Day 7 (1/17/10) continued
After I continued on my journey. I ended up walking to the Parque de Amor. It had a huge sculpture of lovers and along the wall, they had gaudi type thing with quotes about love in Spanish. It was really romantic and it reminded me of Abbey. Overhead, paragliders flew. I would like to do it but being afraid of falling makes it hard. Maybe one day. I walked to lighthouse and then my hostel.
I got back and read a bit of my book then took a nap. So strange, I am not used to napping but whatever. After I woke up and hung out with people in my hostel. Eventually, I decided to go grab some food. I went to the supermarket. It was pretty snazzy and full of life. I grabbed some bread, jamon serrano and an ice tea. Then I headed back to the hostel.
I ate and chatted with the other guests and one of the owners. We talked about learning the languages and other things. I then had a long Skype date with Abbey. Then after saying goodbye, I went outside to join the grouype. Someone had bought some really sweet wine and bread and nutella and dulce de lece. It was really cool chatting and sharing good food. An American, from Northern California, came out and we discussed the lack of the facial hair in South America. We teased him about growing the beard as a statement for leaving San Jose for Humbolt. After a little bit, I headed to bed.
Day 8 (1/18/10)
I woke up around tenish. I had a mediocre crossiant. I then showered, brushed my teeth and then headed to the internet cafe. There, I skyped with Abbey and she helped me make my corrections to my Guilfordian article. She is just smarty. We then said our goodbyes and I headed back to the hostel.
An Australian girl and I headed into the center of the city. It was very smoggy and dirty. The city had a lot of traffic. Eventually we got a few blocks from Plaza Mayor. We had to get out a few blocks away because of the plaza being blocked off due to the 475th anniversary of the founding of Lima. We saw people waiting outside the town hall. So we hung out there to see what is up. We saw people coming out with medals and others came out to cheers. I took some pictures of the scene.
After, we walked to the Cathedral of Lima. It was really pretty. It also serves the museum of religious art. I took some pictures in there. It was pretty interesting to see the differences between a South American church and churches from Europe and North America. I will post pictures on my Flickr and Facebook upon my return to Buenos Aires since I need to edit them. From there, we walked to the Museo San Francisco. Unfortunately, I could not take photos in there. We got a tour who showed us around. It was pretty interesting. We went into the catacombs, where they have uncovered 25,00o bodies so far. They had tons of bones. It was interesting and musty. They also had a cool library that I wanted to take a picture but couldn't.
After, we headed out to the post office. I sent six postcards but have plently more to write and send. We then grabbed a cab and headed back to the hostel. There I wrote in my journal, Skyped with Abbey, checked emails and moved my photos.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
"Have you been to Greece?"
I am currenty doing this at an internet cafe with a working keyboard.
So back to day 5
Since I posted about that, I took pictures and videos of people dancing. I then headed to bed but felt relatively lame doing so since everyone in the hostal seemed to be going out but I was tired and had an early morning in front of me. The Floridian girls who I met turned out to be just as lame as I was becaue they had to catch a bus in the morning. I struggled to sleep but finally did.
Day 6 (1/16/10)
I kept waking up during the course of the night, from people coming in from a wild night or the person in the bunk next to mine having the worse snore EVER!!!!!!! I woke up a bit earlier than I had to in hopes that Abbey would be online but she wasn´t but I took care of sme emails. I got my stuff together and a bottle of water before the cab picked me up.
I got to the airport with no problem at all. Checked in and got through the security. Stopped in a store to buy some postcards. They had a lot of books in English I considered but I resisted. They also had a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and a Ruby Tuesday in the airport. Legit. I went to my gate and wrote my postcards that I plan to send tomorrow. I then boarded and then fell asleep for most of the flight despite a movie that I wanted to see was showing. I woke up and read and filled out the forms. I got through passport control no problem because I didn´t have to pay an entrance fee (though I will prob have to pay an exit fee from what I hear). I exchanged some money and grabbed my ba. I met up with the driver I orgainzed through my hostel.
The city reminds me a lot of California. It is right on the coast. I can´t wait to explore it. The hostel is in a neighborhood called Miraflores which isn´t the center but I don´t mind. I plan to go there on Monday. The hostal is a pretty cool building with lots of rooms and games and movies. I talked to some people. I relaxed and went on the computer in the lobby. Turns out the keyboard is broken so I have to point and click every key which is better than nothing but still a pain. Luckily Abbey was online when I was. We skyped voice to voice because they have a headset for it.
After we chatted for a while, I walked to the beach. There I met two Canadian couples. They were very nice and I explained my journey and its possibilities. They said Bolivia, if you are smart, isn´t that bad. So that is a possibility but I will touch on that later. I took some pictures (will upload some to Facebook sometime, though they will be better if I can play with them on photoshop first, if you can wait). I then walked around and bought a water bottle and walked to my hostel. I met an Australian, some Greeks (who asked everyone if they had been to Greece, it was a running joke by the end of the night) and a man from near Rome. We talked about our respected journeys and shared advice. I then read my book.
After reading I napped for a bit. I got up and ran into an American couple, a Canadian and a half American half Peruvian boy and we all went to dinner. It was a lot of fun. I got a frozen lemonade and streak and rice and vegetables. I love South American food. We headed to the hostel but made a stop to buy some beer. We hung out with most of the people in the hostel, playing games, taking photos, talking about our trips, singing to the radio playing random American music. Then I headed to bed.
Day 7 (1/17/10)
I woke up at various times this morning but pretty much slept till ten which was amazing. I got up and talked to the Australian and Italian guys. I then hopped online and so did Abbey we had a great Skype date where we talked about her wild night (wish I could have been there, though I had fun). My mom called me for all of five seconds but then she got on Skype. After Abbey and I said bye. I talked to my mom about things. We tried to figure out what to do with my month of whatever. We discussed some volunteer work and we looked at places. I found one in Cusco I liked and would enjoy. It would be working with children which I love. I emailed them seeing if I could volunteer for 2 weeks from like the 25th to the 7th. Then I can get to Mendoza and get back to Buenos Aires from there. It would eat up 2 weeks which would be nice and I could help and play with kids. So I hope I can do it.
I then said bye to my mom and heading into the Miraflores area. I bought an orange from a nice lady but she turned me down when I asked if I could take a photo of her. :(. It would have been a good one but I had to respect her wishes. This will be difficult. I continued to walk around and take some photos on both my D80 and my Holga. I walked through a park and then stopped in an internet cafe to type this. Now to continue walking and get some food. Post sometime soon.
Paz
So back to day 5
Since I posted about that, I took pictures and videos of people dancing. I then headed to bed but felt relatively lame doing so since everyone in the hostal seemed to be going out but I was tired and had an early morning in front of me. The Floridian girls who I met turned out to be just as lame as I was becaue they had to catch a bus in the morning. I struggled to sleep but finally did.
Day 6 (1/16/10)
I kept waking up during the course of the night, from people coming in from a wild night or the person in the bunk next to mine having the worse snore EVER!!!!!!! I woke up a bit earlier than I had to in hopes that Abbey would be online but she wasn´t but I took care of sme emails. I got my stuff together and a bottle of water before the cab picked me up.
I got to the airport with no problem at all. Checked in and got through the security. Stopped in a store to buy some postcards. They had a lot of books in English I considered but I resisted. They also had a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and a Ruby Tuesday in the airport. Legit. I went to my gate and wrote my postcards that I plan to send tomorrow. I then boarded and then fell asleep for most of the flight despite a movie that I wanted to see was showing. I woke up and read and filled out the forms. I got through passport control no problem because I didn´t have to pay an entrance fee (though I will prob have to pay an exit fee from what I hear). I exchanged some money and grabbed my ba. I met up with the driver I orgainzed through my hostel.
The city reminds me a lot of California. It is right on the coast. I can´t wait to explore it. The hostel is in a neighborhood called Miraflores which isn´t the center but I don´t mind. I plan to go there on Monday. The hostal is a pretty cool building with lots of rooms and games and movies. I talked to some people. I relaxed and went on the computer in the lobby. Turns out the keyboard is broken so I have to point and click every key which is better than nothing but still a pain. Luckily Abbey was online when I was. We skyped voice to voice because they have a headset for it.
After we chatted for a while, I walked to the beach. There I met two Canadian couples. They were very nice and I explained my journey and its possibilities. They said Bolivia, if you are smart, isn´t that bad. So that is a possibility but I will touch on that later. I took some pictures (will upload some to Facebook sometime, though they will be better if I can play with them on photoshop first, if you can wait). I then walked around and bought a water bottle and walked to my hostel. I met an Australian, some Greeks (who asked everyone if they had been to Greece, it was a running joke by the end of the night) and a man from near Rome. We talked about our respected journeys and shared advice. I then read my book.
After reading I napped for a bit. I got up and ran into an American couple, a Canadian and a half American half Peruvian boy and we all went to dinner. It was a lot of fun. I got a frozen lemonade and streak and rice and vegetables. I love South American food. We headed to the hostel but made a stop to buy some beer. We hung out with most of the people in the hostel, playing games, taking photos, talking about our trips, singing to the radio playing random American music. Then I headed to bed.
Day 7 (1/17/10)
I woke up at various times this morning but pretty much slept till ten which was amazing. I got up and talked to the Australian and Italian guys. I then hopped online and so did Abbey we had a great Skype date where we talked about her wild night (wish I could have been there, though I had fun). My mom called me for all of five seconds but then she got on Skype. After Abbey and I said bye. I talked to my mom about things. We tried to figure out what to do with my month of whatever. We discussed some volunteer work and we looked at places. I found one in Cusco I liked and would enjoy. It would be working with children which I love. I emailed them seeing if I could volunteer for 2 weeks from like the 25th to the 7th. Then I can get to Mendoza and get back to Buenos Aires from there. It would eat up 2 weeks which would be nice and I could help and play with kids. So I hope I can do it.
I then said bye to my mom and heading into the Miraflores area. I bought an orange from a nice lady but she turned me down when I asked if I could take a photo of her. :(. It would have been a good one but I had to respect her wishes. This will be difficult. I continued to walk around and take some photos on both my D80 and my Holga. I walked through a park and then stopped in an internet cafe to type this. Now to continue walking and get some food. Post sometime soon.
Paz
Still lack of keyboard
The title pretty much explains it all so I won't write much. Still got way too much time on my hands. I just wish I could kill time by visiting Abbey in London. This sucks.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Estoy en Lima
I would write more but due a broken keyboard I have to point click everything. So I decided to just show proof of life :). Write more later
Friday, January 15, 2010
Day 5 continued
I got some money and food for relatively cheap. I think the economy isn't much better here than in Argentina. I came back to my hostel and wrote for a bit. There were two American girls from Florida. When I told them that I go to Guilford, one of them knows someone who I am somewhat acquinted with. The small world theory that defines my life strikes again. They decided to nap, I to shower. After showering, I got up in my bed and starting Michael Crichton's The Lost World. Like Jurassic Park, it has traits of the movie but different prob better in the end. I then drank with the two Floridians some beeer called Cristal that the hostal was having a barbaque for only like 10 dollars max (I am not sure about the exchange rate). We chatted about our various travel plans, and maybe I will meet them somewhere in Argentina. We then moved our drinks outside and talked to one of the chefs of the evening, Sergio. He chatted to us about the conflicts that Chile has been, for example Peru and Bolivia, and how each country saw the conflict. I took some pictures of the intereaction that I will post sometime. He also talked about the election happening on Sunday and the various people running for the high office. Soon a group of Brazilians came and joined us and chatted about soccer. Then a German woman who is traveling around the world (I want to do that and plan it well). It was fun. Eating great food and chatting about travels. I then went to take my medicine for being up in Peru because of the high altitude.
If I dont go to Bolivia, again due to safety issues, maybe I will come back here for a few then bus it to Mendoza and start a trek from Mendoza to Buenos Aires.
If I dont go to Bolivia, again due to safety issues, maybe I will come back here for a few then bus it to Mendoza and start a trek from Mendoza to Buenos Aires.
Santiago
Day 4 (1/14/10)
After packing, I talked to Abbey for a bit. I then worked on the forms for customs. I then rested for a while. Then Alexandria, Jane and I went out to dinner to a resturant near by. It was pretty good we had plenty of food. We had an awkward waiter who invited us to a bar with other people from the resturant but it was kind of weird. Jane and I continued to catch up. After dinner, our waiter informed us that someone, I don't think we ever found out who, bought us each a flute of champagene. This was pretty cool. We left and headed back to the hotel and chilled with Hugo. I said my goodbyes and headed to bed early because I had an early flight. After some struggles to go to bed, I finally fell asleep
Day 5 (1/15/10)
Like falling asleep, I had trouble getting up but eventually I did and put on clothes and went to talk to Abbey before I left for Chile. We got to talk for a bit which was pleasant. Eventually I had to go. I grabbed my bags, checked out and stored one. I hope nothing bad happens to it. I got my computer among other stuff I need in there. Before I checked out, Jane was having trouble falling back asleep came to say goodbye. It was nice to run into her and hang out with her. Hope to see her sooner.
I left in the cab with no problems. Got to the airport and got on an earlier flight by an hour. Security was muy facil. I bought and wrote some postcards. I boarded and did my immigration forms. Then I went to sleep. I woke up and disembarked. Then I waited 50 minutes or so to pay my visa fee. Then went through passport control, got my bags, called my mom that lasted a few minutes because of roaming and international costs. Then I went through customs and then got a taxi here. Now at my hostel and about to get some money.
After packing, I talked to Abbey for a bit. I then worked on the forms for customs. I then rested for a while. Then Alexandria, Jane and I went out to dinner to a resturant near by. It was pretty good we had plenty of food. We had an awkward waiter who invited us to a bar with other people from the resturant but it was kind of weird. Jane and I continued to catch up. After dinner, our waiter informed us that someone, I don't think we ever found out who, bought us each a flute of champagene. This was pretty cool. We left and headed back to the hotel and chilled with Hugo. I said my goodbyes and headed to bed early because I had an early flight. After some struggles to go to bed, I finally fell asleep
Day 5 (1/15/10)
Like falling asleep, I had trouble getting up but eventually I did and put on clothes and went to talk to Abbey before I left for Chile. We got to talk for a bit which was pleasant. Eventually I had to go. I grabbed my bags, checked out and stored one. I hope nothing bad happens to it. I got my computer among other stuff I need in there. Before I checked out, Jane was having trouble falling back asleep came to say goodbye. It was nice to run into her and hang out with her. Hope to see her sooner.
I left in the cab with no problems. Got to the airport and got on an earlier flight by an hour. Security was muy facil. I bought and wrote some postcards. I boarded and did my immigration forms. Then I went to sleep. I woke up and disembarked. Then I waited 50 minutes or so to pay my visa fee. Then went through passport control, got my bags, called my mom that lasted a few minutes because of roaming and international costs. Then I went through customs and then got a taxi here. Now at my hostel and about to get some money.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What to do for a month in South America
1-13-10/Day 3 (continued)
After I left the Starbucks, I went back to my hotel to hang out. I read and finished my book, leaving me with a few books to read though I am thinking of borrowing a book from my hotel. I watched some tv and then went out for a quick dinner. After I relaxed for a while, before hanging out in the lobby with some of the night staff and their friends. I got to practice my Spanish, which I have not lost much of which is nice. After a few hours of hanging, and chatting, I went to bed.
1-14-10/Day 4
I woke up this morning around 9ish but still wifi (still not working, no real surprise there). I very briefly talked to Abbey but she had an emergency to take of so she had to go. I then booked a flight from Lima to Cusco, due to its relatively cheap price and it is much safer. I realized that if I stay in Cusco for five days, which is what I am thinking, that still gives me roughly a month of unplanned activities. I really am unsure about what to do with this time. I am thinking Bolivia but I am going to plan it, if I go, either in Chile or Peru to make sure it is safe in La Paz. I don´t want to go if it is too risky, obviously. I miss my life in the US, but I will not let it comsume me. I guess I just wish I had a travel buddy. It would make this a lot easier but I will meet people like I have already and then when my program starts it will be fun too.
I went to figure out what happened with my phone. When I got to Movistar, they couldn´t figure it out at first but they eventually did. They told me to wait 30 minutes so I grabbed a quick lunch and went to the bank. When I returned, my phone was working. Me and the ladies at Movistar were very happy about this. They even gave me ten extra pesos on my phone for which I gave them a hight five each and many graciases. I then headed back to my hotel. I then headed back to Starbucks to use their wifi. There I checked and sent out emails, uploaded photos my facebook, wrote a possible article for the Guilfordian, talked to some friends and booked a hostel in Cusco, apparently very near the center but also close to the airport. I am now planned till the afternoon of the 25th. No idea what to do from then on. I want to go back to Buenos Aires for a little bit and I might go to Patagonia with a friend but besides that, I have no plans. So if you got suggestions, let me know. I headed back and started to pack but I took a break to post this.
Agenda for the next few days
Santiago tomorrow for the night, Lima: Saturday-20th, Cusco: 20th-25th. So don´t expect a blog entry every day, but occasionally and same with photos. I might do mini things to show I am alive and well but don´t expect a lot
Check my photos on my flickr, www.flickr.com/jsinclair88. You will see the Argentina labeled album. Remember, any is for sale and enjoy
After I left the Starbucks, I went back to my hotel to hang out. I read and finished my book, leaving me with a few books to read though I am thinking of borrowing a book from my hotel. I watched some tv and then went out for a quick dinner. After I relaxed for a while, before hanging out in the lobby with some of the night staff and their friends. I got to practice my Spanish, which I have not lost much of which is nice. After a few hours of hanging, and chatting, I went to bed.
1-14-10/Day 4
I woke up this morning around 9ish but still wifi (still not working, no real surprise there). I very briefly talked to Abbey but she had an emergency to take of so she had to go. I then booked a flight from Lima to Cusco, due to its relatively cheap price and it is much safer. I realized that if I stay in Cusco for five days, which is what I am thinking, that still gives me roughly a month of unplanned activities. I really am unsure about what to do with this time. I am thinking Bolivia but I am going to plan it, if I go, either in Chile or Peru to make sure it is safe in La Paz. I don´t want to go if it is too risky, obviously. I miss my life in the US, but I will not let it comsume me. I guess I just wish I had a travel buddy. It would make this a lot easier but I will meet people like I have already and then when my program starts it will be fun too.
I went to figure out what happened with my phone. When I got to Movistar, they couldn´t figure it out at first but they eventually did. They told me to wait 30 minutes so I grabbed a quick lunch and went to the bank. When I returned, my phone was working. Me and the ladies at Movistar were very happy about this. They even gave me ten extra pesos on my phone for which I gave them a hight five each and many graciases. I then headed back to my hotel. I then headed back to Starbucks to use their wifi. There I checked and sent out emails, uploaded photos my facebook, wrote a possible article for the Guilfordian, talked to some friends and booked a hostel in Cusco, apparently very near the center but also close to the airport. I am now planned till the afternoon of the 25th. No idea what to do from then on. I want to go back to Buenos Aires for a little bit and I might go to Patagonia with a friend but besides that, I have no plans. So if you got suggestions, let me know. I headed back and started to pack but I took a break to post this.
Agenda for the next few days
Santiago tomorrow for the night, Lima: Saturday-20th, Cusco: 20th-25th. So don´t expect a blog entry every day, but occasionally and same with photos. I might do mini things to show I am alive and well but don´t expect a lot
Check my photos on my flickr, www.flickr.com/jsinclair88. You will see the Argentina labeled album. Remember, any is for sale and enjoy
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