So it seems as though Nicole's grand adventure is going to be cut short.
While I had hoped it would make sense to wait around for my foot to heal, after a day of minimal walking and pain in the ol foot, I realize that it aint going to happen. The last week has basically consisted of my sitting on my ass, wasting money, and getting fatter. I wont lie, I am pretty much devestated as I was looking forward to extending my trip, not cutting it so short. That said, I have had an amazing 3 months, perhaps my most amazing 3 months ever, and wouldnt change a thing. I have appreciated every place I have been, and every person I have met, even up until the great fall.
Hopefully, (if I end up getting a round trip ticket) I will make it back within the next few months, if not it's been real. Thanks to everyone who has kept up with my trip and sent me messages along the way.
peace out.
Niclo
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
The stupid things I do
SOOOO it seems as though I broke a ligament in my foot.
What does this mean...well first it means that I can put absolutely no pressure on my foot without intense pain. Second, it means I am stuck in Iguassu, unable to visit the waterfalls, for the next 3 or 4 days. And third, it means that my trip may be cut short rather than extended.
How did it happen you ask...welllll I fell down one stair. What happened was a big group of us, 15 or so, had gone to a bar/ dance place. It was around 4 in the morning, I had had a few drinks, nothing excessive, and a group of us decided to go back to the hostel. Nili was walking ahead with this guy she was interested in but who I had the feeling was kind of a sketch ball. I was walking with this guy from Amsterdam, talking about shat. All of a sudden I realize Nili is gone. Being the good/ responsible friend that I am, I assume she is off being raped or something and I freak out. At this point I also realize that I am completely lost, and that niether me nor Amsterdam boy know where we are going (Nili was with the locals) After a while we find our way home, and I go running looking for Nili. The guy at the desk tells me she is not there and to go to sleep. I refuse and run into the hostel in the pitch black where I fall down literally one stair and break my ass. I later find Nili watching TV (turns out local guy was a sketch ball, long story) I considered strangling her for having ditched me but I decided not to.
Anyway...The moral of the story is my foot hurts like a bitch, though its much better today than yesterday.
Happy Thanksgiving by the way....
Nicole
What does this mean...well first it means that I can put absolutely no pressure on my foot without intense pain. Second, it means I am stuck in Iguassu, unable to visit the waterfalls, for the next 3 or 4 days. And third, it means that my trip may be cut short rather than extended.
How did it happen you ask...welllll I fell down one stair. What happened was a big group of us, 15 or so, had gone to a bar/ dance place. It was around 4 in the morning, I had had a few drinks, nothing excessive, and a group of us decided to go back to the hostel. Nili was walking ahead with this guy she was interested in but who I had the feeling was kind of a sketch ball. I was walking with this guy from Amsterdam, talking about shat. All of a sudden I realize Nili is gone. Being the good/ responsible friend that I am, I assume she is off being raped or something and I freak out. At this point I also realize that I am completely lost, and that niether me nor Amsterdam boy know where we are going (Nili was with the locals) After a while we find our way home, and I go running looking for Nili. The guy at the desk tells me she is not there and to go to sleep. I refuse and run into the hostel in the pitch black where I fall down literally one stair and break my ass. I later find Nili watching TV (turns out local guy was a sketch ball, long story) I considered strangling her for having ditched me but I decided not to.
Anyway...The moral of the story is my foot hurts like a bitch, though its much better today than yesterday.
Happy Thanksgiving by the way....
Nicole
Monday, November 21, 2005
HOTHOTHOT
I feel as though I am in the middle of an internet tour of Argentina HOWEVER it is so unbearably hot here that my choices are limited. We spend a few hours outside and then need airconditioning. The choices are going to a restaurant (which ain´t gunna happen as we have recently decided we are in desperate need of a diet) or an internet cafe. Thus since coming to Argentina I have started visiting 3 or 4 internet cafe´s per day.
SO Tucuman was interesting. We were walking down the street early in the morning (around 10) looking for a good ol fashion ensalada de frutas (back to the diet thang) when some dude starts talking to us in English. Sitting on a windowsill was this blonde caricature of a man asking, in perfect english, what we were doing. I told him we were looking for fruit salad which he ignored. For the next 4 hours we talked with this dude about his time in the states, his ¨lover¨frank, and pop culture I think he may have been slightly insane but it was good times. Every few minutes he would break into songs from ¨rent¨ or quotes from random movies. He then dubbed me the happiness fairy ...mmm´k...
Today we are in Corrientes (though actually Resistencia at the moment, home of 400 outdoor sculptures) Tomorrow I head to Iquassu. Super excited though hoping it isnt hotter there than it is here....im thinking it probably is.
peace out
SO Tucuman was interesting. We were walking down the street early in the morning (around 10) looking for a good ol fashion ensalada de frutas (back to the diet thang) when some dude starts talking to us in English. Sitting on a windowsill was this blonde caricature of a man asking, in perfect english, what we were doing. I told him we were looking for fruit salad which he ignored. For the next 4 hours we talked with this dude about his time in the states, his ¨lover¨frank, and pop culture I think he may have been slightly insane but it was good times. Every few minutes he would break into songs from ¨rent¨ or quotes from random movies. He then dubbed me the happiness fairy ...mmm´k...
Today we are in Corrientes (though actually Resistencia at the moment, home of 400 outdoor sculptures) Tomorrow I head to Iquassu. Super excited though hoping it isnt hotter there than it is here....im thinking it probably is.
peace out
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Change of plans
So I have started reading The diary of Anne Frank in spanish. Maybe a slightly wierd choice but I figured I should read something I already know and the store I went to had very few choices.
Two days ago Nili and I made the decision that it made more sense for us to split up for the next month and a half as we want to go in different directions. The plan was basically that today I would go east and she would got south. Thankfully, as we both needed more time to digest the idea of solo travel, she decided to just follow me east for the time being. We are heading to Corrientes. From there I will head north to the Iguassu Falls (largest falls in the world) and then we will meet up again in Uruguay. Then from there we will head to Buenos Aires. After that everything is fuzzy . I am considering adding a month or so to my trip, which would change everything. For example, as of now I am skipping the southern tip of argentina as well as patagonia. aaaah....we will see.
Two days ago Nili and I made the decision that it made more sense for us to split up for the next month and a half as we want to go in different directions. The plan was basically that today I would go east and she would got south. Thankfully, as we both needed more time to digest the idea of solo travel, she decided to just follow me east for the time being. We are heading to Corrientes. From there I will head north to the Iguassu Falls (largest falls in the world) and then we will meet up again in Uruguay. Then from there we will head to Buenos Aires. After that everything is fuzzy . I am considering adding a month or so to my trip, which would change everything. For example, as of now I am skipping the southern tip of argentina as well as patagonia. aaaah....we will see.
Friday, November 18, 2005
BEEF
Plenty of fun stories to tell that will not be told because some nameless people have lossed story privelages (cant spell) for everyone.
Will say that Argentinian beef is all its cracked up to be, though after experimenting I have found that argentinian mcdonalds is nothing special.
off to Tucuman tonight.
Will say that Argentinian beef is all its cracked up to be, though after experimenting I have found that argentinian mcdonalds is nothing special.
off to Tucuman tonight.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Chile to Bolivia to Chile to Argentina
I wish I were a better writer so I could explain how amazing and wonderful everyday here has been. Its unreal to live every day and really feel like its being lived to the fullest. I know its cheesy, and I kind of have to roll my eyes at myself, but its just great to be so happy and feel so right all the time.
ANYYYWAY...Getting from Chile to Bolivia was a bitch. Jason, Nili and I took 2 buses totalling around 27 hours to get from Iquique to Uyuni. The second leg of the trip was in basically a converted school bus. It was especially wonderful because we drove through terrain without a paved road. In the words of Nili it was like being in '' a giant vibrating machine.'' It was almost impossible to see as our eyeballs shook around in our heads. What made the trip especially special was the lack of bathroom and the extreme food poisoning I came down with half way through. I'll spare you all the details.
We arrived in Iquique at 4 in the morning. Nili slept on the bus while Jason and I played dominos with some local kids in the street. At around 7 we went to a hostel where we slept the day. That night we headed out for some ''American'' food at a local restaurant owned by a guy from Amherst, MA. It was especially random becaue Uyuni is one of the smallest least interesting towns I have been to yet. We ate fresh baked cookies with whole milk, and the best pizza I have had in ages.
The next day we headed off on our Uyuni trip. My group was 6 people. The three of us, A girl named Jamie from CA travelling alone on month 13 of her trip, a girl named Angela from Framingham, MA, on month 5 of her trip, also travelling alone, and a German dude on month 12 of his trip also travelling alone. At first I was a little concerned, as we have not encountered many Americans and was curious what the dynamic would be like, but these people were so awesome. The first day was pretty chill, we visited the salt deserts and took many crazy group perspective shots (i'll post them tomorrow and you'll see what I mean). Then we visited a train graveyard. Then we headed to our hostel in the middle of nowhere. From there was an amazing Mirador (look out point), that Jason, Matt, Angela and I decided to climb to. It was basically hard core climbing but was well worth it when we got to the top. All you could see was white salt straight to the horizon. Haha, oh yes, I skipped something important. Angela and Matt had been to Potosi, a mining town, the day before. In true boy fashion Matt decided it would be a good idea to purchase bolivian dynamite and '' blow things up.'' While, I was slightly concerned the other 3 thought blowing up a ginormous rock on top of the mirador would be a great idea. Despite being made fun of for saying I didnt want my eyes to blow out, I heard my moms voice in the back of my head and decided to walk about 200 feet away from the rock behind another gigantic rock and watch from there. Angela eventually followed me but the boys stayed close. After around 6 minutes the rock exploded. It was super cool looking and the sound around the mountain was awesome.
The next day we saw flamingos, a red lake, a green lake, and a white a lake, as well as a tree made of rock. Everything was cool. That night the temp dropped to around negative 15 C and we were staying in a joint in the middle of the desert with no heat or electricity. We decided to keep warm we needed to play kings and drink lots of rum. It was lots of fun and we all talked straight through the night and got to know eachother. It was amazing hearing other peoples reasons for travelling and their perspectives on being travellers in general. I will really miss them all though we will hopefully all cross paths in the next month or so.
The next day we arrived in Chili where Nili and I immediately caught a bus to Salta, Argentina. After getting on the bus we realized that the trip was 12 hours. Neither of us were happy about this, though the trip turned out to be the best bus ride so far. Sitting around us were around 20 Argentinian rugby players who attached themselves to us within the first 5 minutes of the trip. One guy had a guitar with him and they sang songs for most of the trip (including an adorable rendition of NY, NY). At one point, as the sun was setting outside, and the mountains were particularly amazing, and the boys were playing an awesome song, I looked over at Nili and realized we were both crying from happiness. Ah...I wish I could explain the moment, or the moments, but I cant. Life is good, life is good.
Last night we arrived in Salta at around midnight. Somehow while I was showering Nili made us plans to go get food with these 2 rastafarian argentinians. We ate sandwiches and spoke in spanish. Tonight we are going out to some cool music joints in salta with them. Should be fun times.
thats all folks....sorry for the length...
Nicole
ANYYYWAY...Getting from Chile to Bolivia was a bitch. Jason, Nili and I took 2 buses totalling around 27 hours to get from Iquique to Uyuni. The second leg of the trip was in basically a converted school bus. It was especially wonderful because we drove through terrain without a paved road. In the words of Nili it was like being in '' a giant vibrating machine.'' It was almost impossible to see as our eyeballs shook around in our heads. What made the trip especially special was the lack of bathroom and the extreme food poisoning I came down with half way through. I'll spare you all the details.
We arrived in Iquique at 4 in the morning. Nili slept on the bus while Jason and I played dominos with some local kids in the street. At around 7 we went to a hostel where we slept the day. That night we headed out for some ''American'' food at a local restaurant owned by a guy from Amherst, MA. It was especially random becaue Uyuni is one of the smallest least interesting towns I have been to yet. We ate fresh baked cookies with whole milk, and the best pizza I have had in ages.
The next day we headed off on our Uyuni trip. My group was 6 people. The three of us, A girl named Jamie from CA travelling alone on month 13 of her trip, a girl named Angela from Framingham, MA, on month 5 of her trip, also travelling alone, and a German dude on month 12 of his trip also travelling alone. At first I was a little concerned, as we have not encountered many Americans and was curious what the dynamic would be like, but these people were so awesome. The first day was pretty chill, we visited the salt deserts and took many crazy group perspective shots (i'll post them tomorrow and you'll see what I mean). Then we visited a train graveyard. Then we headed to our hostel in the middle of nowhere. From there was an amazing Mirador (look out point), that Jason, Matt, Angela and I decided to climb to. It was basically hard core climbing but was well worth it when we got to the top. All you could see was white salt straight to the horizon. Haha, oh yes, I skipped something important. Angela and Matt had been to Potosi, a mining town, the day before. In true boy fashion Matt decided it would be a good idea to purchase bolivian dynamite and '' blow things up.'' While, I was slightly concerned the other 3 thought blowing up a ginormous rock on top of the mirador would be a great idea. Despite being made fun of for saying I didnt want my eyes to blow out, I heard my moms voice in the back of my head and decided to walk about 200 feet away from the rock behind another gigantic rock and watch from there. Angela eventually followed me but the boys stayed close. After around 6 minutes the rock exploded. It was super cool looking and the sound around the mountain was awesome.
The next day we saw flamingos, a red lake, a green lake, and a white a lake, as well as a tree made of rock. Everything was cool. That night the temp dropped to around negative 15 C and we were staying in a joint in the middle of the desert with no heat or electricity. We decided to keep warm we needed to play kings and drink lots of rum. It was lots of fun and we all talked straight through the night and got to know eachother. It was amazing hearing other peoples reasons for travelling and their perspectives on being travellers in general. I will really miss them all though we will hopefully all cross paths in the next month or so.
The next day we arrived in Chili where Nili and I immediately caught a bus to Salta, Argentina. After getting on the bus we realized that the trip was 12 hours. Neither of us were happy about this, though the trip turned out to be the best bus ride so far. Sitting around us were around 20 Argentinian rugby players who attached themselves to us within the first 5 minutes of the trip. One guy had a guitar with him and they sang songs for most of the trip (including an adorable rendition of NY, NY). At one point, as the sun was setting outside, and the mountains were particularly amazing, and the boys were playing an awesome song, I looked over at Nili and realized we were both crying from happiness. Ah...I wish I could explain the moment, or the moments, but I cant. Life is good, life is good.
Last night we arrived in Salta at around midnight. Somehow while I was showering Nili made us plans to go get food with these 2 rastafarian argentinians. We ate sandwiches and spoke in spanish. Tonight we are going out to some cool music joints in salta with them. Should be fun times.
thats all folks....sorry for the length...
Nicole
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Peace out Chile you're too expensive....
SOOOO yesterday I visited my first Chilean hospital...dont worry I think I over reacted to the possibility of the same problem I was having before. The doctor gave me a less strong antibiotic and told me to come back in 3 weeks...hmm
Anyway I feel fine now.
Today Nili, Myself and New friend Jason went paragliding. The initial running off the side of a cliff part was slightly scary but it turned out to be aight. Well at least the first 5 minutes. While it was beautiful I ended up being kind of naush and ending my trip after 25 minutos.
As for new friend Jason (JEREMY) he is a hair dresser/ makeup artist in LA. Apparently I could benefit from some black lowlights and auburn highlights. He also happens to be part owner of ''MY SPACE'' which means he is awesome because he has many expensive electronics and is always buying us shtuff. The plan is to keep him around as long as possible. Possibley the nicest boy ever, possibly gay, possibly not.
Tonight the 3 of us are heading to Ururu, Bolivia where we will then catch a bus to Uyuni, where we will then take a 3 day trip through the Salar Desert. SUPPPPER EXCCCITED.
peace in the middle east
Nicole
Anyway I feel fine now.
Today Nili, Myself and New friend Jason went paragliding. The initial running off the side of a cliff part was slightly scary but it turned out to be aight. Well at least the first 5 minutes. While it was beautiful I ended up being kind of naush and ending my trip after 25 minutos.
As for new friend Jason (JEREMY) he is a hair dresser/ makeup artist in LA. Apparently I could benefit from some black lowlights and auburn highlights. He also happens to be part owner of ''MY SPACE'' which means he is awesome because he has many expensive electronics and is always buying us shtuff. The plan is to keep him around as long as possible. Possibley the nicest boy ever, possibly gay, possibly not.
Tonight the 3 of us are heading to Ururu, Bolivia where we will then catch a bus to Uyuni, where we will then take a 3 day trip through the Salar Desert. SUPPPPER EXCCCITED.
peace in the middle east
Nicole
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
CHILEEEEEE
SO thanks to poor planning and pure stupidity Nili and I missed our bus to La Paz. Rather than waiting around in Puno until the next day we decided it made more sense to spend the next 20 hours travelling to Iquique, Chile.
First thing I have noticed about Chile is that it is soooo much more expensive than Peru. While we paid around 12 soles (less than 4 dollars) a night in Peru for a private room with our own bathroom, we are currently paying 4500 pesos (around 9 dollars) for a dorm room with shared bathrooms. While this might not seem like a huge difference, and my dad thinks im a jerk for being so horrified by these prices, 5 dollars makes a huge difference in this part of the world. That said its actually nice being in a dorm because we have been forced to meet people. The new plan is to head with our new ¨friend¨jason to Bolivia to visit the Salar desert (a desert made entirely of salt). Happy Davey Jones?
ok thats it for now, heading to the beach
Nico
First thing I have noticed about Chile is that it is soooo much more expensive than Peru. While we paid around 12 soles (less than 4 dollars) a night in Peru for a private room with our own bathroom, we are currently paying 4500 pesos (around 9 dollars) for a dorm room with shared bathrooms. While this might not seem like a huge difference, and my dad thinks im a jerk for being so horrified by these prices, 5 dollars makes a huge difference in this part of the world. That said its actually nice being in a dorm because we have been forced to meet people. The new plan is to head with our new ¨friend¨jason to Bolivia to visit the Salar desert (a desert made entirely of salt). Happy Davey Jones?
ok thats it for now, heading to the beach
Nico
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Peace out Peru
I have spent the last few days in Puno. We saw the festivities of Puno day and took a boat to multiple floating islands in Lake Titicaca. These islands are made of reeds. Its really quite amazing looking though Puno itself isnt very beautiful. Today we went to a Fertility Temple, which was one of the stranger places I have been. It was basically an inclosed room full of many giant penises.
Nia left today to go process sugar up north near Ecuador. It was really sad to see her go. ¨Ceviche Mixta¨is no more. From 5 to 4 and tomorrow we lose Pippa and Naomi. The only members left are myself and Nili. Tomorrow we cross the boarder into Bolivia where we will stay about a week until we cross through to Chile.
Time is windddding down.
Nia left today to go process sugar up north near Ecuador. It was really sad to see her go. ¨Ceviche Mixta¨is no more. From 5 to 4 and tomorrow we lose Pippa and Naomi. The only members left are myself and Nili. Tomorrow we cross the boarder into Bolivia where we will stay about a week until we cross through to Chile.
Time is windddding down.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
I got my friends back!
YAya...So I found my friends today (they made me go back at the internet). Its so nice not to be the lone female traveller anymore. While travelling alone can be ¨character building¨I officially prefer to travel with other people. The question now is whether to head to Puno with Nia for Puno Day on the 5th, or stay in Cusco for a few days with Nili and Pippa. Sooo many choices. Whatever, as long as I am with people I am happy.
Nicole
Nicole
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Cusco
So what did you all do for Halloween? I spent mine on a 10 hour bus ride sitting next to a middle aged man named Javier that smelled like butt and tried to convince me to share a blanket with him. For the first time ever I didnt sleep much on the bus and spent most of the 10 hours convinced that the breaks were malfunctioning. In addition, I lost my hat on the bus, and we arrived early, at 4:30 in the morning. Since it was so early, I was suffereing from slight altitude sickness and I was in a bus station I didnt know, I found a group of women (these types are at every bus station) trying to find tourists to go to their hostels and chose the one closest to the plaza de armas. Weeeelll turns out its not as close as I thought, I was waaaay overcharged in the cab and welll ya thats it. The other news is that I have no idea where my friends are. Hopefully I will find them tomorrow.
Ok enough feeling sorry for myself. Seems to be the theme of my last few posts. All I can say is travelling by yourself is not as fun as having another person. Last time I was here I had both my brothers. That was much more fun despite Jeremy refusing to believe that I had altitude sickness and eating a whole cuy right in front of me. Even going to the bathroom becomes an issue. When there is noone to watch your pack you just cant go. Also its easier to motivate yourself to be productive with others around. Right now I cant decide whether to do some site seeing or just get acclimated to this ungodly height. Would be nice to have a second opinion but oh well.
OK NOW really enough feeling sorry for myself. I still have half of 100 years of solitude (quite fitting title for the occasion) to read in my room.
ok peace out
Nicole
Ok enough feeling sorry for myself. Seems to be the theme of my last few posts. All I can say is travelling by yourself is not as fun as having another person. Last time I was here I had both my brothers. That was much more fun despite Jeremy refusing to believe that I had altitude sickness and eating a whole cuy right in front of me. Even going to the bathroom becomes an issue. When there is noone to watch your pack you just cant go. Also its easier to motivate yourself to be productive with others around. Right now I cant decide whether to do some site seeing or just get acclimated to this ungodly height. Would be nice to have a second opinion but oh well.
OK NOW really enough feeling sorry for myself. I still have half of 100 years of solitude (quite fitting title for the occasion) to read in my room.
ok peace out
Nicole
Monday, October 31, 2005
On the road again....AGAIN
So after an extended stay in Arequipa I am heading to Cusco tonight on my lonesome. While I originally decided to skip Cusco all together, the idea of spending 3 more days in Arequipa just doesnt do it for me. That said, I have had a wonderful time here, and cant complain. Not much more to report.
Nicole
Nicole
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Remember the time I didnt have a parasite...
So it turns out I am not with parasite....however I do have a ¨very strong¨bacteria within me. EECCH. So what does this mean. This means I have not eaten anything but bread in 4 days and will probably not eat much else. This also means that I cant go to Cusco or hike the Inca Trail. Seems as though Arequipa y yo are destined to be good friends. Luckily I know some peeps here so I will be a-ok. I also think I might take this opportunity to take some more spanish classes to work on the ol español.
Theme of the week: GO WITH THE FLOW/ Dont drink the water
Theme of the week: GO WITH THE FLOW/ Dont drink the water
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Remember the time I got a parasite....
Ya I remember that time....Well its not for sure, I am currently waiting for the test results. Spent yesterday in the hospital and got injected with a pain killer (had one of my needlephobic panic attacks where my peru friends thought I was insane and had to calm me down). While a parasite sucks in general it especially sucks now because my Inca Trail is in 5 days and Nili´s birthday is tomorrow. At this point im thinking I wont make it to Cusco in time for her birthday, as altitude sickness on top of terrible pain does not seem too appealing to me, but maybe I will be there and healthy by the time of my Inca Trail. I already paid 40%, like $140 for the trail, though I suppose paying the other 60% and feeling like death for 4 straight days wouldnt be worth it. At least I have been to Machu Picchu before and will definately be in Peru again. Ah well it's all part of the experience I guess. It just sort of sucks because of all my friends I am the most careful when it comes to food. AHHH!
Ok enough of my complaining, aside from this I have had a really good couple of days. On the 23rd my friends and I were going to go to the Colca Canyon but I woke up feeling to sick to go. Thus, I spent the last 2 days on my own. Although I really missed my girlies, it was really nice. I spent alot of time walking around (only in the day in public well lit areas MOM) and reading my book. Then I went to a cute little sandwich place where I became great friends with the owner. Her name was Paola and for some reason she just loved me. Then I met up with a friend I had made earlier (once again only in public well lit areas). I got to see the wealthy side of Arequipa including a really beautiful country club (who woulda thunk there were country clubs here).
Anyway, thats the update on my life. While I am sick I am still super happy and content. Its all an adventure, fleas, parasites and all....
Ok enough of my complaining, aside from this I have had a really good couple of days. On the 23rd my friends and I were going to go to the Colca Canyon but I woke up feeling to sick to go. Thus, I spent the last 2 days on my own. Although I really missed my girlies, it was really nice. I spent alot of time walking around (only in the day in public well lit areas MOM) and reading my book. Then I went to a cute little sandwich place where I became great friends with the owner. Her name was Paola and for some reason she just loved me. Then I met up with a friend I had made earlier (once again only in public well lit areas). I got to see the wealthy side of Arequipa including a really beautiful country club (who woulda thunk there were country clubs here).
Anyway, thats the update on my life. While I am sick I am still super happy and content. Its all an adventure, fleas, parasites and all....
Friday, October 21, 2005
Nazca Lines and off to Arequipa for Pippas bday
SOOOO much fun these past few days have been.
So to start sandboarding was a blast. Nili and I rented our boards and headed up the gigantic sand dunes. After walking for about an hour we reached the top. From up there we may have well have been in someplace like Egypt. Giant sand dunes surrounded us for as far as we could see. It was beautiful. At that point my dear friend Nili dropped her board which proceeded to fall down the entire dune. Rather than making her walk down the hill again we decided to share my board. First we waxed it for a good 5 minutes making sure it was super slippery. Then I sat on the front half and she sat in the back. We pushed off and started down the hill. After 10 seconds, and with our fat asses, we picked up ridiculous amounts of speed. We were both having a blast screaming our heads off when suddenly the front end of the board got caught in the sand. We both flipped in the air. Nili flipped over my head. When we finally landed we both had sand in every inch of our bodies. My nose, my ears, my mouth completely filled. We laid still for about 20 seconds, and then both burst into laughter. I imagine if anyone saw us it must have been quite a scene. Dont worry mom and dad, I was uninjured and had a blast. I officially love sandboarding.
Next day we left at 7 am to head to Nazca for the day. To make a very long story short we ended up flying over the Nazca lines in a 6 person place. It was really cool, a bit scary, and extremely vomiticious. The Nazca lines are much smaller than we imagined but still an awesome site.
SO then we killed the rest of the day in Nazca eating and being bums. We boarded a bus at 10 pm to head to Arequipa. The bus was the cheapest bus available, 10 hours long, and without a bathroom on board. I realized that these buses are the location of my flea bites. Ew
So here I am in Arequipa. Last night was Pippa's birthday. We made the decision to party like rockstars, drank way too much and were once again the stars of the dance club. The club was awesome, full of waterfalls and cool lighting. Despite a high etrance fee we got in free thanks to our feminine charm. I spent a while dancing with our greek friend who told me I was excellent at greek dancing. Ha. Then I met a Peruvian dude from California, quite a beautiful man I might add (my friends yelled at me for ''taking the hottest guy in the club'') who tried teaching me to salsa. Despite my lack of rythm its really great dancing with guys who can reallllllly dance. SO today we slept until 5 pm and then went to dinner. After this we will head to a juice bar and then maybe see a movie.
My life really is too easy these days. I feel slightly guilty for this but am trying to appreciate every minute.
Miss you all.
Nicole
So to start sandboarding was a blast. Nili and I rented our boards and headed up the gigantic sand dunes. After walking for about an hour we reached the top. From up there we may have well have been in someplace like Egypt. Giant sand dunes surrounded us for as far as we could see. It was beautiful. At that point my dear friend Nili dropped her board which proceeded to fall down the entire dune. Rather than making her walk down the hill again we decided to share my board. First we waxed it for a good 5 minutes making sure it was super slippery. Then I sat on the front half and she sat in the back. We pushed off and started down the hill. After 10 seconds, and with our fat asses, we picked up ridiculous amounts of speed. We were both having a blast screaming our heads off when suddenly the front end of the board got caught in the sand. We both flipped in the air. Nili flipped over my head. When we finally landed we both had sand in every inch of our bodies. My nose, my ears, my mouth completely filled. We laid still for about 20 seconds, and then both burst into laughter. I imagine if anyone saw us it must have been quite a scene. Dont worry mom and dad, I was uninjured and had a blast. I officially love sandboarding.
Next day we left at 7 am to head to Nazca for the day. To make a very long story short we ended up flying over the Nazca lines in a 6 person place. It was really cool, a bit scary, and extremely vomiticious. The Nazca lines are much smaller than we imagined but still an awesome site.
SO then we killed the rest of the day in Nazca eating and being bums. We boarded a bus at 10 pm to head to Arequipa. The bus was the cheapest bus available, 10 hours long, and without a bathroom on board. I realized that these buses are the location of my flea bites. Ew
So here I am in Arequipa. Last night was Pippa's birthday. We made the decision to party like rockstars, drank way too much and were once again the stars of the dance club. The club was awesome, full of waterfalls and cool lighting. Despite a high etrance fee we got in free thanks to our feminine charm. I spent a while dancing with our greek friend who told me I was excellent at greek dancing. Ha. Then I met a Peruvian dude from California, quite a beautiful man I might add (my friends yelled at me for ''taking the hottest guy in the club'') who tried teaching me to salsa. Despite my lack of rythm its really great dancing with guys who can reallllllly dance. SO today we slept until 5 pm and then went to dinner. After this we will head to a juice bar and then maybe see a movie.
My life really is too easy these days. I feel slightly guilty for this but am trying to appreciate every minute.
Miss you all.
Nicole
Monday, October 17, 2005
Pisco to Chincha to Ica
So quick update as I am pressed for time.
We chilled in Pisco for 2 more days being bums, eating ceviche and touring the wildlife. All in all a good time, though not as good as the previous two days. What goes up must come down I suppose. We didnt plan to stay the extra night in Pisco but we were asked to go out to a discoteca with some locals (on of which worked in the hostal) and figured it could be a good time. Turned out a little different though. We first got the hint it was going to be slightly odd when only 2 of them showed up, thus making it a sort of double date. We started out by going to a karaoke bar where ¨Ceviche Mixta¨(my band whose named was coined by a random Peruvian who found out our group of girls came from so many different countries) did our first performance. We did a beautiful rendition of Yellow Submarine and The Greatest Love of All. Quite a showing of talent I might say. Then we headed to the discoteca where things got un poco annoying. Nili and I wanted to dance together but the 2 guys, Manuel and Manuel would not leave us alone. When I tried to go to the bathroom Manuel uno tried to come with me. Ew. We quickly nipped their love for us in the bud and danced solo on the dance floor. We then got pushed into a dance circle with many Peruvians clapping us on. We were in the middle of having lots of fun when Manuel squared reappeared to tell us that these people were not our friends. Wierd.
Anywho we left promptly the next day, and by that I mean 2 pm. We arrived in Chincha, a town known for its African drumming and nightclubs. Things started going downhill when our hostal turned out to be a converted mental hospital, I ended up with terrible stomach problems, and the electricity in the whole city turned off. Not so fun.
Now we are in Ica, huancachina really, about to do some sandboarding and wine tasting.
peace
oH yes, I have about 20 new bugbites in case anyone cares. I think I am one big flea.
nicole
We chilled in Pisco for 2 more days being bums, eating ceviche and touring the wildlife. All in all a good time, though not as good as the previous two days. What goes up must come down I suppose. We didnt plan to stay the extra night in Pisco but we were asked to go out to a discoteca with some locals (on of which worked in the hostal) and figured it could be a good time. Turned out a little different though. We first got the hint it was going to be slightly odd when only 2 of them showed up, thus making it a sort of double date. We started out by going to a karaoke bar where ¨Ceviche Mixta¨(my band whose named was coined by a random Peruvian who found out our group of girls came from so many different countries) did our first performance. We did a beautiful rendition of Yellow Submarine and The Greatest Love of All. Quite a showing of talent I might say. Then we headed to the discoteca where things got un poco annoying. Nili and I wanted to dance together but the 2 guys, Manuel and Manuel would not leave us alone. When I tried to go to the bathroom Manuel uno tried to come with me. Ew. We quickly nipped their love for us in the bud and danced solo on the dance floor. We then got pushed into a dance circle with many Peruvians clapping us on. We were in the middle of having lots of fun when Manuel squared reappeared to tell us that these people were not our friends. Wierd.
Anywho we left promptly the next day, and by that I mean 2 pm. We arrived in Chincha, a town known for its African drumming and nightclubs. Things started going downhill when our hostal turned out to be a converted mental hospital, I ended up with terrible stomach problems, and the electricity in the whole city turned off. Not so fun.
Now we are in Ica, huancachina really, about to do some sandboarding and wine tasting.
peace
oH yes, I have about 20 new bugbites in case anyone cares. I think I am one big flea.
nicole
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Best day ever, followed by the best day ever
WHAT a couple of days. Honestly, 2 best day evers in a row, who would have thunk it possible. What will top these days, possibly tomorrow!
So day one started with Nili and I arriving in Lima, after a night journey at 5 in the morning. Lima, especially its bus stops, is not the safest city in the world. Our plan was to catch a bus straight to Pisco but with no internet nearby and no idea what bus to take we were kind of lost. We sat in the bus station for an hour until 6 when we noticed that everyone except a fewsketchy looking men had left. To play it safe we found a cab driver willing to drive around looking for an open breakfast joint. After a half hour with no luck he pulled up in front of a fancy hotel. The bellboys outside informed us that they had a buffet breakfast for 7 dollars a pop. Normally 7 dollars would have been absurd, and we never would have accepted, but at 6 in the morning with nowhere to go we decided to splurge. However, spending that kind of money, we decided we were going to ave to get our moneys worth, and that we did. We ate for 2 hours striaght. The meal went like this...Fresh orange juice,3 rolls per person, jam, butter, cheese olives, papaya juice, scrambled eggs, mini hot dogs, pineapple juice, yogurt, tea, pancakes, cereal, pancakes again, more tea and then juice. By the end we were ready to explode, had all the waiters laughing at us, and the head lady of the hotel pissed off. After breakfast we managed to sweet talk our way into free internet also. Then we decided to go to my aunts house.We slept for a few hours, then had a wonderful lunch with her and my cousin. Then we did some window shopping, followed by a McDonalds feast. Then we caught a movie, and then went home to sleep. WHAT A DAY!
SO today we, Nili andI, are in Paracas, near Pisco. We are staying at my cousins cousins hostel,which is super awesome because it is free and wonderfully located. We slept late and then headed to lunch. I had wonderful ceviche. Then we headed to the beach where we met Hugo. Hugo is guy who travels around selling hand made jewelry. I bought the most beautiful bracelet which he insisted he made by hand. Ithink he could tell we werea little skeptical and he offered to meet us on the boardwalk anhour later to show us how he does it. So we took a nap on the beach and met him after an hour. We spent the rest of the day sitting on a blanket where he sells his jewelry and learning to make bracelets.He also demonstrated how he makes metal jewelry and gave us each one earring. Tomorrow after a boat tour of the ballestas islands we toild him that wewill return and learn to make the matching pair. I tried to insist to pay for the materials but he completely refused saying that this is the way he learned and its how the craft continues. So freakin awesome.
Peace out
Nicole
So day one started with Nili and I arriving in Lima, after a night journey at 5 in the morning. Lima, especially its bus stops, is not the safest city in the world. Our plan was to catch a bus straight to Pisco but with no internet nearby and no idea what bus to take we were kind of lost. We sat in the bus station for an hour until 6 when we noticed that everyone except a fewsketchy looking men had left. To play it safe we found a cab driver willing to drive around looking for an open breakfast joint. After a half hour with no luck he pulled up in front of a fancy hotel. The bellboys outside informed us that they had a buffet breakfast for 7 dollars a pop. Normally 7 dollars would have been absurd, and we never would have accepted, but at 6 in the morning with nowhere to go we decided to splurge. However, spending that kind of money, we decided we were going to ave to get our moneys worth, and that we did. We ate for 2 hours striaght. The meal went like this...Fresh orange juice,3 rolls per person, jam, butter, cheese olives, papaya juice, scrambled eggs, mini hot dogs, pineapple juice, yogurt, tea, pancakes, cereal, pancakes again, more tea and then juice. By the end we were ready to explode, had all the waiters laughing at us, and the head lady of the hotel pissed off. After breakfast we managed to sweet talk our way into free internet also. Then we decided to go to my aunts house.We slept for a few hours, then had a wonderful lunch with her and my cousin. Then we did some window shopping, followed by a McDonalds feast. Then we caught a movie, and then went home to sleep. WHAT A DAY!
SO today we, Nili andI, are in Paracas, near Pisco. We are staying at my cousins cousins hostel,which is super awesome because it is free and wonderfully located. We slept late and then headed to lunch. I had wonderful ceviche. Then we headed to the beach where we met Hugo. Hugo is guy who travels around selling hand made jewelry. I bought the most beautiful bracelet which he insisted he made by hand. Ithink he could tell we werea little skeptical and he offered to meet us on the boardwalk anhour later to show us how he does it. So we took a nap on the beach and met him after an hour. We spent the rest of the day sitting on a blanket where he sells his jewelry and learning to make bracelets.He also demonstrated how he makes metal jewelry and gave us each one earring. Tomorrow after a boat tour of the ballestas islands we toild him that wewill return and learn to make the matching pair. I tried to insist to pay for the materials but he completely refused saying that this is the way he learned and its how the craft continues. So freakin awesome.
Peace out
Nicole
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Monday, October 10, 2005
We did it!
WHOA...what an experience. I have to say that this trek was by far the most physically demanding thing I have ever done in my life. Four straight days of hiking 6 to 8 hour days, mostly straight up...honestly I can not describe it in words. What I also can not describe in words was the feeling of making it to the highest point on the trek, 4750 meters up in the sky. Its really amazing what you can do if you try. I wont lie, there were many points in the trip that even the amazing scenery of wild horses and snow capped mountains could´nt lift me up. For example, half way through the first day it began to downpour. Being tired, out of breath, soaking wet, and freezing has a way of pulling down moral. That said, the majority of time I was super happy, amazed by scenery, and amazed at my bodies ability to keep on going. Once again, I was the leader of our pack, and even got called a ¨little elf¨, whatever that means, for my amazing ability to walk on slippery rocks.
One fun anecdote from the trip... We ate in a tent with our 2 guides, both Peruvian, 2 german ladies, a man from new zealand and his girlfriend from Ireland, nia nili and myself from the states, pepe from england, and naomi from ausi. One night after dinner we sat around the tent and decided to amuse ourselves by each group singing their national anthem. Nili didnt know ours, and Nia couldnt stop laughing, so essentially, I sang the entire anthem on my own. I totally butchered certain parts but got a nice clap at the end.
Ok after 4 days of hiking and 5 hours in a bus, I am off to shower. Then we catch a night bus to Lima and then down to Pisco. Hope all is well.
Nicole
One fun anecdote from the trip... We ate in a tent with our 2 guides, both Peruvian, 2 german ladies, a man from new zealand and his girlfriend from Ireland, nia nili and myself from the states, pepe from england, and naomi from ausi. One night after dinner we sat around the tent and decided to amuse ourselves by each group singing their national anthem. Nili didnt know ours, and Nia couldnt stop laughing, so essentially, I sang the entire anthem on my own. I totally butchered certain parts but got a nice clap at the end.
Ok after 4 days of hiking and 5 hours in a bus, I am off to shower. Then we catch a night bus to Lima and then down to Pisco. Hope all is well.
Nicole
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Gimelwald no more...
Things here continue to be an adventure. Before leaving Huanchaco Pepe befriended a fisherman. Huanchaco is famous for its fishing boats made of reeds. They look like surfboards but aint. Anyway, we all got personal 15 minute rides in the ocean ! It was really awesome. I´ll try and post pictures sometime soon.
We are now in Huaraz which is right next to the Cordillera Blanca. Thats a super awesome mouintain range. Google it, its beautiful. SO yesterday we went on a day hike 4500m up into the mountains. You all would have been so proud. Most of the girls struggled either the whole time, or most of the time. I, on the other hand, spent the whole trip, 6 hours, walking with the guide right up front. He said I was a ¨great walker¨, and Nia called me a ¨Professional¨. Haha. It was really awesome, we had to do some actual climbing at some points, and use ropes at others. The top of the hike was Churup Lake, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, google that one too.
To get to the start of the trail we took an hour long car ride up into the mountains. The roads , if you want to call then thatm, were rocky and hard to drive through. The villages we past were so amazing. I saw people building a home out of bricks made from earth, saw a festival going on in one village with dancers and a newly built mini bull fighting ring, saw circular huts covered in straw rooves, saw a little child herding a flock of about 20 sheep, etc etc etc. Basically it was just amazing to see all these little villages completely untouched by tourism.
Tomorrow we are heading off on a 4 day trek through the mountains. DOnt worry, we have a reputable guide, actually 2, four donkeys, and all the necessary camping shiznit. The trek, although longer, is supposed to be alot easier than yesterdays trip. Its called the Santa Cruz Loop, and is pretty much the most popular trek. I like to stick to the beaten tourist track.
Today is a chillax day. I look forward to doing nothing allll day.
Nicole
We are now in Huaraz which is right next to the Cordillera Blanca. Thats a super awesome mouintain range. Google it, its beautiful. SO yesterday we went on a day hike 4500m up into the mountains. You all would have been so proud. Most of the girls struggled either the whole time, or most of the time. I, on the other hand, spent the whole trip, 6 hours, walking with the guide right up front. He said I was a ¨great walker¨, and Nia called me a ¨Professional¨. Haha. It was really awesome, we had to do some actual climbing at some points, and use ropes at others. The top of the hike was Churup Lake, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, google that one too.
To get to the start of the trail we took an hour long car ride up into the mountains. The roads , if you want to call then thatm, were rocky and hard to drive through. The villages we past were so amazing. I saw people building a home out of bricks made from earth, saw a festival going on in one village with dancers and a newly built mini bull fighting ring, saw circular huts covered in straw rooves, saw a little child herding a flock of about 20 sheep, etc etc etc. Basically it was just amazing to see all these little villages completely untouched by tourism.
Tomorrow we are heading off on a 4 day trek through the mountains. DOnt worry, we have a reputable guide, actually 2, four donkeys, and all the necessary camping shiznit. The trek, although longer, is supposed to be alot easier than yesterdays trip. Its called the Santa Cruz Loop, and is pretty much the most popular trek. I like to stick to the beaten tourist track.
Today is a chillax day. I look forward to doing nothing allll day.
Nicole
Monday, October 03, 2005
On the road again
So we began our journey on Thursday. My aunt accompanied me to Cruz del Sur, the bus in Lima,where I met my friends from Huancayo. To recap, the group for this leg of the trip is Nili from NY, Nia from Chicago, Pepe from London, and Naomi from Sidney. The bus was an 8 hour trip from Lima to Trujillo, our first stop, and the farthest north we planned to go. Luckily, I was seated in seat number 11, my lucky number, so nothing could go wrong. Well, for the most part it wasan uneventful trip,which I am happy about. I wsa however seated next to a 90 year old man with the worst snoring problem I have ever encountered. Needless to say I didnt sleep much.
We arrived in Trujillo at around 8 in the morning. We had already chosen a hostal in the guidebookand headedright over. After securing a room with 5 beds for 15 sole a person (around 4.50) the group headed for breakfast. I had a wonderful fruit salad with yogurt and muesli. It was faboo and I could once again feel the vitamins flowing into my veins. After breakfast Nili, Pep and I went to our room for a nap. About an hour later Nia and Noami come charging through the door telling us they had met some really hot Peruvian guys who would show us around Trujillo. Nia insisted Nili and I would find them especially hot and SAFE.
Despite being skeptical we went to meet them in the main square. Honestly they were quite attractive and nice. However, the moment they started speaking(in perfect english), I was reminded of Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys (for anyone who has not seen 12 monkeys, this reference has nothing to do with his good looks. He played a psycho.)
Sowe all went to a restauran, talked and hung out. It was nice to get to know some locals, but that was enough for me. Nia really wanted to meet them at a disco that night but I was not in the mood to become anyones crack mule and everyone else agreed.
The rest of our time in Trujillo pretty much consisted of touring old houses and getting to know the city.
Yesterday we leftTrujillo nd headed to Huanchaco, a coastal city 20 minutes away. We ended up finding a hostal where we decided to camp out. We pitched our tents, and hung out in hammocks all day. At night we made a giant fire, made smores and banana boats (the australian and english version of camp fire treats, these girls had never even heard of smores) Later a groupof European travellers set up camp and we had rum around the camp fire with them. A good time was had by all. Not only did I taste my first ever banana boat, but I have become an expert at the English version of Hokey Pokey.
Today we visited Chan Chan, the largest adobe village in the world. It was really amazing. Along the way we met Simone, a girl from holland, who spent the day site seeing with us.
Tonight we take another overnight bus to Huaraz.
Hope all is well.
Nicole
We arrived in Trujillo at around 8 in the morning. We had already chosen a hostal in the guidebookand headedright over. After securing a room with 5 beds for 15 sole a person (around 4.50) the group headed for breakfast. I had a wonderful fruit salad with yogurt and muesli. It was faboo and I could once again feel the vitamins flowing into my veins. After breakfast Nili, Pep and I went to our room for a nap. About an hour later Nia and Noami come charging through the door telling us they had met some really hot Peruvian guys who would show us around Trujillo. Nia insisted Nili and I would find them especially hot and SAFE.
Despite being skeptical we went to meet them in the main square. Honestly they were quite attractive and nice. However, the moment they started speaking(in perfect english), I was reminded of Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys (for anyone who has not seen 12 monkeys, this reference has nothing to do with his good looks. He played a psycho.)
Sowe all went to a restauran, talked and hung out. It was nice to get to know some locals, but that was enough for me. Nia really wanted to meet them at a disco that night but I was not in the mood to become anyones crack mule and everyone else agreed.
The rest of our time in Trujillo pretty much consisted of touring old houses and getting to know the city.
Yesterday we leftTrujillo nd headed to Huanchaco, a coastal city 20 minutes away. We ended up finding a hostal where we decided to camp out. We pitched our tents, and hung out in hammocks all day. At night we made a giant fire, made smores and banana boats (the australian and english version of camp fire treats, these girls had never even heard of smores) Later a groupof European travellers set up camp and we had rum around the camp fire with them. A good time was had by all. Not only did I taste my first ever banana boat, but I have become an expert at the English version of Hokey Pokey.
Today we visited Chan Chan, the largest adobe village in the world. It was really amazing. Along the way we met Simone, a girl from holland, who spent the day site seeing with us.
Tonight we take another overnight bus to Huaraz.
Hope all is well.
Nicole
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Lima
So I am in Lima spending some time with my Tia, Aunt, Ines. I have been here since Sunday and will be leaving tomorrow for the big trip.
Lima is super. I wake up every morning to a fresh papaya and pineapple smoothie. After months of nothing but carbs I can feel the vitamins reentering my body. We go to the supermarket everyday to buy food for that day. The supermarkets here are very differnt than Huancayo. Its basically like being in the US. I almost bought peanut butter as I craved it all month but 5 dollars is a little steep for non skippy. They also have wendys, papa johns, subway, tgif, and mickey dee´s to name just a few.
Yesterday I went to the catacombs with my Aunt Ines, my Aunt Eva, and my cousin Lorenzo. It was pretty wierd a`nd pretty awesome. 10 meters deep filled with 25,000 bones. (There is currently a 90 year old women sitting next to me who has no idea how to use a computer. She taps me every 5 seconds looking for a key. The problem is she has a major speech defect and is speaking in spanish, arghhh)
For those of you who sent me emails concerned about the earthquake, it was up north and I am fine. Since it was so big, 7.5, I hear you could feel it everywhere. I happened to be in a car while it hit so I felt nothing.
Ok well thats all I have to say,
Next stop Trujillo
Nicole
Lima is super. I wake up every morning to a fresh papaya and pineapple smoothie. After months of nothing but carbs I can feel the vitamins reentering my body. We go to the supermarket everyday to buy food for that day. The supermarkets here are very differnt than Huancayo. Its basically like being in the US. I almost bought peanut butter as I craved it all month but 5 dollars is a little steep for non skippy. They also have wendys, papa johns, subway, tgif, and mickey dee´s to name just a few.
Yesterday I went to the catacombs with my Aunt Ines, my Aunt Eva, and my cousin Lorenzo. It was pretty wierd a`nd pretty awesome. 10 meters deep filled with 25,000 bones. (There is currently a 90 year old women sitting next to me who has no idea how to use a computer. She taps me every 5 seconds looking for a key. The problem is she has a major speech defect and is speaking in spanish, arghhh)
For those of you who sent me emails concerned about the earthquake, it was up north and I am fine. Since it was so big, 7.5, I hear you could feel it everywhere. I happened to be in a car while it hit so I felt nothing.
Ok well thats all I have to say,
Next stop Trujillo
Nicole
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Remember the time I got fleas?
Ok now forget it, and never mention it again....
Argh, well yes, turns out my bedbugs were actually fleas. Could anything be worse you might ask? The answer of course is yes. For one my brand new sleeping bag is infested with fleas. The dermatologist told me to leave the sleeping bag in the sun for a few days. Ok not a problem, not a problem at all, that is until a bird decided to fly over my roof and shit on my bag! Ok aside from that I was painting a mural yesterday, slipped on the chair and got paint alllll over my arms and hands. Not a problem right? Just wash it off. Nope, there is not hot water anywhere and soap and cold water just doesnt cut it. The plan today is to buy some alcohol and spend a few hours peeling the paint off. As misery does love company, I must note that Nili also has fleas and is also covered in white paint.
So as I said to my friends here, this is the bottom of my bell curve, everything must go up from here. Knock on wood.
On a positive note, I must say that I have the greatest friends here. When the bugs first started attacking I thought I had picked up some rare disease. Luckily for me we were still in the middle of a 4 day strike and the doctor was an hour away. Nili and Nia insisted on walking with me the whole 2 hours and they were very suppported about my fleas. Then that night Harri insisted I share her bed with her, as mine was full of fleas. It turns out its not just my bed, as much as the whole house, but still the gesture was really nice.
So thats the story. Oh ya! We (Nia, Nili, Harry, Pepe, and I) booked the Inca trail yesterday. We decided to do the entire 4 day hike. We are all a bit nervous as Nili´s guidebook says that parts of the inca trail ¨leave even the most serious hikers gasping for air,¨but we all agree its one of those things you just haveee to do. The backpacking adventure begins on Thursday when we catch a bus up to Trujillo. I am super super excited and hope to be defleaed by then.
Peace out and enjoy your clean beds.
Nicole
Argh, well yes, turns out my bedbugs were actually fleas. Could anything be worse you might ask? The answer of course is yes. For one my brand new sleeping bag is infested with fleas. The dermatologist told me to leave the sleeping bag in the sun for a few days. Ok not a problem, not a problem at all, that is until a bird decided to fly over my roof and shit on my bag! Ok aside from that I was painting a mural yesterday, slipped on the chair and got paint alllll over my arms and hands. Not a problem right? Just wash it off. Nope, there is not hot water anywhere and soap and cold water just doesnt cut it. The plan today is to buy some alcohol and spend a few hours peeling the paint off. As misery does love company, I must note that Nili also has fleas and is also covered in white paint.
So as I said to my friends here, this is the bottom of my bell curve, everything must go up from here. Knock on wood.
On a positive note, I must say that I have the greatest friends here. When the bugs first started attacking I thought I had picked up some rare disease. Luckily for me we were still in the middle of a 4 day strike and the doctor was an hour away. Nili and Nia insisted on walking with me the whole 2 hours and they were very suppported about my fleas. Then that night Harri insisted I share her bed with her, as mine was full of fleas. It turns out its not just my bed, as much as the whole house, but still the gesture was really nice.
So thats the story. Oh ya! We (Nia, Nili, Harry, Pepe, and I) booked the Inca trail yesterday. We decided to do the entire 4 day hike. We are all a bit nervous as Nili´s guidebook says that parts of the inca trail ¨leave even the most serious hikers gasping for air,¨but we all agree its one of those things you just haveee to do. The backpacking adventure begins on Thursday when we catch a bus up to Trujillo. I am super super excited and hope to be defleaed by then.
Peace out and enjoy your clean beds.
Nicole
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Strike Strike
So the strike has been going on for 3 days now. This means there is very little to report. The only interesting tidbit i can offer is my lunch yesterday. Dr. Atkins would roll over in his grave. We started with potato soup. The next course consisted of 2 large potatos, rice, and pasta. If that wasnt crazy enough we were also served cuy (guinnea pig) which I refused to eat.
Aside from that I think I have bedbugs. I am going to the doctor tonight. Pretty gross eh?
Aside from that I think I have bedbugs. I am going to the doctor tonight. Pretty gross eh?
Sunday, September 18, 2005
What a weekend
So I came up with the idea to visit a little town Jaujau (the first capital of Peru) this weekend. My 3 roomates, my host brother and 2 other girls decided they wanted to go too. I went to sleep friday night super excited about the trip. Of course 6am saturday morning I wake up feeling sicker than I have in a very long time. Now before you feel too bad for me I have to admit it was entirely my fault. The night before Nia, Nili and I went out for dinner. On the way back I saw a lady selling churros on the street. Of course my first instinct was to stay away but I reaaaaaallly wanted one. Considering my friends all buy fruit juice from the street I figured i´d be okay. Well obviously I was very wrong. I ended up going to Jaujua anyway, feeling very sick, coming home, and spending the next 12 hours in bed. The good news, now I am fine.
SO my after Huancayo plans are looking pretty cool. The group of travellers will me Nia, Nili, possibly Harry, a girl named Pepe from london, and a girl named Naomi from Australia. Should be good times. We will be leaving Hauncayo on the 29th and then heading north to Trujillo. The plan is to hit huaraz, ica, pisco, nasca, ariquipa, cusco and the Puno before heading over to Bolivia or Chile. We shall see.
Oh ya, tomorrow there is supposed to be a huge strike in all of Peru. No buses, taxis, cars, etc. We have been advised to stay home. Some of the girls want to go to see the strike. After experiencing one in Ecuador I must say, in the words of my mommy, ¨thank you, but no thank you.¨ I will be cozy in my bed sleeping in.
PEACE out
SO my after Huancayo plans are looking pretty cool. The group of travellers will me Nia, Nili, possibly Harry, a girl named Pepe from london, and a girl named Naomi from Australia. Should be good times. We will be leaving Hauncayo on the 29th and then heading north to Trujillo. The plan is to hit huaraz, ica, pisco, nasca, ariquipa, cusco and the Puno before heading over to Bolivia or Chile. We shall see.
Oh ya, tomorrow there is supposed to be a huge strike in all of Peru. No buses, taxis, cars, etc. We have been advised to stay home. Some of the girls want to go to see the strike. After experiencing one in Ecuador I must say, in the words of my mommy, ¨thank you, but no thank you.¨ I will be cozy in my bed sleeping in.
PEACE out
Thursday, September 15, 2005
I´m so domestic
This is my roof. I hang my clothes here after washing them by hand! Those mountains surround us in all directions.
Hello folks
This is my house. I live with 11 other people. It´s a little tight but we manage.
SIKKKKKE
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Sicky mcSicksters
So last night I awoke to the sounds of not 1 but 2 of my housemates throwing up. I don´t know what the deal is, as we all eat the exact same things. Maybe some of us just have stronger stomachs. No se.
Well to answer Nina Anne Mittenthal Schwartz´ comment, I didn´t actually fight. I think you all would have been quite proud. My friend and the directors were all kind of freaking out but I remained the calm mediator.
Today I had my first private spanish lesson, last week was free so it was in a group of 5. The spanish lessons cost 5 $ ´s an hour so I am considering taking a week or so more. Depends how cheap I decide to be and how good the lessons prove to be. My host sister Merilla (pronounced MA RAY UH) has offered to spend 2 hours a night practicing spanish out of a book as well. I find that at this point I can understand mostly everything, its the talking that is tough. I find that with the 4 of us together all the time it is a little tough. We do try and talk to eachother in spanish at least half the time. Its only been a week and a half though so im feeling pretty good.
Ok my babies in the orphanage ( I have decided to keep 2 of them) are awaiting.
PEACE OUT
Well to answer Nina Anne Mittenthal Schwartz´ comment, I didn´t actually fight. I think you all would have been quite proud. My friend and the directors were all kind of freaking out but I remained the calm mediator.
Today I had my first private spanish lesson, last week was free so it was in a group of 5. The spanish lessons cost 5 $ ´s an hour so I am considering taking a week or so more. Depends how cheap I decide to be and how good the lessons prove to be. My host sister Merilla (pronounced MA RAY UH) has offered to spend 2 hours a night practicing spanish out of a book as well. I find that at this point I can understand mostly everything, its the talking that is tough. I find that with the 4 of us together all the time it is a little tough. We do try and talk to eachother in spanish at least half the time. Its only been a week and a half though so im feeling pretty good.
Ok my babies in the orphanage ( I have decided to keep 2 of them) are awaiting.
PEACE OUT
Monday, September 12, 2005
What a day...
Yesterday we went to a festival. All 9 of us (5 members of the host family and us 4 girls) packed into one taxi. I sat essentially in the trunk with 2 other girls. Quite honestly I thought I was going to drive most of the way from a combination of terrible driving and terrible road conditions. I expected the fesitval to be relatively small but it was actually huge. The festival was in honor of the ¨virgin of Cocharca.¨ According to the tale the virgin mary appeared in this city at some point in time. People from all over Peru were there and there were around 10 different groups dressed in traditional costumes and doing traditional dances. It was really funny to see a group of girls dressed in the exact peruvian costume I had when I was little.
Today has been un poco loco. Had a bit of an argument with the program director. All is well now though. The major problem was with my friend and I spent a good hour defending her. I have changed my schedule around a bit and don´t have anything until 830 tomorrow morning. I am super excited about this. Tomorrow I must call my mommy´s friends friends daughter. Hopefully we can meet up and I can work on my spanish some more.
Today has been un poco loco. Had a bit of an argument with the program director. All is well now though. The major problem was with my friend and I spent a good hour defending her. I have changed my schedule around a bit and don´t have anything until 830 tomorrow morning. I am super excited about this. Tomorrow I must call my mommy´s friends friends daughter. Hopefully we can meet up and I can work on my spanish some more.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Hoy es Domingo
Ah the weekend is nice. Nothing like having time to spend in an internet cafe listening to the traditional Peruvian music of Avril Levine.
Today I went to the Indian market with the girlies. I bought a sweater, a pair of pants, 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of earrings and a bag for around 20 bucks. I really needed all the things as it turns out its a lot colder here than I was expecting.
Last night we went out for vegetarian food. Somehow Nili and I ended up getting banana eggs. We thought we were ordering an egg with fried bananas and tortillas but apparently not. It was actually quite good though more something you´d eat for breakfast or dessert. I also tried ordering a diet coke which did not go over well. First they had no idea what I was talking about and then ended up just bringing me a regular coke. Oh well. After dinner we went to a discoteca. It was quite fun though all of the other volunteers are awesome dancers and can do all these latin moves while I tend to do the ¨Jenny Shuffle¨. Ha, oh well, I like to dance anyway. I ordered a Pisco Sour which turned out to not be that bad after about half the glass.
Oh so an update on the Jungle trip. Due to my keen ability to not fall for scams (aside from the time Jo and I were duped into buying a dancing micky mouse in Italy) it seems as though the number of volunteers going has dropped from 8 to 2. I feel especially good about this for a few reasons. The main reason is that although we paid for a full month, which is supposed to go entirely to our host family for food my host mother told us, in confidence, that the director told her she would not recieve any money for the days we were in the jungle. In other words, we were told that the host families were paid upfront and so we would have to pay for food in the jungle despite already paying room and board, but it was a lie. Shady folks.
Whatever, the organization is shady but I am loving it here. However, we have all decided to only stay a month, as it seems as though our money is being mishandled. For instance we each pay 30 dollars for classroom materials but there are NONE. I am actually pretty excited to get on the road. We will be travelling in a group of 4, myself, nili, nia and a girl named pepe from london.
Ok well off to lunch and then a pueblo for a festival. I know, its an easy life I live but don´t be too jealous, we have our problems too! For instance my toilets only flush a few hours per day and I have only taken one hot shower since i´ve been here. Also I have short hair!
Peace out
Nicole
Today I went to the Indian market with the girlies. I bought a sweater, a pair of pants, 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of earrings and a bag for around 20 bucks. I really needed all the things as it turns out its a lot colder here than I was expecting.
Last night we went out for vegetarian food. Somehow Nili and I ended up getting banana eggs. We thought we were ordering an egg with fried bananas and tortillas but apparently not. It was actually quite good though more something you´d eat for breakfast or dessert. I also tried ordering a diet coke which did not go over well. First they had no idea what I was talking about and then ended up just bringing me a regular coke. Oh well. After dinner we went to a discoteca. It was quite fun though all of the other volunteers are awesome dancers and can do all these latin moves while I tend to do the ¨Jenny Shuffle¨. Ha, oh well, I like to dance anyway. I ordered a Pisco Sour which turned out to not be that bad after about half the glass.
Oh so an update on the Jungle trip. Due to my keen ability to not fall for scams (aside from the time Jo and I were duped into buying a dancing micky mouse in Italy) it seems as though the number of volunteers going has dropped from 8 to 2. I feel especially good about this for a few reasons. The main reason is that although we paid for a full month, which is supposed to go entirely to our host family for food my host mother told us, in confidence, that the director told her she would not recieve any money for the days we were in the jungle. In other words, we were told that the host families were paid upfront and so we would have to pay for food in the jungle despite already paying room and board, but it was a lie. Shady folks.
Whatever, the organization is shady but I am loving it here. However, we have all decided to only stay a month, as it seems as though our money is being mishandled. For instance we each pay 30 dollars for classroom materials but there are NONE. I am actually pretty excited to get on the road. We will be travelling in a group of 4, myself, nili, nia and a girl named pepe from london.
Ok well off to lunch and then a pueblo for a festival. I know, its an easy life I live but don´t be too jealous, we have our problems too! For instance my toilets only flush a few hours per day and I have only taken one hot shower since i´ve been here. Also I have short hair!
Peace out
Nicole
Saturday, September 10, 2005
A trip to the jungle, postponed
So its Saturday morning and I just wrote an entire blog that was erased. ARGH
Ok here is a short version of the story. Peru for you, the organization I work with, can be shady. (Mom and Dad, by shady I do not mean dangerous, evil, majorly corrupt, etc.) Basically I think that they pocket some of the money we paid which was supposed to go to the children.
Story is as follows. Aldo, head of P4U, proposed a trip to the jungle where we would distribute medicine to indigenous people who are basically untouched by tourism. Sounded great. Turns out to be a 8 hour bus ride followed by a 7 hour boat ride, followed by a 4 hour hike just to get there. Still fine, then he wont tell us what it costs. The he makes up a number 5 minutes later, then a higher number 5 minutes later. Everyone still excited to go except me. Thursday Aldo says we must pay in full by monday. The last night says we must pay in full by saturday morning. Then adds money to the price saying that it costs 100 dollars for a permit to the park. Mind you we are not going to the amazon, we are going to the Selva, and the amazon permits dont even cost that much.
At this point I basically decided he was being manipulative and I was´nt going to go. Still the idea of being the only volunteer not going was kind of frustrating.
Well to make a long story a little shorter after a huge discussion with eachother and our host family it seems as though the other girls in my house have decided not to go too.
So thats my story and i´m sticking to it. Today I am going to explore Huancayo for the 1st time. Tonight we are going to some discoteccas, Tomorrow we go to the famous Huancayo Indian market, and then at night our host family is bringing us to a nearby pueblo for an annual fesitival.
PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Niclo
Ok here is a short version of the story. Peru for you, the organization I work with, can be shady. (Mom and Dad, by shady I do not mean dangerous, evil, majorly corrupt, etc.) Basically I think that they pocket some of the money we paid which was supposed to go to the children.
Story is as follows. Aldo, head of P4U, proposed a trip to the jungle where we would distribute medicine to indigenous people who are basically untouched by tourism. Sounded great. Turns out to be a 8 hour bus ride followed by a 7 hour boat ride, followed by a 4 hour hike just to get there. Still fine, then he wont tell us what it costs. The he makes up a number 5 minutes later, then a higher number 5 minutes later. Everyone still excited to go except me. Thursday Aldo says we must pay in full by monday. The last night says we must pay in full by saturday morning. Then adds money to the price saying that it costs 100 dollars for a permit to the park. Mind you we are not going to the amazon, we are going to the Selva, and the amazon permits dont even cost that much.
At this point I basically decided he was being manipulative and I was´nt going to go. Still the idea of being the only volunteer not going was kind of frustrating.
Well to make a long story a little shorter after a huge discussion with eachother and our host family it seems as though the other girls in my house have decided not to go too.
So thats my story and i´m sticking to it. Today I am going to explore Huancayo for the 1st time. Tonight we are going to some discoteccas, Tomorrow we go to the famous Huancayo Indian market, and then at night our host family is bringing us to a nearby pueblo for an annual fesitival.
PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Niclo
Thursday, September 08, 2005
A little free time
SO last night I came down with a touch of the consumption but I woke up this morning feel fine. Breakfast was at 7 am. We had bread, dulce de leche, star fruit juice and tea. Star fruit juice is the best juice I ever tasted. It is made of nothing but loads and loads of smashed star fruit, QUE RICO!
After breakfast the 4 girls, Nia, Nili, Harri, and myself, walked to nearby park where we picked up a collectivo. Its about a 15 minute ride and costs 50 centimos, around 15 cents (the same price as a half hour on the internet) We arrived at the orphanageat around 815.
In the mornings I work with the little babies. Today Nili , me, and one of the 2 nurses in charge of all the babies, took 3 of them a nearby clinic for a checkup. The nurse told me a little history about the children we were with. My favorite, Nayeli, is 9 months old. She was found abandoned in a small village in the jungle 20 days ago. It{s very sad to work there though I suppose ill get used to it. The babies cry in their cribs and the moment you touch them their faces light up with happiness. They all really crave human contact so I guess we are helping them in some way. Apparently there are almost always volunteers so the babies have time to play. When there are no volunteers there are only 2 people payed to work.
SO anyway, the reason for my free time is that my class with the five year olds was canceled because there is something wrong with there classroom. What exactly i am not sure. I suppose ill find out tomorrow.
Once again, I apologize for typos. The computers here have slightly different keyboards and it appears some of my keys are mislabeled.
Hope all is well back in the States.
NICOLE
After breakfast the 4 girls, Nia, Nili, Harri, and myself, walked to nearby park where we picked up a collectivo. Its about a 15 minute ride and costs 50 centimos, around 15 cents (the same price as a half hour on the internet) We arrived at the orphanageat around 815.
In the mornings I work with the little babies. Today Nili , me, and one of the 2 nurses in charge of all the babies, took 3 of them a nearby clinic for a checkup. The nurse told me a little history about the children we were with. My favorite, Nayeli, is 9 months old. She was found abandoned in a small village in the jungle 20 days ago. It{s very sad to work there though I suppose ill get used to it. The babies cry in their cribs and the moment you touch them their faces light up with happiness. They all really crave human contact so I guess we are helping them in some way. Apparently there are almost always volunteers so the babies have time to play. When there are no volunteers there are only 2 people payed to work.
SO anyway, the reason for my free time is that my class with the five year olds was canceled because there is something wrong with there classroom. What exactly i am not sure. I suppose ill find out tomorrow.
Once again, I apologize for typos. The computers here have slightly different keyboards and it appears some of my keys are mislabeled.
Hope all is well back in the States.
NICOLE
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
SO BUSY
First - life is great
Second - I have never been more busy in my life.
This will be a short post as I barely have time to breath. To update everyone on the party it was wonderful. It turns out my host father is the head of operations for a collectivo (kind of like a bus) company. In the morning we got in his family´s collective and were part of a parade throughout Huancayo. All the collectivos were covered in flower,balloons, etc. We then arrived at a field where the party was held. There were a little over a hundred people I think and there was lots of dancing. Imagine me, linked arm and arm with a peruvian man, trying to follow a traditional huancayo dance. It wasnt pretty but it was fun. Basically they cut down trees the day before covered them with prizes , dug holes in the ground and put the trees back up at the party. We danced around the trees for 12 hours! yes 12. As for the duck dressed in peruvian garb, it died. Thats all i´m going to say about poor mr. duck.
My schedule is this 8am to 9 am I work with 3 other girls in a center ( basically a room with no wall on the street sidfe) with street children. We teach basic english and play games. Then from 930 to 11 I go to an orphange and play with babies with special needs. Then myself and 2 other girls teach basic english and dental hygiene to 30, 5 year olds! THEN i have lunch and then myself and Nia teach 9,10,11 year olds english for 2 hours. THEN I have 2 hours of spanish class, then I come home and prepare lessons and worksheets for the next day and then i sleep.
SOrrry for any grammatical or spelling errors. ESTOY CANSADA!
peace out and ill update when i can.
Second - I have never been more busy in my life.
This will be a short post as I barely have time to breath. To update everyone on the party it was wonderful. It turns out my host father is the head of operations for a collectivo (kind of like a bus) company. In the morning we got in his family´s collective and were part of a parade throughout Huancayo. All the collectivos were covered in flower,balloons, etc. We then arrived at a field where the party was held. There were a little over a hundred people I think and there was lots of dancing. Imagine me, linked arm and arm with a peruvian man, trying to follow a traditional huancayo dance. It wasnt pretty but it was fun. Basically they cut down trees the day before covered them with prizes , dug holes in the ground and put the trees back up at the party. We danced around the trees for 12 hours! yes 12. As for the duck dressed in peruvian garb, it died. Thats all i´m going to say about poor mr. duck.
My schedule is this 8am to 9 am I work with 3 other girls in a center ( basically a room with no wall on the street sidfe) with street children. We teach basic english and play games. Then from 930 to 11 I go to an orphange and play with babies with special needs. Then myself and 2 other girls teach basic english and dental hygiene to 30, 5 year olds! THEN i have lunch and then myself and Nia teach 9,10,11 year olds english for 2 hours. THEN I have 2 hours of spanish class, then I come home and prepare lessons and worksheets for the next day and then i sleep.
SOrrry for any grammatical or spelling errors. ESTOY CANSADA!
peace out and ill update when i can.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Huancayo
I have to start by saying I am already having an amazing time. While things are not exactly what I expected them to be everything is wonderful. Let me start with my homestay.
I am living with a middle class Peruvian family. Obviously when I say middle class I mean by Peruvian standards. I suppose most Americans would consider them poor but they have all the basic necessities and seem happy. Three other volunteers are living with me. Nia, the girl I orignally planned the trip, Nili, the girl from Manhattan whom I met right before I left and another girl named Harry.
The youngest boy in the family, Frank, is 14 and has been so friendly. Today he told us that he would bring us to ¨Torre Torre.¨ When we asked him what this was I swore he said it was on a mountain but my friends assured me he had said it was a monument. Well, of course, it turned out that I was correct, and while I own hiking boots I figured it was a monument and so I wore my converses. Just in case anyone was wondering hiking a mountain in converses is not pretty. Aside from the difficulty it was unbelievably beautiful. It was basically canyons with rock formations that looked like towers, hence the ¨Torre Torre¨. From there we were able to see all of Huancayo. We were also able to see many women in traditional clothing flocking sheep along the mountain. Totally surreal, and totally amazing.
Tomorrow we are going to a ¨fiesta¨with our host family. I am not completely sure what it is for but from what I understand there will be a pinata, a tree for dancing around, an a duck dressed in traditional Peruvian clothings and a hat. Hmmm.
Well thats it for now.
Nicole
I am living with a middle class Peruvian family. Obviously when I say middle class I mean by Peruvian standards. I suppose most Americans would consider them poor but they have all the basic necessities and seem happy. Three other volunteers are living with me. Nia, the girl I orignally planned the trip, Nili, the girl from Manhattan whom I met right before I left and another girl named Harry.
The youngest boy in the family, Frank, is 14 and has been so friendly. Today he told us that he would bring us to ¨Torre Torre.¨ When we asked him what this was I swore he said it was on a mountain but my friends assured me he had said it was a monument. Well, of course, it turned out that I was correct, and while I own hiking boots I figured it was a monument and so I wore my converses. Just in case anyone was wondering hiking a mountain in converses is not pretty. Aside from the difficulty it was unbelievably beautiful. It was basically canyons with rock formations that looked like towers, hence the ¨Torre Torre¨. From there we were able to see all of Huancayo. We were also able to see many women in traditional clothing flocking sheep along the mountain. Totally surreal, and totally amazing.
Tomorrow we are going to a ¨fiesta¨with our host family. I am not completely sure what it is for but from what I understand there will be a pinata, a tree for dancing around, an a duck dressed in traditional Peruvian clothings and a hat. Hmmm.
Well thats it for now.
Nicole
Friday, September 02, 2005
Today´s theme - Being Flexible
So I left for Huancayo this morning. I arrived at the bus station with my travel partners Nia, and Nili. The bus ride was 8 hours and cost around 12 dollars. The bus trip highlights - sitting next to a very sweet woman from Huacayo who insisted I email her son (we´ll see about that), a wonderful meal of chicken, rice, and banana bread, and 2 games of bingo. The lowlight was definatly experiencing the worst altitude sickness of my life. At one point we were extremely high up and I broke into a cold sweat and was so winded I could not speak. Thankfully the nice woman sitting next to me got the bus attendant to get me an alcohol compress which she put on my face. Sounds wierd, but it seemed to work as I ended up feeling much better.
We arrived in Huancayo and were met by our program leader who turned out to be the only unfriendly Peruvian we have encountered so far. It turns out all 3 of us are staying in the same homestay. Its a family of 5 chilldren(age 14 and up) and 2 parents. Not what any of us were expecting but its actually kind of comforting having the other girls around. Hopefully we´ll still learn alot of spanish from our homestay.
Well tomorrow is another day and we´ll see what happens. So far so good.
We arrived in Huancayo and were met by our program leader who turned out to be the only unfriendly Peruvian we have encountered so far. It turns out all 3 of us are staying in the same homestay. Its a family of 5 chilldren(age 14 and up) and 2 parents. Not what any of us were expecting but its actually kind of comforting having the other girls around. Hopefully we´ll still learn alot of spanish from our homestay.
Well tomorrow is another day and we´ll see what happens. So far so good.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Bienvenido a Lima!
| Hello folks! This will be a short update, as I am currently going on about 4 hours of sleep. I arrived in Lima with no problems. Aside from a crazy Peruvian who stole my seat on the plane and refused to accept that I had the window, all went well. As many of you know I really look forward to plane food and I was not disappointed. My mom´s best friend Lily picked us up from the airport at around 8:30 and we went straight back and had breakfast (bread and tea). I then collapsed for around 2 hours and was awoken for lunch. Lunch started with half an avocado filled with mixed vegetables and then fresh papaya juice. After eating this, I was extremely satisfied/ borderline full. Well I soon realized that this was only the starter. We then had amazing chicken, yuka, rice and peruvian corn, followed by peruvian pastries. I am still stuffed. I honestly think it may take a while to get used to this huge meal in the middle of the day thing. Tomorrow I am catching a 745 bus to Huancayo, a city in the andes. I am excited and slightly nervous. Hope all is well! Nicole |
Thursday, August 18, 2005
13 days and counting!
The plane leaves August 31, 2005 from Newark, NJ. Wish me luck, and be sure to come back to see what i'm up to!
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