Peru 2010

Well playing the waiting game, sitting at the Airport in Lima.  The one thing I can say though, it's a much more enjoyable experience than the shit in the States.  Here you get service, taken care of and a fraction of the bullshit in the States.  No self service checking, no extra charges for luggage, free luggage carts, service with a smile and the girls are very pleasant on they eyes

I hate traveling domestic U.S. carriers, they nickle and dime you with shitty service.

Anyway I`m so looking forward to the next two weeks

===============================================================

Got into the house, man I'm exhausted!!!!

So it's "Magic" as always, found out from Victor on the drive down from Cuzco that there's a natural hot springs up in the Mountains.  I'm going to check it out in a few days, I guess the surrounding area is stunning by the Hot Springs.  Other than that I'm going to crash, the wireless in the house seems to be working pretty decent

================================================================

OK it's the evening of the 25th, had another outstanding day.  I'm finally starting to get acclimated to the altitude, no headaches today. 

Here's a few shots I took today -

This is at the 11,000 ft level above Pisaq and Mi Amigo Victor

Victor is awesome, his Sister Flor, him and I spent the entire day together good people!

Anyway here's another shot of me with some Quechua where they were making some Mate de Coca bags, these people are the best.  The Quechua are so warm and friendly, they truly have beautiful souls!

We then went down past Ollantaytambo to a Village to watch a Soccer Match, just so happened Victor also was in the game.  His team won 4 - 0 

I'm so entranced with this Country and the people, the Villages are wonderful and one must get off the tourist track to truely experiance the magic of this place.  I was the only Gringo there, no slide remarks just open and warm people who know how to enjoy family and friends.  I am so ready to get the fuck out of the so called 1st world and go were people know what matters in life.

Anyway gotta hit the hay for tomorrow I'm heading up deeper into the mountains, we're going to hit the 14,000 ft level so I need to be rested for that.  There's some local Quechua villages up there we're going to visit.

Oh and BTW I bought a new camera for this trip, got a Leica I love the thing. 

============================================================

OK Monday the 26th, had yet another oustanding day.

Here's a shot of Veronica, me standing at the 15,000 ft level and a shot on the way down -

OK, then after that we headed back down into the Sacred Valley and hung out drinking Chicha.  Damn, I got a damn good buzz.  The Chicha was very mild but we then broke out the Cervesa and had a blast.  I haven't laughed so hard in my life, even though I can't speak Spanish worth a shit that didn't matter we all kicked back and had a ball.  Oh how I love this country and the people here, I'm counting my days till I can move here and live life the way it's meant to be lived.  Friends, family and knowing the true meaning of life!

=============================================================

Well it's the 27th, met my Spanish tutor and we start tomorrow.  Going to spend 2 hours a day for about 5 days and she's really good.  She's a full fledged teacher with great qualifications and check this out.  The private tutoring will be 20 Soles an hour which comes to a staggering cost of $7!

Anyway I'm hoping this be the kickstart I need, I've got to learn Spanish!

Then after that Victor picked up his Sister Flor and we went on to Laurus which is a natural mineral hot springs that the Inca used as a retreat

Here's a shot on the way just above Calca, on the right you can see some Inca ruins, this used to be a major potato growing area of the Empire.

Now here's one of the many Quechua settlements along the way.  When the Spaniards butchered the last of the Inca many of the Quechua escaped to the high mountains.  They have been living the same way and preserving their culture ever since.

Ran into a herd of Alpaca along the way

Almost at Laurus, about 5 kilometres away.  Here I am enjoying a cup of Mate de Coca and just look at that view!  Anyway went into the hot springs and sat in the mineral waters for a couple of hours, damn!  Victor is awesome, I got the local rate of 4 Solies which comes to $1.40 USD, so the three of us got in for under $5

====================================================================================================

Well just kicking back in the house today puttering about not doing much but relaxing and doing plenty of napping.  I didn't even leave and ordered out for dinner, I ordered Chicken soup and they showed up at the door with pot of killer Chicken soup, damn love being in a place without fast food! 

So on Wednesday I started out the day plowing a field ..........

(not really, but a great photo shot anyway)

Victor and I grabbed his family and we went up to Hullacondo and here's a shot of the Valley on the outskirts.  This is actually one of the places I'd like to buy some land and build my home

On the way back to the Sacred Valley the road had simply amazing scenery, here's a shot -

Didn't do much yesterday except head up to Cusco, last Sunday Victor lost his cell at the Soccer match.  That is his lifeline to generating income and they make nothing a cell is a major expense for them.  He lost his home in the flood in Feb and already struggling so we went up to Cusco and I sprung for a cell for him, can't have the father of my Godchild unable to support the family.  Oh yeah, last Sunday he asked me to be the Godfather to his youngest, needless to say I was simply floored!

Anyway on the way back we stopped off and his sister Flor's birthday was today, she turned 20.  So we got a cake, hung out and drank a few Cervesa's

Well today just hung about the house, relaxing, napping and enjoying the gardens with all the Hummingbirds.  Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow, what ever pops up.  I have been thinking of heading up to the high mountains again to a Quechua village, don't know.  In anycase having a wonderful time here as always

Caio