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!!!
Showing posts with label Paulo Coelho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paulo Coelho. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Way up high, 11,000 Ft. high to be exactly
Day 10 (1-20-10)
I did my daily battle with waking up but eventually gave in. I finished putting things in my bag. I tried to pay my bill but there was someone new at the front desk and clearly didn´t know what he was doing. So I waited around for a bit. Eventually I paid the bill and got myself in a taxi. I left the hostel not sure if and when I would return. I liked it and if I have to stay in Lima for a night it will probably be there.
My cab driver was pretty cool. We talked about a variety of subjects, like travel plans, my Spanish which he though was pretty good, people getting robbed, and Michael Jackson since his music was playing. It was a pretty enjoyable cab ride. I got to the airport and checked my bag. I then passed various American food places like McDonald´s, Papa John´s, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. I bought some postcards. I then paid my 6 dollar exit fee and got through security. Then I walked toward my gate. I bought my ticket to Machu Picchu. I am so excited. One day, I hope to do the trek but I want to do it with a buddy. More meaningful in my eye. I then sat at my gateand wrote postcards. Have tons more to write, so don´t stress. Then I boarded.
I fell asleep for most of what I thought was my flight. I was reading my book when over the PA it was announced that we had to turn around to Lima, when we were maybe 20 min from Cusco and an hour from Lima, because of bad weather. Its currently raining season here so thats why. So then we went back to Lima. It sucked majorly. We landed and sat at the tarmac for probably around an hour. While we waited, I looked at pictures and looked at quotes for comfort during this stressful period. As Paulo Coelho says, "Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant." In my life, those brilliant moments are the ones of a shared laugh, a deep discussion, or any moment with those people who I love and keep dear to my heart. Seeing them again one day is the gold on the other side of the rainbow.
Then we finally off the ground. I read some of the way and played solitare the rest. Then we finally got to Cusco over three hours later. Because of the high altitude, it is cooler here, so once I got my bag, I grabbed the fleece and put it on. Luckily, my shuttle to my hostel was still there. Cusco is smaller but prettier than that of Lima. So much to see.
Eventually, we got to the hostel. I checked in and put my stuff in my room. I started to feel lightheaded, due to the high altitude. But I pushed on. I checked emails and saw I got one from one of the volunteer places I emailed. I gave them my dates (the 25th-5th). If this works out, I could fly out the 6th to Lima, stay the night then go to Santiago and get a bus from there to Mendoza and get myself back to BA somehow.
Eventually, I went out. I walked to a plaza called Plazoleta de San Blas. It was full of life.People making products to sell, children playing games, juggelrs doing their thing, even girls walking Alpacas. I stayed in the general areaof here.
I went back to my hostel and chilled for a bit. Talked to some people for a while.I then went out to dinner. The guy who runs the hostel, suggested a resturant so I went there. It was very tiny so I had to sit with a stranger but it was ok. We talked in Spanish. He is from Lima. We talked about my plans, my life etc. It was fun. I had pizza and and my first pisco sour shot. It was pretty good. One of the meals that I turned down was Guinea Pig, I don´t think I could eat that but I probably eat there again. I went back to my hostel, just in time because it started to pour. There I watched the Simpson´s including the episode where they go to London. Soon I plan to go to bed.
I did my daily battle with waking up but eventually gave in. I finished putting things in my bag. I tried to pay my bill but there was someone new at the front desk and clearly didn´t know what he was doing. So I waited around for a bit. Eventually I paid the bill and got myself in a taxi. I left the hostel not sure if and when I would return. I liked it and if I have to stay in Lima for a night it will probably be there.
My cab driver was pretty cool. We talked about a variety of subjects, like travel plans, my Spanish which he though was pretty good, people getting robbed, and Michael Jackson since his music was playing. It was a pretty enjoyable cab ride. I got to the airport and checked my bag. I then passed various American food places like McDonald´s, Papa John´s, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. I bought some postcards. I then paid my 6 dollar exit fee and got through security. Then I walked toward my gate. I bought my ticket to Machu Picchu. I am so excited. One day, I hope to do the trek but I want to do it with a buddy. More meaningful in my eye. I then sat at my gateand wrote postcards. Have tons more to write, so don´t stress. Then I boarded.
I fell asleep for most of what I thought was my flight. I was reading my book when over the PA it was announced that we had to turn around to Lima, when we were maybe 20 min from Cusco and an hour from Lima, because of bad weather. Its currently raining season here so thats why. So then we went back to Lima. It sucked majorly. We landed and sat at the tarmac for probably around an hour. While we waited, I looked at pictures and looked at quotes for comfort during this stressful period. As Paulo Coelho says, "Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant." In my life, those brilliant moments are the ones of a shared laugh, a deep discussion, or any moment with those people who I love and keep dear to my heart. Seeing them again one day is the gold on the other side of the rainbow.
Then we finally off the ground. I read some of the way and played solitare the rest. Then we finally got to Cusco over three hours later. Because of the high altitude, it is cooler here, so once I got my bag, I grabbed the fleece and put it on. Luckily, my shuttle to my hostel was still there. Cusco is smaller but prettier than that of Lima. So much to see.
Eventually, we got to the hostel. I checked in and put my stuff in my room. I started to feel lightheaded, due to the high altitude. But I pushed on. I checked emails and saw I got one from one of the volunteer places I emailed. I gave them my dates (the 25th-5th). If this works out, I could fly out the 6th to Lima, stay the night then go to Santiago and get a bus from there to Mendoza and get myself back to BA somehow.
Eventually, I went out. I walked to a plaza called Plazoleta de San Blas. It was full of life.People making products to sell, children playing games, juggelrs doing their thing, even girls walking Alpacas. I stayed in the general areaof here.
I went back to my hostel and chilled for a bit. Talked to some people for a while.I then went out to dinner. The guy who runs the hostel, suggested a resturant so I went there. It was very tiny so I had to sit with a stranger but it was ok. We talked in Spanish. He is from Lima. We talked about my plans, my life etc. It was fun. I had pizza and and my first pisco sour shot. It was pretty good. One of the meals that I turned down was Guinea Pig, I don´t think I could eat that but I probably eat there again. I went back to my hostel, just in time because it started to pour. There I watched the Simpson´s including the episode where they go to London. Soon I plan to go to bed.
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