It's been a 22+ hour day in taxis, airports and airplanes. But finally, a few hours ago Conrad picked me up from the brand new Indianapolis airport and whisked me back to the States mindset. We're all tuckered out tonight, especially after a few rounds of Halo 3, so it's off to bed. But everything's in English again and I have to relearn the keyboards. Tomorrow, I want to eat cottage cheese and either a big hamburger or a big burrito. Or two. And get a frosty Sam Adams. And we're also going to do some yard work, house projects, and/or go to the church so I can play drums there. Plans are by no means set in stone, but we'll do some verrrry important stuff for sure.
It feels really good to be back in the U.S. When I have time, I'll do more bloggin' for y'all, but now it's Dreamland Express Overnight for me. Sweet dreams, America.
Be Rad
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Lima SUCKS
While nothing could spoil my trip entirely, Andy and I are definitely fed up with Lima. By far the worst city we've been to. I know my best friend is from here and all, but it's the truth. Today while we were at the internet cafe (in which I wrote the previous post) and getting lunch, the maid at our hostal went into our room to make the beds. While she was in there, she stole Andy's GPS device, worth about $100, and a really nice knife that I had. The GPS had many excellent locations like Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Antofagasta, and Machu Picchu marked and stored within. Also, in her search for money, she took a bunch of stuff out of my daypack and shuffled through my document sheath. When we got back to the room, I saw that my daypack was missing and instantly began to be worried and pissed. Normally I carry my passport everywhere on my person, but it was a brief outing and I thought it wasn't necessary to do so, so I left it in the pack. Of course the first symptoms of panic started when I thought I had my passport stolen no more than 36 hours prior to leaving the country. I went downstairs and explained what was happening to the old guy working at the desk and he came upstairs to walk through that morning with us. We had definitely locked the door when we left so it could only have been the maid. After storming around, my blood was beginning to boil and the discussion was also heated. Out in the hall, I spied the strap of my small blue backpack sticking out of the maid closet and opened it. Relieved to find my passport still inside, I calmed down a little bit. But everything inside had obviously been searched for money. Thankfully I had no cash at ALL in my stuff, it was all with me.
The catastrophe had been a false alarm, but then we found out that my knife and Andy's GPS were missing. Somehow, she missed the iPod sitting out on the table and the wad of US money in Andy's wallet in his bag, so it could have been much worse. We packed up our stuff and decided to leave, screw that place. Downstairs, she had just conveniently returned from her lunch break (and probably a trip to her house to stash her newly-stolen booty) and was talking with the old guy. I started shouting at her and explaining the situation and she, of course, denied everything with downcast stare. We demanded a refund and the old guy, to his credit, was very cool about everything and gave us our money back. Hopefully he fired that piece of trash.
THEN we spent the next hour in a taxi driving around to about ten hostals trying to find tonight's place to stay. All were full for a while until we found Hostal Texas. So we're there tonight, and I of course leave in the morning. Andy understandably wants to get into another neighborhood, and might actually return to Pisco to be with Pat since Lima is so unrealistically expensive. It's at least reasonably priced. The major trip on the agenda today was to go to the Lima International Airport and figure out how the flight process will work tomorrow and in 8 days for the other two guys. The cab to get there cost 30 Soles (the four hour bus from Pisco was only 13, mind you) and we pseudo-broke down on the way. What a gyp. Upon arrival, we cruised around inside the airport and found where to check in. THEN we learned that there is a 100 Sol exit tariff! That's more than $30 extra, just to leave this crappy city. $30 extra that I wasn't planning to spend. Arrrgh. So of course I had to withdraw more money from the ATM to have the funds lined up for the morning. And then we paid another 30 Soles to get back to our hostal. And I'll have to pay another 30 in the morning to get back, then begin my tragically long day of airport and airplane madness.
I'm sure I'll laugh about it in a month, but today isn't exactly the best day. In Perú, we've gotten sick, bitten by bugs, ripped off, robbed and lost. Good times as well, of course, but I don't think I'll be coming back to Perú as anxiously as the other countries I've visited on my next trips to this amazing continent. I'm already over it, I've never been one to pout or sulk, but it sucks that my last day was the worst one. Ho hum.
In exactly 12 hours, my plane from Lima to Bogotá, Columbia will leave. Until then, Andy and I will just take it easy and not tempt fate. No drinking tonight, except for maybe a cold farewell beer, and just hang out in the hostal. Perhaps reading. I have a lot of Shakespeare to memorize. From memory, I've got the following two things for you all. I love Romeo and Juliet so much. Othello is next, then Midsummer's Night Dream.
As promised, I'll still write the, how did I describe it, meditative reflection when I'm in Indiana this week. Within 36 hours, I get to see my cousin! Hooray!
Adios, amoebas. More to come.
B
Romeo:
But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.
Her vestal livery is green and sick,
And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off!
Oh it is my lady. Oh, it is my love.
Oh, that she knew she were.
She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses, I will answer it.
I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the fairest stars in all heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres til they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp. Her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek.
Also Romeo:
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this...
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
Next, I'm memorizing George Carlin's "Modern Man" skit to impress Conrad and a whole bunch more Shakespeare. Wish me luck and clarity of mind. Lllllllater
The catastrophe had been a false alarm, but then we found out that my knife and Andy's GPS were missing. Somehow, she missed the iPod sitting out on the table and the wad of US money in Andy's wallet in his bag, so it could have been much worse. We packed up our stuff and decided to leave, screw that place. Downstairs, she had just conveniently returned from her lunch break (and probably a trip to her house to stash her newly-stolen booty) and was talking with the old guy. I started shouting at her and explaining the situation and she, of course, denied everything with downcast stare. We demanded a refund and the old guy, to his credit, was very cool about everything and gave us our money back. Hopefully he fired that piece of trash.
THEN we spent the next hour in a taxi driving around to about ten hostals trying to find tonight's place to stay. All were full for a while until we found Hostal Texas. So we're there tonight, and I of course leave in the morning. Andy understandably wants to get into another neighborhood, and might actually return to Pisco to be with Pat since Lima is so unrealistically expensive. It's at least reasonably priced. The major trip on the agenda today was to go to the Lima International Airport and figure out how the flight process will work tomorrow and in 8 days for the other two guys. The cab to get there cost 30 Soles (the four hour bus from Pisco was only 13, mind you) and we pseudo-broke down on the way. What a gyp. Upon arrival, we cruised around inside the airport and found where to check in. THEN we learned that there is a 100 Sol exit tariff! That's more than $30 extra, just to leave this crappy city. $30 extra that I wasn't planning to spend. Arrrgh. So of course I had to withdraw more money from the ATM to have the funds lined up for the morning. And then we paid another 30 Soles to get back to our hostal. And I'll have to pay another 30 in the morning to get back, then begin my tragically long day of airport and airplane madness.
I'm sure I'll laugh about it in a month, but today isn't exactly the best day. In Perú, we've gotten sick, bitten by bugs, ripped off, robbed and lost. Good times as well, of course, but I don't think I'll be coming back to Perú as anxiously as the other countries I've visited on my next trips to this amazing continent. I'm already over it, I've never been one to pout or sulk, but it sucks that my last day was the worst one. Ho hum.
In exactly 12 hours, my plane from Lima to Bogotá, Columbia will leave. Until then, Andy and I will just take it easy and not tempt fate. No drinking tonight, except for maybe a cold farewell beer, and just hang out in the hostal. Perhaps reading. I have a lot of Shakespeare to memorize. From memory, I've got the following two things for you all. I love Romeo and Juliet so much. Othello is next, then Midsummer's Night Dream.
As promised, I'll still write the, how did I describe it, meditative reflection when I'm in Indiana this week. Within 36 hours, I get to see my cousin! Hooray!
Adios, amoebas. More to come.
B
Romeo:
But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.
Her vestal livery is green and sick,
And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off!
Oh it is my lady. Oh, it is my love.
Oh, that she knew she were.
She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses, I will answer it.
I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the fairest stars in all heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres til they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp. Her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek.
Also Romeo:
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this...
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
Next, I'm memorizing George Carlin's "Modern Man" skit to impress Conrad and a whole bunch more Shakespeare. Wish me luck and clarity of mind. Lllllllater
LIMA
We're here. Last night was pretty fun. Everybody told us that Lima's dangerous, but it seems just like the other cities we've been to: just gotta keep my cool and not do something stupid like walk into an unlit, grimy alley. It's actually quite nice. There are cool new plants everywhere and everything is very clean. Too bad I'll only be here a total of 37 hours. Nothing amaaaaazing to report. Our dinner of chicken and fries was sinfully delicious. We went out last night and met some cool folks at a nightclub/bar. We realized later that it was a gay bar in disguise, but nobody hit on us so we didn't know. Absolutely EVERYthing closes at night here and one is forced to rely on street vendors for late-night food and drinks. Our hostal is nothing special but costs more than twice as much as the Tauro hostal in Pisco where we were for the last week. Actually, it doesn't even have hot water and the other one had super hot water. We're not terribly happy with it, but after looking online for an hour last night, I couldn't find even one lead about a cheaper one. Meh, oh well. Big cities don't always win over small ones. This place has FAR superior internet shops than the others we've encountered in Perú, though. Last night I actually got to chat in real-time with my mom and some others online. Plus there are new video games on all the machines here and the cafes are always full of young guys killing eachother on web-based battlefields. Last night to treat ourselves, Andy and I got cups of real coffee. It's been at least two months since I drank a cup of non-dehydrated coffee. I am by no means a coffee kind of person, but it felt reeeeeally good to drink some quality brew.
My stomach is practically eating itself I'm so hungry. Gotta wait only one more hour until lunchtime. Maybe Chinese today. You can tell from the grave and important nature of what I'm saying that there's really not much going on right now. Just the last day in Limbo before I leave this Homeric quest for self-indulgence. Last night while chatting, Andy and I reflected on how weird it is to think that I'll be back in the U.S. within 38 hours. It was three months ago that I thought to myself, "weird, in less than 38 hours I'll be in Brazil." Now the tables have turned and the trip is over. It's a "whoa" from South America this time.
This post is going nowhere. Unfortunately, it will be one of the last. However, when I have down-time in Indiana while visiting my cousin Conrad in a few days, I'll post the meditative reflection on my long experience here for y'all. But for now, I need to distract myself by other means so I stop thinking about the delicious bowl of wonton soup and plate of noodles that awaits me in an hour. Mmmmm.
More to come, at least one more. Be patient, wish me luck in figuring out the massive Lima airport today and in either pulling an all-nighter or waking up on time to catch my 5:50 a.m. flight tomorrow. Either coffee or Benadryl, haven't yet decided :). Just kidding.
Later, guys and dolls.
B
My stomach is practically eating itself I'm so hungry. Gotta wait only one more hour until lunchtime. Maybe Chinese today. You can tell from the grave and important nature of what I'm saying that there's really not much going on right now. Just the last day in Limbo before I leave this Homeric quest for self-indulgence. Last night while chatting, Andy and I reflected on how weird it is to think that I'll be back in the U.S. within 38 hours. It was three months ago that I thought to myself, "weird, in less than 38 hours I'll be in Brazil." Now the tables have turned and the trip is over. It's a "whoa" from South America this time.
This post is going nowhere. Unfortunately, it will be one of the last. However, when I have down-time in Indiana while visiting my cousin Conrad in a few days, I'll post the meditative reflection on my long experience here for y'all. But for now, I need to distract myself by other means so I stop thinking about the delicious bowl of wonton soup and plate of noodles that awaits me in an hour. Mmmmm.
More to come, at least one more. Be patient, wish me luck in figuring out the massive Lima airport today and in either pulling an all-nighter or waking up on time to catch my 5:50 a.m. flight tomorrow. Either coffee or Benadryl, haven't yet decided :). Just kidding.
Later, guys and dolls.
B
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Off to Lima AHORITA
We're headed to Lima in about 20 minutes. Thought y'all'd like to know. It's only about a three or four hour bus ride and I'll post more as I learn more. Tomorrow we have to go do battle with the Lima airport and get everything squared away for my crack-of-dawn flight on Friday morning. Should be a madhouse, but I love a challenge.
Bring it on, Lima. Adios, fans. Will write soon.
Golden B
Bring it on, Lima. Adios, fans. Will write soon.
Golden B
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The trip to las Islas Ballestas began today at 7:00. The morning was quite foggy, but it quickly became desert-like as we picked up other passengers in the van that sped us along a coastal highway to the pier. There, we became cattle in a sea of tourists waiting in line for the same tour as us. I always like to mockingly take pictures of them while they take pictures, and you'll see on my FaceBook album just how common that was over the following few hours.
The islands were quite amazing. I've never seen so many birds in one place before! It's like the New York of bird civilization. It wasn't exactly the Galapagos, as the Galapagos are home to something like 200 indigenous and unique species and the Ballestas are home to maybe 15, but it was still breathtaking the whole way. We saw at least 20,000 seagulls, pelicans, boobys, penguins, and stork-like birds, plus tons of crabs, urchins, barnacles, and starfish. We also crossed paths with at least 2,000 sea lions in small groups or in GIGANTIC colonies along the secluded beaches. The Ballestas are named after the "crossbow" due to all the stone arches in the area. I wish my camera did the distance shots more justice, but you can all still get the idea. The whole trip lasted about three hours and we got back to the pier in time to wade through the same ocean of tourists to a taxi. Back in Pisco, we ate some delicious soup and seafood rice at our new favorite lunch spot called Las 200 Millas cabana. The complete two-course and beverage meal costs 5 Soles, or about $1.50 and it's tough to finish it all. We already love the place.
The islands really showed me how thick the presence of life is in some places. The ocean is every different color with guano, feathers, seaweed, and nameless other organic slops and chunks. Every 4 years, the Peruvian government goes to the islands and harvests the tons and tons of guano there as a source of high-energy fertilizer. When the government first began doing so in 1940, the guano was 30 meters thick! I couldn't believe our guide when he said that, so I bade him to reiterate and I had indeed heard correctly. Seagulls sure know how to crap. Overall, despite being put off by being stuck in a giant crowd of bustling, rich tourists, we had a blast and drew some fine memories from the trip. The pictures can be seen at the link below. Plus, there are some of us leaving Cuzco and of Pisco. This city is a trip, I plan to do a full day of photos tomorrow if possible to show the destruction and former size/glory of the city. There are burned out buildings EVERYwhere.
This net café is one of the only ones here and it's getting crowded, so I'm leaving now. FIVE more days until I leave Perú. Holy jeez. Tomorrow it's off to buy a bus ticket to Lima. Bus details and further nonsense to follow. Thanks for reading, sshhh shhh shhh, it's almost over.
Outta heah,
Brad
Islas Ballestas pix:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020326&id=1445169559&l=9a2b38a99b
The islands were quite amazing. I've never seen so many birds in one place before! It's like the New York of bird civilization. It wasn't exactly the Galapagos, as the Galapagos are home to something like 200 indigenous and unique species and the Ballestas are home to maybe 15, but it was still breathtaking the whole way. We saw at least 20,000 seagulls, pelicans, boobys, penguins, and stork-like birds, plus tons of crabs, urchins, barnacles, and starfish. We also crossed paths with at least 2,000 sea lions in small groups or in GIGANTIC colonies along the secluded beaches. The Ballestas are named after the "crossbow" due to all the stone arches in the area. I wish my camera did the distance shots more justice, but you can all still get the idea. The whole trip lasted about three hours and we got back to the pier in time to wade through the same ocean of tourists to a taxi. Back in Pisco, we ate some delicious soup and seafood rice at our new favorite lunch spot called Las 200 Millas cabana. The complete two-course and beverage meal costs 5 Soles, or about $1.50 and it's tough to finish it all. We already love the place.
The islands really showed me how thick the presence of life is in some places. The ocean is every different color with guano, feathers, seaweed, and nameless other organic slops and chunks. Every 4 years, the Peruvian government goes to the islands and harvests the tons and tons of guano there as a source of high-energy fertilizer. When the government first began doing so in 1940, the guano was 30 meters thick! I couldn't believe our guide when he said that, so I bade him to reiterate and I had indeed heard correctly. Seagulls sure know how to crap. Overall, despite being put off by being stuck in a giant crowd of bustling, rich tourists, we had a blast and drew some fine memories from the trip. The pictures can be seen at the link below. Plus, there are some of us leaving Cuzco and of Pisco. This city is a trip, I plan to do a full day of photos tomorrow if possible to show the destruction and former size/glory of the city. There are burned out buildings EVERYwhere.
This net café is one of the only ones here and it's getting crowded, so I'm leaving now. FIVE more days until I leave Perú. Holy jeez. Tomorrow it's off to buy a bus ticket to Lima. Bus details and further nonsense to follow. Thanks for reading, sshhh shhh shhh, it's almost over.
Outta heah,
Brad
Islas Ballestas pix:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020326&id=1445169559&l=9a2b38a99b
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