The Revenge....

Before I begin, I would like to say farewell to Patrick. Get home safe we will miss you!

Okay....

Sorry I have not updated in quite some time, but I was hit, right in the stomach, with the revenge! On Oct 11th, we were scheduled to take a tour bus from Cusco to Puno. I awoke freezing at 5 am not knowing what was wrong. I had an incredible sense of nausea. I packed my bags to make the bus and we were off so I could experience one of the worst days of my life. We reached the bus station and checked in. I sat in a daze, not knowing what was happening, while Kristy huddled my stuff and threw my ass on the bus. The moment I sat down, I felt my mouth salivating and I some how ran to the bathroom (I will let your imagination figure out the rest). I got on the bus and away we went on an 8 hour bus ride with 5 stops (did not have the strength to get off), feeling like I was going to die.

All I can say is thank God for western medicine! I started taking the magic pills my wonderful doctor gave me and the next day I was cured. And I actually asked the doctor how would I know when to take them!?

On our second day in Puno we headed out on a day long tour of Lake Titicaca. Our first stop was the floating islands of Uros. These were some of the coolest islands I have ever seen. They existed pre-Inka, and are built from reeds. They take the reed root which is very buoyant, and anchor it to each other and the lake floor. Then they pile the dried reeds on top until they have created an island (damn, the guide explained it with such ease). Each island was it's own community and the decorated them to fit their own identity. The aspect of the islands that I really enjoyed the most was how sustainable each island was. In the middle of the island there is a trout farm where they grow there grow their own food and incredibly, they have a solar panel that they use only to light there cabins for a brief period of time.

Our next stop was the island of Taquile. The journey from Uros to Taquile took 3 hours by our old, slow, gas powered boat. This boat reminded me of the boat that was in Jaws. As we were about to arrive our guide gave us a run down on what to expect at the island of Tequile. The most surprising fact that he bestowed upon us was the fact that the islanders, population est. 4,000, do not fancy people from the main land or any other island but their own. So, with this being said inbreeding has caused some problems. He warned us that we would see deformations and oddities. However, while we were there I did not see anything wrong with any of the people. They were all very joyous and kind to all of the visitors. We dined on fried lake trout (tastes like Blue Lake trout), listened to their music, and I even danced with a lovely old lady! The views from the island are absolutely amazing. When looking out at Lake Titicaca it takes astonishes you that it is just a lake and not an ocean. You look out and you don't see an end to the water.

While on the boat we met a couple from Chicago, who we ended up having dinner with that evening in Puno. They have been traveling for 5 months! We also had dinner with a solo traveler from Phoenix, AZ who has been traveling for 6 months! Don't know how they do it.

Well tomorrow we are off to see Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon! Only bad part, our tour bus is getting us at 3:30am. Wish me luck.

We hope all is well, Cheers,

Colin & Kristy

I want to be Tarzan

Last night Kristy and I went to the big market in Cusco so we could make dinner for ourselves. When got 3 different kinds of chili's, 3 different kinds of potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, chicken, fresh bread, onions, and peppers. All of which ended costing a total of 8 US dollars! We then cooked all the veges and made a stew with some local red wine. It was quite amazing, but it was one of the spiciest stews I have ever eaten. Peruvian chili's can pack a punch!

Today in Cusco's main square, Plaza de Armas, there were protesters. We believe they were protesting the city wanting to tear down a museum? It was interesting to watch because there were probably 50 police officers decked out in riot gear and had gas masks. Luckily the protesters were peaceful for the majority of the time. We witnessed a police office beat one protester with his baton, then the crowd began hurling oranges at the officers. It calmed quickly, but it made going into town a little frightening.

Tomorrow, we head off to the Manu Rainforest! We fly out of Cusco at 10am and arrive in the city of Puerto Maldonado. From there we are taking a boat ride up the Madre de Dios River to the Tambo Jungle Lodge. While in the rain forest we will trek through the cloud forest and ride along the rivers in search of wildlife! We will be there for 3 days and 2 nights. Wish us luck living with the bird like mosquitoes.

Love,

Colin, Patrick, Kristy

Machu Picchu

Yesterday, we had the experience of a life time! We woke up at 3:30 am in our hostel in the town of Aguas Calientes. We walked down to the bus stop to make it on the first bus. We started up the bus trail at 5:30 and arrived in Machu Picchu at 6. As being part of the first group at Machu Picchu we were allowed to hike Wanu Picchu which is above Machu Picchu and only 400 people are allowed up there a day.

The hike began at 7 and it was intense. We walked up stairs that have been there for thousands of years, placed by the Incas. The hike was immensely steep. We had to stop multiple times to catch our breath because of the altitude. But, it was so worth it! It was one of the most beautiful sights in the world. You are so high up clouds pass through you and you can watch them form within the valley. While, I was up there it made me realize how the Incas could believe in so many Gods, when you are that close to the heavens. After we each had some alone time to reflect and meditate, we headed back down to Machu Picchu.

Walking around the ruins of Machu Picchu was amazing to think you were walking where one of the most powerful civilizations to ever exist once thrived. It was also mind boggling to think about how the Incas were able to transport the massive stones to build the city. Each stone is also perfectly cut, as if it were cut by lasers.

Hiking to Wanu Picchu and walking around Machu Picchu was an amazing experience for all of us in different ways. If you have not been, I highly suggest going, it is life changing!

Love,

Colin, Patrick, Kristy

Pictures

Cusco

Yesturday, we took a flight from Lima to Cusco. It was only a 45 min flight and the view of the terrain was spectacular! We arrived in Cusco and was taxied to our hostel, Samay Wasi. The hostel is on one of the hills that surrounds Cusco so we have an amazing view of the city. Cusco is a very cool city with a lot of culture. The roads are all made of cobble stones, there are small corridors everywhere and within them there are shops and restaurants of all kinds. After we got settled in at the hostel we started to explore. As we left the hostel we bumbed into a lady with a lama on a leash and as we took a picture, the damn thing spit at us! ha We ended up in Plaza de Armas, which has two gorgeous Cathedrals, shops and restaurants. We ended up eating lunch at a resturant that looked over the plaza, Patrick and I had Lama (that's what you get for spitting at us)! It was decent, Pat highly enjoyed it. Next, we explored the Cathedrals and the Natural History Museum, which was not worth the 2 soles. However, within the museum there was a two faced goat and a six legged goat! We then went back to the hostel and meet some people. We made friends with a guy from London, Jack, and a girl from Germany, Mika. We ended up all going out to get dinner and drinks. I have found out that the local booze, Pisco, is awful. It tastes like they have mixed vodka and whiskey together. In Cusco we have found out that they don't sell pitchers of beer anywhere but they do sell pitchers of mixed drinks! After and couple of drinks we headed back and hung out with other travelers.

Today, we explored Cusco more, we made it to a huge market, where they sold everything you can think of. We saw the main downtown area and got lunch. At lunch we all ordered something different and yet, they all looked and tasted exactly the same! ha. I took a tour through a Cathedral that has been transformed to honor the Inca culture. In side they had the most amazing oil paintings that were surrounded in real gold frames! It was prohibited to take pictures of the paintings which was a bummer. Right when we returned to the hostel a thunder and lighting storm started which lit up the sky. Dinner was amazing, we went to a small little pizza joint around the corner from our hostel.

Tomorrow we are getting on a train and going to Machu Picchu at 6:40am. We have booked a hostel at Machu Picchu so we can watch the sun come up from top of the world!

Colin, Patrick, & Kristy

Check pictures here.

Day Uno

Today, in Lima, we started off walking around Miraflores (district of Lima). We first stopped at a 100 year old cathedral, the stain glass was absolutely beautiful! Next, we walked down to the coast to a mosaic cliff top wall dedicated to "love." There was also an amazing statue (see pic) of two lovers kissing! We proceeded to head down to the beach where Patrick met some cool local surfers who talked him into surfing! He really felt like he connected with the local surf culture walking around with no ID or money and wet boxers hanging out of his back pocket. As Pat surfed Kristy and I went back up into town and went to some Inca markets. After some shopping we headed to a Mercado. While we where there an amazing old Peruvian lady, Hilda, decided to be-friend us and teach us about the market. She bought us local fruits and drinks, which she slightly forced down our throats! After seeing the market I completely agree with everyone that says you can really connect with a culture through the food. All in all it was an amazing experience for all. We are no off to drink some beers and eat some food. Tomorrow we have a flight to Cusco at 10 am so we are going to have an early night.

Cheers,

Colin, Pat, & Kristy

P.S. - Check pictures here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cajames/sets/72157622490924068/

Blog #1

Hello,

Patrick Downs, Kristy Hager, and myself will be embarking on a trip to Peru on Tuesday! I think this will be a good way for you to learn about our adventures and see what we see through the magic of the internet.