Keep on keeping on, right?

Plaza de Armas de Lima, Peru. The presidential building illuminating by the sunset.

So. . . . . . Entonces. . . . . Chévere. . . . . Mostro. . . . . .

By the looks of my last post, I am sure you all (as if the whole world is watching my journey on their televisions in a ¨Truman-like¨ manner) are wondering where I am at. Perhaps the Andes? A Peruvian hospital? On an early flight back to the States? Macchu Picchu? Dead?!

The first guess was right. I am in Arequipa, Peru in the South of Peru, about 9 hours south of Cuzco, the old Inca Capital. It is situated at the foot of a massive Volcano with an elevation of about 7,000 feet high, with about six other massive volcanos surrounding the outer border of the city. Since the beginning of my trip, I have promised myself to post as much of the truth as I can on this blog for myself, my friends, and fellow travelers (but since your reading this grandma, I will leave the Bolivian prostitutes out, and Mom, I won´t tell you about Brazilian Cocaine. . . . , but WOW! Its good.) (that´s just a joke!) Lesson number one: its not easy to backpack through South America, especially alone. Nor is it safe. I have encountered so much bad luck on this trip, but I have refused to post many negative posts. But last week was a great disaster. It sucks because Peru was the one place I wanted to go most and had the highest hopes for an positive experience. But not so far. . .

I got pretty sick last week. I have been knocking on wood for the past 3 months as I have been pretty lucky to avoid sickness. But last week, somehow an infection got into my throat. If you know me well (Ahem, Eddie and Renee), you know I usually have random bad luck with my health at very unconvenient times. My throat swelled up bad last week within two day of first having pain, and I knew right away it was the same thing that had happened 4 years ago when I first moved to California. An abscess had grown in my throat. I won´t share all the details, but I had a crazy experience of taking care of it in the living room of the house of some random Peruvian doctor. A few hints though-needles, blood, no english and only fifty dollars!
Mystic night illumination from church in Lima

Today I finally feel better. With luck I was staying in the house of a Peruvian restaurant owner and was taken care of all week. Unfortunately my time for travel has been cut short, and I am running through Southern Peru to get to Macchu Picchu, before returning to Lima to fly out. In the mean time, the culture I am experiencing is unlike all the rest I have seen. With an amazing mix of all South American climates in one country, the scenery is unlike any other. The people are the warmest and most personal people I have ever met in my life. Its actually pleasant to talk to people here while they are working and helping you. Even strangers are warm with life. The spanish is similar to Mexican Spanish, so its hard for me to adjust, but I like it more. Andean culture fascinates me, and the personality of the people is well represented in the bright colors of their textiles. I need more time here!

With bad luck comes a well balance of unbelievable ¨first times.¨ I have never seen some of the things that I have on this trip, ranging from scenic views, food, dancing, history or something so representative of a foriegn culture that my own lacks. I have refused a long time ago to let any bad experience define this exploration, and indeed they haven´t. I will keep on going until my last day here! I really think that I have fallen in love with Peru the most. I wish I had more time. ¡Que pena!

Hopefully photos will come soon. For now, I am soaking up all of my journey and enjoying my solo travels. This place is anthropologically perfect for understanding peoples foundations of life and to cross culturally understand my own foundations for my life.

Hasta Luego amigos- ¡Que les vaya bien todos!




Traffic in Peru! The drivers are crazy here! That little green van is a public transit bus!