This post will be short, as I am very exhausted from a long 6 days of traveling. I spent Saturday and Sunday in Machu Picchu and the nearby city, Aguas Calientes (named for its natural 'hot' springs that were more like lukewarm room temperature).
It goes without saying that Machu Picchu was breathtaking and amazing. We started our day at 4am with the long hike to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. When I say hike, I actually mean rocks in the form of stairs...1.5 hours straight of these stairs that were often too high for my short legs. It was a beautiful hike but very tiring! Once we reached Machu Picchu, we went straight to our next activity, which was hiking Huaynapicchu (the big green mountain in every picture you've seen of Machu Picchu). This included another hour of stone steps, often so steep that we were rock climbing. The Summit is a bunch of huge boulders that you have to very strategically maneuver in order to not slip 2 inches and fall to your death. Looking back, I'm realizing that this hike was very dangerous. But, wow, the view from the top made it all worth it! After Huaynapicchu, we met our tour guide to start our tour of Machu Picchu, the 'lost city' of the Incas.
Monday morning, I took a 7.5 hour bus ride to Manu, a national park of sorts on the outskirts of the Amazon. I stayed in a volunteer house there and did some volunteer work, such as monitoring and recording butterfly activity and cleaning the site. There was no electricity and the only water is what came straight from the river (no hot showers), so most people opt to bathe in the nearby waterfall. There are 2 monkeys living at the house, Chico and Paula. It turned out that the bed I chose to sleep in was also the monkeys' favorite bed to sleep in. So, the first night I was surprised to find Chico asleep in my bed, head on the pillow and everything. So I just got in with him and he was very sweet and loved to cuddle. He also really likes to sleep in and got a little cranky when I wanted to get out of bed at 7:30am. I never thought I would be sharing a bed with a monkey!
Now I am down to only 2 more days in Cusco! It will be very bittersweet to leave. Tomorrow is my last day with the kids, and I already know there will be tears involved!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
My time in Peru is quickly running out - I can't believe how fast the past month flew by. In some ways, I am ready to come home, but the majority of me wishes I could just stay here and travel around South America for a few years (wouldn't that be nice?!).
Today was my last Spanish class, but instead of staying in the classroom, my teacher offered to take me shopping at some local markets. So, we ditched class and went shopping for two hours! It was really fun, and I really enjoyed spending time with her and getting to know her better. She has 2 daughters that are the same ages as Lee and I! It was also nice to have her around while I was shopping because I was charged significantly less money since I was with a local (it gave me some street cred). After shopping, I took her out for ice cream. It was a really great morning, and was just as helpful as a Spanish class since I had to have all of our conversations in Spanish!
This afternoon, I taught the kids how to make pictures frames out of popsicle sticks. I took each one of their photos and will bring printed copies in next week, and then they will give the frames to their moms for Mother's Day. They were so excited and really got into it- it was so cute!
I have a busy few days ahead of me. Tomorrow morning, I am going to Machhu Picchu with 7 other people in my house. We will be there until Sunday night. Then, at 4:30am Monday morning, I am leaving to spend a few days volunteering in the jungle. I'm not entirely sure what that will entail, but I think I will mostly be cutting down non-native plants. But, the thing I am most excited about is that there are 2 monkeys who live in the house I will be staying at. So, I will be hangin out with some monkeys! Also, in order to get to the house, you have to cross a river on a zipline. There is no electricity, so I will not be able to update with pictures until Thursday when I return to Cusco.
Here are some pictures from today:
Today was my last Spanish class, but instead of staying in the classroom, my teacher offered to take me shopping at some local markets. So, we ditched class and went shopping for two hours! It was really fun, and I really enjoyed spending time with her and getting to know her better. She has 2 daughters that are the same ages as Lee and I! It was also nice to have her around while I was shopping because I was charged significantly less money since I was with a local (it gave me some street cred). After shopping, I took her out for ice cream. It was a really great morning, and was just as helpful as a Spanish class since I had to have all of our conversations in Spanish!
This afternoon, I taught the kids how to make pictures frames out of popsicle sticks. I took each one of their photos and will bring printed copies in next week, and then they will give the frames to their moms for Mother's Day. They were so excited and really got into it- it was so cute!
I have a busy few days ahead of me. Tomorrow morning, I am going to Machhu Picchu with 7 other people in my house. We will be there until Sunday night. Then, at 4:30am Monday morning, I am leaving to spend a few days volunteering in the jungle. I'm not entirely sure what that will entail, but I think I will mostly be cutting down non-native plants. But, the thing I am most excited about is that there are 2 monkeys who live in the house I will be staying at. So, I will be hangin out with some monkeys! Also, in order to get to the house, you have to cross a river on a zipline. There is no electricity, so I will not be able to update with pictures until Thursday when I return to Cusco.
Here are some pictures from today:
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Finally...the kids!
We had a great birthday party yesterday, complete with games, dancing, cake and jello. I'll let the pictures and videos speak for themselves!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Lago Titicaca
I returned early yesterday morning from an amazing weekend in Puno and Lake Titicaca. The adventure started Friday night with a 6.5 hour overnight bus ride from Cusco to Puno. Saturday morning we boarded a boat and visited Los Uros, a group of man-made floating islands. They are made out of reed-type plants, and were originally constructed as a means of defense. Some families still live on the islands, and we were able to get a tour and see their houses, which was very interesting- shocking to think that people still live so simply.
From Los Uros, we took a 3-hour boat ride to the largest natural island on the lake, Amantani. The island has a population of about 4,000 and is divided into 10 different communities (each with its own President). There are no streets, no cars, no electricity, and only some places with running water. There are also no hotels or hostels on the island, so tourists stay with local families. When we arrived on the island, we were split into 2 groups of 3 and taken to 2 different homestays. The family I stayed with was very nice and welcoming - a couple with a 10 year old son and 5 month old daughter. We arrived to a traditional lunch of island-grown vegatables, rice, and fried cheese. Meat is rarely ate on the island, and the diet consists of the grains and vegetables grown on the island and occasionally lake trout. Tea is also served after every meal with freshly picked herbs in place of tea bags. I am not a tea person, but enjoyed their Muna tea (tasted a bit like mint).
In the afternoon, we hiked up the biggest hill/mountain on the island, called Pachatata (Father Earth). It was a beautiful hike and the views of the lake and surrounding mountains were breathtaking. Plus, I scored a good deal on a handmade Alpaca sweater from a woman at the top of the hill - only 30 soles (about $11). After the hike, we returned to our houses for dinner and to get ready for the fiesta! Our family gave us traditional clothing to wear and took us up the hill to a party where we learned traditional dances. It was fun, and I enjoyed twirling around in my big skirt!
The next morning we took the boat to another natural island called Taquile. We went on a another short hike, and stopped to eat a traditional lunch of lake trout with rice and potatoes. We then returned to the city of Puno, where we got on our bus back to Cusco. It was truly an amazing weekend. The generosity of the family was very touching, and seeing such a simple way of life was eye-opening. It is definitely a place I want to return to someday!
This week, I am back to my normal routine of Spanish and volunteering. Friday, we are having a birthday party for all the kids who had birthdays within the past 3 months - so that is sure to be fun and super cute. I promise to take pictures!
From Los Uros, we took a 3-hour boat ride to the largest natural island on the lake, Amantani. The island has a population of about 4,000 and is divided into 10 different communities (each with its own President). There are no streets, no cars, no electricity, and only some places with running water. There are also no hotels or hostels on the island, so tourists stay with local families. When we arrived on the island, we were split into 2 groups of 3 and taken to 2 different homestays. The family I stayed with was very nice and welcoming - a couple with a 10 year old son and 5 month old daughter. We arrived to a traditional lunch of island-grown vegatables, rice, and fried cheese. Meat is rarely ate on the island, and the diet consists of the grains and vegetables grown on the island and occasionally lake trout. Tea is also served after every meal with freshly picked herbs in place of tea bags. I am not a tea person, but enjoyed their Muna tea (tasted a bit like mint).
In the afternoon, we hiked up the biggest hill/mountain on the island, called Pachatata (Father Earth). It was a beautiful hike and the views of the lake and surrounding mountains were breathtaking. Plus, I scored a good deal on a handmade Alpaca sweater from a woman at the top of the hill - only 30 soles (about $11). After the hike, we returned to our houses for dinner and to get ready for the fiesta! Our family gave us traditional clothing to wear and took us up the hill to a party where we learned traditional dances. It was fun, and I enjoyed twirling around in my big skirt!
The next morning we took the boat to another natural island called Taquile. We went on a another short hike, and stopped to eat a traditional lunch of lake trout with rice and potatoes. We then returned to the city of Puno, where we got on our bus back to Cusco. It was truly an amazing weekend. The generosity of the family was very touching, and seeing such a simple way of life was eye-opening. It is definitely a place I want to return to someday!
This week, I am back to my normal routine of Spanish and volunteering. Friday, we are having a birthday party for all the kids who had birthdays within the past 3 months - so that is sure to be fun and super cute. I promise to take pictures!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Pisac and Semana Santa
I apologize for the lapse in posts! This week has been fairly low-key, as it is Semana Santa (Easter week) and most everything is closed. I didn't have Spanish class or volunteering on Thursday or Friday, which turned out to be good because I came down with a stomach bug and fever and I had time to sleep! After a doctor visit and some medicine (total cost= $40!), I am feeling MUCH better.
Anyway, last weekend my roommate and I traveled to Pisac, a small town in the Sacred Valley with Inca ruins. They also have a famous market, where vendors sell food and handmade goods- anything from alpaca sweaters to bowls to jewelry. I made my first touristy purchase and bought a bracelet for 5 soles. Then we spent a couple hours walking around the ruins with our guide, Dario, who charged us about $7 each to show us around. Pisac was beautiful - the pictures can explain much more than I can!
On Monday, I went to the Plaza de Armas (the main square in the city) to watch a parade that occurs every year on the Monday or easter week. A statue of Jesus is carried around the whole city (about 5 hours) then returned to the main church in the Plaza and is taken inside to be blessed. The whole city comes out to watch. On Tuesday, the women that work at my volunteer placement took me and the 2 other volunteers out to lunch to eat chicharron, a dish that the town of Saylla is famous for. Chicharron is basically pork and pork skin fried in pork fat. Needless to say, it was pretty tasty.
Tonight, me and 6 of my housemates are taking an overnight bus to Lake Titicaca. It's about 7 hours away, right on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is 12,500 feet above sea level, and is the highest navigable lake in the world. But it is most famous for its man-made islands, made from floating reeds. We will be staying on one of the main islands with a native family (no electricity or running water!). I won't be back until 5am Monday morning, so will try to update with pictures Monday or Tuesday!
Anyway, last weekend my roommate and I traveled to Pisac, a small town in the Sacred Valley with Inca ruins. They also have a famous market, where vendors sell food and handmade goods- anything from alpaca sweaters to bowls to jewelry. I made my first touristy purchase and bought a bracelet for 5 soles. Then we spent a couple hours walking around the ruins with our guide, Dario, who charged us about $7 each to show us around. Pisac was beautiful - the pictures can explain much more than I can!
On Monday, I went to the Plaza de Armas (the main square in the city) to watch a parade that occurs every year on the Monday or easter week. A statue of Jesus is carried around the whole city (about 5 hours) then returned to the main church in the Plaza and is taken inside to be blessed. The whole city comes out to watch. On Tuesday, the women that work at my volunteer placement took me and the 2 other volunteers out to lunch to eat chicharron, a dish that the town of Saylla is famous for. Chicharron is basically pork and pork skin fried in pork fat. Needless to say, it was pretty tasty.
Tonight, me and 6 of my housemates are taking an overnight bus to Lake Titicaca. It's about 7 hours away, right on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is 12,500 feet above sea level, and is the highest navigable lake in the world. But it is most famous for its man-made islands, made from floating reeds. We will be staying on one of the main islands with a native family (no electricity or running water!). I won't be back until 5am Monday morning, so will try to update with pictures Monday or Tuesday!
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