Since I have 10 days left in Lima and less than 30 before I come home I thought I'd do one last blog before the end of July.
This week I have one test and one presentation. Next week: 2 tests, one commentary, and 3 papers due. So, these last few days are jam packed with fun.
Itinerary for the weeks after school:
July 9th - 7:30am leave with Katie for Buenos Aires, Argentina. We're not sure of our exact plans yet but we do want to go to the Iguazu falls (20 hours in bus) and Cordoba.
July 16th - Katie leaves Buenos Aires while I continue on to Chile.
From July 16th to July 23rd I really am not sure where I'll be. I do want to do the biking wine tour in Mendoza, Argentina and visit a few places before crossing into Chile. After that, it might be wherever the wind blows me. MOM don't worry, I'll do just fine!
July 23rd - depart Santiago, Chile and arrive in Lima at night
July 24th - Leave Lima for the US at 11pm!
July 25th - Arrive in Milwaukee late afternoon
I realize these seem like very broad plans but spontaneity is fun!
I won't be bringing my computer with me on the last part of my travels but I will do my best to find internet cafes and keep you posted as to where I am.
See you all soon!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Arequipa 19/6/09
Ok, real quick post because I have quite a bit of work to do. I have 14 days left in Lima and some rather large papers and tests and I haven't quite figured out where the nervous breakdown can fit in with all that yet.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2579136&id=8650529&l=db91e196b2
Friday we ventured to Arequipa which is known as "the white city." It's beautiful and old and a lot of the buildings are white due to the type of stone. When we arrived early Friday we took a city tour and went to various look-out points throughout the countryside to get a view of the towns beautiful and still active volcano, Misty. We also went to the oldest house in Arequipa which was quite beautiful..and old. To top the tour off we visited a store that makes clothes out of alpaca and llama fur. This would be the part of the trip when my love and fascination for the furry creatures turned a little sour. I was spit on by a local llama. Yes, they can spit far. Yes, it is disgusting.
At 3:30 am on Saturday we hopped on a bus for 6 hours that stopped at a look-out point where we could take pictures some of the biggest birds I've seen, condors. As a fun fact, condors can span 3 feet from beak to tail and can have a wing span up to 9 feet. So, rather large.
A little while later we were dropped off in the middle of the sierra to start our trek down Colca Canyon. It is the world's largest canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Going down this bad boy isn't bad but we had a few misfortunes. We were hiking along the bottom of the canyon when some local dogs decided that the path we were taking was far too easy. To avoid these dogs and their territory, our guide, Omar, took us on a path back up the mountain. Since he hadn't traveled this path in a while we got a little lost.
So, day one: hike down the largest canyon, hike up the largest canyon, hike down the largest canyon (in the dark). In the end we stayed in a bungalow with a thatch roof and dirt floors. Very outdoorsy, I felt all rugged.
Day two: hike up the mountain. Hahaha I don't think so. I know what it's like to hike stairs up a mountain, I did it for Machu Picchu and I was in pain from day one so I took the easiest way up the canyon (and the only option besides walking), a mula. We named my mule Calvin, for those of you who are wondering and he did a very good job.
On the way back to Arequipa we stopped at a look-out point for three of the volcanoes near the town. At this point we were at 4,910 meters which is roughly 15,000 feet. It's very cold up there and hard to breath but pretty nonetheless.
Last day in Arequipa Katie and I finally tried anticucho. Best chicken hearts I've had off the street. That was the last Peruvian cuisine I needed to try before I left so mission accomplished.
The game plan for the next 2 weeks: study, write papers, study
Then Argentina and possibly Bolivia
Then home!
See you guys soon, love you!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2579136&id=8650529&l=db91e196b2
Friday we ventured to Arequipa which is known as "the white city." It's beautiful and old and a lot of the buildings are white due to the type of stone. When we arrived early Friday we took a city tour and went to various look-out points throughout the countryside to get a view of the towns beautiful and still active volcano, Misty. We also went to the oldest house in Arequipa which was quite beautiful..and old. To top the tour off we visited a store that makes clothes out of alpaca and llama fur. This would be the part of the trip when my love and fascination for the furry creatures turned a little sour. I was spit on by a local llama. Yes, they can spit far. Yes, it is disgusting.
At 3:30 am on Saturday we hopped on a bus for 6 hours that stopped at a look-out point where we could take pictures some of the biggest birds I've seen, condors. As a fun fact, condors can span 3 feet from beak to tail and can have a wing span up to 9 feet. So, rather large.
A little while later we were dropped off in the middle of the sierra to start our trek down Colca Canyon. It is the world's largest canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Going down this bad boy isn't bad but we had a few misfortunes. We were hiking along the bottom of the canyon when some local dogs decided that the path we were taking was far too easy. To avoid these dogs and their territory, our guide, Omar, took us on a path back up the mountain. Since he hadn't traveled this path in a while we got a little lost.
So, day one: hike down the largest canyon, hike up the largest canyon, hike down the largest canyon (in the dark). In the end we stayed in a bungalow with a thatch roof and dirt floors. Very outdoorsy, I felt all rugged.
Day two: hike up the mountain. Hahaha I don't think so. I know what it's like to hike stairs up a mountain, I did it for Machu Picchu and I was in pain from day one so I took the easiest way up the canyon (and the only option besides walking), a mula. We named my mule Calvin, for those of you who are wondering and he did a very good job.On the way back to Arequipa we stopped at a look-out point for three of the volcanoes near the town. At this point we were at 4,910 meters which is roughly 15,000 feet. It's very cold up there and hard to breath but pretty nonetheless.
Last day in Arequipa Katie and I finally tried anticucho. Best chicken hearts I've had off the street. That was the last Peruvian cuisine I needed to try before I left so mission accomplished.
The game plan for the next 2 weeks: study, write papers, study
Then Argentina and possibly Bolivia
Then home!
See you guys soon, love you!
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