This very well may be my final post that I write here in Peru, granted everything goes well with my flight home tomorrow. Perhaps it's a little early to reflect on my journey, what I've learned, and how it has changed me, but I can say a few things for sure:
I will miss the food here so much! Everything is delicious, natural, and very, very cheap. I can eat meals here for about 1-2 US dollars, and for paying US prices ($10-15 per meal) I can eat like a culinary king. There are also some great dishes I've eaten here that are like none other, like the ceviche, aji de gallina, lomo saltado, and lechón! Soon, the days will be gone where I could walk away with 4 kilos of fresh fruit for $10! This is reason enough for one to return to Peru again.
My Spanish has definitely improved immensely during may stay. I've come a long way, from that guy struggling to understand basic words and phrases to being able to have a full-blown conversation with any local here (although I'm still s.o.l. speaking Quechua). This was one of my big goals in coming here to Peru, and I can say with confidence that I achieved a lot, although I am no where near perfecting the language and there is always room for improvement.
I won't miss the crazy roads here that much, or the crazy drivers for that matter. Don't get me wrong, driving on a one-way dirt road at 30 mph with oncoming traffic and a thousand-foot precipice on one side can be exciting sometimes, but not when that road is the principle highway. Some of you may think that I am exaggerating, and maybe I am in some instances, however sometimes my statement held its validity 100%. Also, all the drivers just kind of ignore all the established rules of the road and just go for it. Perhaps they obey two rules: I'm not stopping unless you make me stop, and objects with larger mass have the right of way lest you wish to be squashed flatter than a pancake.
The local traditions and customs is a big plus here. In every region, excluding Lima, the people seem to retain strong ties to there roots, and this is evident in their dress, mannerisms, and even language. Coming from a place with such a blend and even relinquishment of culture, I really appreciate seeing these things still holding strong in other parts of the world.
OK, enough reflecting for now, I still have to get out of this crazy country! Here's recap of the last few days:
Mom and I made it safely back to Cusco on Wednesday after our grand adventure to Machu Picchu. We returned to Marina's hostel to pick up our stayed belongings and perhaps sleep there another night, but unfortunately she was all booked up for weeks. Nevertheless, we were happy for her to be getting good business and settled for another, less accommodating hotel. We used her last day in Peru to do some final shopping, eat some good food, and go out to a local bar. We even made it into the Qosqo Center of Native Art to see a performance of traditional dances (the last time we arrived too late and had to settle watching a Peruvian basketball game).
The next day, we got smoothies at the market, and then I bid her farewell at noon as she had to return that day. After I said my goodbye, I walked over to my friend Nathan Heald's apartment as he had told me I could stay my last couple nights there. I was let in by a kind lady and walked up to the fifth floor, were he resided, just in time to catch him. He welcomed me in and a made myself at home. During this time, I didn't do much except hang out, however there was the 10th annual Inkafest mountain film festival happening those nights at the Casa Garcilaso. I went with Nate, who is actually do a presentation of his own tonight, and watched some pretty cool adventure sport films. Two of those took place here in Peru, one about mountain biking in the Sacred Valley, and another about kayaking in Peru's raging rivers.
Today, I woke up at 8, went to the market and ate, bought some palo santo, then packed up all my stuff. I said goodbye to Nate and his wife Kerly, and thanked them both kindly for keeping me in their apartment. Then I caught a taxi to the Cusco airport for my flight to Lima (lucky me). It was quite crazy taking the 1-hour plane ride, considering the past three times I had to take the 22-hour bus ride on curvy roads. What a difference those mountains make! Thanks for buying me that plane ticket, mom!
Anyway, I arrived in Lima a couple hours ago after a few short delays (who knew that the planes would not be on time in Latin America). I took an expensive taxi ride from the airport to a nice restaurant/cevicheria, had some ceviche, and took another, less expensive taxi ride to the family's house in Surco. Oddly enough, none of the original family members that were here are here anymore. Instead I was greated by Victor, another son of the family's grandmother, who has moved back in as well. Everything is different and a bit strange, but I guess that's what I get for dropping in unexpected. Anyway, I will only be here til tomorrow in the early morning, when I take another expensive taxi ride back to Lima airport and board my 10:30 A.M. flight back to the US. How strange it will be to be back. I think I will have reverse culture shock!
For all of those back in B-town, Indiana, expect me back starting this coming Monday. Get excited! Alright, Chao for now!
I will miss the food here so much! Everything is delicious, natural, and very, very cheap. I can eat meals here for about 1-2 US dollars, and for paying US prices ($10-15 per meal) I can eat like a culinary king. There are also some great dishes I've eaten here that are like none other, like the ceviche, aji de gallina, lomo saltado, and lechón! Soon, the days will be gone where I could walk away with 4 kilos of fresh fruit for $10! This is reason enough for one to return to Peru again.
My Spanish has definitely improved immensely during may stay. I've come a long way, from that guy struggling to understand basic words and phrases to being able to have a full-blown conversation with any local here (although I'm still s.o.l. speaking Quechua). This was one of my big goals in coming here to Peru, and I can say with confidence that I achieved a lot, although I am no where near perfecting the language and there is always room for improvement.
I won't miss the crazy roads here that much, or the crazy drivers for that matter. Don't get me wrong, driving on a one-way dirt road at 30 mph with oncoming traffic and a thousand-foot precipice on one side can be exciting sometimes, but not when that road is the principle highway. Some of you may think that I am exaggerating, and maybe I am in some instances, however sometimes my statement held its validity 100%. Also, all the drivers just kind of ignore all the established rules of the road and just go for it. Perhaps they obey two rules: I'm not stopping unless you make me stop, and objects with larger mass have the right of way lest you wish to be squashed flatter than a pancake.
The local traditions and customs is a big plus here. In every region, excluding Lima, the people seem to retain strong ties to there roots, and this is evident in their dress, mannerisms, and even language. Coming from a place with such a blend and even relinquishment of culture, I really appreciate seeing these things still holding strong in other parts of the world.
OK, enough reflecting for now, I still have to get out of this crazy country! Here's recap of the last few days:
Mom and I made it safely back to Cusco on Wednesday after our grand adventure to Machu Picchu. We returned to Marina's hostel to pick up our stayed belongings and perhaps sleep there another night, but unfortunately she was all booked up for weeks. Nevertheless, we were happy for her to be getting good business and settled for another, less accommodating hotel. We used her last day in Peru to do some final shopping, eat some good food, and go out to a local bar. We even made it into the Qosqo Center of Native Art to see a performance of traditional dances (the last time we arrived too late and had to settle watching a Peruvian basketball game).
The next day, we got smoothies at the market, and then I bid her farewell at noon as she had to return that day. After I said my goodbye, I walked over to my friend Nathan Heald's apartment as he had told me I could stay my last couple nights there. I was let in by a kind lady and walked up to the fifth floor, were he resided, just in time to catch him. He welcomed me in and a made myself at home. During this time, I didn't do much except hang out, however there was the 10th annual Inkafest mountain film festival happening those nights at the Casa Garcilaso. I went with Nate, who is actually do a presentation of his own tonight, and watched some pretty cool adventure sport films. Two of those took place here in Peru, one about mountain biking in the Sacred Valley, and another about kayaking in Peru's raging rivers.
Today, I woke up at 8, went to the market and ate, bought some palo santo, then packed up all my stuff. I said goodbye to Nate and his wife Kerly, and thanked them both kindly for keeping me in their apartment. Then I caught a taxi to the Cusco airport for my flight to Lima (lucky me). It was quite crazy taking the 1-hour plane ride, considering the past three times I had to take the 22-hour bus ride on curvy roads. What a difference those mountains make! Thanks for buying me that plane ticket, mom!
Anyway, I arrived in Lima a couple hours ago after a few short delays (who knew that the planes would not be on time in Latin America). I took an expensive taxi ride from the airport to a nice restaurant/cevicheria, had some ceviche, and took another, less expensive taxi ride to the family's house in Surco. Oddly enough, none of the original family members that were here are here anymore. Instead I was greated by Victor, another son of the family's grandmother, who has moved back in as well. Everything is different and a bit strange, but I guess that's what I get for dropping in unexpected. Anyway, I will only be here til tomorrow in the early morning, when I take another expensive taxi ride back to Lima airport and board my 10:30 A.M. flight back to the US. How strange it will be to be back. I think I will have reverse culture shock!
For all of those back in B-town, Indiana, expect me back starting this coming Monday. Get excited! Alright, Chao for now!
No comments:
Post a Comment