Jack Sinclair = Example of the Small World Theory

I woke up early for the day. I tried to shower but the rain had damaged the water systems so no water. I got dressed and went to get money to pay the bill. After I got back, I ate breakfast and discussed the weather with other guests in my hostel. We watched the news where towns have been devasted by the landslides and flooding. It is going relatively unreported by the news, so I am planning to write a Guilfordian article about it. I would later learn while people here want it declared a state of emergency, but the tourism forces here don´t for fear of money purposes. This is terrible.



I got in my cab and headed to the next hostel (one connected to my volunteer program), that I hope doesn´t have leaky roofs and more respectful guests. There I got info about the program and whatnot. It sounds like a lot of fun. I put my bags in my room. Because this volunteer thing is a full week commitment, I was suggested to change the date of my plan to Machu Picchu.



I then headed to Peru Rail office. This office is run very similar to the DMV. The people working there are very confused and usually have to ask for help from several colleagues. Also your number is randomly called. After an hour of waiting, I got my turn. It only took like ten minutes. Then I headed back to my hostel.



At the hostel, I checked somethings online and talked to Abbey. I met a girl from near Seattle who went to Western Washington. Small world. I met some more of the other guests. I relaxed and played with a little girl who I think is someone who works here´s daughter. I also got some cool pictures of a child learning to juggle. I met a girl who is super close friends with Taylor Barrett from their time at Middlebury, small world again (basically my whole life). Eventually I met Yuri who runs the place I am volunteering at. He gathered all of us volunteers from the hostel to walk the block to the school.



At the school, the volunteers were split into words based on the colors, for example I wear a yellow jacket there and I am on group Sol. But first I and another volunteer had to manage the game room for an hour or so. There I played some games with the children. I got my butt kicked by three girls in scrabble. I frequently had to ask the other volunteer to make sure they were not cheating. Then I played a boy in Sorry. I swear the dice was weighted. He kicked my butt too. Finally I beat a girl at Guess Who?



After an hour or so, we were met all in a circle. Yuri then discussed the rules, what the agenda for the week was and introduced all the new volunteers. He is a very cool guy and loves what he does and has done a great job building this program. We then were split in our groups and we had to decide a country to learn about since countries are the theme of the week. Our group choose Brazil.



We went up into a room and discussed Brazil. We talked about the capital, the money, the dancing, the soccer players and whatever. It was a lot of fun. The children are kind of crazy. There were ten children and two other volunteers, Justin from England and I am not sure where Melisa is from. After we finished our agenda, we just went around the room and asked questions. Eventually the day was done. All the volunteers had to meet. There Yuri discussed more of the rules and we talked about our day. I learned that we are having a big group dinner on Thursdays where we will play games and what not. It will be fun. Then I headed back to my hostel and caught up on what I had missed.

I ate dinner at the pizza place next store which is somewhat related to my hostel. It was nice. Now to relax the rest of the evening

Waking up to Fireworks

Day 14 (1-24-10)
After a much needed sleep, I was awoken to the sound of fireworks. First of all, why are there fireworks going off at like 9 something in the morning. Second, today is a really cloudy day and hard to see much. I got up and checked people´s responses to my epic journey yesterday. I checked the Peru Rail website to see when their office was opened till so I could figure out my plans. I saw that it was open till 12. When I looked at the time it was 9:30. I quickly showered and all that jazz and left my hostel. Grabbed a cab and headed off to the office.

It was a mad house with many people complaining about what happened. I ran into people who I had met on the train. We talked about our various plans. An Argentine couple from our train, who served as translators, helped me, anAmerican girl named Sophie and a couple from Vancouver cut and get bumped up in line. The Argentine and Canadian couples asked for their money back because they couldn´t do it any other time. Sophie and I decided to go Wednesday. We got our money and bought new tickets. We have to take a cab to where we got on the second train yesterday because the full rail is shut down. So I hope Wednesday works.

After we got that all figured out, then we started to walk to the main square. Along the way, we stopped at this place that Sophie volunteered at, to found out where to get the cab on Wednesday. I asked about their volunteer program, it seemed pretty good but costed almost $800 for two weeks and I think the other one that I was waiting on was cheaper. We then parted ways to meet up on Wednesday. I then went back to my hostel. I was able to briefly talk to Abbey which was nice so we could catch up on each other´s Saturdays. She got to go to Bath and have a Jane Austen full day. I am happy for her.

I then went to get lunch. I went to check if Martha and Danielle were at their hotel but no they had left for Puno. So I decided to treat myself after a stressful day yesterday. I went to a resturant called Jack´s Cafe. It serves breakfast all day. I got scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. It was quite yummy. Then I went back to my hostel to relax for a bit. I then grabbed some dirty clothes and took to a place to get them washed and dryed. I relaxed for a bit more.

I then went to Skype with my mom since it is her birthday. It was nice to talk to her. I also got an email from the other volunteer program that they will be expecting me in the morning. Woohoo. I was then able to Skype with Abbey. It started to thunder and lightening here. It sucked because it looked like it was going to be a nice day. I won´t miss this weather in a few weeks. I ran back to my hostel. I relaxed for a bit before running to my clothes. Since then I have ate some stuff and packing my bags to leave the hostel in the morning. I am hoping for a good night sleep but we shall see.

Attempt One at Machu Picchu

Day 12 continued (1-22-10)
I tried to go to bed but some of the people who I share a room with didn´t show me any respect. They kept coming in and out of the room, turning on the lights to search for things and I don´t know. It really frustrated me. Finally they appeared to be done with this nonsense. Turns out they made friends with girls in the hostel and decided to hang out in the common room that is next to my room. They were very noisy so I couldn´t fall asleep. I tried to ask them nicely if they could be quieter but that didn´t work. 30 minutes later, I went out and asked them to move somewhere else. So they did but that lasted for what they prob assumed was the time it would take me to fall asleep. The hostel really needs quiet hours and I fully plan to mention in my comments. Eventually after all this madness, I fell asleep.

Day 13 (1-23-10)

I woke up at like 5:30-40ish to some Peruvian men thinking it was cool to watch tv. I will not miss this hostel. Maybe if I had a private room, it would be different but who would have thought it was like this. I tried to fall back asleep but was relatively unsuccessful. I got dressed and went to check things online before my cab came.

On my cab ride to the train station, I passed a lot of potential photos. The combination of the windy road and my cab driver´s driving made me feel a little not good but I survived. I got to the train station and ran into my Brazilian friends. It was nice. We talked and shared horror stories of our nights. When I went to check the time, I realized I didn´t have my phone. Did I leave at the hostel, in the cab or was it stolen? I couldn´t remember. This was bad. Caro and Mario tried to calm me down which helped. We then ran into Chileans who Caro and Mario met the day before. They tried to help me. Most people didn´t signal on their phone. Eventually one of the people who work on the train helped me. He asked a friend and he called the hostel. They found it. I had left it by the computer due to dashing out in a rush and being so tired. This was instant relief. I told the group the good news and we all were happy. We all talked for a bit before Caro and Mario had to leave on an earlier train.

I waited for my train with the Chilean women because they were on my train. All the trains were delayed because of the heavy rain last night. Two after the original departure time, we headed out. I was seated with two other Americans. They are out of college. One is working as a freelance writer and photographer in Buenos Aires (pretty cool). She and I exchanged info in between taking lots and lots of photos from the train.

After 40ish minutes, our train stopped. No one seemed to know why. Eventually, I learned that there was major landslides blocking a section of the track. So we waited to see what was going to happen. I played some Texas Hold Em with the Americans. After 45 minutes, we finally started to move again. But that was short lived. We only pulled into a place so we could get buses. We were given a choice, go to Cusco and try another day or bus it for an hour to another train to take us the rest of the way. As the Italian who I met in Lima said to me, I may die tomorrow (his twisted way of saying Carpe Diem). So I said to myself, I am going for it. While we waited for the buses, I took some pictures of whatever town we were in. The picture above is of a nice woman who allowed the photo (it is currently unedited so that will happen in a few weeks).

I finally got on a bus. After an hour or so, we got another train. At this rate, I had maybe a few hours there but that is better than nothing, right? We had heavy delays getting out of this station too. I sat with two woman from Southern California, Martha and Danielle, and a New Zealander named Ara. They were enjoyable company considering the circumstances. We talked about a wide range of things. I also taught them some stuff about their cameras since they had some questions. Turns out within an hour or so, another landslide had happened. We were about 20 km away from Aguas Calientes. But we couldn´t go any further. I guess we were lucky that we were not there when it happened. People are currently trapped at Machu Picchu. Luckily I had no travel plans that got messed up through this. I plan to try again next weekend (I have to go to the office tomorrow to figure out what to do). It sucked but that is a part of the adventure.

On the train back to the station we got this second train, I met two people who had been doing volunteer work here so I got a suggestion that I am going to try out since I haven´t heard back from this other one. Martha and Danielle and I chatted some more. They are in some kind of medical field but I couldn´t figure it out. But when I mentioned that I had Crohn´s, they became very insistant that I get off Gluten. I plan to investigate this more. The change would not happen till after I get back at the soonest. We then had to get back a bus to get back to Cusco. I mostly tried to sleep with the aide of the music of Explosions in the Sky. Eventually, Martha and I swapped iPods. She has a good taste in music including cds I want and she wanted some of mine.

We ended up at the Peru Rail office (where I need to go tomorrow to get either my money back or try to change my ticket till next Saturday (I am thinking the landslides will be cleared by then). The SoCal girls and Igrabbed a cab since their hotel is near my hostel. We went to grabbed dinner. Martha played the role of interrogator but I am used to it. I also showed them the photo album that I am traveling around. After, we said bye and good luck on things. I might try to see if they are around tomorrow. I came back and checked facebook. I had to let people down by not going to Machu Picchu. I then uploaded while the people who woke me up this morning are watching Peruvian music videos. I will tell them to turn it down so I can sleep.

Plan for Sunday
Wake up. Try to go the Peru Rail office early to figure out what to do, then check out this volunteer opportunity. Then hopefully going to Skype.

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.

The Kindness of Strangers

My first Guilfordian article of the semester
http://www.guilfordian.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=d0031fbe-d705-4e47-a87d-48abd0ee723c

Currently working on the second. Enjoy

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!!!

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.