Today we went to the falls! It was raining when we left and still a little rainy while we were there, but it eventually stopped. We booked a tour to take a boat ride under the falls and a 4 x 4 ride through the rainforest.
Walking down our first trail we run into a sign that says we may be approached by dangerous animals and we need to keep our children on the path. I wasn´t expecting a sign like that. The falls were absolutely spectacular. I have never seen anything like this in my life.
When we were running to catch our boat tour I was really upset that I didn´t have time to stop and take pictures because there were so many rainbows and the day had really cleared up.
The boat trip took us under some of the falls. We were soaking wet. It was fun to see the strength of some of the falls. We then were put in a 4 x 4 through the rainforest. I finally saw my tucan! I had been looking all day! It was so exciting. Then we bought overly priced souveniors in the gift shop and had to head back becuase the park had closed. I am so glad we came. It was amazing.
05/13/2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Iguazu Day 1
Today we woke up at 5 and had a taxi at 5:30 to the airport. We are on our way to Iguazu. We arrived at the airport and found that our flight had been canceled. We will get another one at noon. It was a little disappointing because we were up really early. But we received a free breakfast and putted around the airport for a while. Time actually flew buy while we were waiting. I was a little bored so I bought a spanish Where´s Waldo book to keep me entertained.
Once in Iguazu we had a taxi to the hotel we picked out in Lonely planet. It cost $40 a night. We got there and it was a 4 star hotel. Not $40 a night. We stayed anyway because we negotiated a price with them. I showered, since I refused to shower while sitting on a toilet. Then we did a little shopping in town. Watched an episode of Law and Order and had dinner at the hotel. It was a long day. Tomorrow we see the falls.
05/12/2008
Once in Iguazu we had a taxi to the hotel we picked out in Lonely planet. It cost $40 a night. We got there and it was a 4 star hotel. Not $40 a night. We stayed anyway because we negotiated a price with them. I showered, since I refused to shower while sitting on a toilet. Then we did a little shopping in town. Watched an episode of Law and Order and had dinner at the hotel. It was a long day. Tomorrow we see the falls.
05/12/2008
Buenos Aires Day 6
Happy Mother´s Day! Its mothers day in Argentina too. We went to a phone center and called our moms. We also made arrangements to visit our other friends from the Galapagos, Monica and Juan Carlos in a few days.
Later that day we took a bus out to a sunday market. It was a nice little market with real gauchos. They were ewven giving mini pony rides! It was great. Ibought some nifty things. We then took the bus back into town and went to dinner.
After dinner Norberto came to pick up the key of his apartment. We thanked him so much for a nice relaxing few days. Then we had to go to bed early because we have an early morning flight to Iguazu tomorrow.
05/11/2008
Later that day we took a bus out to a sunday market. It was a nice little market with real gauchos. They were ewven giving mini pony rides! It was great. Ibought some nifty things. We then took the bus back into town and went to dinner.
After dinner Norberto came to pick up the key of his apartment. We thanked him so much for a nice relaxing few days. Then we had to go to bed early because we have an early morning flight to Iguazu tomorrow.
05/11/2008
Punta Del Este Day 4/ Buenos Aires Day 3
Today we had to get ready to leave. We watched a movie in the mornign and cleaned the apartment. Sarah went for a last walk on the beach and I read my book. It is so relaxing here. Well we finally had to leave and catch our 6 hour bus back to the ferry. Once at the ferry we had anther hour back to Buenos Aires. We finally got back and grabbed a taxi and went to a different hotel.
Once at the hotel I laughed because our toilet was in the shower. Not just at the end, but you had to sit on it to shower. I think I might pass. For dinner we grabbed a cab to this famous steak restaurant. i had my first Argentina stake. It was in a mustard sauce. It was actually really good. Then it was late so we went back to the hotel and watched an episode of Law and Order SVU. What a long day.
05/10/2008
Once at the hotel I laughed because our toilet was in the shower. Not just at the end, but you had to sit on it to shower. I think I might pass. For dinner we grabbed a cab to this famous steak restaurant. i had my first Argentina stake. It was in a mustard sauce. It was actually really good. Then it was late so we went back to the hotel and watched an episode of Law and Order SVU. What a long day.
05/10/2008
Punta Del Este Day 3
Woke up and had breakfast while watching a movie in our PJ. Its our routine. I however forgot and took one of my meds without eating. This causes me to throw up breakfast. Not fun, but I know better. We read from our book and returned our movies. We also rented some more...of course. We rented Michael Clark with George Clooney, Firewall with Harrison Ford and Unforgiven with Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman.
We did go on a two hour walk along the beach. Uruguay has some great beaches. We read more from our books, cooked dinner adn had a night of leading men movies. It is very pathetic because we unplug the fridge to watch tv. I also made cookies. I only burned the first batch. Foreign ovens are hard to predict.
05/09/2008
We did go on a two hour walk along the beach. Uruguay has some great beaches. We read more from our books, cooked dinner adn had a night of leading men movies. It is very pathetic because we unplug the fridge to watch tv. I also made cookies. I only burned the first batch. Foreign ovens are hard to predict.
05/09/2008
Punta Del Este Day 2
Today we woke up, had some breakfast, watched the Italian Job in our PJs and took our time getting ready. We then did a little checking of the email and returned our movies. We then rented three more movies. Red Dragon (Edward Norton) Music and Lyrics (Hugh Grant) and a movie about a band with Eywen McGregor.
We went back to the real supermarket and got some more food. Cme back to the apartment and made lunch. Then we went for a dip in the indoor pool. After our dip we had dinner and watched some movies. We live a hard life.
05/08/2008
We went back to the real supermarket and got some more food. Cme back to the apartment and made lunch. Then we went for a dip in the indoor pool. After our dip we had dinner and watched some movies. We live a hard life.
05/08/2008
Punta Del Este Day 1
Today we woke up and took a ferry over to uruguay. We had an hour ride to a place called Colonia. Once in Colonia we had a 3 hour ride to a town called Montevideo. There we switched buses and had another 3 hour ride to Punta Del Este. After a long day of traveling we arrived at the apartment of Anna and Noberto.
We found some mini market stores to have something to cook for dinner and breakfast. We also found a video store. This is going to be a good few days. We rented a night of Edward Norton movies. We rented a stange one where he was a psychopath cowboy and the Italian Job. Once back at the apartment we cooked dinner and were ready to watch a movie. However, there was not an appropriate adapter for the DVD player. We went to the store to buy an adapter. We even bought ice for our stuff in the refridgerator because we might be able to use that adapter.
After dinner we watched the crazy cowboy movie. We rearranged the living room and unplugged the fridge to make it possible. It was worth it. Good dinner, Edward Norton, Ice Cream and Wine. What is wrong with this night?
05/07/2008
We found some mini market stores to have something to cook for dinner and breakfast. We also found a video store. This is going to be a good few days. We rented a night of Edward Norton movies. We rented a stange one where he was a psychopath cowboy and the Italian Job. Once back at the apartment we cooked dinner and were ready to watch a movie. However, there was not an appropriate adapter for the DVD player. We went to the store to buy an adapter. We even bought ice for our stuff in the refridgerator because we might be able to use that adapter.
After dinner we watched the crazy cowboy movie. We rearranged the living room and unplugged the fridge to make it possible. It was worth it. Good dinner, Edward Norton, Ice Cream and Wine. What is wrong with this night?
05/07/2008
Buenos Aires Day 2
Today we did a touristy adventure. We went on a walking tour of the Recoleta neighborhood. We walked in a church. I am tired of churches. I am tired of gold leaf. I am tired of religious art work. Then we went into the cementary. MORE DEAD THINGS! It was at least a nice and not as creepy cemetary. We saw where Eva Peron, Evita is burried. There are huge tombes for many people. Sarah and I began being inconsiderate and choosing which ones we wanted to be burried in and why.
Then we went to an Argentina version of IKEA. That was a lot of fun. But I couldn´t justify buying candle holders that I could find at home. So I didn´t. I wanted to though.
Next we went to a giant flower sculpture called the Floralis Generica. It is a giant metal sculpture that opens its petals in the daytime, and supposedly closes them at night. It was huge. Pretty nifty sculpture.
Then we walked accross the street and went to an art museum called Museo National De Bellas Artes. It had so many famous painters in the museum. I was in shock at some of them. Especially since the museum let you take some pctures. It was fantastic. I really liked some of the paintings. I also liked that I have seen original famous works.
For dinner we went to our friends Anna and Nobertos house. We met this couple in the Galapagos. They made us empanadas. It was a lot of fun. We struggled through some of the conversations but managed t get by pretty well. When we left, they had given us a key to their apartment in Uruguay. We leave tomorrow.
05/06/2008
Then we went to an Argentina version of IKEA. That was a lot of fun. But I couldn´t justify buying candle holders that I could find at home. So I didn´t. I wanted to though.
Next we went to a giant flower sculpture called the Floralis Generica. It is a giant metal sculpture that opens its petals in the daytime, and supposedly closes them at night. It was huge. Pretty nifty sculpture.
Then we walked accross the street and went to an art museum called Museo National De Bellas Artes. It had so many famous painters in the museum. I was in shock at some of them. Especially since the museum let you take some pctures. It was fantastic. I really liked some of the paintings. I also liked that I have seen original famous works.
For dinner we went to our friends Anna and Nobertos house. We met this couple in the Galapagos. They made us empanadas. It was a lot of fun. We struggled through some of the conversations but managed t get by pretty well. When we left, they had given us a key to their apartment in Uruguay. We leave tomorrow.
05/06/2008
Buenos Aires Day 1
Today we arrived in Argentina. We were at the airport and getting ready to leave. We were bombarded by taxis, as usual, Sarah flipped out and went back inside. We know that we always get screwed over on our first taxi ride in a new place. She realized that and we went back outside and proceeded to get ripped off again. We were taken to our hostel and had to share a dorm with a girl from France. Tomorrow we might get a private room.
We decided to go shopping today. We are in Argentina, so it is time to look for some quality leather goods. We went down a main shopping street and mostly did window shopping. It was a pretty relaxed day.
At night we went back to the hostel and drank in the bar. It was a grand ol time. When I finally came to bed, both Sarah and the French girl were sleeping. Durring the night I was awaken by the French girl screaming and about to suffocate Sarah who was snoring. I am use to Sarah snoring and listen to my Ipod at night, but htis girl was not. I honestly tought she was going to have a break down and suffocate Sarah by morning.
05/05/2008
We decided to go shopping today. We are in Argentina, so it is time to look for some quality leather goods. We went down a main shopping street and mostly did window shopping. It was a pretty relaxed day.
At night we went back to the hostel and drank in the bar. It was a grand ol time. When I finally came to bed, both Sarah and the French girl were sleeping. Durring the night I was awaken by the French girl screaming and about to suffocate Sarah who was snoring. I am use to Sarah snoring and listen to my Ipod at night, but htis girl was not. I honestly tought she was going to have a break down and suffocate Sarah by morning.
05/05/2008
Santiago Day 14
I arrived in Santiago really early in the morning. Had a creepy old man cab driver who kept telling me how pretty I was. I was no in the mood. I spent most of the day at the internet cafe trying to get papers organized with people at home. I am attempting to apply for a job from a different continent. This takes organization. At night Ali, Sarah and I hd bad pizza and beer and watched Blades of Glory. Tomorrow we are off to Buenos Aires!
05/04/2008
05/04/2008
Pucon Day 5
Today is rest day. We have done a lot in the last few days. It has been a blast. I love Pucon. We have a night bus tonight back to Santiago. We decided to walk through town, look at the lakes, read and relax. I even tried to give myelf a pedicure. Despite the torn up heels. I bought some postcards in town and called my mom to reassure her that I was still alive. At night it was time to catch our buses. Sarah was on a different bus since she had switched her ticket and not gone to the coast. She is very excited to be leaving Pucon because she has a massive school girl rush on German. Its a little fun to watch. But on to the bus and when we wake up we will be back in Santiago.
05/03/2008
05/03/2008
Pucon Day 4
Today I was woken up early by German. He told me it was a good day for a volcano climb. However the other people didn´t use him as a guide and I had to go with another tour in town. I was a little bummbed about that since I had heard so many great things about him. I was so tired from the night before but I stumbled up, packed my backpack. i have no idea what to bring. I had my water bottle and a little bit of breakfast. 2 bananas. Sarah was going to go to the coast today, but freaked out and changed her ticket. I took some m&ms and what I htought were chips in my bag as a snack and went with German to get my gear. On the way to the shop we heard that there was a different volcano in Chile errupting. Strange. glad it wasn´t mine.
I got to the shop and ws suited with some gear and was ready to go. I have no idea what I should bring and I though the gear they gave me was odd. The pants were a little snug, they said they fit. Oh well. We piled into the van and headed to the volcano.
Once we got there we were sent up a chairlift which cut off about 2 hours of climb time. It was so hot walking up. I was not wearing appropriate clother. I was wearing my pj pants that kept sliding up and down. We walked up for about a half and hour and took a small break. Then we walked up about another hour and took another break to put on our crampons. (Special spikes to help walk on ice and snow). The crampons made me fall behind. First, I rarely wear shoes. Anyone who knows me knows hat I usually wear flip flops. I am now wearing 10 pound boots and they have 3 pund spikes attached. Plus the boots are digging into my heels, I think I feel blood. So I go slow. We get to the part of the volcano where I can see the top.
By this time about 5 people have dropped out. I am at the back of the group. We are to take off our crampons and climb up lava rocks. No problem. Well, apparently it is. One of the guides comes over to me and tells me its not safe and I am slow and should sit and wait for everyone to go to the top and come back down. NO FREAKIN WAY! I climbed my big ass up 3/4 of this dumb volano I will get my big slow ass to the top. He was not thrilled and told me about 3 more times that it was unsafe and some people are just not fit enough to do this type of activity. SCREW HIM! I was going ot the top. I finally made it. Slow and steady...thats me. I climbed my way to the top and looked inside the crater of the active volcano Villarica.
I am exhausted. My shirt is drenched with sweat, my pants are sliding around and I am out of water and have no food. I was really prepared. Well its time to go down. I was not going to be the last one down this mountain if it killed me. So I was at the front of the line and ready to go. Going down was kinda fun. There were parts where we were able to slide on the snow and had to use our ice axe to stop us. It was interesting. Helped. I would rather slide than walk down. Plus falling in snow doesn´t hurt. We continued down the mountain and then came to the rocks. One of the nicer guides gave me his ski poles to help steady my way down the rocky parts. It helped a lot. I made it down and was not the last one. UNFIT...No...just slow...trying to enjoy the view. LOL.
My feet are killing me. i thought of taking off the boots and going barefoot.they are so heavy I can barely walk in them. Once I took them off, I had to put on my trainers to walk back to the hostel. So far I have been hiking for 8 hours up and down a volcano. 6 hours up and 2 hours down. Now I have to walk back ot my hoste. No major injuries. Sarah was glad to see. But, once I tok of my socks, I was missing about an inch of skin on ech of my heels. It was not pretty. But a price to pay to show people that if you put your mind to something, you can acheive it.
Despite the blow to my self esteem by my guide I think today was a great day! My feet hurt and I am a little tired, but, I climbed a volcano.
05/02/2008
I got to the shop and ws suited with some gear and was ready to go. I have no idea what I should bring and I though the gear they gave me was odd. The pants were a little snug, they said they fit. Oh well. We piled into the van and headed to the volcano.
Once we got there we were sent up a chairlift which cut off about 2 hours of climb time. It was so hot walking up. I was not wearing appropriate clother. I was wearing my pj pants that kept sliding up and down. We walked up for about a half and hour and took a small break. Then we walked up about another hour and took another break to put on our crampons. (Special spikes to help walk on ice and snow). The crampons made me fall behind. First, I rarely wear shoes. Anyone who knows me knows hat I usually wear flip flops. I am now wearing 10 pound boots and they have 3 pund spikes attached. Plus the boots are digging into my heels, I think I feel blood. So I go slow. We get to the part of the volcano where I can see the top.
By this time about 5 people have dropped out. I am at the back of the group. We are to take off our crampons and climb up lava rocks. No problem. Well, apparently it is. One of the guides comes over to me and tells me its not safe and I am slow and should sit and wait for everyone to go to the top and come back down. NO FREAKIN WAY! I climbed my big ass up 3/4 of this dumb volano I will get my big slow ass to the top. He was not thrilled and told me about 3 more times that it was unsafe and some people are just not fit enough to do this type of activity. SCREW HIM! I was going ot the top. I finally made it. Slow and steady...thats me. I climbed my way to the top and looked inside the crater of the active volcano Villarica.
I am exhausted. My shirt is drenched with sweat, my pants are sliding around and I am out of water and have no food. I was really prepared. Well its time to go down. I was not going to be the last one down this mountain if it killed me. So I was at the front of the line and ready to go. Going down was kinda fun. There were parts where we were able to slide on the snow and had to use our ice axe to stop us. It was interesting. Helped. I would rather slide than walk down. Plus falling in snow doesn´t hurt. We continued down the mountain and then came to the rocks. One of the nicer guides gave me his ski poles to help steady my way down the rocky parts. It helped a lot. I made it down and was not the last one. UNFIT...No...just slow...trying to enjoy the view. LOL.
My feet are killing me. i thought of taking off the boots and going barefoot.they are so heavy I can barely walk in them. Once I took them off, I had to put on my trainers to walk back to the hostel. So far I have been hiking for 8 hours up and down a volcano. 6 hours up and 2 hours down. Now I have to walk back ot my hoste. No major injuries. Sarah was glad to see. But, once I tok of my socks, I was missing about an inch of skin on ech of my heels. It was not pretty. But a price to pay to show people that if you put your mind to something, you can acheive it.
Despite the blow to my self esteem by my guide I think today was a great day! My feet hurt and I am a little tired, but, I climbed a volcano.
05/02/2008
Pucon Day 3
Today I tried to climb the volcano. It was a no go. Apparently it was too cloudy and German (Hermon) doesn´t let anyone climb when its not safe. Good thing. German also owns the hostel. He is so nice. He had come into our room late last night to let us know that we needed to lock the door. There was really heavy wind and he was affraid that the door would blow open. He tried to wake us up very gently and we didn´t seem botheres. It was really funny. There was a man in our room at some strange ohour in the morning and he was warning us. We were not phased. We should have been, but we weren´t. We got up and locked the door and went straight back to sleep.
In the morning we had a late start. I am bummbed out that I can´t go to the volcano. ALi invited me and Sarah on a bike ride with him to look at some waterfalls. It was a long ride and I didn´t want to be xhausted tomorrow if it was a better day and I could climb. So I had to say no.
I decided to go on a canopy tour with Kate and Tyler instead. I have never done this before and I was terrified! We had little instruction, all that was in spanish. All I remember is that if you start spinning its ad and you could die. Well I started spinning. I was freaking out. We had to run inbetween the zip lines and it was all anxiety provoking and I just wanted it to be over. Well all the guys made fun of me but I didn´t die. I went tandom on a long zip. 1 kilometer long. It was amazing but if I ever do it again, I want it to be so I understand the instuctions.
Back at the hostel that night we all went to the hot springs. They were outdoors in the middle of the forrest. I have never seen so many stars so clearly in my life. it was beautiful. We were all there and had a blast. Especially when this other Canadian girl decided to hit on Ali. This chick was extremely slutty and didn´t seem to have a problem wiht it. It was very amusing for the rest of us because Ali didn´t know what to do and at one point hid his head into a rock to get away from her. We all had a ton of laughs at her and his expense. It was so much fun. Then on the way back, a very long drive. We had some beers and apparently Ali and I fell asleep in the car. We were awaken when we got back to the hostel. It was a great night.
05/01/2008
In the morning we had a late start. I am bummbed out that I can´t go to the volcano. ALi invited me and Sarah on a bike ride with him to look at some waterfalls. It was a long ride and I didn´t want to be xhausted tomorrow if it was a better day and I could climb. So I had to say no.
I decided to go on a canopy tour with Kate and Tyler instead. I have never done this before and I was terrified! We had little instruction, all that was in spanish. All I remember is that if you start spinning its ad and you could die. Well I started spinning. I was freaking out. We had to run inbetween the zip lines and it was all anxiety provoking and I just wanted it to be over. Well all the guys made fun of me but I didn´t die. I went tandom on a long zip. 1 kilometer long. It was amazing but if I ever do it again, I want it to be so I understand the instuctions.
Back at the hostel that night we all went to the hot springs. They were outdoors in the middle of the forrest. I have never seen so many stars so clearly in my life. it was beautiful. We were all there and had a blast. Especially when this other Canadian girl decided to hit on Ali. This chick was extremely slutty and didn´t seem to have a problem wiht it. It was very amusing for the rest of us because Ali didn´t know what to do and at one point hid his head into a rock to get away from her. We all had a ton of laughs at her and his expense. It was so much fun. Then on the way back, a very long drive. We had some beers and apparently Ali and I fell asleep in the car. We were awaken when we got back to the hostel. It was a great night.
05/01/2008
Pucon Day 2
I am so excited! Today is rafting day! We all got in the van and went to the river. The guide said the river was low but we should still have fun. We arrived at the input for the raft and were given our wet suits. Everyone looks sexy in a wet suit. The girls on one side of the van and the boys on the other, we managed to squeeze in. We then recieved our safety instructions and were off!
In the river we had our raft full of Kate and Tyler in front, Sarah and Ali in the middle, me in the back in a row by myself (figures) and then our guide in the very back. We also had a safety kyack following us incase one of us falls out. Good to know he´s there. We were given all of our instuctions and camands and then were let loose on the river.
Our guide gave us commands, in spanish and we mostly followed them. He then decided to test our ability to follow directions. Apparently, he purpoefuly rammed our raft up against the rock trying to make it flip and yelled a command for all of us to get onto the left side of the boat. Well... we don´t follow directions verry well. Kate and Tyler jumped the wrong way...out of the boat. Sarah didn´t hear the instructions and fell out carrying Alis paddle with her. I heard the directions too lae. By the time I processed which way I had to jump it was too late and the raft was vertical. By default, I jumped but fell out of the boat. I was a little concerned when I was the only one being carried downstream and had to be rescued by our kyack. Me and him got to do the sexy pose. Woo Hoo. Well, we all survived and were pulled back into the raft. We got a lecture on not paying attention and had to go over all the commands again.
Later on down the river we decided to play. Our guide had us stand on the side of the raft and run around th edge. We all did so. Well Ali didn´t get the chance. We forced Sarah to do it. As she was running around the kyack thought it was funny, which it was to bump into the raft, knocking Sarah into the water. I tried to save her by pulling her back into the boat. When I grabbed her life jacket to pull he in, I got a quick kick in the rear and went flying over her head. Thank you to our guide I had to be saved again instead of doing the saving. When we both got back into the boat Ali freaked sarah out telling her not to move and to stay calm. Sarah had forgoten her waterproof bag with camera in it was still around her neck. Her bg was no longer water proof.
We were all back in the boat. There was a rule that if anyone fell out we owed the guide a beer. Well he is up to 6 at the moment. But the kyack and the guide switched places. And the guide was now in the kyack and fell out. We were all square on the cerveza rule. We al managed to stay in the boat for the rest of the journey. We came to a point where we had to get out of the raft and go around this intense rapid. It would be painful if we went through. I believe it was a class 6 and above. So we walked on the bank to a ledge where we had to apparently jump off. I don´t jump off ledges into strong flowing rivers. I was the last one to jump and tried to negotiate and do the geometry to assure that I wouldn´t die. I finally jumped and survived.
We all made it safely. At the end of the trip we were allowed to float the rest of the way in the water. We jump in, minus Ali and float down the river. At this point the river was really cold. We got out and changed and had snacks and pisco sours waiting for us. There was a professional photographer who took some pictures of us on the trip down so we were able to see the photos. It was so much fun.
Later at the hostel that night we had dinner and wine and sat around laughing. Then we listened to Kate and Tyler have a fight about how long to hang a dead elk in the garage before the meat is ready. We were all very amused. It was such a fun day! Hopefully tomorrow I will get to climb the volcano.
04/30/2008
In the river we had our raft full of Kate and Tyler in front, Sarah and Ali in the middle, me in the back in a row by myself (figures) and then our guide in the very back. We also had a safety kyack following us incase one of us falls out. Good to know he´s there. We were given all of our instuctions and camands and then were let loose on the river.
Our guide gave us commands, in spanish and we mostly followed them. He then decided to test our ability to follow directions. Apparently, he purpoefuly rammed our raft up against the rock trying to make it flip and yelled a command for all of us to get onto the left side of the boat. Well... we don´t follow directions verry well. Kate and Tyler jumped the wrong way...out of the boat. Sarah didn´t hear the instructions and fell out carrying Alis paddle with her. I heard the directions too lae. By the time I processed which way I had to jump it was too late and the raft was vertical. By default, I jumped but fell out of the boat. I was a little concerned when I was the only one being carried downstream and had to be rescued by our kyack. Me and him got to do the sexy pose. Woo Hoo. Well, we all survived and were pulled back into the raft. We got a lecture on not paying attention and had to go over all the commands again.
Later on down the river we decided to play. Our guide had us stand on the side of the raft and run around th edge. We all did so. Well Ali didn´t get the chance. We forced Sarah to do it. As she was running around the kyack thought it was funny, which it was to bump into the raft, knocking Sarah into the water. I tried to save her by pulling her back into the boat. When I grabbed her life jacket to pull he in, I got a quick kick in the rear and went flying over her head. Thank you to our guide I had to be saved again instead of doing the saving. When we both got back into the boat Ali freaked sarah out telling her not to move and to stay calm. Sarah had forgoten her waterproof bag with camera in it was still around her neck. Her bg was no longer water proof.
We were all back in the boat. There was a rule that if anyone fell out we owed the guide a beer. Well he is up to 6 at the moment. But the kyack and the guide switched places. And the guide was now in the kyack and fell out. We were all square on the cerveza rule. We al managed to stay in the boat for the rest of the journey. We came to a point where we had to get out of the raft and go around this intense rapid. It would be painful if we went through. I believe it was a class 6 and above. So we walked on the bank to a ledge where we had to apparently jump off. I don´t jump off ledges into strong flowing rivers. I was the last one to jump and tried to negotiate and do the geometry to assure that I wouldn´t die. I finally jumped and survived.
We all made it safely. At the end of the trip we were allowed to float the rest of the way in the water. We jump in, minus Ali and float down the river. At this point the river was really cold. We got out and changed and had snacks and pisco sours waiting for us. There was a professional photographer who took some pictures of us on the trip down so we were able to see the photos. It was so much fun.
Later at the hostel that night we had dinner and wine and sat around laughing. Then we listened to Kate and Tyler have a fight about how long to hang a dead elk in the garage before the meat is ready. We were all very amused. It was such a fun day! Hopefully tomorrow I will get to climb the volcano.
04/30/2008
Pucon Day 1
Today we woke up and were in Pucon. We were met at the bus station by our hostel owner Maria. She is super nice. We walked the two blocks to the hostel where she showed us to our room. It is so nice. It looks like a log cabin. The yard is beautiful with a great view of the Villarica volcano.
Once situated we decided to take a tour of this tiny town. We walked trough town and down by the lake. I could live in a place like this. It reminds me a bit of home.
Laer, back at the hostel we met everyone. They had all been gone for the day climbing the volcano. We decided to go white water rafting on 4+ rapids tomorrow with Kate and Tyler, friends from Canada and Ali from the UK. It should be fun. I am excited because now we finally get to do real outdoor adventures. This is what I think of when I think of Chile.
04/29/2008
Once situated we decided to take a tour of this tiny town. We walked trough town and down by the lake. I could live in a place like this. It reminds me a bit of home.
Laer, back at the hostel we met everyone. They had all been gone for the day climbing the volcano. We decided to go white water rafting on 4+ rapids tomorrow with Kate and Tyler, friends from Canada and Ali from the UK. It should be fun. I am excited because now we finally get to do real outdoor adventures. This is what I think of when I think of Chile.
04/29/2008
Santiago Day 13
Tonight we have an overnight bus to Pucon. It was a very boring day. We spent most of it doing errands. Sarah and I bought some sweaters since it is getting really cold. She returned some jeans she bought without trying them on, that was somewhat f an ordeal. Returnign merchandise in a different town where you don´t speak the language..takes a while.
We had to sort out our airplane tickets to Iguazu falls. For some reason the charges are not going through and we can´t buy them online. We also tried to get out of our nonrefundable round trip tickets to Buenos Aires. It didn´t happen. So we need to adjust our plans a bit. Thats what happens when you book somethign so far in advanced without doing much research. Oh well. Live and learn. Then we are on the bus headed to Pucon. YAY!
04/28/2008
We had to sort out our airplane tickets to Iguazu falls. For some reason the charges are not going through and we can´t buy them online. We also tried to get out of our nonrefundable round trip tickets to Buenos Aires. It didn´t happen. So we need to adjust our plans a bit. Thats what happens when you book somethign so far in advanced without doing much research. Oh well. Live and learn. Then we are on the bus headed to Pucon. YAY!
04/28/2008
Santiago Day 12
Today is a sad day. Kelly leaves. We spent the day trying to convince him to stay, but he needed to go home. We will be traveling to Pucon next. I am very excited. This morning we decided to take it easy and walk around this huge park near the hostel. It has giant towers and resembles a castle. It is sunday and not a lot is open. We decided to go to a nicer part of town, with all of the night clubs and have lunch. It was really good. We also went and saw Pablo Nerudas house. Pretty interesting. Especially since Kelly recited some of his poems to us earlier in the trip.
We did a small amoutn of window shopping, bet were all cold so we grabbed a cab back to the hostel. We then watched Kelly pack up his bags and head out. It is very sad to see hm go. I had a lot of fun while he was here.
04/27/2008
We did a small amoutn of window shopping, bet were all cold so we grabbed a cab back to the hostel. We then watched Kelly pack up his bags and head out. It is very sad to see hm go. I had a lot of fun while he was here.
04/27/2008
Santiago Day 11
We are back in Santago...again. It has been a good home base, but there isn´t really much to do here. Today Kelly wanted to go to the Mercado Central, so we walked around that area. It wasn´t the nicest place. There was a huge fish market. I was rather grossed out because some of the fish were still moving. It was a little hard for me. I´m not a big fish person especially fish smell and this was just icky. I´m glad Kelly and Sarah had fun.
We then went a little shopping and Sarah and I tried to plan the rest of our trip. I want to go to Pucon and she is not that thrilled. We wasted time around the hostel playing cards and drinking. Then, around dinner time, we went to a Peruvian restaurant. Not too bad, I had french fries and cheesecake. Classic Peruvian cuisine.
04/26/2008
We then went a little shopping and Sarah and I tried to plan the rest of our trip. I want to go to Pucon and she is not that thrilled. We wasted time around the hostel playing cards and drinking. Then, around dinner time, we went to a Peruvian restaurant. Not too bad, I had french fries and cheesecake. Classic Peruvian cuisine.
04/26/2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Santiago Day 10
Today we are on a bus back to Santiago. I have officially missed my endoscopy appointment. I don´t really want to get one and if I don´t start feeling better, I might consider going home early. We also got news today that Grandma isn´t doing well and in the hospital. So we are all a little on edge.
On the bus ride home we were stopped at custums forever. Kelly acually got caught trying to smuggle cornnuts accross the boarder. they were Sarah´s nuts though. But Kelly had to pull things out of his bag and panamime and try to explain what they were. One of the best was him describing mouthwash. We were laughing so hard. He had to climb over two rows of people and benches to get to the front and defend his things. I felt bad but it was funny. Sarah almost got Kelly arrested for stale cornnuts.
He was finally released and we continued our journey back to Santiago. While we were stopped we were able to whitness the first snowfall of the Alps for the season. That was pretty neat.
04/25/2008
On the bus ride home we were stopped at custums forever. Kelly acually got caught trying to smuggle cornnuts accross the boarder. they were Sarah´s nuts though. But Kelly had to pull things out of his bag and panamime and try to explain what they were. One of the best was him describing mouthwash. We were laughing so hard. He had to climb over two rows of people and benches to get to the front and defend his things. I felt bad but it was funny. Sarah almost got Kelly arrested for stale cornnuts.
He was finally released and we continued our journey back to Santiago. While we were stopped we were able to whitness the first snowfall of the Alps for the season. That was pretty neat.
04/25/2008
Mendoza Day 3
Today is bike and wine tour day. We met some people in the hostel that were going on the tours also. So we ended up being a big group. We took a bus out into wine country. We got off a little early and rented bikes. I haven´t been on a bike in a long time. This will be interesting. We rode and stopped at the first winery which is also a museum. It was a nice tour with a healthy sample of tastings.
Then we decided to ride down the road to the end and then do the tastings as we ride back. Once we reached the end, or the place where we had to stop because we were tired and our bums hurt. We just had the tastings and then decided to order some food. It was necessary to eat because they were good sized tastings. The boys that we were with decided to finish some other random peopes food. That was a little odd. Then we decided to split up from the group. We were riding back to the next winery and I looked back to make sure we had everyone in our group. I almost ran head on into an oncoming car. Wine and bikig is not safe sometimes.
We stopped at the next winery and had some good sized samples. It was called temes Alba. We had 6 glasses of wine here. Our last stop was a liquor and chocolate tour. It was amazing. There were some stong liquors for tasting. It was a rough day.
Then it was time to head back and turn in our bikes. We were riding back and I was sprayed with mud buy the passing cars. That was not so much fun. It wasn´t as long coming back than going to the wineries which was good because my bum is in severe pai. We spent the whole day riding a bike and drinking through wine country. It was a lot of fun, but I will pay for it tomorrow.
04/24/2008
Then we decided to ride down the road to the end and then do the tastings as we ride back. Once we reached the end, or the place where we had to stop because we were tired and our bums hurt. We just had the tastings and then decided to order some food. It was necessary to eat because they were good sized tastings. The boys that we were with decided to finish some other random peopes food. That was a little odd. Then we decided to split up from the group. We were riding back to the next winery and I looked back to make sure we had everyone in our group. I almost ran head on into an oncoming car. Wine and bikig is not safe sometimes.
We stopped at the next winery and had some good sized samples. It was called temes Alba. We had 6 glasses of wine here. Our last stop was a liquor and chocolate tour. It was amazing. There were some stong liquors for tasting. It was a rough day.
Then it was time to head back and turn in our bikes. We were riding back and I was sprayed with mud buy the passing cars. That was not so much fun. It wasn´t as long coming back than going to the wineries which was good because my bum is in severe pai. We spent the whole day riding a bike and drinking through wine country. It was a lot of fun, but I will pay for it tomorrow.
04/24/2008
Mendoza day 2
Today we went on a walk. We walked through some of the parks and then stopped at the zoo. It was about a 45 minute walk to the zoo. At the zoo I was so excited. I finally saw a tucan. I saw a few animals that I had never seen before. It was so exciting. i saw a black panther and a black fox. Also a deer rabbit thing. It was cute. They also had mini ponies! I was just so excited. The zoo looked a lot like the Portland zoo. Some of the cages were a little small and the security walls looked a little short. But it was a nice place. The animals looked healthy. There were also wild monkey´s that sat and tormented the big cats. It was a nice zoo.
Then we walked up to a statue and memorial called Cerro de la Gloria. It was a nice hike. But I am tired and covered in sweat. We decided it was time to walk back to the hostel. We got back and then went to dinner and then crashed when it was bed time.
Mendoza is one of my favorite cities that we have visited. i could live here. it is beautiful. I love it.
04/23/2008
Then we walked up to a statue and memorial called Cerro de la Gloria. It was a nice hike. But I am tired and covered in sweat. We decided it was time to walk back to the hostel. We got back and then went to dinner and then crashed when it was bed time.
Mendoza is one of my favorite cities that we have visited. i could live here. it is beautiful. I love it.
04/23/2008
Mendoza Day 1
Today we spent most of our day on the bus. It was a 6 hour bus ride, not including the time that we are all stopped and searched at customs. Kelly was a little frazzeled when we got on the bus because we couldn´t figure out where his visa was. The bus driver didn´t seem to mind all that much, but Kelly was definitly upset. We finally figured out which one it was and that he had it. He then calmed down a littl ebit.
Once we arrived in the bus station, we had our cab drive us by a bank because we didn´t have any money. After we got some money we arrived at our hostel and went to dinner. here the peope don´t eat until really late at night. 8:00 is early for these people. Luckily it was around 10:00 so we were right on time for dinner. We ate and then went back to the hostel for a nights rest. Its tiring being on a bus all day.
04/22/2008
Once we arrived in the bus station, we had our cab drive us by a bank because we didn´t have any money. After we got some money we arrived at our hostel and went to dinner. here the peope don´t eat until really late at night. 8:00 is early for these people. Luckily it was around 10:00 so we were right on time for dinner. We ate and then went back to the hostel for a nights rest. Its tiring being on a bus all day.
04/22/2008
Santiago Day 9
Today is Doctor Day. I am going ot the hospital. I choose the expensive Catholic one, because I guess I have a part of me that is a little snobby. Really I need a doctor who speaks English and I thought my chances were better. I went to the hospital and made an appointment for later in the day with a doctor who speaks English.
While we waited for my doctors appointment, we went to a little market and did some shopping and went to the bank because we were out of money. We also went to the bus stationand bought a ticket for tomorrow to go to Mendoza.
At the doctors, he didn´t really speak English. I spoke slow in English and he spoke slow in Spanish and we managed to get through it. He said he didn´t know what was wrong with me and refferred me to an ear nose and throat doctor. Luckily there was a doctor in the hospital who could see me that day. I went to the specialist, who spoke English and had actually been to Eugene. It was bizzarre. He quizzed me on Oregon and American history. He also didn´t know what was wrong with me. I had a prescription for some heavy duty antibiotics and an endoscopy if the antibiotics didn´t work. It was a weird day and hopefully the drugs will work. But i was seen by a general practitioner doctor and a specialist within an hour and paid $120 for both. It was the weirdest medical visit I have ever had. I liked it.
04/21/2008
While we waited for my doctors appointment, we went to a little market and did some shopping and went to the bank because we were out of money. We also went to the bus stationand bought a ticket for tomorrow to go to Mendoza.
At the doctors, he didn´t really speak English. I spoke slow in English and he spoke slow in Spanish and we managed to get through it. He said he didn´t know what was wrong with me and refferred me to an ear nose and throat doctor. Luckily there was a doctor in the hospital who could see me that day. I went to the specialist, who spoke English and had actually been to Eugene. It was bizzarre. He quizzed me on Oregon and American history. He also didn´t know what was wrong with me. I had a prescription for some heavy duty antibiotics and an endoscopy if the antibiotics didn´t work. It was a weird day and hopefully the drugs will work. But i was seen by a general practitioner doctor and a specialist within an hour and paid $120 for both. It was the weirdest medical visit I have ever had. I liked it.
04/21/2008
Easter Island / Santiago
In the morning, we had breakfast and then went to watch the local church service. However, at the church there were toomany tourists there taking photos. i think that was a little rude. The locals couldn´t even get through. So we decided to leave and go back to the hotel.
At the hotel we checked out, received a parting present and were taken to the airport to catch our flight. We were not upgraded on this flight. i wish I was. it was one of the most uncomfortable flights I hae ever been on. I was seated next to a lady who took up part of my seat as well. She even spilled my own drink on me. Then behind me, were three kids whose parents weren´t watching them. All the kids were under 8. They were violently shaking and kicking my seat for 5 hours. The flight attendant even came over a few times and tried to get the parents to control their kids. It didn´t work. Then the kids were running and crawling in the aisles. I had juice spilled on me this time. It was not fun!
Finally abck in Santiago we grabbed a take out pizza for dinner and said our goodbyes to Connie and Gert who leave tomorrow. I am still having issues with my throat and ear and plan on going to the doctor tomorrow.
04/20/2008
At the hotel we checked out, received a parting present and were taken to the airport to catch our flight. We were not upgraded on this flight. i wish I was. it was one of the most uncomfortable flights I hae ever been on. I was seated next to a lady who took up part of my seat as well. She even spilled my own drink on me. Then behind me, were three kids whose parents weren´t watching them. All the kids were under 8. They were violently shaking and kicking my seat for 5 hours. The flight attendant even came over a few times and tried to get the parents to control their kids. It didn´t work. Then the kids were running and crawling in the aisles. I had juice spilled on me this time. It was not fun!
Finally abck in Santiago we grabbed a take out pizza for dinner and said our goodbyes to Connie and Gert who leave tomorrow. I am still having issues with my throat and ear and plan on going to the doctor tomorrow.
04/20/2008
Easter Island Day 7
Today we did a walking tour. We went to the museum, which was full of information. We talked with a park ranger who was famous because her picture was on the flyer. We ate lunch and then took a taxi with Gert to the beach so they could have one last day of fun. Well it was overcast and a little cold with no surf. They weren´t able to surf.
For dinner we went to our usual place that we called speed sign 20. (it was next to a speed sign) We had a fabulous icecream, fruit and liquor desert.We went all out since our last day is tomorrow.
I am still not feeling well. I will have to go to the doctor once we get back to Santiago. Not looking forward to that.
04/19/2008
For dinner we went to our usual place that we called speed sign 20. (it was next to a speed sign) We had a fabulous icecream, fruit and liquor desert.We went all out since our last day is tomorrow.
I am still not feeling well. I will have to go to the doctor once we get back to Santiago. Not looking forward to that.
04/19/2008
Easter Island Day 6
Today is a nice and easy day. Connie and Gert had to return the car. So we were able to sleep in and take our time at breakfast. Then we finally started to shop. I love shopping. The souveniors here are really expensive though, so sopping isn´t as much fun as it could be. My throat still hurts and I still have the weird chest pain. I also have an ear ache now. I am not entirely sure what is going on, but I don´t like it.
We had drinks with Ian and Gloria and then later with Connie and gert. We also had dinner together at a new restaurant. This restaurant was the one Sarah, kelly and I ate at for lunch. The guy was so funny. he took our order. He was a little odd, slow and confused. Later to find out he was probably drunk because he brought an extra beer to our table set it down He told us to hide it for him. He came back, hid in the corner and chugged the beer. Then he made devil horns to his wife, who was running the kitchen. It was a little odd. At dinner, he was nowhere to be found.
04/18/2008
We had drinks with Ian and Gloria and then later with Connie and gert. We also had dinner together at a new restaurant. This restaurant was the one Sarah, kelly and I ate at for lunch. The guy was so funny. he took our order. He was a little odd, slow and confused. Later to find out he was probably drunk because he brought an extra beer to our table set it down He told us to hide it for him. He came back, hid in the corner and chugged the beer. Then he made devil horns to his wife, who was running the kitchen. It was a little odd. At dinner, he was nowhere to be found.
04/18/2008
Easter Island Day 5
We woke up early again to watch te sunrise. I have seen more sunrises on this trip than I have in my entire life. We watched it rise over the water, which was very nice. Then we made our way to the only big heads who are facing the ocean. I accidentally walked on the platform here. it was not clearly marked. i broke the law again. I am getting tired of this. We then wanted to walk up the volcano Hu Akiui, which is the highest point on the island. To do this, we had to walk through someones backyard and farm, which was a little odd. We realized we were not prepared to make such a long climb, so we went back and had breakfast.
Later in the day, we went back to the beach where Sarah and the boys body surfed and Connie and I watched from under our palm tree. At night we went to the museum where there was a presentation on the decline and collaps of the Rapa Nui culture. It was a doctoral student presenting, which was a little unfortunate because she was getting it bad from the locals. It was interesting preliminary findings though.
After dinner we went back to the hotel to relax. We have had so many early and long days and are pretty exhauseted.
04/17/2008
Later in the day, we went back to the beach where Sarah and the boys body surfed and Connie and I watched from under our palm tree. At night we went to the museum where there was a presentation on the decline and collaps of the Rapa Nui culture. It was a doctoral student presenting, which was a little unfortunate because she was getting it bad from the locals. It was interesting preliminary findings though.
After dinner we went back to the hotel to relax. We have had so many early and long days and are pretty exhauseted.
04/17/2008
Easter Island Day 4
Today Gert and Connie picked us up before dawn and we drove toa spot called Ahu Tonoranki to watch the sunrise. This spot has many big heads in a row with the sun coming up behind them over the water. It was amazing. On the way there, a jeep passed us and sprayed water into our window. That was a wake up call.
Behind the big heads, there is the volcano Rano Raruku. This is the quary where the big heads were carved. It was spectacular. They were everywhere. Some were even popping out of the ground like daisies. On our way to the volcano crater, we got caught in a giant downpour and ran for cover. Cover however, was breaking the law and getting to close to the statues. We were soaking wet. We waited for the rain to pass, whcih didn´t take long. We walked up the volcano and around the crater. It is truely ad amazing sight. There are over 400 big heads in this area. We finished walkig around and made in back in time to make it to breakfast.
After breakfast we killed some time and then were picked up by Connie and Gert and went to Ankeny beach. Kelly and Sarah went body surfing. I listed to music under my palm tree and watched. it was fun to watch the body surfing. We could hear Kelly laughing and saw Sarah exposing herself. What a day. I tried body surfing a few times and can´t do it. I was bent ad contorted in ways my body isn´t supposed to go. But I had a good tiem. it was fun.
On the drive back to our hotels we stopped off at the hat quary. Some of the big heads are wearing red hats. It was an interesting sight with loads of unfinished hats out of a red rock. Then back to the ocean to watch the sunset over the water. It was a great and full day. I am now having chest pain with my throat. This better get better soon.
04/16/208
Behind the big heads, there is the volcano Rano Raruku. This is the quary where the big heads were carved. It was spectacular. They were everywhere. Some were even popping out of the ground like daisies. On our way to the volcano crater, we got caught in a giant downpour and ran for cover. Cover however, was breaking the law and getting to close to the statues. We were soaking wet. We waited for the rain to pass, whcih didn´t take long. We walked up the volcano and around the crater. It is truely ad amazing sight. There are over 400 big heads in this area. We finished walkig around and made in back in time to make it to breakfast.
After breakfast we killed some time and then were picked up by Connie and Gert and went to Ankeny beach. Kelly and Sarah went body surfing. I listed to music under my palm tree and watched. it was fun to watch the body surfing. We could hear Kelly laughing and saw Sarah exposing herself. What a day. I tried body surfing a few times and can´t do it. I was bent ad contorted in ways my body isn´t supposed to go. But I had a good tiem. it was fun.
On the drive back to our hotels we stopped off at the hat quary. Some of the big heads are wearing red hats. It was an interesting sight with loads of unfinished hats out of a red rock. Then back to the ocean to watch the sunset over the water. It was a great and full day. I am now having chest pain with my throat. This better get better soon.
04/16/208
Easter Island Day 3
Today we had booked a half day tour to part of the island. We had a great breakfast and then were picked up by our tour guide, Alexandra and driver, Chico. We went to the South East side of the island. Alexandra was full of information, and Chico was hillarious always posing for pictures.
We visited a few different sights. We walked up the Rano Kau volcano and crater. We also went to a sight with many fallen over moias. Kelly was leading the way and we broke the law again. We were accidentally walking on one of the fallen heads. OPPS.It wasn´t nearly as nice as the volcano but it was still nice. The volcano was amazing. So beautiful. Next we went to the Aakai Tangata cave that had hyrogliphs of frigate birds. It was a great big cave with an excellent view of the ocean. We watched the violent waves crash onto the rocks just a few feet infront of us.
After the tour, we ate at a roadside hotdog stad. Went back to the hotel and had more beer and played some cards. We went back to our favorite diner spot and watched the sunset with Gloria and Ian , the couple from our hotel and Gert and Connie. It was a fun day. Tomorrow we are getting up really early to watch the sunrise. Gert and Connie have rented a car and we will be touring the island with them. The sun comes up early...
04/15/2008
We visited a few different sights. We walked up the Rano Kau volcano and crater. We also went to a sight with many fallen over moias. Kelly was leading the way and we broke the law again. We were accidentally walking on one of the fallen heads. OPPS.It wasn´t nearly as nice as the volcano but it was still nice. The volcano was amazing. So beautiful. Next we went to the Aakai Tangata cave that had hyrogliphs of frigate birds. It was a great big cave with an excellent view of the ocean. We watched the violent waves crash onto the rocks just a few feet infront of us.
After the tour, we ate at a roadside hotdog stad. Went back to the hotel and had more beer and played some cards. We went back to our favorite diner spot and watched the sunset with Gloria and Ian , the couple from our hotel and Gert and Connie. It was a fun day. Tomorrow we are getting up really early to watch the sunrise. Gert and Connie have rented a car and we will be touring the island with them. The sun comes up early...
04/15/2008
Easter Island Day 2
Today we woke up and again, walked along the beach looking at some of the Moia statues. We call the statues ¨Big Heads¨. I apparently got to close to one and was warned by one of the park rangers. They are really tight on security since they had that Finnish guy chip off one of the ears recently. OPPS. I played dumb, but also didn´t think I was that close. Oh well.
Once our walk was over, we went to the market and bought some snacks. Then we decided to hang out at the hotel. Sarah and Kelly swam in the pool while I read next to the pool. We have such a hard life. We made some sandwiches and played cards. Then we went to desert with Connie and Gert to watch the sunset again. Sarah got something, kelly got something and mine, which I had no idea what it was, was a combination of both of theirs and a creepe. I had the best by far. My throat is still hurting. Starting to cause me a little concern. It hurst to swallow anythign now. Hopefully it will get better soon.
04/14/2008
Once our walk was over, we went to the market and bought some snacks. Then we decided to hang out at the hotel. Sarah and Kelly swam in the pool while I read next to the pool. We have such a hard life. We made some sandwiches and played cards. Then we went to desert with Connie and Gert to watch the sunset again. Sarah got something, kelly got something and mine, which I had no idea what it was, was a combination of both of theirs and a creepe. I had the best by far. My throat is still hurting. Starting to cause me a little concern. It hurst to swallow anythign now. Hopefully it will get better soon.
04/14/2008
Easter Island Day 1
Today we woke up very early to catch a ride to the airport. Sarah, Kelly, Conne and Gert are all coming to Easter Island. This will be fun. We get to the airport and check in and head through security. Its a little unnerving because Kelly doesn´t know if he can get a seat on the plane. He never knows until the last minute. That is so anxiety provoking for me. I don´t know how he does it. We had to go through security and even board the plane before we knew if he had made it. This type of flying is to stressful for me.
Once on the plane, at the back of course our names are called on the overhead. We have to go and find a flight attendant. I thought they were going ot tell us that Kelly can´t come. We get up there and we get an upgrade. 1ST class all the way to Easter Island! WOO HOO! So we grab our stuff from the back of the plane and move up. I have never been in a nice first lass seat before. I was so excited. I had a big seat with a footrest a massage chair and movies and games to play. It was so much fun. I could spend a long time on a plane if I sat up here more often. We thought Kelly had somethign to do with our upgrade, but he claims he didn´t. He did make it on the plane and sat in the last row by the bathroom. But he was at least on the plane!
Once we got off the plane, after my 2 movies and half of a tv show, we were greeted a tthe airport and received pretty leis. We were then transported to our hotel. At the airport, while waiting for our luggage, there was a police officer and dog. It was fun to watch the dog. He was running on the conveyer belt and jumping over peoples bags. It was a different experience to watch.
Once we setteled into our hotel we went for a walk around the beach. Its Sunday and nothing is open. We ahd some lunch and walked on the beach. We met a couple from the plane and our hotel and had dinner with them while watching the sunset over the ocean. It was very nice. I am still having an issue with my throat though.
04/13/2008
Once on the plane, at the back of course our names are called on the overhead. We have to go and find a flight attendant. I thought they were going ot tell us that Kelly can´t come. We get up there and we get an upgrade. 1ST class all the way to Easter Island! WOO HOO! So we grab our stuff from the back of the plane and move up. I have never been in a nice first lass seat before. I was so excited. I had a big seat with a footrest a massage chair and movies and games to play. It was so much fun. I could spend a long time on a plane if I sat up here more often. We thought Kelly had somethign to do with our upgrade, but he claims he didn´t. He did make it on the plane and sat in the last row by the bathroom. But he was at least on the plane!
Once we got off the plane, after my 2 movies and half of a tv show, we were greeted a tthe airport and received pretty leis. We were then transported to our hotel. At the airport, while waiting for our luggage, there was a police officer and dog. It was fun to watch the dog. He was running on the conveyer belt and jumping over peoples bags. It was a different experience to watch.
Once we setteled into our hotel we went for a walk around the beach. Its Sunday and nothing is open. We ahd some lunch and walked on the beach. We met a couple from the plane and our hotel and had dinner with them while watching the sunset over the ocean. It was very nice. I am still having an issue with my throat though.
04/13/2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Santiago Day 7
We head to Easter Island tomorrow! We spent the day today walking aorund the parks. We went up to the Virgen Mary statue which was nice. it was in the area of San Martin or San Cristobal, I can´t remember. It was near the zoo. We rode a tram to the top and then walked around for a bit. We sat to have a drink and kelly was tormenting a cat and some pigeons, which litteraly was thrown back into his face. He had gotten startled and spilled his coffee all down his shirt. Serves him right. We took a teliferico down to some botanical gardens, which were pretty. One of them we walked in on some femenist moon ceremony or something, it was a little strange. We walked a lot today.
Once back into town we cooked dinner with what we had left since we leave tomorrow. It was an odd combination of food but its nice to eat food we cooked. We had eggs and sausage and tuna caserole. I had a piece of tuna go down the wrong tube though. oops. We watched a movie and then went to bed since our cab will pick us up at 5:30.
04/12/2008
Once back into town we cooked dinner with what we had left since we leave tomorrow. It was an odd combination of food but its nice to eat food we cooked. We had eggs and sausage and tuna caserole. I had a piece of tuna go down the wrong tube though. oops. We watched a movie and then went to bed since our cab will pick us up at 5:30.
04/12/2008
Santiago Day 6
So today, Kelly actually shoed up, despite all of the flight trouble in the US. He found a way and went through hell to get here, but the thing is, he made it. He needed a little cat nap befoer he did anything. So Sarah and I ran some errands while he took a nap.
Once he woke up, we went to lunch around the corner and then we walked down tothe Pre-Columbian museum. It was a nice museum. Once we got back we had our dinner reservations at Ocean´s Pacific restaurant with Conne and Gert. This was a fun restaurant. It was a submarine. There were porthoes and missels. We ate dinner and had many bottles of wine and a Pisco Sour. Happy Birthday Kelly. I think we ended the night having a Pisco each and a bottle of wine each. When we were ready to go back to the hostel, I think the restaurant was ready for us to leave too. We all piled into a taxi and tried to tell the driver where to go. It was so funny. We managed to get back safe and sound. We ahd a lot of fun though.
04/11/2008
Once he woke up, we went to lunch around the corner and then we walked down tothe Pre-Columbian museum. It was a nice museum. Once we got back we had our dinner reservations at Ocean´s Pacific restaurant with Conne and Gert. This was a fun restaurant. It was a submarine. There were porthoes and missels. We ate dinner and had many bottles of wine and a Pisco Sour. Happy Birthday Kelly. I think we ended the night having a Pisco each and a bottle of wine each. When we were ready to go back to the hostel, I think the restaurant was ready for us to leave too. We all piled into a taxi and tried to tell the driver where to go. It was so funny. We managed to get back safe and sound. We ahd a lot of fun though.
04/11/2008
Santiago day 5
So, no Kelly this morning. Apparently in the US American Airlines had a problem and grounded 2000 planes, which messed up many other flights. Since Kelly works for the airlines, he flies standby and with all of the upset, he couldn´t make it. But he will attempt to come tomorrow. So, since its his birthday, we will celebrate anyway.
We went to Concha y Toro vinyard with Conne and Gert (Not really his name, but the Welsch alphabet doesn´t exist on my keyboard). I had never been to a vineyard befoer and it was fun. we had very generous samples of wine wich was nice. The tour was a little cheesey with urban legends and then playing off of them now, a devil in the basement, but it was fun.
Then on the metro back to town, Gert got his wallet stolen. we were all mad and in shock. I was irritated because I was right next to him. we all thought about it afterwards and should have known, but it was a wake up call for me and Sarah. Reminder to be on guard. We went to dinenr with them and then Sarah and I went to a little market near the hostel. Then we watched a movie and hoped that Kelly would show up tomorrow.
04/10/2008
We went to Concha y Toro vinyard with Conne and Gert (Not really his name, but the Welsch alphabet doesn´t exist on my keyboard). I had never been to a vineyard befoer and it was fun. we had very generous samples of wine wich was nice. The tour was a little cheesey with urban legends and then playing off of them now, a devil in the basement, but it was fun.
Then on the metro back to town, Gert got his wallet stolen. we were all mad and in shock. I was irritated because I was right next to him. we all thought about it afterwards and should have known, but it was a wake up call for me and Sarah. Reminder to be on guard. We went to dinenr with them and then Sarah and I went to a little market near the hostel. Then we watched a movie and hoped that Kelly would show up tomorrow.
04/10/2008
Santiago Day 4
Today Kelly is supposed to come. Well he leave the US tonight. I went to an internet cafe to again try and get caught up on my blog and Sarah went walking around town because she s on top of her blog. Well first I was distracted by seeing us on the news from the concert last night. That was odd. Then I called people. I was feeling homesick and didn´t want to spend hours attempting to catch up on my blog. So instead, I called a few of my friends and my parents.
I spent so long on the phone my ears hurt. Sarah and I then went to the store to get decorations for when Kelly comes because his birthday is tomorrow. We planned on going on a wine tour and a funky restaurant for dinner with another couple from Wales to celebrate tomorrow. So we packed it in and awaited Kelly´s arrival. Not a very productive day, but I had fun.
04/09/2008
I spent so long on the phone my ears hurt. Sarah and I then went to the store to get decorations for when Kelly comes because his birthday is tomorrow. We planned on going on a wine tour and a funky restaurant for dinner with another couple from Wales to celebrate tomorrow. So we packed it in and awaited Kelly´s arrival. Not a very productive day, but I had fun.
04/09/2008
Santiago Day 3
Today we spent the day at an internet cafe. I am so far behind on my blog its not even funny. It will take me forever to get caught up. But we went to the cafe and did some computer stuff and went to pick up our laundry.
Well, we did the most unthinkable thing that I ever would have thought of. We took the metro and a taxi out to a stadium where there was a Rod Stewart Concert. We did it just for th eheck of it, especially since we didn´t have much else to do. Well, we made it out there and then attempted to buy scallped tickets.
I have never in my life bought scallped tickets, let alone in another language. I knew that we were going to get screwed over. We were talking to the guy, who was a little sleezy. Sarah was supposed to go into the stadium and when I saw that she was in, I was supposed to pay him for both tickets and then go in. I was going to be out $200 bucks and not get to see the concert. I was very skeptical. It worked though. we both made it in. we paid entirely to much for the tickets, but had some great seats.
Unfortunately, unlike the US we could have bought food to bring in and bring our camera. we were close enough that if I had my camera, you would actually be able to tell who it was. So we were a little upset about that. Anyway, Sarah had thought the concert started at 8. She was wrong, it was on April 8th and started at 9. We were there at 6. So we had a long time to wait. We were listening to people around us, who had printed off the words and were practicing. It was so cute to hear the songs with the spanish accent.
Sarah then tried to translate some of his songs into spanish. She should not have attempted. It was rather amusing but...no. It was so much funa dn I could not believe that we were in Chile and decided to go to a Rod Stewart concert. It was jsut weird.
04/08/2008
Well, we did the most unthinkable thing that I ever would have thought of. We took the metro and a taxi out to a stadium where there was a Rod Stewart Concert. We did it just for th eheck of it, especially since we didn´t have much else to do. Well, we made it out there and then attempted to buy scallped tickets.
I have never in my life bought scallped tickets, let alone in another language. I knew that we were going to get screwed over. We were talking to the guy, who was a little sleezy. Sarah was supposed to go into the stadium and when I saw that she was in, I was supposed to pay him for both tickets and then go in. I was going to be out $200 bucks and not get to see the concert. I was very skeptical. It worked though. we both made it in. we paid entirely to much for the tickets, but had some great seats.
Unfortunately, unlike the US we could have bought food to bring in and bring our camera. we were close enough that if I had my camera, you would actually be able to tell who it was. So we were a little upset about that. Anyway, Sarah had thought the concert started at 8. She was wrong, it was on April 8th and started at 9. We were there at 6. So we had a long time to wait. We were listening to people around us, who had printed off the words and were practicing. It was so cute to hear the songs with the spanish accent.
Sarah then tried to translate some of his songs into spanish. She should not have attempted. It was rather amusing but...no. It was so much funa dn I could not believe that we were in Chile and decided to go to a Rod Stewart concert. It was jsut weird.
04/08/2008
Valparaiso Day 3 / Santiago Day 2
Our bus ticket today is scheduled for 5:00. We didn´t get up and ready until later. We also realized that to go to Pablo Neruda´s house, it would take almost 5 hours. It was cutting it a little close to making it back to catch our bus. So instead, we took our time getting ready and checked out of our hotel. We decided to go to the bus station and see if there was an earlier bus ticket and go back to Santiago.
There was a bus and we took it back to Santiago. Once back in Santiago, we decided to do laundry. We hadn´t done laundry since we played with the monkeys in Bolivia. When we opened up our back, I was repulsed by the smell. I felt so bad for the lady at the laundromat. She laughed when we appologized, but it was bad. We went back to the hostel adn talked with some folks and made dinner. We went to bed early in our private room because a few days of doing nothing is exhausting.
04/07/2008
There was a bus and we took it back to Santiago. Once back in Santiago, we decided to do laundry. We hadn´t done laundry since we played with the monkeys in Bolivia. When we opened up our back, I was repulsed by the smell. I felt so bad for the lady at the laundromat. She laughed when we appologized, but it was bad. We went back to the hostel adn talked with some folks and made dinner. We went to bed early in our private room because a few days of doing nothing is exhausting.
04/07/2008
Valparaiso Day 2
So, I´m feeling better today. However, I think we are just exhausted. we have been running non stop for about a month and I think we are just about at the crashing point. I wanted to go and see pablo Neruda´s house at Isla Negra but today there was a street market and antique fair, so we went to do that. It was nice, very different from at home but still nice. We found some Mate cups that we liked, but they wer $100 a piece for them. We decided to pass. I also bought a new pair of sunglasses for $2. I´m a big spender today. it was fun because there were tables in the park set up and little old men were playing cards and chess.
We then had some lunch, which was slightly difficult because it was Sunday and nothing is open on Sunday´s. After lunch we went to a little bakery and were so tired that we went back into the hotel and watched movies. It is pretty sad, but I think we need the break. Once Kelly gets here, we wil be running again. We need a veg out session.
04/06/2008
We then had some lunch, which was slightly difficult because it was Sunday and nothing is open on Sunday´s. After lunch we went to a little bakery and were so tired that we went back into the hotel and watched movies. It is pretty sad, but I think we need the break. Once Kelly gets here, we wil be running again. We need a veg out session.
04/06/2008
Valparaiso Day 1
We are on our way to the coast this morning. I am not feeling too hot. I think I had bad pizza last night. Anyway, once we made it to the coast, an hour and a half bus ride we checked into a cute little hotel. We decided to go for a walk by the water. After our walk along the waterfront, we went up the hill to all of the colored houses. We were trying to find a museum Sarah wanted to go to, but never was able to find it.
We then went to the grocery store to get a few necessities for the night. Some 7-up for me, wine for Sarah, two things of yogurt and cookies. We stood in line for about an hour. It was crazy packed. It was like Thanksgiving or Superbowl weekend or somethign. It was crazy. I miss express lanes. Then we went back to the hotel and laid down. (Remember I´m not feeling up to par) we had cable again and watched a movie.
04/05/2008
We then went to the grocery store to get a few necessities for the night. Some 7-up for me, wine for Sarah, two things of yogurt and cookies. We stood in line for about an hour. It was crazy packed. It was like Thanksgiving or Superbowl weekend or somethign. It was crazy. I miss express lanes. Then we went back to the hotel and laid down. (Remember I´m not feeling up to par) we had cable again and watched a movie.
04/05/2008
Santiago Day 1
We are finally in Chile and finallyin Santiago. Sarah´s friend Kelly will be here in a few days whcihis exciting. We woke up on our bus and had grabbed a Taxi to a hostal. They didn´t have any private rooms, so we stayed in the dorms.
We are a little unsure about what we want to do. Since Kelly is coming, we don´t want to do lots of the things twice. So today we decidded that we would go to the coast for a few days. We bought a bus ticket to Valparaiso.
I think I am getting a little homesick. So I decided that I needed to call my mom. we did that. I miss my family, friends and life. I am used to seeing and taking to lots of people almost everyday and it is starting to get to me. Plus I have never been gone this long and just miss all of the luxuries of home. I think it will help when kelly gets here to get my mind off of missing home.
Today we walked all over Santiago. We walked for 6-7 hours. My feet hurt. Well tomorrow we leave for the coast.
04/04/2008
We are a little unsure about what we want to do. Since Kelly is coming, we don´t want to do lots of the things twice. So today we decidded that we would go to the coast for a few days. We bought a bus ticket to Valparaiso.
I think I am getting a little homesick. So I decided that I needed to call my mom. we did that. I miss my family, friends and life. I am used to seeing and taking to lots of people almost everyday and it is starting to get to me. Plus I have never been gone this long and just miss all of the luxuries of home. I think it will help when kelly gets here to get my mind off of missing home.
Today we walked all over Santiago. We walked for 6-7 hours. My feet hurt. Well tomorrow we leave for the coast.
04/04/2008
Antofagasto Day 3
Today we really took our time getting ready. We have our overnight bus to Santiago tonight around 5 and check out of the hotel is at noon. So we waited until noon to check out and then left our bags and went walking again. Sarah got sick from the luxury McDonald dinner we had last night. This was a little nerve rackign since we have a 16 hour bus ride ahead of us. On the buses, the drivers are very adamit about "solo numero uno" "solo urinario". She took some meds and seemed to be doing a little better.
To pass time we to have lunch at a sidewalk cafe and walked through some of the parks and shops. It was then time to pick up our bags and head to the bus station. How exciting. I am not able to sit longer than 6 hours on a bus without getting ancy. This is 16 hours. I have no idea how I will cope. Once on the bus it was nice. It had big plush recliner type chairs that folded down into a bed. We had a snack, which was a meal. We also watched a few movies in spanish and went to bed. When we wake up, we will be in Santiago.
04/03/2008
To pass time we to have lunch at a sidewalk cafe and walked through some of the parks and shops. It was then time to pick up our bags and head to the bus station. How exciting. I am not able to sit longer than 6 hours on a bus without getting ancy. This is 16 hours. I have no idea how I will cope. Once on the bus it was nice. It had big plush recliner type chairs that folded down into a bed. We had a snack, which was a meal. We also watched a few movies in spanish and went to bed. When we wake up, we will be in Santiago.
04/03/2008
Antofagasto Day 2
Today was almost a culture shock. We were in a big city where we didn´t stand out. We didn´t look like tourists and it was nice to have a break. Our hotel in the basement gave us breakfast in bed. We took it easy today and took our time getting ready.
Once we were ready we went and walked around downtown. We also decided to attempt a night bus to Santiago. So we went to the bus station and paid for a fisrt class bus ticket. This meant that we would be able to turn our chairs into beds. We figured if we were going to spend the night on a bus, we should at least be able to try and sleep. We had been very anti-overnight buses, but in the other countries we heard they were not the safest. We had heard good things baout the Chilean buses, so thought we should give it a shot.
Once we had our tickets, we went walking downtown. We found a store that was a cross between Pottery Barn, IKEA and Bed Bath and Beyond. It was amazing. I miss shopping. I have done plenty of shopping on the trip, but most of it was for other people. This would have been for me. Anyway, I didn´t buy anythign. It was hard though.
For dinner, we braved McDonald´s. we had not eaten fast food since we had been down here. We were really hungry and tired. We just wanted to eat and go to bed. It wasn´t nearly as greasy as it is in the US wich was surprising. So we had our burger and fries and went back to our room to watch an episode of Law and Order and went to bed.
04/02/2008
Once we were ready we went and walked around downtown. We also decided to attempt a night bus to Santiago. So we went to the bus station and paid for a fisrt class bus ticket. This meant that we would be able to turn our chairs into beds. We figured if we were going to spend the night on a bus, we should at least be able to try and sleep. We had been very anti-overnight buses, but in the other countries we heard they were not the safest. We had heard good things baout the Chilean buses, so thought we should give it a shot.
Once we had our tickets, we went walking downtown. We found a store that was a cross between Pottery Barn, IKEA and Bed Bath and Beyond. It was amazing. I miss shopping. I have done plenty of shopping on the trip, but most of it was for other people. This would have been for me. Anyway, I didn´t buy anythign. It was hard though.
For dinner, we braved McDonald´s. we had not eaten fast food since we had been down here. We were really hungry and tired. We just wanted to eat and go to bed. It wasn´t nearly as greasy as it is in the US wich was surprising. So we had our burger and fries and went back to our room to watch an episode of Law and Order and went to bed.
04/02/2008
Thoughts on Bolivia
Well, Bolivia was not my favorite country. It was beautiful and had very different landscapes. I enjoyed Lake titicaca with my dad and golfing in La Paz. Those we great times. I also really enjoyed Villa Tunari with the monkeys. The salt flats were nice but it didn´t blow me away. The cities of Cochabamba and Oruro didn´t do anything for me.
We were in a car accident in Bolivia. We were able to watch a great religious ceremony and holiday which was amazing. The food was the same as Peru and Ecuador. We had lots of chicken and rice and not as many sandwiches.
The people were more of what turned me off to this country. Everywhere else we had been people were so friendly and overly helpful. This was not my impression of Bolivia. It was a nice country and I had fun at what we did, but it wasn´t my favorite as an overall whole.
We were in a car accident in Bolivia. We were able to watch a great religious ceremony and holiday which was amazing. The food was the same as Peru and Ecuador. We had lots of chicken and rice and not as many sandwiches.
The people were more of what turned me off to this country. Everywhere else we had been people were so friendly and overly helpful. This was not my impression of Bolivia. It was a nice country and I had fun at what we did, but it wasn´t my favorite as an overall whole.
Salt Flats Day 3 / Antofagasto
Wake up call this mornign was before 5:00. We were going to watch the sunrise at some geysers. On the way to the geysers, our driver got out and looked at the car. Something was not right he thought. Well he was right. We had apparently lost 5 of the 6 lugnuts on one of our wheels. So he got out, flagged down another driver to help us out. The other driver took his group to the geysers and then some hot springs while we stayed in the car.
While in the car we made a video about our car trouble. Then we discussed the possibility of cuddling to stay warm. It was freezing this morning. I even broke a huge fashion no no, even worse than a poncho. I wore socks with my sandals. It was a necessity though.
Once the other driver came back from leaving his group at the hot springs, he gave us a ride to the geysers. We missed the sunrise, but it was still nifty. Then, Leo came in the car. He had managed to redistribute all of our other lugnuts. So he took us to the hot springs. While we jumped in, he made us breakfast. It was a nice mornng, despite our car trouble. Its nice that all of the drivers look out for each other.
After breakfast we went to one more volcano and lagoon and then Sarah and I were dropped off at the Chilean boarder and the boys continued back to Yuni. They made the trip for me. The salt flats we about what I thought they would be. They were nice, but I think people hyped them up too much for me.
At the Chilean boarder we took a bus to the boarder town of San something, I don´t totally remember. Even though, there was not a lot to do in this town so we bought a bus ticket to take us to Antofagasto later that afternoon. It was hard because we could not get any money. This town had one ATM that was filled once or twice a week. It was empty most of the time. So we begged and had some one change currency for us, but it was not cheap and it took a few hours for it to be able to be done. We had lunch, we were able to pay via Visa and it was so expensive we were in shock. It was nice to get on a bus and get where we can have money. So in about 6 hours we will be in Antofagasto, a large port town.
Once in Antofagasto we were in shock. It was a big city. We went straight to a hotel and crashed out. The hotel was a basement room, which was interesting. But at this point we just wanted a place to sleep with a shower and a working toilet. Even more so, we had cable.
04/01/2008
While in the car we made a video about our car trouble. Then we discussed the possibility of cuddling to stay warm. It was freezing this morning. I even broke a huge fashion no no, even worse than a poncho. I wore socks with my sandals. It was a necessity though.
Once the other driver came back from leaving his group at the hot springs, he gave us a ride to the geysers. We missed the sunrise, but it was still nifty. Then, Leo came in the car. He had managed to redistribute all of our other lugnuts. So he took us to the hot springs. While we jumped in, he made us breakfast. It was a nice mornng, despite our car trouble. Its nice that all of the drivers look out for each other.
After breakfast we went to one more volcano and lagoon and then Sarah and I were dropped off at the Chilean boarder and the boys continued back to Yuni. They made the trip for me. The salt flats we about what I thought they would be. They were nice, but I think people hyped them up too much for me.
At the Chilean boarder we took a bus to the boarder town of San something, I don´t totally remember. Even though, there was not a lot to do in this town so we bought a bus ticket to take us to Antofagasto later that afternoon. It was hard because we could not get any money. This town had one ATM that was filled once or twice a week. It was empty most of the time. So we begged and had some one change currency for us, but it was not cheap and it took a few hours for it to be able to be done. We had lunch, we were able to pay via Visa and it was so expensive we were in shock. It was nice to get on a bus and get where we can have money. So in about 6 hours we will be in Antofagasto, a large port town.
Once in Antofagasto we were in shock. It was a big city. We went straight to a hotel and crashed out. The hotel was a basement room, which was interesting. But at this point we just wanted a place to sleep with a shower and a working toilet. Even more so, we had cable.
04/01/2008
Salt Flats Day 2
Today we woke up pretty early to get a head start on a long day of driving. However, for some reason we didn´t get breakfast. We thought it was kind of funny that everyone else did and we were left out. Luckily the doctors had bags of granola bars so we wouldn´t starve.
The big problem of today was being female. We are driving for almost 16 hours through the salt flats. There are no trees, rocks or even bushes to hid behind when one needs to go to the bathroom. The boys would just walk off into the distance and do their business. Our driver would suggest that we had a great spot to take a picture and he stopped and did his thing. The boys actually felt very sorry for us today. It was much harder for us. I, with my shy bladder refused to try and find a big enough rock. And even if I had found a rock, me being clutsy would probably result in me peeing on myself. Therefore, I risked the bladder infection and held it for about 14 hours.
On our journey today we stopped at many different volcanos and lagoons. We saw flamingos and some unusual rock formations. It was a nice day. A little boring for me because it was a lot of driving over rocky and bumpy terrain. Which makes it harder on the bladder when you have to pee. But all of the stops were really nice. Even from a distance we saw a grey fox, which eventually was chased off by an alpaca.
Once we reached our hotel for the night, even more basic than the night before. We had no showers and electricity was only turned on for 2 hours at night and powered by a generator. We all had to share a room tonight. Yes, I have slept with three doctors. For dinner we sat around a table, had pasta and wine and shared interesting life stories. We laughed a lot and learned many different things about each other, especially in the relationship department. These poor doctors have had a rough time being desired. If you want more info on the doctors, let me know. They truely made this trip more enjoyable for me. It was fun and lucky that we had met them.
Before we went to bed, another two of the three toilets we out of commission. I will not miss this part of the trip. Once we were all tucked in, Danny serenaded us and was his warm up for his American Idol audition. It was a fun day, but long. Tomorrow we have to get up really early.
3/30/2008
The big problem of today was being female. We are driving for almost 16 hours through the salt flats. There are no trees, rocks or even bushes to hid behind when one needs to go to the bathroom. The boys would just walk off into the distance and do their business. Our driver would suggest that we had a great spot to take a picture and he stopped and did his thing. The boys actually felt very sorry for us today. It was much harder for us. I, with my shy bladder refused to try and find a big enough rock. And even if I had found a rock, me being clutsy would probably result in me peeing on myself. Therefore, I risked the bladder infection and held it for about 14 hours.
On our journey today we stopped at many different volcanos and lagoons. We saw flamingos and some unusual rock formations. It was a nice day. A little boring for me because it was a lot of driving over rocky and bumpy terrain. Which makes it harder on the bladder when you have to pee. But all of the stops were really nice. Even from a distance we saw a grey fox, which eventually was chased off by an alpaca.
Once we reached our hotel for the night, even more basic than the night before. We had no showers and electricity was only turned on for 2 hours at night and powered by a generator. We all had to share a room tonight. Yes, I have slept with three doctors. For dinner we sat around a table, had pasta and wine and shared interesting life stories. We laughed a lot and learned many different things about each other, especially in the relationship department. These poor doctors have had a rough time being desired. If you want more info on the doctors, let me know. They truely made this trip more enjoyable for me. It was fun and lucky that we had met them.
Before we went to bed, another two of the three toilets we out of commission. I will not miss this part of the trip. Once we were all tucked in, Danny serenaded us and was his warm up for his American Idol audition. It was a fun day, but long. Tomorrow we have to get up really early.
3/30/2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Salt Flats Day 1
Today we start our Salt flat journey. Our driver and Guide Leo, picked us up around 11:00 and we were off. We were all five of us, the doctors, Danny, Steve and jeremey and Sarah and I are in a 4x4 Jeep. It might be a long few days.
We start out visiting and old train graveyard. There were many broken and rusted trains and parts. It was pretty nifty, but I am glad that I got my tetnis shot before I left. We climbed over a few and then decided to head out.
Next we drove through the salt flats and stopped at an old Salt Motel. It smelled a little odd. I don´t think I would want to stay there, but it was an interesting place to visit. It was completely made of salt. I went a shopping and bought some weird salt boxes. We´ll see if they make it home. Inside the museum/motel, there were some intersting sculptures. We took some pictures.
The next stop was fish, or fishermans island. In the middle of the salt flatts, nothing around, out of nowhere, there is a coral island covered in 1000 year old cacti. There cacti grom 1cm a year and some were 1200 cm tall. It was different. We hiked around a bit while Leo prepared our lunch. After lunch we took some nifty pictures on the flats. That was a lot of fun. The doctors are a hoot.
Once that was over, Leo drove us to our basic hotel. When they say basic, they mean basic. Sarah and I used wet wipes to shower. There was only one working toilet but after dinner, there was no working toilet.
We went on a walk around the property. We walked through a heard of llamas and up to a cemetary. The doctors were trying to tell us which bones we were looking at. Thanks guys. Then, we were walking and we could hear a car coming behind us. However, there were mo streets and no sidewalks, but we all still, in unison moved over as if we were walking in the middle of the street. It was funny, especially when we all noticed what had happened.
At dinner, we walked in and there were three other groups staying here with us. We were the last ones in. Then two kids came up to me and asked if I wanted to hear traditional Bolivian Music. Everyone glared at me because I said yes. I felt bad because everyone told the kids no. They were jsut trying to make a little money. Well they were in need of some more practice and everyone glared at me. it was loud and took up about 10 minutes of everyones time. I was not going to crush their dreams. Then it was off to bed for an early morning.
03/29/2008
We start out visiting and old train graveyard. There were many broken and rusted trains and parts. It was pretty nifty, but I am glad that I got my tetnis shot before I left. We climbed over a few and then decided to head out.
Next we drove through the salt flats and stopped at an old Salt Motel. It smelled a little odd. I don´t think I would want to stay there, but it was an interesting place to visit. It was completely made of salt. I went a shopping and bought some weird salt boxes. We´ll see if they make it home. Inside the museum/motel, there were some intersting sculptures. We took some pictures.
The next stop was fish, or fishermans island. In the middle of the salt flatts, nothing around, out of nowhere, there is a coral island covered in 1000 year old cacti. There cacti grom 1cm a year and some were 1200 cm tall. It was different. We hiked around a bit while Leo prepared our lunch. After lunch we took some nifty pictures on the flats. That was a lot of fun. The doctors are a hoot.
Once that was over, Leo drove us to our basic hotel. When they say basic, they mean basic. Sarah and I used wet wipes to shower. There was only one working toilet but after dinner, there was no working toilet.
We went on a walk around the property. We walked through a heard of llamas and up to a cemetary. The doctors were trying to tell us which bones we were looking at. Thanks guys. Then, we were walking and we could hear a car coming behind us. However, there were mo streets and no sidewalks, but we all still, in unison moved over as if we were walking in the middle of the street. It was funny, especially when we all noticed what had happened.
At dinner, we walked in and there were three other groups staying here with us. We were the last ones in. Then two kids came up to me and asked if I wanted to hear traditional Bolivian Music. Everyone glared at me because I said yes. I felt bad because everyone told the kids no. They were jsut trying to make a little money. Well they were in need of some more practice and everyone glared at me. it was loud and took up about 10 minutes of everyones time. I was not going to crush their dreams. Then it was off to bed for an early morning.
03/29/2008
Cochabamba / Oruro/ Yuni
Today is our bus to Oruro. I don´t want to go there or spend any time. But Sarah wanted to see this lady she met on the bus. Once we get to Oruro, we both agreed not to stay. So we went to the bus station to look for a ticket to Yuni, which is where people start the Salt Flat tours, but all the buses were overnight and we didn´t want to do that.
So we grabbed a cab and high tailed it to the train station which has buses that go every few days to Yuni. Today happened to be one of those days. We get there, upgrade to a first class car, which cost $2 more and were on our way to the salt flats. Once on the train, we ended up sitting next to three doctors from Kentucky. We decided with them that we would all book a tour together and have a little more room in our car. It was a great idea. Once we arrived to Yuni, it was very late and we got the last rooms in our hostel. Then we went and talked to a few different travel agents about the tours. We chose a guy who guarenteed us a private tour and leave in the morning.
It has been a long day of traveling, 6 hours on a bus and 9 hours on a train. So our very basic accomodations seemed to be fine. We head off for a three day journey tomorrow. I am still skeptical about how wonderful this place will be. But I am bringing dad´s saying with me. If you are going to be there, you might as well make the best out of it.
03/28/2008
So we grabbed a cab and high tailed it to the train station which has buses that go every few days to Yuni. Today happened to be one of those days. We get there, upgrade to a first class car, which cost $2 more and were on our way to the salt flats. Once on the train, we ended up sitting next to three doctors from Kentucky. We decided with them that we would all book a tour together and have a little more room in our car. It was a great idea. Once we arrived to Yuni, it was very late and we got the last rooms in our hostel. Then we went and talked to a few different travel agents about the tours. We chose a guy who guarenteed us a private tour and leave in the morning.
It has been a long day of traveling, 6 hours on a bus and 9 hours on a train. So our very basic accomodations seemed to be fine. We head off for a three day journey tomorrow. I am still skeptical about how wonderful this place will be. But I am bringing dad´s saying with me. If you are going to be there, you might as well make the best out of it.
03/28/2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Villa Tunari / Cochabamba
Last night there was a huge thunder and rain storm, however it was pretty nice in the morning. After breakfast we were headed back to the park. When we got there, they wouldn´t let us in. They said all of the monkeys were freaked out from the storm lat night and shouldn´t be around people. We were a little upset, but what can you do. We figured that since we can´t go to the park that we might as well go back to Cochabamba and let Sarah do her Salt flat trip.
In Villa Tunari, there is nothing. It is a 2 street town. So we walked to the bus station to see what time the bus or minivan was leaving. It happened to be leaving in a half an hour. So we bought tickets and ran to our hotel, threw everything into our bags and paid. We grabbed a cab and got to the station as we saw the minivan drive away.
Luckily there wa another van leaving in ten minutes and we got on that one. Our minivan driver was a little scary. He and another minivan driver were fighting and having road wars. These peopel are scary drivers. They speed and pass on blind turns. Its a miracle we are still alive.
Once abck in Cochabamba, we get a better hotel and go to the bus station to get a bus ticket to Oruro. Sarah wanted to stay at this lady´s house she met on a bus. I didn´t want to. So we still bought the ticket and I said that I would try the salt flats to see if they are as great as everybody said. This is something that doesn´t really interest me in the least.
We buy our bus ticket and then go to find something to eat. Sarah got sick, possibly from dehydration, but none the less, we didn´t do much. Plus there was a huge protest in the square with people tying themselves up tpo trees and crusifying themselves. We didn´t want to be there. It took us forever to find a restaurant but we finally did, ate and went back to the hotel. Our bus leaves in the mornign, so not a lot of time to spare.
03/27/2008
In Villa Tunari, there is nothing. It is a 2 street town. So we walked to the bus station to see what time the bus or minivan was leaving. It happened to be leaving in a half an hour. So we bought tickets and ran to our hotel, threw everything into our bags and paid. We grabbed a cab and got to the station as we saw the minivan drive away.
Luckily there wa another van leaving in ten minutes and we got on that one. Our minivan driver was a little scary. He and another minivan driver were fighting and having road wars. These peopel are scary drivers. They speed and pass on blind turns. Its a miracle we are still alive.
Once abck in Cochabamba, we get a better hotel and go to the bus station to get a bus ticket to Oruro. Sarah wanted to stay at this lady´s house she met on a bus. I didn´t want to. So we still bought the ticket and I said that I would try the salt flats to see if they are as great as everybody said. This is something that doesn´t really interest me in the least.
We buy our bus ticket and then go to find something to eat. Sarah got sick, possibly from dehydration, but none the less, we didn´t do much. Plus there was a huge protest in the square with people tying themselves up tpo trees and crusifying themselves. We didn´t want to be there. It took us forever to find a restaurant but we finally did, ate and went back to the hotel. Our bus leaves in the mornign, so not a lot of time to spare.
03/27/2008
Villa Tunari Day 2
We woke up this morning and had a great breakfast. There was so much food with so many fresh fruit and jam and bread. It was so nice. Our friend that we had met from Australia had left early this mornign to go to the other animal park farther away. We decided to go and visit today and then move on. We tried and the timing just isn´t right. If I want, I can come back some other time.
After breakfast we walked to the animal park. The lady asked us why we weren´t volunteering and it really came down to timing. I wore my stud earings and my watch. The website said no flasy jewelry and they are not flashy. Well, we walked into the park adn little did we know that the monkey´s are wild and running all over the place. One ran up and jumped on Sarah. She was freaking out. I sadly was lauging and taking pictures. Then I was attacked by a monkey who ripped the face off of my watch, that I didn´t know came off, and tried to get it back. However, you don´t take things away from these monkeys. Luckily it lost interest and dropped it. My watch face lived, it just have monkey love bites on it.
We then went to the monkey part of the reserve. We sat and played with some monkeys for a bit. Then we decided to walk and check out the rest of the park and come back to the monkeys. Walking towards the birds and other animals, I was attacked by 4 little yellow monkeys. They all jumped on my tring to take out my earings and just causing hvock. This was sarah´s revenge. Instead of helping em, she just laughed and took pictures.
We then went for a walk and ran into a few people. They were sitting on a trial playin with monkeys. We asked if they volunteered and they said they did. They worked with an Andean bear named Baloo. But he wsa taking a nap, so they were waiting for him to wake up so they could take him on a walk. I can´t think of how cool volunteering would be. One of the volunteers started swinging on vines with the monkeys which was fun to watch. Another one was holding a spider monkey and petting him. Then another guy, picked up this little opposum/ardvark type creature by the tail. They said it was really mean. So he held it by the tail and let the monkeys take turns slapping it. THIS WAS NOT COOL! Finally he let it go and I thought, no wonder why hes mean.
All of a sudden, a bear came walking down from the trees with a little harness on. It was Baloo. I didn´t know that they ment he was sleepign here. He was so cute. He was done with his nap and ready to go on his walk. He had a little harness and a little leash. It was the cutest thing. So, we kept walking to some waterfalls. We saw monkeys on the way. One of the monkeys got lost and cried for his friend. It was so sad. We are in the middle of the jungle, its hot and humid and I have drenched my shirt in sweat with the climb up the mountain. On the way up I banged the heck out of my toe,which was a pretty brutal cut, but I kept on trecking. We made it to the top, looked at the view and played with some monkeys. Then we decided it was time to go back and play with some more monkeys at the bottom. Plus we were really thirsty.
On the way down, we stopped off at the bird enclosure. These birds are so beautiful. We talked to one of the volunteers for a while and she told us some of the birds´stories. She also told us about the little devilish monkeys who run around, steal the birds food and torment them.
It was time to go back to play with the monkeys. This was so much fun. The monkeys would lay on you, want you to pet them, feed them and play wit them. We sat there all day. When you would walk on the trails, the monkeys would get lazy and jump on your shoulder for a ride. My toes got completely bit by little ants. It looked like I had some weird disease. We sat and played with the monkey all day. Some of them had leashes and were tied totrees because they weren´t completely socialized yet. Others had small leashes where they walked themselves and the rest were wild. Sarah ended up really liking this place and said we should come back again tomorrow. I had no complaints.
So, we had spent the entire day at the reserve and then went to get some dinner before we headed back to the hotel. We stunk. We sweat all day and smelled like monkeys. Its not a pretty smell. But we are ready to do it all over again tomorrow. One of the best days I have ever spent!
03/26/2008
After breakfast we walked to the animal park. The lady asked us why we weren´t volunteering and it really came down to timing. I wore my stud earings and my watch. The website said no flasy jewelry and they are not flashy. Well, we walked into the park adn little did we know that the monkey´s are wild and running all over the place. One ran up and jumped on Sarah. She was freaking out. I sadly was lauging and taking pictures. Then I was attacked by a monkey who ripped the face off of my watch, that I didn´t know came off, and tried to get it back. However, you don´t take things away from these monkeys. Luckily it lost interest and dropped it. My watch face lived, it just have monkey love bites on it.
We then went to the monkey part of the reserve. We sat and played with some monkeys for a bit. Then we decided to walk and check out the rest of the park and come back to the monkeys. Walking towards the birds and other animals, I was attacked by 4 little yellow monkeys. They all jumped on my tring to take out my earings and just causing hvock. This was sarah´s revenge. Instead of helping em, she just laughed and took pictures.
We then went for a walk and ran into a few people. They were sitting on a trial playin with monkeys. We asked if they volunteered and they said they did. They worked with an Andean bear named Baloo. But he wsa taking a nap, so they were waiting for him to wake up so they could take him on a walk. I can´t think of how cool volunteering would be. One of the volunteers started swinging on vines with the monkeys which was fun to watch. Another one was holding a spider monkey and petting him. Then another guy, picked up this little opposum/ardvark type creature by the tail. They said it was really mean. So he held it by the tail and let the monkeys take turns slapping it. THIS WAS NOT COOL! Finally he let it go and I thought, no wonder why hes mean.
All of a sudden, a bear came walking down from the trees with a little harness on. It was Baloo. I didn´t know that they ment he was sleepign here. He was so cute. He was done with his nap and ready to go on his walk. He had a little harness and a little leash. It was the cutest thing. So, we kept walking to some waterfalls. We saw monkeys on the way. One of the monkeys got lost and cried for his friend. It was so sad. We are in the middle of the jungle, its hot and humid and I have drenched my shirt in sweat with the climb up the mountain. On the way up I banged the heck out of my toe,which was a pretty brutal cut, but I kept on trecking. We made it to the top, looked at the view and played with some monkeys. Then we decided it was time to go back and play with some more monkeys at the bottom. Plus we were really thirsty.
On the way down, we stopped off at the bird enclosure. These birds are so beautiful. We talked to one of the volunteers for a while and she told us some of the birds´stories. She also told us about the little devilish monkeys who run around, steal the birds food and torment them.
It was time to go back to play with the monkeys. This was so much fun. The monkeys would lay on you, want you to pet them, feed them and play wit them. We sat there all day. When you would walk on the trails, the monkeys would get lazy and jump on your shoulder for a ride. My toes got completely bit by little ants. It looked like I had some weird disease. We sat and played with the monkey all day. Some of them had leashes and were tied totrees because they weren´t completely socialized yet. Others had small leashes where they walked themselves and the rest were wild. Sarah ended up really liking this place and said we should come back again tomorrow. I had no complaints.
So, we had spent the entire day at the reserve and then went to get some dinner before we headed back to the hotel. We stunk. We sweat all day and smelled like monkeys. Its not a pretty smell. But we are ready to do it all over again tomorrow. One of the best days I have ever spent!
03/26/2008
Cochabamba / Villa Tunari
Today we woke up early in our less than clean hostel and headed to the bus station in hopes to get a bus to Villa Tunari. At the bus station, I have never met so many unfriendly and unhelpful people in one place. All of the signs said they had buses and nobody would sell us a ticket. I don´t know if they were full or not, but it was not helpful. I got frustrated and we went to the minibus station to try and catch one of those.
The mini bus station was a table on a street corner with mini vans and one bus. We paid for a ticket and got in the minivan for the few hour drive to Villa Tunari. Our driver, who I was not overly firendly to at first was a big smelly man. When we got out of the taxi he ran up to us and I thought he wanted to get a commission off of us, so I told him to go away. Well, he ended up being our driver.
Once we were all packed into this mini van, we were off. We finally arrived at Villa Tunari a few hours later and went straigt to the Animal Reserve. Thing had been going to perfect for us that something had to go wrong. It did. We were told that they weren´t sure if we would be able to volunteer because they had so many people. Unfortunately we might be able to be in the jungle building trails. That is not the kind of volunteering I wanted to do. but they said we would have to wait until 5:00 before they knew anything. Our timing was off. 2 weeks ago they were in desperate need and now they had over 60 people. So we went into town and got a much nicer hotel because Bolivia is very inexpensive.
We met another girl from Australia at the animal park who was waiting as well. Sarah did not look thrilled about the whole thing. She knew this was not for her. I really wanted to help, but my hopes were low. We decided that we would go to the park and spend the day tomorrow and decide what we wanted to do.
We hit a bump in the road and our luck had run out.
03/25/2008
The mini bus station was a table on a street corner with mini vans and one bus. We paid for a ticket and got in the minivan for the few hour drive to Villa Tunari. Our driver, who I was not overly firendly to at first was a big smelly man. When we got out of the taxi he ran up to us and I thought he wanted to get a commission off of us, so I told him to go away. Well, he ended up being our driver.
Once we were all packed into this mini van, we were off. We finally arrived at Villa Tunari a few hours later and went straigt to the Animal Reserve. Thing had been going to perfect for us that something had to go wrong. It did. We were told that they weren´t sure if we would be able to volunteer because they had so many people. Unfortunately we might be able to be in the jungle building trails. That is not the kind of volunteering I wanted to do. but they said we would have to wait until 5:00 before they knew anything. Our timing was off. 2 weeks ago they were in desperate need and now they had over 60 people. So we went into town and got a much nicer hotel because Bolivia is very inexpensive.
We met another girl from Australia at the animal park who was waiting as well. Sarah did not look thrilled about the whole thing. She knew this was not for her. I really wanted to help, but my hopes were low. We decided that we would go to the park and spend the day tomorrow and decide what we wanted to do.
We hit a bump in the road and our luck had run out.
03/25/2008
Puno / La Paz/ Cochabamba
Today is a sad day. Dad is heading home and hes sick. Hes also carrying extra bags home for me. We got him all ready to go and then took him to the airport. We ahd to catch a taxi back at our hotel and had to leave dad at the airport before we made sure he was on the plane. That was hard for me to do. However, the amazing race day has begun.
From the airport, we grabbed a taxi who got us back to the hotel in under an hour. We ran in to get our belongings and then rushed into our black market taxi. We had a driver and a tour guide in a special car who was going to take us to the Bolivian boarder. From there, the guide ahd a friend or knew a guy and he would take us to La Paz. This was crazy.
On the way to the Bolivian boarder, our taxi was pulled over by two police. They were trying to get money. Our driver got out and tried to convince them that he had the right permits. We stayed in the car with our personal guide waiting and hoping that all would go well. After about 20 minutes waiting, our driver got back in the car and we raced off.
Once at the boarder, our guide took all of our bags and ran us through migration and customs. He was getting people to back off and running our stuff to our new car. Once we made it through the boarder check (now our second time in Bolivia) we got into our car and he raced us to La Paz. We were heading to the animal refuge hoepefully. We have been running all day it seemed. We had the driver take us to the airport with the hopes that their would be a flight tonight, which was iffy because it was almost 8:00. We figured we could at least et one for first thing int he morning.
Well, we got to the airport around 8:00 and managed to squeeze onto an 8:30 flight. This is ridiculous. Everything is falling into place and going in our favor today. So werace to the gate and get on the plane. Once we land in Cochabamba, we get a taxi and take his recommendation for a hostel. NOT A GOOD ONE. it was old and dingy and dark and smelled of cat urine. We slept in our clothes because we were getting up at 5:30.
It was the amazing race day. Tomorrow we go to the bus station to hopefully make it to Villa Tunari and volunteer at the animal reserve.
03/24/2008
From the airport, we grabbed a taxi who got us back to the hotel in under an hour. We ran in to get our belongings and then rushed into our black market taxi. We had a driver and a tour guide in a special car who was going to take us to the Bolivian boarder. From there, the guide ahd a friend or knew a guy and he would take us to La Paz. This was crazy.
On the way to the Bolivian boarder, our taxi was pulled over by two police. They were trying to get money. Our driver got out and tried to convince them that he had the right permits. We stayed in the car with our personal guide waiting and hoping that all would go well. After about 20 minutes waiting, our driver got back in the car and we raced off.
Once at the boarder, our guide took all of our bags and ran us through migration and customs. He was getting people to back off and running our stuff to our new car. Once we made it through the boarder check (now our second time in Bolivia) we got into our car and he raced us to La Paz. We were heading to the animal refuge hoepefully. We have been running all day it seemed. We had the driver take us to the airport with the hopes that their would be a flight tonight, which was iffy because it was almost 8:00. We figured we could at least et one for first thing int he morning.
Well, we got to the airport around 8:00 and managed to squeeze onto an 8:30 flight. This is ridiculous. Everything is falling into place and going in our favor today. So werace to the gate and get on the plane. Once we land in Cochabamba, we get a taxi and take his recommendation for a hostel. NOT A GOOD ONE. it was old and dingy and dark and smelled of cat urine. We slept in our clothes because we were getting up at 5:30.
It was the amazing race day. Tomorrow we go to the bus station to hopefully make it to Villa Tunari and volunteer at the animal reserve.
03/24/2008
Thoughts on Peru
I have officially been to Peru twice now. I really enjoyed it. We went to Lima, Nasca, Arequipa, Cuzco, Aguas Caliente, and Puno. I have seen so much in Peru. I have had a great time here. The people are very friendly and very helpful. However, in Cuzco was the first time I was shocked by the lack of generosity in people. (The kid who called us bad and cheap people). Peru was very exciting. We started off with a bar fight at a sandwich shop then we went to participating in a dinner and show, relaxed and got chased by an Alpaca, had our first visitors on the trip and then dad came for a visit. How can we go wrong.
The food here was more diverse than Ecuador. There was still chicken and rice, but I found sandwiches, burgers and pizza. Very appealing. There is still no real fresh vegetables, which is getting old, but we are managing.
The taxis and cars again, are still completely crazy and loud. However, we have gotten used to the drivers. We can anticipate when they will blow their horn and when and where they will weave through people.
People are still affectionate. There is no surprise why there are so many babies around. Every park we walk through, there are people making out. At least they are nopt affraid to show their emotions.
Peru felt much safer than Ecuador. Maybe we are gettign used to traveling, but we don´t seem as much on edge or as paranoid. We also haven´t heard of as many stories about people getting robbed.
It is still hard to see people begging and homeless animals who just look really hingry. Peru is a beautiful country. I think we have covered more ground in Peru than we did in Ecuador. It is a great place to visit. The only down fall that I saw, was that it had a pretty foul smell in many of the areas. I was not a huge fan, but it was barable. We met great people and had a wonderful time.
The food here was more diverse than Ecuador. There was still chicken and rice, but I found sandwiches, burgers and pizza. Very appealing. There is still no real fresh vegetables, which is getting old, but we are managing.
The taxis and cars again, are still completely crazy and loud. However, we have gotten used to the drivers. We can anticipate when they will blow their horn and when and where they will weave through people.
People are still affectionate. There is no surprise why there are so many babies around. Every park we walk through, there are people making out. At least they are nopt affraid to show their emotions.
Peru felt much safer than Ecuador. Maybe we are gettign used to traveling, but we don´t seem as much on edge or as paranoid. We also haven´t heard of as many stories about people getting robbed.
It is still hard to see people begging and homeless animals who just look really hingry. Peru is a beautiful country. I think we have covered more ground in Peru than we did in Ecuador. It is a great place to visit. The only down fall that I saw, was that it had a pretty foul smell in many of the areas. I was not a huge fan, but it was barable. We met great people and had a wonderful time.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Puno Day 4
Today is Easter. Its Sunday and everything is closed, like usual. Dad is pretty sick. He picked up a bug on the horrible bus ride. So I am trying to pack Oscar and make plans on what to do about Bolivia. Sarah and I have different ideas of what we want to do and its causing a little tension. I want to go and volunteer at an animal refuge and she wants to see the salt flats and some other things.
We tried to find a compromise and do both before Sarah´s friend Kelly comes, but everything is closed and makes it difficult. So I went back to the hostal and packed Oscar and wrote down all of his contents for dad when he goes through customs.
Sarah and I actually found a tour agency open and we have booked a black market taxi for tomorrow to take us to La Paz Bolivia. Let´s see how this turns out. We will be picked up after we take dad to the airport.
So our Easter was not that exciting. But with our under the table cab ride tomorrow, it should get better.
03/23/2008
I spent the whole day packing and wrapping things up. I can´t believe dad leaves tomorrow.
We tried to find a compromise and do both before Sarah´s friend Kelly comes, but everything is closed and makes it difficult. So I went back to the hostal and packed Oscar and wrote down all of his contents for dad when he goes through customs.
Sarah and I actually found a tour agency open and we have booked a black market taxi for tomorrow to take us to La Paz Bolivia. Let´s see how this turns out. We will be picked up after we take dad to the airport.
So our Easter was not that exciting. But with our under the table cab ride tomorrow, it should get better.
03/23/2008
I spent the whole day packing and wrapping things up. I can´t believe dad leaves tomorrow.
Puno Day 3
Today we head back to Puno. Dad is getting closer to leaving and it makes me sad. I loved having him here. We have had so much fun. Before we caught our bus back to Puno we rented a giant duck paddle boat. Dad and I paddled and Sarah free loaded in the back. We raced people and floated on the lake.
After a few hours paddling a duck on Lake Titicaca we grabbed our bus back to Puno. Once we went through customs again, we were the last people on the bus. NOT FUN! We had the very back seats in a row of three next to the bathroom. Every time the bathroom door opened, we got hit. The lady in front of me put her chair all the way back and we were inhaling the disel fumes. This was a very unpleasent few hours.
Once back in Puno, dad realized that I had so much stuff to send home that we were on a mission to find a bigger bag. The bigger bag ended up being a large suitcase named Oscar. But to get the suitcase we took a bicycle taxi to a market. It was very unpleasent and mortifying experience. Dad wasa on his own taxi and Sarah and I were in one. I thought we were going to die. If we weren´t going to die, the peddler was. We are not the smallest people. Well, hehad to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting a van and we got stuck on the railroard tracks. We had to get out and push over the tracks. I am getting tired of pushing my taxis. Any who, the guy got a big tip. We purchased Oscar, took a real taxi back and then started trying to make all of my things fit into Oscar. This will be a challenge.
03/22/2008
After a few hours paddling a duck on Lake Titicaca we grabbed our bus back to Puno. Once we went through customs again, we were the last people on the bus. NOT FUN! We had the very back seats in a row of three next to the bathroom. Every time the bathroom door opened, we got hit. The lady in front of me put her chair all the way back and we were inhaling the disel fumes. This was a very unpleasent few hours.
Once back in Puno, dad realized that I had so much stuff to send home that we were on a mission to find a bigger bag. The bigger bag ended up being a large suitcase named Oscar. But to get the suitcase we took a bicycle taxi to a market. It was very unpleasent and mortifying experience. Dad wasa on his own taxi and Sarah and I were in one. I thought we were going to die. If we weren´t going to die, the peddler was. We are not the smallest people. Well, hehad to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting a van and we got stuck on the railroard tracks. We had to get out and push over the tracks. I am getting tired of pushing my taxis. Any who, the guy got a big tip. We purchased Oscar, took a real taxi back and then started trying to make all of my things fit into Oscar. This will be a challenge.
03/22/2008
Copacabana Day 2
This is Easter weekend, but you wouldn´t know it compared to how Easter is in the U.S. The festivities have begun, minus all the candy and chocolate bunnies. Many more people are showing up to enjoy the weekend. Street vendors and merchants line the streets and the lake. It is a great atmosphere.
Sarah isn´t feeling nay better so she laid low for the day. Dad and I went on a hike up a hill to an old Inca observatory. It was quite a hike to the top, but you could see the whole city and a great view of the lake. We kept walking around, doing more shopping, mainly looking, but it was fun. More sampling of the beer and some internet research. I found a place in Bolivia that I want to go and volunteer, so I was doing a little research on it.
At night, we watched a huge procession in the main square. There were so many people. They carried statues and the preist gave a serman in the streets. People were wearing dark purple hooded robes and caring candles. It was such an amazing experience. I am glad we got to watch. This is such a different feeling of Ester than I have ever seen. It was so cold, we had to buy emergency hats, gloves and a scarf. It was such a good day.
Tomorrow, we head back to Puno.
03/21/2008
Sarah isn´t feeling nay better so she laid low for the day. Dad and I went on a hike up a hill to an old Inca observatory. It was quite a hike to the top, but you could see the whole city and a great view of the lake. We kept walking around, doing more shopping, mainly looking, but it was fun. More sampling of the beer and some internet research. I found a place in Bolivia that I want to go and volunteer, so I was doing a little research on it.
At night, we watched a huge procession in the main square. There were so many people. They carried statues and the preist gave a serman in the streets. People were wearing dark purple hooded robes and caring candles. It was such an amazing experience. I am glad we got to watch. This is such a different feeling of Ester than I have ever seen. It was so cold, we had to buy emergency hats, gloves and a scarf. It was such a good day.
Tomorrow, we head back to Puno.
03/21/2008
Copacabana Day 1
This morning we woke up and caught a 4 hour bus back to Copacabana. It was very interesting because there was a spot where the bus had to cross a river. We all got out and climbed into a small boat with begining holes in the bottom and waited on the other side. Our bus had its own ferry to carry it all the way accross. Once on the other side, we climbed back into the bus and finished the rest of our trip to Copacabana. While in the bus, we passed many people walking in the direction of Copacabana. We found out that this weekend, Easter weekend, there is a huge pilgramage from La Paz to Copacabana. People walk for days to make it there. Once in Copacabana they hike up to the top of a moutain. We were amazed at howthe town had transformed in the few days we were gone. There were booths set up on the beach, vendors in the street and tents going up on the beach and through the squares.
We were very lucky that we had a reservation in a hotel, otherwise, we might have been sleeping in the park with the other people. Once we were in the room we had a little down time. Srah isn´t feeling so hot and she took a naap. Dad and I went exploring the town, shopping and testing some of the beer. We were interested about the festivities that are about to begin.
03/20/2008
We were very lucky that we had a reservation in a hotel, otherwise, we might have been sleeping in the park with the other people. Once we were in the room we had a little down time. Srah isn´t feeling so hot and she took a naap. Dad and I went exploring the town, shopping and testing some of the beer. We were interested about the festivities that are about to begin.
03/20/2008
La Paz Day 2
Today my neck still hurts a bit, but its startign to feel better. Dad and I are going golfing at the highest golf course in the world. Sarah is off on a tour of ruins and dead things. Today will be interesting because I have never played a round of golf in my life. Oh well.
Once at the golf course, we were very under dressed. This is a fancy club. We were required to have a caddy. Like I need more peolpe watching me telling me how bad I am. Well, my caddy, Pablo had a chore. He carried my clubs and helped me cheat. I like him. I actually didn´t do to bad. I was rather surprised. I can hit the woods pretty well. The irons and me don´t really get along though. When I would hit the ball into the trees, Pablo would kick it closer to the fairway. Even with Pablo helping me, dad was pretty impressed. I did a lot better than either of us had expected. We actually had abet that my 9 holes might match or beat dads 18 hole score. I held my own pretty well with my 18 hole score.
After golf, dad and I went to Valley de la Luna. We had an hour and it was about an hour hike around. So dad and Itried to do it at Inca speed and we ran. So we were done in about 30 minutes. It was pretty, even though we ran through it.
We made it back tothe hostal and met up with Sarah. We went to dinner adn walked down a voodoo street. They had weird dead birds and skulls and mummified animals. It was weird. Not my kind of street. We were walking back and Sarah had missed a step and semi face planted in the street. opps. Well my neck doesn´t hurt so bad anymore, golf helped. But my lips are now peeling. It is not a pretty site and is very annoying. It was a good but tiring day. Back to Copacabana tomorrow.
03/20/2008
Once at the golf course, we were very under dressed. This is a fancy club. We were required to have a caddy. Like I need more peolpe watching me telling me how bad I am. Well, my caddy, Pablo had a chore. He carried my clubs and helped me cheat. I like him. I actually didn´t do to bad. I was rather surprised. I can hit the woods pretty well. The irons and me don´t really get along though. When I would hit the ball into the trees, Pablo would kick it closer to the fairway. Even with Pablo helping me, dad was pretty impressed. I did a lot better than either of us had expected. We actually had abet that my 9 holes might match or beat dads 18 hole score. I held my own pretty well with my 18 hole score.
After golf, dad and I went to Valley de la Luna. We had an hour and it was about an hour hike around. So dad and Itried to do it at Inca speed and we ran. So we were done in about 30 minutes. It was pretty, even though we ran through it.
We made it back tothe hostal and met up with Sarah. We went to dinner adn walked down a voodoo street. They had weird dead birds and skulls and mummified animals. It was weird. Not my kind of street. We were walking back and Sarah had missed a step and semi face planted in the street. opps. Well my neck doesn´t hurt so bad anymore, golf helped. But my lips are now peeling. It is not a pretty site and is very annoying. It was a good but tiring day. Back to Copacabana tomorrow.
03/20/2008
La Paz Day 1
Today is our bus to La Paz Bolivia. We were able to ride a bus to the boarder. Then we had to get off, walk accross the boarder, go through customs and migration, fill out all of this annoying paperwork for a visa, go back to the bus to get our luggage and then change buses on the Bolivia side. It was quite an ordeal.
Once we reached customs we were a little nervous. We had heard and read that we needed so much paperwork to get a Bolivian Visa such as a 4x4photo with no glasses on, a return ticket, a hotel reservation, proof of money and a letter from the U.S. embassy. All we had to do was have a photocopy of our passport and immunixzations, which they had a photo copier, and then pay them 100 U.S. dollars. So it went rather smooth until dad tried to pay. Apparently the B-2 $100 bills are not accepted in Bolivia. Lucky for him he had extras.
Once we had our bags, the buses were full, so we were put in a taxi to go to Copacabana where we waited for our next bus to La Paz. Well our taxi was almost in town, when we were side swiped by a van. Sarah and I were pretty impressed that this was our first accident, especiallyconsidering how these people drive. No body was majorly hurt. I had slept on my neck wrog and was already in a little pain, the accident made it just a tad worse. But the twodrivers were friends so they looked at each other and then just shrugged it off.
Once we were in Copacabana we caught our next bus to La Paz. Once in La Paz, we found a place to stay. We took a taxi to the hotel, only a few blocks away, but it took 20 minutes to get there because there is so much traffic and people in the streets. Sarah has video of our cab almost hitting a tuba player. Once we finally reached the hotel we made arrangements for tomorrow. Sarah is going on a tour and dad and I are playing golf. I hope my neck feels a little better tomorrow. We watched a movie in spanish and called it a night.
03/18/2008
Once we reached customs we were a little nervous. We had heard and read that we needed so much paperwork to get a Bolivian Visa such as a 4x4photo with no glasses on, a return ticket, a hotel reservation, proof of money and a letter from the U.S. embassy. All we had to do was have a photocopy of our passport and immunixzations, which they had a photo copier, and then pay them 100 U.S. dollars. So it went rather smooth until dad tried to pay. Apparently the B-2 $100 bills are not accepted in Bolivia. Lucky for him he had extras.
Once we had our bags, the buses were full, so we were put in a taxi to go to Copacabana where we waited for our next bus to La Paz. Well our taxi was almost in town, when we were side swiped by a van. Sarah and I were pretty impressed that this was our first accident, especiallyconsidering how these people drive. No body was majorly hurt. I had slept on my neck wrog and was already in a little pain, the accident made it just a tad worse. But the twodrivers were friends so they looked at each other and then just shrugged it off.
Once we were in Copacabana we caught our next bus to La Paz. Once in La Paz, we found a place to stay. We took a taxi to the hotel, only a few blocks away, but it took 20 minutes to get there because there is so much traffic and people in the streets. Sarah has video of our cab almost hitting a tuba player. Once we finally reached the hotel we made arrangements for tomorrow. Sarah is going on a tour and dad and I are playing golf. I hope my neck feels a little better tomorrow. We watched a movie in spanish and called it a night.
03/18/2008
Puno Day 2
Happy St. Patrick´s Day! This holiday isn´t really celebrated here. Just in a few bars. We spent the day celebrating on a boat cruising Lake Titicaca. I could not believe how big this lake was. We started the tour by going onto the reed islands. There are 38 man made islands out of reeds. It was really interesting. It was also hard o believe that they were floating and people lived here. They had great houses and even a little reed hut for their guinea pigs. Dad and I then took a tour on a traditional reed boat to the next island. Sarah, was not feeling so hot, due to her allergies to hay. The boat ride was fun and we had a good time.
After we visited the reed islands we were headed to another island, 2 or 3 hours away. This was a huge treck to the top, where the town and lunch was. On the way up to the village, we had to stop and take pictures because we had an amazing view of the lake and surrounding mountains. We reached the village, had some lunch and then walked down 500 and some odd stairs. On the way down we were attacked by some kids. Some stuck a bunch of finger puppets in my face asking if I wasnted to buy some. I said no, then they gave em a sad puppy dog face and looked at my water. i let them have a drink of my water. They were then amused by my necklace and earings. I had to say goodbye and leave the girls behind. They were really cute and probably between 5 and 7.
On the boat ride back to Puno, we sat on the top of the boat. However, when dad was climbing up the ladder, he accidentally kicked out 3 of the 5 bathroom windows on the baot. oops. Dad was having a clumsy day because on the reed islands, he bonked his head pretty good on one of the small doorways to one of the houses. We managed to make it back to Puno alive and only a few minor accidents. I actually burned my lips. It was very bizzare, uncomfortable and annoying. If you can help it, try to avoid this at all costs.
Once back on land, we learned that the transportation strike was over and we were headed to La Paz Bolivia
03/17/2008
After we visited the reed islands we were headed to another island, 2 or 3 hours away. This was a huge treck to the top, where the town and lunch was. On the way up to the village, we had to stop and take pictures because we had an amazing view of the lake and surrounding mountains. We reached the village, had some lunch and then walked down 500 and some odd stairs. On the way down we were attacked by some kids. Some stuck a bunch of finger puppets in my face asking if I wasnted to buy some. I said no, then they gave em a sad puppy dog face and looked at my water. i let them have a drink of my water. They were then amused by my necklace and earings. I had to say goodbye and leave the girls behind. They were really cute and probably between 5 and 7.
On the boat ride back to Puno, we sat on the top of the boat. However, when dad was climbing up the ladder, he accidentally kicked out 3 of the 5 bathroom windows on the baot. oops. Dad was having a clumsy day because on the reed islands, he bonked his head pretty good on one of the small doorways to one of the houses. We managed to make it back to Puno alive and only a few minor accidents. I actually burned my lips. It was very bizzare, uncomfortable and annoying. If you can help it, try to avoid this at all costs.
Once back on land, we learned that the transportation strike was over and we were headed to La Paz Bolivia
03/17/2008
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