NEnW84nqnlzqo9zkefVF02CEZXeqB/s320/DSCN5440.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4ksXnqB416YN5Azg4eV5EQlmZL4j3FOvv5666d_LW0ID0oMs5NyqJRYy9ENdsN9EvlfFbAlrYjoWEBBECTj921f61wBgI75Hlig5kDiRqFOAKqjGMpU4hwJUyzWDi3jq5-m9Qqxb_jOm/s1600/DSCN5442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4ksXnqB416YN5Azg4eV5EQlmZL4j3FOvv5666d_LW0ID0oMs5NyqJRYy9ENdsN9EvlfFbAlrYjoWEBBECTj921f61wBgI75Hlig5kDiRqFOAKqjGMpU4hwJUyzWDi3jq5-m9Qqxb_jOm/s320/DSCN5442.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktpPVQG08G3yD3fSr6ztrrpcJi3WoJC85zqAz7c9h9uzAHWAqvREnhgetv_a9SsZqkv6rQppPNqb6xKvh8wNLOjQ2YtHSmPw-4vA6FVALhnpCpekXTFMn79-SqSuzjCYhjdzZosi8aeNw/s1600/DSCN5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktpPVQG08G3yD3fSr6ztrrpcJi3WoJC85zqAz7c9h9uzAHWAqvREnhgetv_a9SsZqkv6rQppPNqb6xKvh8wNLOjQ2YtHSmPw-4vA6FVALhnpCpekXTFMn79-SqSuzjCYhjdzZosi8aeNw/s320/DSCN5443.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">When a boy likes a girl, he takes a bag of colored rocks and throws them from all points behind her. If she likes him too, they fall in love. Oh how simple it seems! I wonder how women here in Seattle would react if men threw colored rocks at them. Anyway, in Taquile, the acceptable amount of time to fall in love is three days and usually around age 14 or 15. After falling in love, the girl moves to the boys family home where they have five years to have a baby. (say what!?). If they are able to have a baby within five years, they get married. If they don’t, they either have to separate from each other, or move from the island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRDAHrcODytBdiSsPcX_YHERkXNlOincp-Bq2BK0DitoNZc5zQux9AeQ9r4CPtMOzt3nzHhGscZyV1WYTe0xhKBDH5i5qfhWPcyQ0-QhHFD9qH2abibxOCtvH4h04-EcnbfjyaR_fBCc/s1600/IMG_6448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRDAHrcODytBdiSsPcX_YHERkXNlOincp-Bq2BK0DitoNZc5zQux9AeQ9r4CPtMOzt3nzHhGscZyV1WYTe0xhKBDH5i5qfhWPcyQ0-QhHFD9qH2abibxOCtvH4h04-EcnbfjyaR_fBCc/s320/IMG_6448.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAVFBzP7pcH_oPnIi_DY397bmwD9YaRmlGq9iFUetsO67HjxSzN3wKjpRC0tDlTQSvN24x6-eVcucavONT60kEjH3ivAEY-Wofzw0w_28Ll59yIOMMUwHF7WemODN3fnGoO9BFTIHRIKV/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAVFBzP7pcH_oPnIi_DY397bmwD9YaRmlGq9iFUetsO67HjxSzN3wKjpRC0tDlTQSvN24x6-eVcucavONT60kEjH3ivAEY-Wofzw0w_28Ll59yIOMMUwHF7WemODN3fnGoO9BFTIHRIKV/s320/IMG_6449.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hCivjuYv5Wj3gIOVEnhN7dwawH8floWUGZAE-URrTBROcEmMpB390Q1ePLyS5G6AJwDCN4FrC1p4DIqdUVwTwPueKRrUhnWDk-0NqUGwIt3ED57ZsKDG19lTxJQpBD07LI_QKi_RNJ5H/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hCivjuYv5Wj3gIOVEnhN7dwawH8floWUGZAE-URrTBROcEmMpB390Q1ePLyS5G6AJwDCN4FrC1p4DIqdUVwTwPueKRrUhnWDk-0NqUGwIt3ED57ZsKDG19lTxJQpBD07LI_QKi_RNJ5H/s320/IMG_6450.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOWlr9DUT1Xp8C3gMgRqkDZJbmbVuBOikl9sw39xe8UupK-sgg-HvxuOrl4hVagVD0ltuxzshHoYK-iJVkzDfOqlLfIM-6qlm2jP6MbRyaT6L9aLpQx8D8FuDTLDBh33ltY2KIHW-tKCA/s1600/IMG_6463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOWlr9DUT1Xp8C3gMgRqkDZJbmbVuBOikl9sw39xe8UupK-sgg-HvxuOrl4hVagVD0ltuxzshHoYK-iJVkzDfOqlLfIM-6qlm2jP6MbRyaT6L9aLpQx8D8FuDTLDBh33ltY2KIHW-tKCA/s320/IMG_6463.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjD42_Z__F9zDbucEpshQrSyxF3vQGchaK-2HeCbCEl2-EJFON0uUpBPLlAv_PTi97ee473cZvjDyq9wiWgpPBELTLdLEM5R3DuzvMdCjDpy0UYQhRVBqOgBiL3vXzgmWH5u5nxZvpCty/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjD42_Z__F9zDbucEpshQrSyxF3vQGchaK-2HeCbCEl2-EJFON0uUpBPLlAv_PTi97ee473cZvjDyq9wiWgpPBELTLdLEM5R3DuzvMdCjDpy0UYQhRVBqOgBiL3vXzgmWH5u5nxZvpCty/s320/IMG_6465.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Later we had lunch at a “restaurant” (more of a room with some tables, really) called Cusi Casa – “Happy House”. Cusi was the name of our tour group too! We had three choices for lunch: fried trout, baked trout, or an omelet. Eggs again for Jill! It seems that the people of Peru really enjoy their omelets as an alternative to meats, but there sure is room for growth in preparing them. I ordered the fried trout, even though I’m not the biggest trout fan. I had flashbacks of Spain when I was 17 years old and we were served whole fish – head, tail, skin, and everything in between. Well, this wasn’t quite as shocking, but my fried fish (which Jill had guessed would come out breaded like fish and chips) came out filleted open, no head, but tail sticking straight upright. It was actually pretty good once I found my way past the bones. The “chips” were potatoes flash fried and dripping with grease, but with a little lime they were still good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqDPkEaKqmLm6jh7Q9dxHauDvarYzgX9vXmWBwJNGDBKG3t55NhiJOp7XN58fZnl0mhI7Yg6MHVpDfJaQObmilbMvP7OKLXiuIkZsSjFoUO0h1SH2tETMZ8MSbu5JBvbo1j2nHGVgyCCS/s1600/DSCN5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqDPkEaKqmLm6jh7Q9dxHauDvarYzgX9vXmWBwJNGDBKG3t55NhiJOp7XN58fZnl0mhI7Yg6MHVpDfJaQObmilbMvP7OKLXiuIkZsSjFoUO0h1SH2tETMZ8MSbu5JBvbo1j2nHGVgyCCS/s320/DSCN5445.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">After lunch we walked down the 550 (no seriously. I’m not joking.) steps to the boat on the other side of the island than we had started. We were headed pack to Puno. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Back in Puno, Jill and I found our way to a “supermarket” to find something for dinner and snacks for the bus ride back to Cusco the next day. We got cereal and soy milk for dinner, ritz crackers, some chips, and some Inka Kola. Peru is insane over Inka Kola, so we had to try it at least once. On the way back, we also bought mandarin oranges and little baby bananas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlACJeeNprSb6RvvyUnwYu-2kLXGVuyf7wFhAJkds6T364HZKkHDG90ollDs0n33UQdNfEjf8qveI9LR12YlJxcaW3g1IZm4Ib0RTkBS7RIRNuE1x2WL4queZNbjiqFkGAs1qy7tUfS_m/s1600/DSCN5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlACJeeNprSb6RvvyUnwYu-2kLXGVuyf7wFhAJkds6T364HZKkHDG90ollDs0n33UQdNfEjf8qveI9LR12YlJxcaW3g1IZm4Ib0RTkBS7RIRNuE1x2WL4queZNbjiqFkGAs1qy7tUfS_m/s320/DSCN5452.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7J2BOuj4i29nfSwYO28NUV74wSAyo7eqDZ8hHhYNByWdi7cOt_mz0yxUcxPSYPf62MYRX9qgu6OrR8sNzeaX5nStt4R5FVqRovSHgwhLKQvJ4SzntQAFjTEQHQ80ub-POB-TYWdb3_Cz/s1600/DSCN5453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7J2BOuj4i29nfSwYO28NUV74wSAyo7eqDZ8hHhYNByWdi7cOt_mz0yxUcxPSYPf62MYRX9qgu6OrR8sNzeaX5nStt4R5FVqRovSHgwhLKQvJ4SzntQAFjTEQHQ80ub-POB-TYWdb3_Cz/s320/DSCN5453.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Inka Kola tasted so much like bubble gum! I’m not sure if Jill wants this broadcast, but it was the first soda Jill had tasted in six (six!) years!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYHhpfixUs0eKC22fSVVdr5SS-nLeW2p4iO5qiI-93EmPVZzBRlHykHvBD1cFHG_wdVxj9NgRREhTqD-JeeNm2W1gEfx6qt-lco3sugnQ3B5xCPY_fM9jVlKp7sksAOyBfzEXS7SKI1Ow/s1600/DSCN5449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYHhpfixUs0eKC22fSVVdr5SS-nLeW2p4iO5qiI-93EmPVZzBRlHykHvBD1cFHG_wdVxj9NgRREhTqD-JeeNm2W1gEfx6qt-lco3sugnQ3B5xCPY_fM9jVlKp7sksAOyBfzEXS7SKI1Ow/s320/DSCN5449.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">That night we went to bed in our shit-smelling hostel, but were content with our cravings satisfied. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">* A note on the shit smell. In all of Peru, you can’t flush toilet paper. You wipe and toss it in the trash. So of course sometimes it’s just going to smell like shit. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-37123268496853891812010-01-09T16:59:00.000-08:002010-01-24T16:49:47.656-08:00Floating Islands and Mud Bricks<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-dsYGzSEvVJIgukNyvI0855UP3R3CUP2HxuHBcd6Bhi7ZRZt7RC-rZvWVhSjwdTjMFY2CEPjZ3AJ6VCSYYqEE-tsbUtswIOM3wTyU0rnLVX7kWij3xlafgAoIrPunH4ZB7LqqZ2Bic4g/s1600-h/IMG_6391.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">6.21.2008</span></a> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Saturday</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The next morning we woke up and got ready for the boat tour.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hostel still smelled like…well, like shit. It was a pungent, sharp smell. We walked down to the “lake”, which is actually quite an expansive body of water, and climbed aboard with 18 other travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The seats were very similar to those of a charter bus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our guide, Walter, was very friendly and chipper.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He explained that Lake Titicaca is actually owned 60% by Peru and 40% by Bolivia.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He also explained that the first part of the name of the lake, “titi”, comes from Peru because of their history.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The last half of the name belongs to Bolivia *chuckles* (the Peruvians are quite the jokesters).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walter then went on to describe exactly how to pronounce “Titicaca”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>According to Walter, one does not pronounce “Titicaca” like “Titikahkah”, but rather with a softer, throatier “caca”.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvkFFMG90RUqhJkVFzjAJ27WWaWpQmhyphenhyphenQ0BrnfgEdoVW4vcqvk6Xw53S-VSn0fgmnR6icJxr7bDWBLSbBQAqbVFTcqO63cLzIRkjDK7YHSQ-mRTKHrNunP16OcCOuuPL2Lw9_HsnjnpCq/s320/DSCN5336.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424912135673517346" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We first stopped on the floating islands of Uros.<span> </span>There we learned that a whole community lives on one floating island.<span> </span>Each floating island is made of bamboo root mud blocks with layers of bamboo piled on top of the mud blocks.<span> </span>They replace the bamboo layers every month.<span> </span>Also, they use solar panels for electricity!<span> </span>They used to use candles, but the bamboo houses and floors tended to catch on fire too easily, often fatally.<span> </span>With solar panels, they can have actual light and radio, and there are now fewer deaths on the islands.<span> </span>The people of these floating islands spoke Quechua and Castellano (that damn ‘vosotros’…).<span> </span>Their biggest source of income is….you guessed it, tourism.<span> </span>Also, interesting tidbit, many years ago, the United States gave Peru a gift.<span></span>This gift was a gift of trout for this great lake (because trout is so delicious….?).<span> </span>Now the trout have taken over the lake and eat the smaller, native fish in El Lago Titicaca.<span> </span>They are now trying to revive the native fish population.<span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4E6XvsBursAc-PytaPqe1iU88RSqUhT6Z8klN7HBRlEN4ZM6CyJDAq0ZHfkwsoQbClddexkFVhKYRYykUh8_3Vgc0fBxi_llwsoabFyFDuuo1aqFVDBc37S05OF5QgVFzjaSav8qCzEb/s320/DSCN5339.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">----------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXADb33le5H8y_xdkC8VRZ92bLMHzlxBzyudnFszR7xQPN3b_wuuPnmlGdFJndsH3NRraYUsD9GTvu1TCo4A_oHBOVtBWnqv55U98FMxafiVztIiaFqiMMc_mwx_rFr5jt3cKZOMSbmmu/s320/DSCN5345.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">----------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYtErVAJLIYGkfsdez0zWBzmVxNiJXqpfd2vv2GGETeH4C0VyTkHIp07VfIOZ3qyUUyhOf-vGdlrIQ2yS3CMs9sVpD3GX9oPDKFh2Gjur7s3bZTznUJKa-WWs1bJW_FVx5Op62nJNBaC1/s320/DSCN5346.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">-----------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XuVeR0o-3ZX0DLgKoprRKrWzx9ufeIqAHFwiSNFodDRw-pJUlYjuzCH8Tw_pKpV-QltlorJscDh1vRN4t8GmgQn3zKiFpkE20dp0L-x8AMaYDC9FkWZWOC4dOGdZMCRbEsZQIPZimNKc/s320/IMG_6335.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">----------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePU0Te_DJjLvijmtHshW-vu47VII2o-JGE__tu5huQemug5p5lrK0hOJLdgVr8Mky85ETzdbhrM5Ng2x7bxHVukHzTh5QA_rWsZAIAOyuG40eQsoffxVZeKzAgEWKe9x47PGURAMErGas/s320/IMG_6339.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">-----------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaa0-OL6LTjYbYhDPAZ267Cd-zeZy5Uan0clj1L5cvxexBLdy7NAYJxhS53M9X_M5a4mHujwMdVT1mEXXV5CBpw1j2_HDZTGlnCLrNngRQP1hV7__d6R3fStnwj6ipXr2ggNR7itOcEcx/s320/IMG_6354.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">----------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvayRFT_ivqVm20O2Atmqd4806EgDxG3l1rHcFEIVxBwAorMi_1KXEzP8dEJq6gk6-C1rB-Ow0e6enCShppwfKC1KJnK3V6-KM9QnjT7L1oY6WrQsFm62t5ZhOfPQtvXnEg_FuMjgAvFi/s320/IMG_6356.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We floated on a double-decker built of bamboo to another floating island, and then began our trip to the island of Amantani, where we would stay for the night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZMJ-1OQeKsYq_0XScLCaZqGKe9ofs8L4MW-Zjfvw1cr_B9e4bt8MP87C-dCcyqATOksak_DprJ3jHn6zUUlT0Y0_68WqIPY1BWtPuvB-Jjwcofz4vMKGZpGWnVKU-UuudAn4mJUUPDKY/s320/IMG_6349.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------</div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutuIfnL2z0ugK_vgujjg8Vknp2bZhmHXnyXTU6w0fbhzDlsvawxyCOIl4JvpYHqhItGRhhkRB5b1yHF0GFsMRss9txzTTrLDcxvAuYX3bbr0JSRWqIT-prTAD3C4PVlUwGw5RPPu1-ONu/s320/IMG_6361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424913661135252114" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We arrived at Amantani Island a full two and a half hours of motor boating later.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This wasn’t a tiny little floating island, but was an island with mountains!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We got off the boat and paired off by twos for our homestay.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jill and I went with a girl named Aleja and followed her to her home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aleja lived in a compound of about four buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We climbed the very steep stairs to the second floor where our room was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We took care not to collide with the low doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, ok. The doorway was fine for me, but just barely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most people indigenous to this area are about my height, or shorter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The room had two small windows and two beds with fancy satin bedcovers trimmed with lace.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aleja said she would come get us once lunch was ready.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeEQSuBWOyjLLBIaI1tEXFZLcLp9OURZiL5_Sb5Ak9Y6s7wiFimD1Xt0sFH_FlPVxmUG-9K5jvsEDfIUrjIcZw8DwzJfehB0FSxa2TzoJSyQwisjkV_mGQ0YMqeavqmXEueHf4wEqBvii/s320/IMG_6437.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-LE82J2-qO56fPbiZ2rc11-lu4HEOS1N-uD_GpuNvuP3lQQJe9MQacadgzHJ8QwjeY6MKOJi4CV13RnskFIBjI1Ez3ONZqR7FvKqszwfUJlOwd6j0Zriu7y_FHEJCwtRH3264XAUuFhB/s320/IMG_6442.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">---------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoa_FYAJQ4GTeY_Bxl4J6ZNAaRo-TqcVwxTErtSZuZBiNk38XmM-yaE750KFXHFIA6o3f1YPBiCH8rQ_FGZu4zw5o09hoykQdV2_8VgiiqrwqJndhdxI3Btdrg3xGeOjadaiN6KpCasVo/s320/IMG_6433.JPG" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOlt1wg6sz2sGYTuzp-Si0EUB6jjIECbMJ9KHvG6dVCpwxg3btT6WBSCBSy754ogc-r6jbEMXYnuwlgQgPk21ciTm5JkI0qpLGCHpgmAMPecLEHuMkfKXkLR3LuGZLnNMn5BQQuzoCN9x/s320/IMG_6373.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When we first arrived at Aleja’s house, she showed us where the toilet was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We each used it later, but ran into some trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The toilet would not flush! After some himming and hahing, I had to resort to asking Aleja what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I couldn’t quite find the words to ask how to flush the toilet so the translation of the question I asked ended up being “does the toilet function”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aleja was startled and confused, I was a little embarrassed and all Jill and I could do was laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As it turned out, yes the toilet functions, you just have to pour a bucket of water down it to “flush” it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That was a pretty awkward situation. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When she returned to get us for lunch, we descended the steep stair case to the mud brick kitchen. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aleja explained that they had eaten two hours before so it would be just us for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aleja’s mother had prepared a quinoa and vegetable soup along with a vegetable plate including potato, tomato, cucumber, and an unknown vegetable that tasted like a carrot and a potato mixed together.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I asked what it was called, and was told it was “ocra”, but was not the English equivalent okra.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We also drank tea with an herb called “muña”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They don’t often use coca leaves on Amantani because the plants don't grow there well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, Aleja’s family insisted that muña tea is better for altitude, stomach aches and headaches than coca leaves are.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, you can rub the herb in your hands and inhale the minty scent to help with breathing and calmness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The food was delicious and we found out, lucky for Jill, that all the people of the island are vegetarian!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They only eat fish on special occasions.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb75HK2ZNROjeSKQ5PrdUSRYU9wTKqOZzs-Fc7c70IF7vCUmWzPJLI7_q9oxVRnW5cD-J73TzhSKaQ0CIeh60c27Cat2nHay2QGoS8jhKfE7YcAv93vlI_UKZL1cXxzP3m4THFg7NUamU4/s320/IMG_6386.JPG" /> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNe3E2ViLoUg1u04MXyIaO8RXuGySIcb4RPp99QiGPlFbkOdb3-Ko3PTWD0AuO5yFMR6Dixtg4ikSGKPvEA7KhMyXcAsH6ICDBEzo8IRVQ5wX4Q-8tn0OcIX7mqY3PVXxb0wMJXCj6qOB/s320/IMG_6389.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-dsYGzSEvVJIgukNyvI0855UP3R3CUP2HxuHBcd6Bhi7ZRZt7RC-rZvWVhSjwdTjMFY2CEPjZ3AJ6VCSYYqEE-tsbUtswIOM3wTyU0rnLVX7kWij3xlafgAoIrPunH4ZB7LqqZ2Bic4g/s320/IMG_6391.JPG" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the corner of the mud brick kitchen sat Aleja’s sister Megan and her two month old daughter, Alexis.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Alexis was swaddled tight. Megan's oldest daughter came in, Mildred, who was a year and a half.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On this island, it is common to fall in love young, have babies around 18, and marry when you are around 21.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, there is no promiscuity like “in the States”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Megan’s boyfriend lived and worked with Megan’s family, just as if they were married.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aleja said she has five brothers and sisters, but only two are still living in her community.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some had moved to other communities on the island, others had moved to Puno.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walter, our tour guide, told us a secret about how they fall in love in Amantani Island.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said that, in Puno, girls fall in love with boys with really cool motorcycles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But here on the island, girls fall in love with boys with big radios.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After lunch, we rested, and then Aleja walked us up a steep pathway to meet our tour group.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>From there we planned walk up to Panchapapa to see the sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our guide said it would be about a 25 minute walk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During this “walk” (more like hike) up the mountain, we reached an altitude of about 13,200 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the way up, I began to wheeze, Jill kept asking me if I was ok but my lungs hurt!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I felt like I was going to die, I couldn’t breathe! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A couple of times I even felt like I might pass out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I suppose the altitude got to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of perhaps I should have gotten a few more cardio sessions in before the trip, haha.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally (finally!), we made it to the top and the view was unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>From atop Pachapapa, we could see all the lake surrounding Amantani, several communities dotting the countryside, and surrounding islands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In a way, it reminded me of looking at the San Juan Islands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sunset from this view was exceptional after I was able to refill my lungs with air.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg633saDS8U9FNedcO0eudKzCSKuzIbXc4WwF0L7YYK3l10Qdgpund7oxcpOQgZx0r2z1IuybM5iFBMMsZSUVXeE6XGXcN4UuhhcFQ6_RK7vTDq_m6iQ4KCZtVUhufdUK5oaSDGSjggtYvR/s320/IMG_6403.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfSX6P55ofxeKdpDE0xjnkb-eN6wnk7N8cszXEVAmzbHOmSAwo2k0LSAX4Cx3YkS-Tw-BpPSqaa4g6r7Fm6ug3k3HQV7qyEWV2LbytBLCE5xrsdRJqcpEHCiMHRAAIoFMYwz_sGyZJpY3/s320/IMG_6404.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tm0I3aQ45hvcbqcDWt3FCT7Vs1oIKDdGvfyaJkY_Xtu1Q9qFMSYW0CaJCdWMZiewFv3Mpi-XxvXZwHD2WnFGrWKBT47KHnY78L1PNB0zIjt_uQY3hWM1R4cc9ESpO_W_wSH2DGlZl7ao/s320/IMG_6405.JPG" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After Pachapapa and the sunset, we hiked back down to our individual houses and rested before dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had dinner with all the family, minus Aleja (she had slipped away somewhere).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had met the father earlier in the day while he was making mud bricks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mud bricks take about 15 days of sun to dry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These particular bricks were being made to build a new kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The father told us the kitchen they had now trapped smoke inside and wind slammed against the outside. They were building a new, sturdier kitchen with better ventilation. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; ">To make the bricks, Papi’s helpers would first dig up a bunch of dirt and make it into mud.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then they carried the mud over to the Papi, who had a mud brick mold.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The helpers poured the mud into the mold and went to get more while Papi stepped and squished the mud into the mold with his bare feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then he took off the mold and moved it a few inches away to begin the next brick.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Soon he had rows and rows of mud bricks.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ22DWW9b1xe9GZOvf-oDe7aGT41zovkZVISDbhN27e2yFRO9WZtsbLU0xzj7qziCJp5B3mqGl0HkqisWInwUmMAXq-vh7IfYLVP7LrqmG1kR2LhpZtL7oeaoZP8DnW9Sa2c8hIL5rt3bq/s320/IMG_6431.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9tPBwdo2BeNdfNggLJIP4fdBSrNS4dqBDnBE-dnm2oRPCL0g1d6xHwc8Xi1nv7URyvAv9HE-FtGjIDUbibMn063pCH2IbvmRmbuDCZTO_b10AqJ6i6W6XWC286QJyfdQ3KQGW2fTp2rF/s320/IMG_6428.JPG" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For dinner, we had quinoa soup, white rice, and macaroni and potatoes. We also had muña tea again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We sat and talked to Papi and Megan’s boyfriend for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They wanted to know all about what the United States was like, what customs we have and what the people are like.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was very difficult to convey since Papi, boyfriend and I were all communicating through a second language and I was trying to translate as best as I could to Jill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have a feeling she might not have gotten as much out of the conversation as I did.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But, we tried. Papi said he has always lived on the island and his kids who had moved to Puno only visit once or twice a year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said they cannot grow sugar, rice, or noodles on the island, so they take monthly trips to Puno to get what they can’t grow or make on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I asked Papi about crime on the island and he and boyfriend said there is no crime.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone works together and does their share; everyone treats others like the family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are about 5,000 people on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Papi asked me about our president (Bush) and when elections are.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He asked if we knew who would be the next president or if we had a preference.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The boyfriend knew who the candidates were.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a strange conversation to have in a place where U.S. political drama seemed like worlds away. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Later that night we were dressed by Aleja in typical Amantani clothes, all very bright colors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We walked up to a dance hall and went to a party put on by the local people for their guests.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a band, and our host families showed us how to dance a typical Amantani dance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The locals also performed several dances for us, each telling a story, or joking about different customs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a night of jubilation!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As the night went on, our eyelids began to droop and the length of the day began to catch up with us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We left the party and went back to the compound for a night’s sleep on lace and satin beds. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL5BGQGdSbcATqio21Oz5_9fR57xEYjbidM1gjgAwO_cY5WlZZ0rTy_YH-zmPRcumhOE_UHEL0tqKhlsHLa72X7jstVWcn8XyPiV90rR053uaY89qS4cMrj3C4rKfMiaZZR7paCwAcmUs/s320/IMG_6413.JPG" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBJk20wfuQIMdi_DmkfRHWcTffexHfAQnoWEScLqlf9_v11dY3k-aQwZPBTstVHsYAToqZ9Vqd88ihHPXP9kIMKxyaVVb0JMf30sW_quCBiLt0wBF4r_n47auEvlfDjhzDmEL0g_tf_3S/s320/IMG_6421.JPG" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-31427889707957795092009-09-17T20:42:00.000-07:002009-09-17T21:37:30.560-07:00"Ok, my friends..."<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify">6.20.2008</div><br /><div align="justify">Friday<br /><br />This morning we got to sleep in. The night was cold and neither of us slept well. Casa de la Gringa was cute and eclectic, but breakfast didn’t start until 7:30 am. We packed up out things and left the hostel to walk down to San Blas Plaza to grab a taxi to the Inca Express buses. We were two of the first to arrive. We found our seats and began eating yet another Cliff bar. We’re getting pretty sick of Cliff bars. The buses began to fill with passengers from all over: Japan, France, and the U.S. As the buses were preparing to leave, a group of three women and one man (obviously from the United States by their accent and snottyness) began to quarrel with the bus company about seats. They were yelling and arguing about giving up seats, etc. It certainly made me feel very embarrassed to be from the United States. Despite this hiccup, we were on our way. </div><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382649963357337714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm7B1y-2ps2Fi_v69LZd-10ieqvsyqTI84gmfeZzTTizWQSSnW3nI3RAsl844pXhO2adhquJVBbkFZ3ELh7Gj0tBaS8iG3Ob_LniSAitxjKZfEDyMdbZgkvXyli4OzCEitBaI60o-VKhv/s320/IMG_6256.JPG" border="0" /><br />On the Inka Express tour, which would take 9.5 hours from Cusco to Puno, we would stop five times. The bus was nice and the tour guide was very friendly. He translated everything he said in Spanish to English and always began his comments and explanations with “Ok, my friends.” Before our first stop, while driving through the countryside of Peru, our guide explained to us that the many eucalyptus trees on the hillsides are not native to Peru. They were planted so that the roots would hold together the hillsides to reduce landslides.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382649973122269666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxjqTY8xozPzmXGMPowNQkwkRW1p_0Rm-R8bpDydvt0T2M8ho2FHcb_d2EwPRI390JmEWRGxQjBhwYqHKU_3_yt6eQushD8Xwkzx9QwNRlR991a2B-8L3FUunHQA9LTuQRXeatIrYIaSL/s320/DSCN5289.JPG" border="0" /><br />Our first stop was at Andahuaylillas, and named the “Sixtine Chapel of America” (meant to be “Sistine” but is constantly spelled “sixtine”). The church is a mix of both Inkan and Catholic beliefs. The original foundation was built by the Inkans and inside was an impressive display of gold leaf overlay on wood. Many of the paintings inside had been done by students from the Cusco School of Art. A blessing from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit was painted over one doorway in five different languages. This was a great example of how many different cultures are blended together in the region. There were working on several restorations in the church to make it usable again for the people of Andahuaylillas.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382649982484698866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIWcGdzLObVx8fWFPnghaTg-Thz0Gv6OUM4Mo_8PnczjMRNkucNsVGNCNllFq3FI4-3h16CY-Z3TVnr9AfLP9l5G0CDybzyvJRcnVl9IesyrGAGtLjwUuoT7_2zPr7Es_WDoVfls-kbZq/s320/DSCN5292.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------<br /></p><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382649986747937650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtWnFY2XS3eEy_TtXyAp9wKdGDm_3cUTTna0FilZZk0CFvuLuwkmcR10i_HKJMtuvz7r580N1RQ67dc3fO_EI72qP_vbG_d4UFZVK8iLXIHeqGXbZIrhNxLx3M5P99BaoShxXrBMFLmYI/s320/DSCN5299.JPG" border="0" /><br />The next stop was at Raqchi – the temple of the Wiracocha God. The temple had been built of lava rock and mud brick. The Inkas shaved down the lava rock to fit together perfectly like a puzzle piece, up to three meters high. The temple had 11 giant columns on each side of the main wall. Close to the temple, there were circular shaped buildings known as ‘Qolqas’ for food storage. There were 156 of these perfectly shaped circular buildings, all made of lava rock. Also close to the temple were 12 houses, six on each side, with a wide path down the middle. Our guide told us (“Ok, my friends…”) that when the sun rises directly in line with this pathway, the Inkans knew it was Summer Solstice – December 24th. The houses were all perfectly aligned with each other so that the Inkans would know when the rainy season was coming or going.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382653582050273426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrl3aEJQJjV25517irSRpgeGwqg-e5SsCRpcoJMrdHr9l5ON7LO0M_4yUfk-zl_nZ6LGqqdG7j-X504Zi6SdpfjI4yHnk-Em0hptILj9qBsVpB2PRqHQzBL6G0nNIr8dsIGuhPauHASIq/s320/IMG_6271.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">-----------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382653564001635346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN9WRCkCTvHEowYt9QrhGdRNdqEWVsEmvp2flpw0mHVvCYd7vdovaFs1KVoWsewgXD97gAv2eMGqUHO45n9tWIgFZtnC_ho99fHFrmV1nGkuPNn0eDpCM4g2Sv9xlU0B9za01TGTnMyll/s320/DSCN5308.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382653592931249634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0gmwP3GxQCM9gczHbB5IVKhKtOyiV4S3d3W6jQZ4uUK_sVRCiLbQaAvruwqG7ug1_rgaNKRC3fjPFW93FWHh-qZkJDeShb5SW8tm3ATyMq1Z5NyDov60TOWdLduCZF1otpLnSSTGEdda/s320/IMG_6275.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382653598947119890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRfuAParDof3_XqOO0Cb5BUIH7FXd8aGOFsDRzZZMhisaksu6rEssv5wDjUbia5X0dotnjfJIsW1qG29TbHrkb_904LMagP4RlHQgqHZy6ulBano50CXomvTFw1_ZmYv_WaWxWkeUfD9_/s320/IMG_6276.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">-----------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656652184289362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ATdRkPmP5MlNLnNQgChj8oNq4CoTSghfEgrzYTvaQq5aMjiO5kliywKI9OoD5DX0ueaUBMFqX_vtXH7QGqXCI1N8s_421ZRoDMnrmydPVsUha7yAPoEWyCil9P3GzdVm1leRRd3er52Z/s320/IMG_6286.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656663910003026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyLjfVkmsR77npkBw-urpePt5jVwbAbgkQoZUR9IQ9ouMuYO4y2yS63bp0aqmX1Te9rhzv7KrCNRIhr2BPAiuveYQ1Lt1bdZUp-9BJNZwz33Vh6s0wCdY7gfVEMLgHh_1Tv5tJLUpbeak/s320/IMG_6288.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656697230752626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPgOefeC_qFuxMu5jv3MTMGFTiP_vY94ibwIjVG0WI3Jcw6w-CLUuIXVyv1GxuJirOZzglTTJbBihJ3VK1mcRxTVEq4TD98a2N_04yqI7tmuyytShyphenhyphenWUA5QO8Mz13m2QkrRC0mosaHQuh/s320/IMG_6290.JPG" border="0" /><br />We continued our trip. Our guide pointed out (“Ok, my friends…”) that some houses had tin roofs, while others had Andean wheat grass roofs. He said that the natural roofs had to be replaced every year or they would rot, but that tin roofs were expensive and noisy when it rains.<br /><br />The next stop was lunch in Sicuani. Lunch was buffet style with several different options. We had fresh cucumber, tomato, carrots, and bread. We had a quinoa soup with potatoes and vegetables. Also, fried quinoa and potato pieces, tasting very much like a Chinese dish. We had beef and chicken (well…I did. Not Jill), both very flavorful, and a pasta salad. Finally, we had a black cherry jello desert. Overall, a lovely lunch.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656705707244930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVpBa-xOu3dd2_v_5eHW5Xc5eGSW7fdlXlRCQUwv_ogx-s8wkrIqPjS9azKUDkUzPK5zoVo2IPIBqtndqRo7WrqRWCZnCGyn_IlFVXNc5jw47BsyKXfPAZVCQxX5m6sTOemwo6DdLH8yP/s320/IMG_6294.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656715617410546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t1u2fcGDhqQWTUod0JhZJny8QjjhfxmlgZ7y4N0aDMQGZnvv0UD12xbPMbA8ezflL1CnSNeDFUKSFujI7UqoeG4bCDTeSiOKswfV3n6wazXHmdaXsMWlIH1prpRwPSQyTyezLwPMb7Py/s320/IMG_6296.JPG" border="0" /><br />Next stop, La Raya. La Raya was the half point between Cusco and Puno. It was also the highest point on the tip at 4,335 meters (14,222.44 feet). It is the geographic border between the two cultures of the Quechua and the Aymara. We could see a bit of snow on the tip tops of the mountains, but our guide said (“Ok, my friends…”) the mountains aren’t snowy all year long like they used to be…due to (you guessed it!) global warming. Wah wah.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382659771688723298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGBTi38uLKw-IBBX-NV39tGAKpHPRuAqrNDF7s99cMrBZSTWCw_eugYGlb-MN59tXHwyMK656kpm71H-_N7L51dGdAurSLwr1vG7l5-EkDVf4cSmo-MD8NY0k3bL18WABsWqpK85pFAt1/s320/IMG_6307.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382659780820089666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn76BGHP-RZuCb-70O-28wn2cO7JcfU6uw0eLkKGQa2ysvoYSYCPz9ok0bOGiHn-bQECh_jsEkTYltYbSnpjIQzlDsi7k3hvtCw75eMwgpqUfOR-Rv6NzBC5Jc3SQdtlhPn4sasWkN_1jv/s320/IMG_6309.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">-----------------------------------------------</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382659795218810210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-tjYnb1-Gs30jHyf4gwDmztENdtk9G9azWis817pE0k1bzAdgIApiHToNNaF0vXNuLeJOF2A_3v-h4Atq4aFyfFexMxuwOXQVlOU45He5DjE0uM_yuwnEH28kfF7UrYz3SsER_6Zlnih/s320/IMG_6310.JPG" border="0" /><br />Our last stop on our bus tour was Pukara. The Pukara culture began about 1500 BC, much earlier than the Inkan culture. The Pukara domesticated the guinea pig and the alpaca. The site we stopped at demonstrated the similarities and differences in the Pukara culture and the Inkan culture.<br /><br />Before we hit Puno, we took a drive through Juliaca first. Juliaca was a dirty, grungy town and our guide told us that (“Ok, my friends…”) Juliaca is known for their big participation in the black market. All the buildings and houses have rods sticking straight up from the rooftops, making every building look very unfinished. That’s because they are unfinished! And if they stay that way, no taxes have to be paid to the government yet. Sneaky, sneaky.<br /><br />Finally we made it to Puno (“Goodbye, my friends!”). Unfortunately Puno did not look much different than Juliaca. We took a taxi to Inka’s Rest and checked in. The wife (Gilda) and her husband were very friendly. She showed us our room and how to use the hot water. It was a decent place, but it smelled like crap. Literally. We were still having trouble contacting Go2Peru (don’t do it, people!) for our flights to Puerto Maldonado; Gilda helped us call, but still no success. Gilda recommended a good place to eat, so we set out to find it.<br /><br />There was only one restaurant on the block, so this had to be the right one. Inside was filled entirely with Peruvians. We got some odd looks and some stares as we made our way to a table. The waiter got up from his dinner and came to get our order. I tried to explain that we weren’t eating meat (again, I lied and said it was stomach sickness), but the waiter was very confused. I tried to explain again, but still no light bulbs. Finally, he seemed to understand and went to put in our order. This was the kind of place where they only make one kind of dinner per night, so any changes seemed to be a BFD. He came back with our first course, the soup. I began poking around in the liquid and sure enough, chicken. Chicken. I realized I had made a terrible mistake. I said “We can’t eat meat”, I didn’t specifically “We can’t eat beef or chicken”. To him my explanations probably meant “We can’t eat beef”; not taking the word meat as all inclusive. Shit. I looked over at Jill. She had discovered the chicken too and silent tears began to stream down her face. She said she didn’t realize she would be so emotional about eating chicken and just couldn’t do it. Well, there was no way I was eating it either. Usually I’m a pretty open minded person, but this chicken looked way to sketchy for me. The waiter came back to see if we wanted chicken or beef for our main entrée. … I explained that we didn’t want any meat. “How about chicken.” I said no chicken either. Hmm…. I asked if we could just have a plate with rice and a potato. He was confused. But walked away. He came back with two plates of rice, each with two potato slices drenched in beef gravy. If we weren’t so emotionally and physically exhausted this would have been more hilarious. I ate a potato slice and a few nibbles of rice and spread the rest around on my plate to look like I had eaten more. Jill scraped the beef gravy off the potatoes and created a rice dyke to keep the beef gravy at bay. We ate our not gelled enough warm jello and drank our mate de coca and went to the front to pay. In all the dinner was s/2.50 each (about 86 cents). We walked back to our hostel. I went to bed hungry on a very lumpy mattress. </p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-71776138582159861232009-06-21T16:22:00.000-07:002009-06-21T17:45:18.424-07:00and then it all came up. literally.<div align="justify">6.19.2008 </div><div align="justify"><br />Thursday</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify">Today, we head to Casa de Milagros (House of Miracles) to drop off supplies donated by friends and family.<br /><br />Bright and early at 4:30 am we grabbed our packs, a piece of bread, and hurried to the rain in Aguas. Today we headed to Ollyantaytambo. Oll-yan-tay-tambo. The ride was cold with many stops for locals to get on and off, headed to work for the day. We arrived at Ollyantaytambo with the intention of exploring, but we quickly realized that would not be possible with our pack and the supplies. We walked up to the main square, a trek in itself. High in the mountains we could see an Inkan Fortress. We got a taxi to Calca for S/35. A ride which should have taken an hour took only 35 minutes. Let’s just say Peruvian taxi drivers can run with the best of New York taxi drivers. We gave the taxi driver the address of Casa de Milagros. The driver stopped, first for gas, then for directions. Then he stopped again for directions. And again. In total he stopped six times for directions and we finally headed down a very bumpy dirt road. After picking up a local woman, and driving a good distance on the dirt road, the driver stopped and said it was just up the road. We saw no palm trees of brightly colored house. The driver said we weren’t even in Calca anymore, but a different town entirely! I said we would bay S/5 more to take us all the way. The taxi driver was not too happy with us.</div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349928381530101650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtelcpqu0EvRVB2yw2rxWxJ7UWgz2ygnhpLJVj5LrX5QeaxbfcTOY-Nib0AwNk7rZgQNHGsruUsKHq0yyPRWIgAbxI516UwWv0HMZ6pAgYRJLwJEDQseifvyZyCnYs7N1AS4NeNHTxoEAZ/s320/DSCN5228.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">---------------------------------------------- </p><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349928378943338322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCEBSzm2emUt3j3lYGhT-JP2IFLSioqX7-rWOrm-RAUWqTUzrUt6TX7kx6SkZjl7co3r2oztmdRfHd2uRjAAKFosjirVS94ggvrt6jyreGcFUj79EDvOuuQ6df71iQi3_dAemcOxlLON_/s320/DSCN5235.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"><br />We finally arrived at Casa de Milagros. <a href="http://www.chandlersky.org/">http://www.chandlersky.org/</a> Of course, all the children were in school, but Marie gave us a full tour. She told us they had 32 children in all, four of them actually hers and 28 adopted from Peruvian villages. Within the walls of the 18th century hacienda (renovated in the 1990’s), there were several gardens, numerous bedrooms, a giant kitchen, dogs, cats, parrots, horses, volunteers, employees, and rows and rows of hanging laundry. Each building and room was eclectically painted in vibrant colors by volunteers.<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349931067206983794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFUNNNQc50D0wA9JCDNBsxYRa-DECIRRjnEGzVaAMTQFigL7RQEZEKf5I1UxNmXOQ1exyfH6jo6UbWPjovQsV1ATz-AgJyvh2enRJfUSkRmIoH12xWcdqxMkni_DqrJ9y910TSplWsWJp/s320/DSCN5261.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">----------------------------------------------<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349931070784341714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Sh0eM_YVYE9yJ0K8IMaCUM4brJ11dEq76KyzR9VKM5UGEJLLCQPAS8xa4GoMrNGZFexInprs7o8ScVXJk9HAHZAdkpIWJzA7t3rx77tdvV86TVxVJIS8Hm66Q-4qyBMlo_x3b1jGPpW/s320/DSCN5240.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">---------------------------------------------- </p><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349931075815907186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsTuBAXzIaBAswtiWQw5O22suYzLM8SS9q8Uyjk1E2am1qzSECxL-_zPw4u8SJMDvkV7Wm4ZihhYgPWfNNi-qzlU34A27okDpYUalTrzn1NHu0N24tCBQHLqbmojejcfPtKWrON-tE_D8/s320/DSCN5245.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">-----------------------------------------------</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349931077075655474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnFt1XpC3WYnR8O2QVitqvli8AnZbwZMKO1axqCJ99FJXvL8CUHSJn0XbBTY7yVVck3rw9GpZgF9juzrrW75lRF8emHtM8Kp3Aua52MMYL8hS4Wsy3nnr666WIqhtWahx5_sioM38D-uN/s320/DSCN5248.JPG" border="0" /><br />During the tour of Casa, I got sick. Not just “oh I feel kinda bad” sick. But SICK sick. I’m standing there talking about composting and realized I needed a bathroom n.o.w. I ran to the bathroom (which had no paper of any kind, whatsoever) and promptly expelled my piece of bread and the anti-malaria pills I had taken on a nearly empty stomach. Not a great thing when we are in, seriously, the middle of the Peruvian countryside. I did the best I could with no water (remember you can’t drink the water) and no toilet paper, and emerged from the bathroom. I finally got some clean water, and some Coca de mate, and felt better. Meanwhile Jill had some attempt at hot chocolate; however the kitchen was filled with flies. Jill was thrilled… </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349936939808748610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQOm47VaLr9MyX4oJq0wuwToBBaSeAwCGynIrlU6rA0zT-9WaebX9qnjW0lq71LHv5FV2UAltXRlfgZEzf5GHnLAgkC99z16rlGI-qI-anBdCrlsr79Jn9suMO_qCY6dZ2dMgOzpzzdgM/s320/DSCN5254.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">----------------------------------------------<br /><br /></p><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349936943385936882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2Elor0ON6S7QYQ0yAIiSRZeDgD-vqrQz3dIyCkX89C_5E16LkxWQ5Hh9hXpwKewo1wYeKrxoFv3ONO_bgg8KYqhawGPyM93XC1bwHOMhkdU7Mq3asSzMtHZdkvPSF59x-G-VhygVs_jE/s320/DSCN5262.JPG" border="0" /><br />Marie’s husband Alan drove us back to town, stopping along the way to greet friends. We came to the only road leading to town and were stopped by what we thought was a Peruvian strike. It turned out to be a celebration. This is what Alan told us:<br /> “Not too long ago, 300 year old trees lined this street. Recently, residents began to get upset by the soft red flowers that would fall on their terra cotta roofs. Also, they had paved the road and were warned about roots breaking through the cement. For these reasons, they tore out all but one of the historic trees. Now only one of these trees stands in the town. The celebration is in honor of the grass and small baby trees planted in place of the historic ones.” </div><div align="justify"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349937892271072658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3hDZUgghE5vIZGJbEAj-CeVQZqaeqgFNL_d-MwLMJh5gY2WLIc4O3p3UI_ZGt24bUEdWfLq2DYnKWinKKfP98Q4EJVMfJpfGPfpONctnt15qWbpRHLUbx-ETquNF1vO7mufRKNh-cBF7/s320/DSCN5265.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">----------------------------------------------<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349937893239040674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoYT2zRbEC8zuF0aJ5xudviDazG1ZA475ZqBw39YFbs-pH6efHJIxtkWWZwsf37BRXdkVVR4esVUtaf3izI3cNswHJgaybSjem06JB25i7hEEG9jdB7WQawPj-E1e6vQ5vhFocz-t62L3/s320/DSCN5267.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div align="justify"><br />Jill and I walked through the celebration and up to the main street. We took a very small taxi cart to Pisac, where they were having their weekly Thursday market. We began to look around the market, aware Pisac has been dangerous to travelers in the past. Although, since dropping off the supplies at Casa, our loads were significantly lighter now. Everywhere we looked, we saw women and children dressed up in typical Peruvian style, wanting a sol or two for a photo with them. They carried baby lamas and puppies. I bought a colorful painting and we ate lunch in a courtyard we happened upon. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349937897626388162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-wqL7ue323YfUenaKgcbAXAiCMntBN-7l6veSBsevviXFQDVUZaqPtNdzFdssl5BlFtXL0q7j5F_fjQVISNRCUVX6wmBGnKzpEF_PCs-pOMcBvg4U_oJBzI-LtguQeOcPRqK9c-g19Xc/s320/DSCN5270.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">----------------------------------------------</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349937904364872994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nj5R0B7ynge2XgnYLy486rjsFHNEdGX-i_u_GD4cPWIDUDaO9CvFdoGyCQrTAifSHMwepESiuqV3Y-3AcFJnh9qSU8p4M9PVYgBu6cmA544ijMqR3JJ6fp4Di5xMHvmVXL2h96XzCAff/s320/DSCN5274.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center">----------------------------------------------</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349939756155218322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjEXDGrTCkVnjG2EF8G6JFFXkzaCoUHOpZbEytYG5cVVtE-IsDL6Mdai2cv2x8-AIj6MfiblDKQf_P6zSht_cYZ5-S8sxuhrg-Umux7WbmiBx_6zCNiEXx5tiar_V7RnfXIw7Wb3jUbA0/s320/DSCN5278.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">----------------------------------------------</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349939755486561490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZJreDQQ3rUyYfmSZbQuGzHLQoLK50ccX2oMqVCHNJiOkEQCjJlS1-PtTz39tYFnd0HeEUHvRndrhEZrbfy5SguZQojuALKLbbsEeK26f5YGUMz_Cb4KKchdpQjmPpQoTnuLR6u2mG3Cl/s320/DSCN5279.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">---------------------------------------------</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349939756470396418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ttimXJDddYe71LNYY3XTd4tjOJWg6iaNNkA-plEYB9nmqdjfwtWoC3hjjM-BUx1FEbZ3PMEiSQmHcLedhCPr_mhfBRHGrNUDnOBOAbX3GXOKYXDEK8_ChInnZmA0ZIFW04B7t7ZlET5m/s320/DSCN5280.JPG" border="0" />----------------------------------------------</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349939763655192434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FqgBjaug4WUqH8bSqRNQRAiNOt9S3QMv4-HWNK9NmsGzhytsWaIZ2q19SeqvS4g5TXK5CHJX8KvZ5cJxQTGeDkHT2t8zCgnqWXsaNV1LECYV3M2_8wry2oRm2HlTWSuz5V7Ip7USfYmK/s320/DSCN5281.JPG" border="0" /><br />Next we got to the food market. We bought some beautiful wooden salad spoons and then some Chaco. Chaco is a typical Peruvian corn with kernels larger than garbanzo beans. The taste of each kernel was starchy, like a bean. Jill and I each got a whole ear, but could have easily shared on. So we passed what we didn’t eat along to some other travelers. We walked to the main plaza, looking for a taxi or bus to Cusco. Taxis were s/30, but we decided to take a local bus for s/2.20. We were two of the few travelers on the bus, an hour and a half to Cusco. Peruvian students (about 9 to 11 years old) filled the aisle way and were dropped off en route at their respective homes.<br /><br />We arrived in Cusco and began to look for a taxi. But no! Many streets were closed due to Inti Raymi preparations. There were all kinds of dancers and dress, people and music. We hiked up a ways, to the Plaza de Armas, and took a taxi up to San Blas Plaza. We arrived at Casa de la Gringa with a warm welcome. We put our stuff in our brightly painted room and began to wait for Imexso to stop by with our tickets for El Lago Titicaca. After a while we decided to go to dinner. We tried a recommended restaurant called Café Jacks. A hip, clean restaurant, we were excited for a good meal. We ordered mango smoothies, a hummus plate, and Tuscan vegetable soup. Everything was delicious! Until…Jill found a hair in her soup…and I found one baked into my bread. Too bad! We walked back to the hostel to settle in for a good night of sleep, excited we could sleep in till 6:10. :)<br /><br />A very good day. We didn’t have actual plans to get from Ollyantaytambo to Cusco, but we made it work! It was kind of fun to not have a plan, knowing we would get back one way or another!<br /><br />Tomorrow is Inka Express and Puno. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-7730029773324321982009-02-20T20:20:00.000-08:002009-02-21T13:56:25.390-08:00...indeed it was Alpaca cheese6.18.2008<br /><br />Wednesday<br /><br /><div align="justify">Machu Picchu. The day is finally here. We got up at 4:30 and we are to breakfast by 4:55am. For breakfast we had typical Peruvian bread; a thin, round loaf, slightly sweet. We also had marmalade and some cut up pineapple and papaya. I realize on this particular morning I don’t much care for Papaya. The initial taste is good, but it is immediately followed by an intense bitter taste. We also tried a pepino, which is not actually a cucumber as the Spanish translation might lead you to believe. It’s actually a type of melon, but very bland in taste. We grabbed our avocado and cheese sandwich lunches and hurried to the busses that make the trek to Machu Picchu. There were a surprising amount of people in line at 5:30am, but with the 20 busses go up, everyone who wanted to go up then, could.<br /></div><div align="justify">---</div><div align="justify">The bus ride was mostly in the dark, with light breaking atop the mountains. My anticipation rose the higher we got. Ok, we were (or at least I was) distracted by the Australian surfers in front of us. We arrived at Machu Picchu at 5.45 but the park didn’t open until 6am. It began to get lighter and lighter, and we began to worry we would miss sunrise. As the gates opened, we all rushed to the left (as recommended in the book) and up, up, up. I thought I might die climbing climbing! We reached the top and there it was. A mystical city of ruins. Rows and rows of platforms, houses, stone walls and, of course, Machu Picchu itself. We climbed to the top of the hillside opposite the city and found a pack of llamas with babies too! Presumably they’re they to keep up the lush green grass –they all had tags in their ears. About 7:30 the sun broke over the mountains and stuck the top of Machu Picchu. It was an indescribably sight and am quite certain that no photo could capture the serenity and pure awesomeness. Since we got up to Machu Picchu so early we had about three hours of near-alone time. It was quiet and grand and a feeling of being on the edge of the world. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305359754118192546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFhA9Wx0pzncdMh8c-PWEbzP7tchLCULuui6_3Qgvr0T7hfhDPghaAUILJ5IPIQ7FuVb4AWp-A0wZ2dVa0Go09vYWELmkU2zmda4BEIm8splSQ9CdzGp_XK9i2UxXjvxjBcBAKzsxo6am/s320/IMG_6070.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">---------------------------------------------- </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305359736299271122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHy4eayZhmhTR2JOpiO7x3qn4tLKxjMMnzJ3P-XyP9mR0baW3le0zjBaevG_WGquu_id8IJDEixnbxsZ1Zu5kleW6gfLR3CnoIrz3hfDaAORwFy8A88fKGlW6phbpK4uUVf4FuTVE_8BC/s320/DSCN5169.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">----------------------------------------------</div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305362303484078690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmPCPtioymMYNGoLJPuhFyQmwYO6Fz79s5xuMHZ-pzi3y0my-Ed2IAcrshBBbKMw2xUpmYjYSIXdIaWvaz94-IuRZ0UEyMIIXKZaN0pXVb8UBxV0y3Lee53u8lose_0jbQwC7CFRTpeZ4/s320/DSCN5178.JPG" border="0" /> ---------------------------------------------<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305370946839410562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnbGR4OGjc05OiRqP0PBdotum7AXZSu-McdBPBylvYStRuBGavY0bMLiigirFa2GrpGkTb3cxR54Zt0T4uu020oRiqIkuPkQrx1BEzGC85kwH3pW2_14gs1LnWOkPDk6AdHY_XZHoF6jG/s320/IMG_6047.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify">We began our decent to explore the ruins. We began to explore aisle by aisle the walls, statues, houses, and courtyards. Since we had decided not to get a tour, we snuck into other tours every so often to help us in our interpretations of what we were looking at. After exploring for about six hours, and after we were utterly exhausted, we headed back down to Aguas Calientes. (Short story about M.P. I know, but the photos can show you a bit more…)</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305359750628893602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSlMynTyV1IWSuypI4wFnzNtuN9MbXCKQTZVULrEenMT399W0nvW_Ffkmd7xtxPI7EPbyfDR7dNEC43IixeiE-ZdhFg5oXRFA0ualJW2V_TJSiW1e-gf-m1gLEEHwcQeJ6uBpJrjLQIm3/s320/IMG_6034.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">----------------------------------------------<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305368542821273714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYSRi1ar21arriXxTm6V0Ka9rxfoBYJBgUel73uo-ZNXW7QEgVxvR34txjP1fjITsCD3gqZ7JtguEybAXN4WiCmde08_Rvv5TO_1tJsg1qhVGV1_OtEtrKR1aQ-MOuj2CwxmJnsdWk7I3/s320/IMG_6049.JPG" border="0" /><br />----------------------------------------------<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305365951840598434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-lrAevixzRVuFP1ITS5gqY4TL8ZzfJIZkhcBLop4AHi90yH5cRNWp2xcFUfrImiuIK3YDSHoWj3EW7DMS5soyVjlEn6LxItHWnfDGiEr9zU6OJ_R61WcB_M0lJTJVBy8ycipWfljQoMU/s320/IMG_6111.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">After returning , we decided to stop for a cheese empanada before heading up to the terminals banos – bath terminals. They are supposed to be the very reason for the name of the town Aguas Calientes, the hot springs. The guidebook had described them as mucky, unhygienic, and to some downright disgusting. BUT, we decided to try it out anyway. For the experience. The emapnadas had the same salty, rich, heavy cheese we had had several times before. I finally asked the friendly girl (who had a pet parrot who kept chewing at my backpack) what animal the cheese comes from. Earlier I had bet Jill the cheese came from Alpaca, since it seemed everything else here came from Alpaca. I WAS RIGHT! Yes, indeed it was Alpaca cheese.<br /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305365956510518050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7Pk5oN2E_PCp_jvPG91eTrCpubfhJTvBUDWER1LjolS4b-2rSdvzzoCfMGfOiSf94CBdoDrWlqaSkG1oMcXKTRyuv8e8QNrxrKP24mcFUVwzYnb7QyQIdLiDEdkc8_KMJJYxe9qmvkhu/s320/IMG_6175.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Then up to the baths in our swimsuits and flip flops. We rented a towel for s/2 on our way up. As we were about to buy our tickets for s/10, two English girls came down the trail with horrified looks on their faces. They said the baths were “dirty and gross”. We bought the tickets anyway. Perhaps it was because we knew what to expect, but we got right in, despite the green colored water. The bottom was pure sand! Of course the water wouldn’t be clear with a sandy bottom! We stayed in the warm water for about an hour before rinsing. Just for kicks I ran through the icy cold river water before running to the hot water to rinse off.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305365963414667026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal6ia_5VZHQclLHSck_ZhJDU6zCjeXbE0tMc_cWYebzaOnCO0D59ifqeruGpGITQtdBEPnG4PI-vGIxV3mTnQwgk61q7bX1IIXCyHT6lQ1liTcMzaDmC3TKbCkuQVqR3ayWKPTEEICjln/s320/IMG_6182.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify">We walked back down the hill to take showers and go to dinner. For dinner, we ate at a restaurant right on the plaza. Jill had a vegetable soup and I had a margarita pizza, since pizza is so popular in Aguas. I also tried a Pisco Sour. The first I have ever had, but a traditional drink in this region. It was indeed sour and foamy, with cinnamon on top. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305368538668141202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv558Ux81KQccarLfgGN__He_PxkDQa7b1FP-2W-aO2FqlRp_0rE4vrshjgeOMXdBTgS3xVeXU_lUNqkI_1ZO7frdguBlEdkmuQCJajbMxcju9sgSHrGr2mnM-iRvLrJqhMvYBIztm8wnV/s320/IMG_6206.JPG" border="0" />----------------------------------------------<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305368534528323554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCM3RzYAuHJ4E7i0lQEbAT6CFgW0_ZDWFLmwvZlyqDhet7Ww8xV7RhqFA_5nnz8YrQ-HywoUzaNcGSY1hwjL1IiCD_3W-ZZd1Imnk7ESY4r4_ZYx2518EE1iEOYqCKH76GYW19ag3O-OF/s320/IMG_6202.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">In all, a very good day. After all, we saw a wonder of the world. We climbed the stairs to our room in Gringo Bills to fall into a deep sleep, once again preparing for a 4:30am wake up. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-40523717304844924242009-01-06T20:13:00.000-08:002009-01-06T20:59:32.459-08:00...but honestly, i hate haggling6.17.2008<br /><br />Tuesday<br /><br />This morning we awoke at 5 am to catch our train to Aguas Calientes at 6:30. It took 3 soles to get from San Blas Plaza to the train station and on the way we passed La Plaza de Armas.<br /><br />The day before, on our trek back to Samay Wasi, we ran across what looked like a festival. There were men, women and children dancing, all dressed up in traditional Peruvian clothing. There were speeches and masses of people crowing the streets and park blocks. A woman was selling small Cusco flag pins.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>This morning many people were out in the Plaza again. I asked the taxi driver what kind of festival was going on, he replied the people of Cusco were up early to practice for Inti Rami.<br /><br />Waiting for the train to Aguas Calientes, we were two of the few with big backpacks. Everyone else looked as if they were going on a leisurely day expedition. This is Machu Picchu people! This is not a day at the zoo! As we boarded, we put our packs on racks (phew! because we were worried we might be denied taking our packs) and settled in. We began moving. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7s1ppU5AoKS-h9KATlXivfDGVzj036glZ59fWkgH3xmgKqL7ofhHIvN3OmxKVs2-1TbUZDZeiQlJn4XxHaE5UrB4HuhufUuo-eC_hNFwowgVUtGuJtbefm-PgdIZQ-K1w9ZDBvYWeKWPe/s1600-h/IMG_5937.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288400991033344018" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7s1ppU5AoKS-h9KATlXivfDGVzj036glZ59fWkgH3xmgKqL7ofhHIvN3OmxKVs2-1TbUZDZeiQlJn4XxHaE5UrB4HuhufUuo-eC_hNFwowgVUtGuJtbefm-PgdIZQ-K1w9ZDBvYWeKWPe/s200/IMG_5937.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW3pn2V0xWh1ssT3JD2pfDCdlCEJpE6prm82MYOv4fBkhqDusUQKhEY8YP3-FJyLbuaCIzq9UagKZ4qZJ4opVo3eI5rm_OTumPZIV3U2UdBwkEKQl3eVLlAK4qFT-7YMp9AkSzknGFj6E/s1600-h/IMG_5941.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288402515384871266" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW3pn2V0xWh1ssT3JD2pfDCdlCEJpE6prm82MYOv4fBkhqDusUQKhEY8YP3-FJyLbuaCIzq9UagKZ4qZJ4opVo3eI5rm_OTumPZIV3U2UdBwkEKQl3eVLlAK4qFT-7YMp9AkSzknGFj6E/s200/IMG_5941.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMDaZsKckwy2CDA_uk6UnsFsK1gYyNBAy2XKGJnP0cmYaYebpehIMfOPI1ofaARjJCtuj_fAeR_Nq5nYaSz1pEA_hWIF9Cm3cqAzrpC40ZbZ8tjctNxzpVc9jaNBiblewYwZR6-I5MFlu/s1600-h/IMG_5943.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288401781691845538" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMDaZsKckwy2CDA_uk6UnsFsK1gYyNBAy2XKGJnP0cmYaYebpehIMfOPI1ofaARjJCtuj_fAeR_Nq5nYaSz1pEA_hWIF9Cm3cqAzrpC40ZbZ8tjctNxzpVc9jaNBiblewYwZR6-I5MFlu/s200/IMG_5943.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1kG_Sop4dN4Pdc22gFxA6-VqqfyIDY-X9ntg8ujqjcbNWpXm3mDolpTO485RIra7JlaSPjIc9DDe6QUyEar57dxDtBsm47XZ8CwNN9IvSccxkcI_sxR6-rge1X2Gh0S0aqGigSHsPcVz/s1600-h/IMG_5946.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288402081765091490" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1kG_Sop4dN4Pdc22gFxA6-VqqfyIDY-X9ntg8ujqjcbNWpXm3mDolpTO485RIra7JlaSPjIc9DDe6QUyEar57dxDtBsm47XZ8CwNN9IvSccxkcI_sxR6-rge1X2Gh0S0aqGigSHsPcVz/s200/IMG_5946.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The people next to us, a family of five, were from Maryland and had only been in Peru a couple days like us. The train was cold, much colder than we had anticipated. All of a sudden, the train shuddered to a sudden stop. We began to move in the opposite direction. We thought “There must be something wrong!” After a short distance, the train shuddered to a stop once again and began chugging in the original direction. “They’ve fixed it!” But no, another stop and another direction change. “Ah hah!” We realized there was no problem, the train was chugging up the switchbacks, trying to get out of mountainous Cusco. Along the roadside, we saw dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, and cows, all just out for a morning stroll. Little baby piglets running all over the place! As we moved further into the mountains, the scenery was stunning. Deep valleys, snow capped mountains, hardworking Peruvians tending to the miles and miles of fields. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuvOr3rFms7Sia7_JroK-tnpcz8wclLFHMWcwm2mWtskKRawzmIgseKPlyxgr6uG3JEc_TherztOLmhqKTdX4J_DJl8CfDd877nGFvlop2v5D_kD5qxxIKpe-ikVHRevRXiPWaGdhlStE/s1600-h/IMG_5950.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288403274000065746" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuvOr3rFms7Sia7_JroK-tnpcz8wclLFHMWcwm2mWtskKRawzmIgseKPlyxgr6uG3JEc_TherztOLmhqKTdX4J_DJl8CfDd877nGFvlop2v5D_kD5qxxIKpe-ikVHRevRXiPWaGdhlStE/s200/IMG_5950.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp2GMhFSvNpoVauspr5CvuAag0iXIIzkF_SkpvKhQjwAyqRvUsLqU9Rs_sl-VIY_avzIBwVMT83T8V5apCWdEgxutKjBBAH1rpDeSYqMiWjdoPQh7fu73IOc9aEU48W453LMhDVO3lKCJ/s1600-h/IMG_5954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288403600571072466" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp2GMhFSvNpoVauspr5CvuAag0iXIIzkF_SkpvKhQjwAyqRvUsLqU9Rs_sl-VIY_avzIBwVMT83T8V5apCWdEgxutKjBBAH1rpDeSYqMiWjdoPQh7fu73IOc9aEU48W453LMhDVO3lKCJ/s200/IMG_5954.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>The trip seemed long. We bought sandwiches. The train was freezing and we were thankful for having our packs with extra clothing. The boy next to us threw up.<br /><br />We arrived around 11 o’clock am. We disembarked the train, packs and supplies in tow (don’t forget we were still lugging around bags of supplies for the orphanage, originally to have been dropped off the day before), and were ushered into a massive arts and crafts market. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6M1-efSyXm10rssC45JYtoq_zIPKI1gfk_mQrFUzS3Jun4qK0pdckZaIJDSxj0jPHdHH8sVuUWe2Zj1nRLNJpXiE0b8OOM7PV8zi6i55A-5m1lvgPYmwMwb7qGNWdkW5wLP1VvXfSzOs/s1600-h/IMG_5965.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288410617604932146" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6M1-efSyXm10rssC45JYtoq_zIPKI1gfk_mQrFUzS3Jun4qK0pdckZaIJDSxj0jPHdHH8sVuUWe2Zj1nRLNJpXiE0b8OOM7PV8zi6i55A-5m1lvgPYmwMwb7qGNWdkW5wLP1VvXfSzOs/s320/IMG_5965.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>We made out way through the maze of booths crammed with handcrafted items and found our way to Gringo Bills, in the Aguas Calientes Plaza. The hotel was beautiful. We checked in and made our way up the stairs half indoor, half outdoor, to our room. It felt like we were in a tropical paradise. The room was clean with fresh towels, nicely decorated. Our view was of the courtyard garden, which had been planted around the outdoor staircase. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPKMvwslgUDT_heaWlgciWGvtA_DABKxea5u_BRcyG4OOwS2Goa5593fXToDglrpSA9ZS6DfpJoKp9a9FYbBThyxjgx5srqcpDayql1NgZZaFtGmWqfhmzy5bYIQ3QO41tXAg8cISfmWH/s1600-h/IMG_5977.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288405762157354450" style="WIDTH: 187px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPKMvwslgUDT_heaWlgciWGvtA_DABKxea5u_BRcyG4OOwS2Goa5593fXToDglrpSA9ZS6DfpJoKp9a9FYbBThyxjgx5srqcpDayql1NgZZaFtGmWqfhmzy5bYIQ3QO41tXAg8cISfmWH/s200/IMG_5977.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3ETV-O8ritxFgjVSaCT62IpqN2coEJQr5OERjaRcHLvkCJOkw9Vcsrr7O2sWLIsfYdoNenL2bgzK5FKJVw4K8kyQ_2mQGD8WJZwYQnpCj1uNymjrm_G7CzGXB5NrhyimPnhhI3KB6zAi/s1600-h/IMG_5969.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288406346738378610" style="WIDTH: 119px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3ETV-O8ritxFgjVSaCT62IpqN2coEJQr5OERjaRcHLvkCJOkw9Vcsrr7O2sWLIsfYdoNenL2bgzK5FKJVw4K8kyQ_2mQGD8WJZwYQnpCj1uNymjrm_G7CzGXB5NrhyimPnhhI3KB6zAi/s200/IMG_5969.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe2Y9OxA8LFAWRnY6QoCs-4PtWPibHcm2yfOD5SK1nD83QbWLV3mAL0uRDHknA7nCqkGFc2J24jmXTIReGXUAwjOQJUK3R3OWiBjWzWEUsrbSJUAp75Bxg6kSE-Vrww_xLT16Ij04nHac/s1600-h/IMG_5982.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288406893639403858" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe2Y9OxA8LFAWRnY6QoCs-4PtWPibHcm2yfOD5SK1nD83QbWLV3mAL0uRDHknA7nCqkGFc2J24jmXTIReGXUAwjOQJUK3R3OWiBjWzWEUsrbSJUAp75Bxg6kSE-Vrww_xLT16Ij04nHac/s200/IMG_5982.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5fsaB6eIqHOYx7X6RaZCBOrGGoSBJ529fhrvDQsFdKQ9seeQkJQJgdV3Zm4jhrP1yxPdEwUhPZTh0S7sEGwY3zYgBXS-v6yehZ4pwvmfLdssJSsQUWPws6w4dEvmhkL-WaQ-hUqx3Jk4/s1600-h/DSCN5082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288407253980565010" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5fsaB6eIqHOYx7X6RaZCBOrGGoSBJ529fhrvDQsFdKQ9seeQkJQJgdV3Zm4jhrP1yxPdEwUhPZTh0S7sEGwY3zYgBXS-v6yehZ4pwvmfLdssJSsQUWPws6w4dEvmhkL-WaQ-hUqx3Jk4/s200/DSCN5082.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Rmtgk7SeLZ48cQNa1IvNc91yeTjJEfvo-Smv7sNtpnyXDzRAfU6EmNr7wnn8ryX1ptsE0lDmLcltKkf1TT_OOHSYDQiB9QcC56YP-c_uPvUrJXeLr_ZGLqb2N21PPPXcAe5NWGMDmpu/s1600-h/DSCN5083.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288407422907107698" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Rmtgk7SeLZ48cQNa1IvNc91yeTjJEfvo-Smv7sNtpnyXDzRAfU6EmNr7wnn8ryX1ptsE0lDmLcltKkf1TT_OOHSYDQiB9QcC56YP-c_uPvUrJXeLr_ZGLqb2N21PPPXcAe5NWGMDmpu/s200/DSCN5083.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />We recollected ourselves and set out to buy Machu Picchu tickets and bus passes. The tick for MP was s/122 or about $45. The bus pass to get up to MP was $14. We decided to do a little shopping in the market, though Aguas Calientes isn’t the best place to get the best bargains. Aguas Calientes, though set far away in the mountains, definitely had a touristy vibe to it. We tried to haggle a bit, but honestly I hate haggling. It was obvious the money we spent here would be going to people who had much less than we did. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8vmmktJ19Zeb_f-PB29fUTd5YDQ317__2hLNE31-n-GnBpMNJkfwFzm8Adz7DqYyo5PBRhOK6NV7wGbVLDfSJUC9rfllD2TeLAkdcgUZVV3qCUEj7X9RhpfQiFgczMqukDrJ00RW2I7P/s1600-h/IMG_5987.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288409687633154098" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8vmmktJ19Zeb_f-PB29fUTd5YDQ317__2hLNE31-n-GnBpMNJkfwFzm8Adz7DqYyo5PBRhOK6NV7wGbVLDfSJUC9rfllD2TeLAkdcgUZVV3qCUEj7X9RhpfQiFgczMqukDrJ00RW2I7P/s200/IMG_5987.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ2psyWfxUyXPADnwYfbmDM4Scb_D6XoW9rBq4qeL0eVpwUvuiZVWxD6M72kJSKQxbT1GrxMZNYWOhac_CBe1Iw-E9qnZrcnuBthJkbKTLq7t-ZYmMbe30wBDrLki-pIqxbNT2SS37DJj/s1600-h/DSCN5092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288408921913134898" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ2psyWfxUyXPADnwYfbmDM4Scb_D6XoW9rBq4qeL0eVpwUvuiZVWxD6M72kJSKQxbT1GrxMZNYWOhac_CBe1Iw-E9qnZrcnuBthJkbKTLq7t-ZYmMbe30wBDrLki-pIqxbNT2SS37DJj/s200/DSCN5092.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrTZwPvLU2pJ6Z1Z-AgHGOnW7HupJOodrT5TpZHegyERxgMQhgdYW0ldPXEZ5bCSm9EAW3SC9iU4X_Pf3vuSOse2BNb_LOvcHTE4gSkqDSXcTK9CFuggSvm-rRp4GXPgMRsTs2wD-hA_R/s1600-h/IMG_5997.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288409191687428754" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrTZwPvLU2pJ6Z1Z-AgHGOnW7HupJOodrT5TpZHegyERxgMQhgdYW0ldPXEZ5bCSm9EAW3SC9iU4X_Pf3vuSOse2BNb_LOvcHTE4gSkqDSXcTK9CFuggSvm-rRp4GXPgMRsTs2wD-hA_R/s200/IMG_5997.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />Aguas was cool, but clear and surrounded by high mountains. We sat for awhile in the plaza and watched other tourists and locals. Behind us we could hear the local children in school. We watched a stray dog fight. We watched a dog take a piss in the lawn around the fountain of the Incan god. I don’t think Incan god would like this. We cleaned up and went to dinner. Baked potato and beans. A typical meal as Peru grows over 3,000 kinds of potatoes. Read an interesting story about this <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-05-27-peru-chile-potato_N.htm">here</a>. The meal was good, but expensive compared to Cusco.<br /><br />We finally got to bed around 8:30, trying to get enough sleep for our 4:30am wake up and our much anticipated day exploring Machu Picchu! </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb1zsEjUsRY2xbF2PAS5XaVUtjhSEHfhfxchtkPF8wufaK9b6vSoXQJtI_4OBWcPdIh2mhAuVoaT8Trn5tojOf3iks9KSF2OGwixWTLLXgNtIqSOt7OP8EdmB-OcnxfzZZsSdjQeKHpeW/s1600-h/IMG_6009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288410187581216082" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb1zsEjUsRY2xbF2PAS5XaVUtjhSEHfhfxchtkPF8wufaK9b6vSoXQJtI_4OBWcPdIh2mhAuVoaT8Trn5tojOf3iks9KSF2OGwixWTLLXgNtIqSOt7OP8EdmB-OcnxfzZZsSdjQeKHpeW/s400/IMG_6009.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-12388249210242693042008-11-18T21:36:00.000-08:002008-11-18T22:19:53.622-08:00...and the parade of omelets begins.6.17.2008 <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify">Tuesday </div><br /><div align="justify">Sitting in la Plaza de Aguas Calientes, I watch two little chicos Peruanos blowing bubbles. One sneaks over to dump his bottle of bubbles in the fountain of the Inka. This is officially day two of Peru.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">6.16.2008<br />Monday </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">As we stepped off the plane in Lima, we were ushered to customs where we got one more stamp in our passports. It was 12:15 am we couldn’t check in to our flight to Cusco until 3:30 am. We walk up the stairs, first through the throng of people and drivers waiting for their individual passengers. Upstairs we find a small food court, complete with Starbucks, Dunkin Doughnuts, and Papa John’s Pizza. Who would’ve guessed! The cleaners had come to wash the floor so we were shoved into a corridor where other exhausted travelers had taken up camp on the linoleum floor. As we settled down on to the ground, I leaned back onto by bags and fell into a very light sleep, unable to hold my eyes open any longer. It seemed Jill was too anxious to sleep. A while later, we gathered our bags and wandered down to wait in yet another check in line. In typical Latin American fashion, they began checking in ½ an hour late.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypliWQBaS1GywvvcUrAPiYg5cNGnyCICK36OtTXTPB6PbH2XR3tEkrGSwkGfNPfCV1NoBiIvJxuH9tW80OCfrBq-sF9QY_T9lofQ0Zee4WDLwDXAqIiRK9kh0Ma-bLUsxji8cBqnIqflp/s1600-h/DSCN5041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270240856245622882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypliWQBaS1GywvvcUrAPiYg5cNGnyCICK36OtTXTPB6PbH2XR3tEkrGSwkGfNPfCV1NoBiIvJxuH9tW80OCfrBq-sF9QY_T9lofQ0Zee4WDLwDXAqIiRK9kh0Ma-bLUsxji8cBqnIqflp/s200/DSCN5041.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2n5q6N3s31VwCzReLrN3IhlGAhBt670l6xyzUiHu7zcqHwrX0AhHzsdz0o1gh3xnaW8yvLDPBQJW0D5trVmtGj-uBqUJ0Wroja4W5cEK6oE0H3pE-l-N5rVv6R1wCmlI-NgdoqOLPuXy/s1600-h/DSCN5040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270240850284832914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2n5q6N3s31VwCzReLrN3IhlGAhBt670l6xyzUiHu7zcqHwrX0AhHzsdz0o1gh3xnaW8yvLDPBQJW0D5trVmtGj-uBqUJ0Wroja4W5cEK6oE0H3pE-l-N5rVv6R1wCmlI-NgdoqOLPuXy/s200/DSCN5040.JPG" border="0" /></a> .<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">As we boarded the plane, Jill and I both succumbed to our pesky exhaustion and fell asleep.<br /><br />Finally, after 25 hours, we had landed in Cusco and were met with a chilly, rainy, grey day. We picked up our bags and headed out. I spotted the name Jill Cox right away and found our pick up man. We were strongly advised to pre-arrange transportation as the transportation system in Peru is highly unregulated. He hailed us a taxi, and so began our death defying trip to Samay Wasi. Apparently, in Peru, honking is not only permitted, but frequently used and encouraged. Every five seconds. And the right of way by no means belongs to pedestrians, but rather to the overwhelming number of taxis waving in and out of traffic. So get out of the way! But all in all, after all the sharp turns, close calls, and near would-be hit and runs, we only actually saw one fender bender. Upon our arrival at Samay Wasi, our first hostel, our “Jose” paid three soles for the 20 minute trip. (As of November 14th, 2008, three soles is equivalent to about 97 cents, US.)<br /><br />We climbed the steep stairs to the entrance of the hostel and checked in. The man at the desk got our information and asked us (I thought…) if we wanted any Coca (as in Coca Cola). I politely declined, but then he asked how we were doing with the altitude. Ah hah! He must mean Coca de mate – known for helping with altitude sickness! “The Divine and Magic Plant of the Incas,” Coca de mate is an herbal tea made from the Coca plant. Yes, you’ve got it right people, the same plant from which cocaine is made. However, the amount of cocaine in each leaf is extremely small, approximately 0.2%. The leaf is illegal in the United States, and is considered to be “drug paraphernalia”, but is a prominent part of Peruvian culture. More information found at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_tea">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_tea</a>. More on that later. The Coca de mate offering man told us to drop our stuff off in our room and come back for some tea. </div><br /><div align="justify">We put our bags in our room and went upstairs to the dining area. Here met Mike and Ryan, a father and son traveling Peru. We discussed where we were from and our Peru plans. Mike and Ryan were from Cashmere, Washington – a small town on Hwy 2 between Leavenworth and Wenatchee, Washington! Mike had never gotten his bag in Cusco because it had n<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSHQXGRft6XU4GBAZ3i0Ekp8g9bE16VOklcfBEn9wWopKEgHYXwDlj8d34lHJ2SBhW6eMLUyf3c3_0cw75imFgc9o729Ev2rM5fgjrI_gov6c1jLmpbn5w9tMeXQ2lNvm7I7d1wjtXNEt/s1600-h/DSCN5043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270241460273841218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSHQXGRft6XU4GBAZ3i0Ekp8g9bE16VOklcfBEn9wWopKEgHYXwDlj8d34lHJ2SBhW6eMLUyf3c3_0cw75imFgc9o729Ev2rM5fgjrI_gov6c1jLmpbn5w9tMeXQ2lNvm7I7d1wjtXNEt/s200/DSCN5043.JPG" border="0" /></a>ever left Seattle, exactly one of our fears! Jill and I even went as far as putting some stuff in each other’s packs just in case one pack didn’t make it to Peru. Anyway, we told them our plans of going to the bus station, and the train station, and they offered to walk us part way. We gathered and left the hostel. Cusco was cold and cloudy, but we felt fine with the altitude. We walked a ways to the train station, got our tickets, then walked to the bus station, picked up those tickets. By then we had walked quite a ways, we were running on roughly 2 ½ hours of sleep, and about ½ a piece of bread since 7 pm the night before.<br /><br />The city was a whirlwind of people, all preparing for the upcoming Inti Rami (festival of the sun) on June 24th. Young and old practiced dances in brightly colored outfits. Stray and homeless dogs ran everywhere. Taxis honked and zoomed by. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ-ozLND8CM8f_KOfRTefGhWrjLWHjsvFa30ybJk_OBKdJHQItyxh-AvQUXumsTtlPJ5_-aZoHRgKZgFg2GSX1RUgMeCCiIv1Z6DCRucTnXMEdRbTiFgI30YK5qi2fLk0TpkT8-pQpPO2/s1600-h/IMG_5921.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270242276699913666" style="WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ-ozLND8CM8f_KOfRTefGhWrjLWHjsvFa30ybJk_OBKdJHQItyxh-AvQUXumsTtlPJ5_-aZoHRgKZgFg2GSX1RUgMeCCiIv1Z6DCRucTnXMEdRbTiFgI30YK5qi2fLk0TpkT8-pQpPO2/s200/IMG_5921.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify">---</div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4G8fD9TPlQYeMO6iChePj2PU9WYpXcC3oNMgNEGFYqFUAS_raTDRZyTy0kjL1rFOQ6gKGyr9-qClRSkrm8wOefsxTWw2wC7GQWTKgM0LH0JSj-apyW24mezD4xmAuvbOq1nMriTT84GW/s1600-h/IMG_5922.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270242282157121266" style="WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4G8fD9TPlQYeMO6iChePj2PU9WYpXcC3oNMgNEGFYqFUAS_raTDRZyTy0kjL1rFOQ6gKGyr9-qClRSkrm8wOefsxTWw2wC7GQWTKgM0LH0JSj-apyW24mezD4xmAuvbOq1nMriTT84GW/s200/IMG_5922.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify">---</div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP_gpF6Ox4uoroLcGRD77vdjHYkmF1fxS2WVniOEPHtvV8ypYUv4AE0jBluh6IyKA7UcNBhN9S5uiD5F6WXYhColxVbTms-DS0ZhgILT3O7fNW8T1kkXnRZHkMbNPgD1jehRIdxGAuQWa/s1600-h/IMG_5923.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270242285644736818" style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP_gpF6Ox4uoroLcGRD77vdjHYkmF1fxS2WVniOEPHtvV8ypYUv4AE0jBluh6IyKA7UcNBhN9S5uiD5F6WXYhColxVbTms-DS0ZhgILT3O7fNW8T1kkXnRZHkMbNPgD1jehRIdxGAuQWa/s200/IMG_5923.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="justify">We made the trek back, not without stopping multiple times. By this time, I could barely breathe, felt light headed, and sick to my stomach. Jill was not in good condition either. And on top of it all, we still had plans to make it out to Casa De Milagros, the orphanage we had brought supplies for. As I began to ask the owner of the hostel how to get to Casa de Milagros, I began to get the chills and my eyes went in and out of focus. I was unable to comprehen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzccMoRG0t5-uHgrhJAuRPZKh4pMPTV1g_rIqjRI10xiNUogMbX6avrKUZxB5JwmNhqBSS5yOiD4gC3Sms0PY3zrElDmuHdfT4ViL45W1Rfio3PEuhGnd7QaOHmDGoS9D-NdAoVXuc2JKG/s1600-h/DSCN5048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270243924573551842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzccMoRG0t5-uHgrhJAuRPZKh4pMPTV1g_rIqjRI10xiNUogMbX6avrKUZxB5JwmNhqBSS5yOiD4gC3Sms0PY3zrElDmuHdfT4ViL45W1Rfio3PEuhGnd7QaOHmDGoS9D-NdAoVXuc2JKG/s200/DSCN5048.JPG" border="0" /></a>d anything, neither Spanish nor English. Jill and I had looked up on the map where Casa was located, it happened to be on the way back from Ollantaytambo. We were already planning on coming back from Machu Picchu through Ollantaytambo on Thursday. We decided to pass on Casa today and take a nap instead. We would drop off the supplies Thursday.<br /><br />We laid down to rest and fell asleep. Three hours flew by. Jill woke me up at 4 o’clock and said we needed to get something to eat (good thinking jill!). We headed down the long steep corridor to get down to the restaurant the owner had recommended. We walked in and were met with a dark room with several tables and two or three customers. The owner came up to us with a menu, consisting mostly fried or baked chicken, or<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwoRlHs6eX3NkMksyYYuJQekObNCNShyphenhyphenh3AWkuVTXxNiZBbNruBJNV29B-6m8w7g_RbAHjWxBvmOe9gmfZaHaGfPcHyX-1q0m1ynCBRbnOIt-ngBpNgmNDQIg3xC4hTQHnTg1ZLm0DWpb/s1600-h/DSCN5050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270243291876224818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwoRlHs6eX3NkMksyYYuJQekObNCNShyphenhyphenh3AWkuVTXxNiZBbNruBJNV29B-6m8w7g_RbAHjWxBvmOe9gmfZaHaGfPcHyX-1q0m1ynCBRbnOIt-ngBpNgmNDQIg3xC4hTQHnTg1ZLm0DWpb/s200/DSCN5050.JPG" border="0" /></a> fish. Have I mentioned yet that Jill is a vegetarian? That’s right kids. And we knew we might run into some trouble with that at some point, but we didn’t expect it this soon! I politely asked the man if he had anything without meat. He said he did and returned with a nice cream of… mushroom? chicken? Anyway it was soup. With cheese on top. After not eating for nearly 24 hours, this was a nice transition back into the food eating world. Next he brought out a vegetable omelet with white rice. It looked edible, good even, but after just one bite I knew I wouldn’t be able to stomach much more. All together we paid 10 soles for both meals. The owner asked if I didn’t enjoy the omelet since I had only taken a few bites. He had such a worried look on his face, I lied and told him I had had food poisoning.<br /><br />Back to the hostel and to bed by 7 pm.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO67fNTy6tDk_t7ySU2Hp_YiLJlxiJPO80lkA3iUKN91mzLAYsz-a2kXf4UhR4vY1ZeGwBa2cJdsfNdRuwxVuHqCWJifRvhPZVHhdr1xLKdX5WWo0_nWw86DhYPtbeREgINq1m4Xep-LR/s1600-h/IMG_5926.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270244845080428306" style="WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO67fNTy6tDk_t7ySU2Hp_YiLJlxiJPO80lkA3iUKN91mzLAYsz-a2kXf4UhR4vY1ZeGwBa2cJdsfNdRuwxVuHqCWJifRvhPZVHhdr1xLKdX5WWo0_nWw86DhYPtbeREgINq1m4Xep-LR/s200/IMG_5926.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify">---</div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9IW7uvEGXmQd7RwXLev7865DARqK-A2LViRaq-Fch5eC9ZMpobqbMXB16vurisFFODBa4hYx5sj3jfk-VW5yVRSegkvwBm5GDWWwNg2JjAOv_Z9pi3QKOTLPL5AgHTJ-4f_pW_Q0zeJ7/s1600-h/IMG_5929.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270244848229694434" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9IW7uvEGXmQd7RwXLev7865DARqK-A2LViRaq-Fch5eC9ZMpobqbMXB16vurisFFODBa4hYx5sj3jfk-VW5yVRSegkvwBm5GDWWwNg2JjAOv_Z9pi3QKOTLPL5AgHTJ-4f_pW_Q0zeJ7/s200/IMG_5929.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify">---</div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMNdR_IikCf1N0GI-Mm4BkLUlnjNl5LiIRIbpePilrdoV1frSAsxqwJMeDjCExyl2DOkbrivUEZ6ObTFEcYszkOEfbE564pWkXTdybL3v2QpD8gYW9oww_-tkd5XmHtA0rN4MBRgtv3z2/s1600-h/IMG_5928.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270244854605286242" style="WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMNdR_IikCf1N0GI-Mm4BkLUlnjNl5LiIRIbpePilrdoV1frSAsxqwJMeDjCExyl2DOkbrivUEZ6ObTFEcYszkOEfbE564pWkXTdybL3v2QpD8gYW9oww_-tkd5XmHtA0rN4MBRgtv3z2/s200/IMG_5928.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="justify">---</div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYIE7dPzvbX5hOJkNF8LW0NgzS7p7T5jBYFojOc48DMit0Zn505EwWozmgeOik88EF9yzXdk7nkKvjqqu8WjOstlb0519Sruoyb5tkcYIMGaUSXkTpS79JaiE_q6sNpvkNtVNMaEd25K_/s1600-h/IMG_5925.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270244858993617426" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYIE7dPzvbX5hOJkNF8LW0NgzS7p7T5jBYFojOc48DMit0Zn505EwWozmgeOik88EF9yzXdk7nkKvjqqu8WjOstlb0519Sruoyb5tkcYIMGaUSXkTpS79JaiE_q6sNpvkNtVNMaEd25K_/s200/IMG_5925.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-84860743575129650822008-10-21T08:36:00.000-07:002008-10-21T09:16:41.304-07:00the trail mix will be our demise!<div align="justify"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259635810118309234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_y0Q7PfZ_YWf6Lq9_gMnGBNaPOWvdIZgwm1O2_QuICEHuArpGoVDw25xmwTXQgM85PR5fBizlq1MzN8pfOnFEldDBTXMMg06_JJ-uC80eXaZV3SX2jO6U7XxPYHh11RueD7fNTSOfJhQ/s200/IMG_5913.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div align="justify">6.15.2008 <br />Sunday </div><div align="justify"><br />Well we had a very interesting start to our trip indeed. Holly and Travis picked us up promptly at 5:45 am and drive Jill and me to the airport. We arrived at Sea-Tac to check in with AeroMexico at 6:20, however we were unable to check in until 7:30! Turns out our flight departure time had been changed to 9:30 from 8:30. A potential whole extra hour of sleep wasted! As we sit at the gate, waiting for board, we realize we will only have about 40 minutes to catch our connecting flight. AH!<br /><br />The 4 hour and 45 minute trip from Seattle to Mexico City was grueling. Jill and I were both balled up nerves, not helped one bit by the dozens of small children on the plane doing what they do best.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259634085603493026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaePHFOSjk8osVvR1PcVTtdDman7CrJW3rUesJ4tX94KJdkPmrpNsOtQTQaShNpDbTRBYHRd5XNA3apbge5nILQogQ2ST_795UMCo3Ym5wBnC8a6ORoT2yrInaIktGgB__V2fIVTkvYF0/s320/DSCN5037.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"><br />We talked to two flight attendants on the plane about what to do to make our connecting flight on time. All we got was a “oh we’ll let the front know to send a message; they’ll probably hold the plane for you.” As soon as the plane touched down and the seatbelt sign chimed off, Jill and I rushed the front of the plane. We had been about three rows from the very back. We made it about ten rows and came to a dead halt. As we finally “exited the aircraft”, we began sprinting down the hall, ONLY to find a snaking line of people waiting to pass through immigration. On our way to the horrific line, we stopped to ask where our next flight would be and he wrote it on my boarding pass.<br /><br />Then we waited. And waited and waited and waited in line for immigration. Forty minutes till departure. Thirty minutes. Twenty minutes. FINALLY we make it through immigration…only to get into another line for customs! So we go through customs.<br /><br />Woman – “Excuse me, tienes comida.”<br /><br />Shit shit! The trail mix will be our demise!<br /><br />Woman – “Push the red button.”<br /><br />I push. Green means go.<br /><br />Woman to Jill – “You too.”<br /><br />She pushes. Red. OH THE AGONY!<br /><br />The woman unzips the top of her bag. “Ok good, you can go.”<br /><br />So we r.u.n. We RUN. Up the escalators, down the corridor. We come to another checkpoint! Security. By now Jill is so frazzled she thing the guy is speaking Spanish, telling her to take off her shoes. Turns out he was only asking, in English, if we had any laptops. So we run again. And stop again at another checkpoint. All clear. RUN! We run and run. Like in a movie. Running, checking for our gate number, and running. We check for our gate number one last time and sprint down the corridor. Oh it burns!<br /><br />Then we see it. Our gate. And a man waving his arms dramatically. What does he mean by the arm waving? Is it a “you’re too late” wave, or a “no worries, we’ve held the plane for you” wave? Turns out it was the very same man we had spoken to earlier, before the immigration mess, about where our gate would be. He had gone up to international flights to make sure we made it. He held the plane for us!<br /><br />This was good news. Very good news. If we had missed this flight, we would have had to wait six hours (six hours!) until the next flight to Lima. We would have then missed our flight to Cusco, thus throwing the whole trip off schedule! Well, ok. Not the entire trip. But the first day. And maybe our Machu Picchu trip. That was a risk we were not willing to take! In the end it worked out. We had made our connection with zero time to spare.<br />___<br />A small side note: Jill called me the Friday before our flight and left a message on my voicemail. “We have a big problem. Our flight to the jungle has been cancelled. Call me when you get this.” My stomach balled up. Shit shit! The jungle trip is the grand finale, the mini-trip on our adventure that cost the most. The one that really required the Yellow Fever vaccination. How could this be happening two (2!) days before we leave!<br /><br />Jill and I spent the next two hours trying to secure another flight that wouldn’t cost double, or even triple, what we had initially paid. Finally, we resorted to going through GoTo Peru.com. GoToPeru.com had become an evil empire. They were who we booked our first flight through and were slow as hell about getting back to us that time. What could we do with only a day and a half until leaving civilization and entering the very unknown land (technologically speaking) of Peru?! We had no other choice. So we hope to get a confirmation from them in the next couple days, confirming our flights.<br /><br />P.S. Our plane to/from the jungle was cancelled because Peru (as a collective whole) grounded all AeroCondor flights. Due to critical engine and safety issues.<br />-----<br />And so our adventure begins… <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcWaWINv5npSDDjrssDMBm2eC98f6SP4H9mrWjPs2yNT7mFSBeC0OoAO33BoVSszVdpBlQn6s5jTk6xyuL47Xk0mrIdDppJXutlgHufC7h9jxDbw7DjgpLsDhOpwrTLxORalQbSB9h9wG/s1600-h/DSCN5041.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /></p><div align="justify"> Sea-Tac to Mexico City Airport<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a> </div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgIcP8xIaQEjZ6v8f3wPGSiDzP8d8rpLEEa_ROiCcSZRsxUfgOmDBlBGjUo7vbCVs5vPCb6d-vQA9_8juCJWSLCYZtr4-z2s-1ly5U3tpOD3KgCYDa0TunM3J30ed7Je3ape2ah7RE-R4/s1600-h/stop_seatac5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259639243800479874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="214" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgIcP8xIaQEjZ6v8f3wPGSiDzP8d8rpLEEa_ROiCcSZRsxUfgOmDBlBGjUo7vbCVs5vPCb6d-vQA9_8juCJWSLCYZtr4-z2s-1ly5U3tpOD3KgCYDa0TunM3J30ed7Je3ape2ah7RE-R4/s320/stop_seatac5.jpg" width="285" border="0" /></a> <div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259639489450466834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" height="257" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s320/mexico+city+air.bmp" width="320" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><div align="justify"><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwkFCAaHBGIoLeFfFKzX6sx18tulgXTEmN7rVg2gsbruwKQC9ArIbZc4Vm1YDAMcSiDNCcuVVwbnwn2bpjpmW3bZoee5jv5YtG0DGdF5_TkMF-vXUNvZ3qCh2_uyOG-mgXeOFcUNKU3p4/s1600-h/mexico+city+air.bmp"></a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771489426192089724.post-54906561584913199032008-09-21T07:26:00.000-07:002008-09-21T07:48:43.724-07:00Adventures of Peru<div><br /><br /><div>In June 2008, my friend and I took a trip to Peru. The trip was two and a half weeks long. I have told anyone and everyone who is interested about the wonders of Peru and traveling there and back. However, I still come up short in their desires of traveling vicariously through my good friend and me. It has been requested that I start a blog about our adventures, which brings us here. </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Over the next few weeks, or perhaps months, I will be sharing with you a day by day account of our adventures. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248484738932844146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkRGMTF5ifKOyZdnoJNkK5v2OIwoSUIiVCg_l7dk7lmbQcsD8op7R3EEoYBk9DqI2YG0LlHK0pbGLZxZbx6kev5kRfGjxoHXNlrvjwBKsyt_FRY20JmrtBUyQY6mucT3nLObW5bqwy25Q/s320/Peru-flag.gif" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2