Rainy Friday

I had another battle with waking up since light comes in through a window and people don´t know howto be quiet. Luckily, I was able to fall back asleep. Eventually I got up at around 9:30. I had breakfast and read for a bit. Then I showered and got ready for the day. But unfortunately it was a bit rainy so I held off going into the main part of the city.

Eventually I went into the city. I grabbed some food. After I stopped in a market with different vendors. I bought some gifts for friends and some pants that are comfortable and easy to sleep in since it is kind of cold here. From there, I walked around a bit. My shoes were not meant for all this rain. So I went into a shoe store. I bought some nice and decent hiking type shoes that will be really good for going to Machu Picchu. I am so excited for that. Due to the weather and the bags I had, I decided to go back to my hostel. I ended up staying there for several hours because there was so much rain. I only left to have a Skype date with Abbey since it is our 17 months today. After our date, I ran into my Brazilian friends and hung out with them for a little bit.

Since then, I have been moving photos to my harddrive and watching the Hope for Haiti telethon. Though I am sure they care, there people in my hostel who somewhat seem indifferent to this tragedy. Its really sad that they seem relatively unaffected.

Now to pack and go to bed early since I have an early morning in front of me.

Cusco For Sale

I periodically woke up before getting up at nine something. I went downstairs and had some bread and tea for breakfast. I then showered and read for a bit because there was some rain because it is the season for it. Eventually it stopped so I headed into the main part of the city. I passed many people who tried to sell me things, from weighing me to belts to pictures with Alpacas. Cusco is a really beautiful city but it is sad that there is so much poverty here. They have to sell their roots as a way to provide. I mean I am not helping by taking photos of it. It just makes me sad.

I took photos and walked around. Anytime I snapped a photo near certain people, I was harrased for money so I had to say no. I took pictures of the various churches and religious things in the area. I stumbled upon a political rally but didn´t quite understand it so I left. I walked into a massive open airtype market, but covered due to the rain. There they had plenty of food and other kinds of products. I saw lots of animals being butchered in front of me. The smell and the sight of dead animal heads was a bit too much for me, and I love meat. After walking around for a bit, I headed back to my hostel. I had perfect timing because it started to pour after I got back. I read for a bit.

Eventually it stopped, so I headed back in the city. I got some food to eat. I then dropped off a roll of film from Lima. I went inside one of the nearby churches and walked around. It was pretty but I unfortunately couldn´t take any photos. I eventually left and walked around somemore. I window shopped for gifts. I may make some purchases tomorrow. I took some more pictures. I ended up sending another batch of postcards and buying my next batch. After walking some more, I ended up at the convent of Santo Domingo. I went in but was not allowed any pictures. They had a mausoleum for a fake Jesus. I didn´t understand but I don´t understand most Catholic things.

I walked around some more after and ended up at a park where I sat and took photos. I watched children play hide and seek. I listened while dog howled like a wolf. It was pleasant to watch to sit there and observe. I then picked up my photos. None of them are amazing but they are something. I went back to my hostel and relaxed. I had to drink water. That is the hardest part of the high altitude, breathing. I then went to an internet cafe for a Skype date with Abbey. After an hour or so, we bid adieu. I then had to make a mad dash to my hostel due to the rain.

After hanging for a bit, I ended up being asked to dinner by two Brazilian cousins, Mario and Carolina. I had met them the day before when they were in my shuttle to the hostel. We walked around looking at the many options for food. After a bit, we decided to eat at a bar type resturant that had Thai food. I ordered a mix of steak and chicken satay. It was pretty good. We talked about various places we want to go to, soccer, the Spanish lifestyle, Paulo Coelho, politics etc. It was a lot of fun. I quite enjoyed it. Carolina lives in Portland currently which is pretty cool. She gave me advice on a bar in Buenos Aires, and Mario tried to teach me some Portuguese but most of it has not stuck. We got back to our hostel. I typed this up and will soon head to bed.

PS. Happy 17 months Abbey!!!