tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60462844468565569642024-03-13T14:02:31.502-07:00Laurita en LimaLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-40423402431898438142009-08-06T19:17:00.000-07:002009-08-06T19:44:01.567-07:00picture bolivialooking down over la paz, bolivia<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041108292433330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuPc8KwdbI/AAAAAAAAATE/QkzCCVhtLQM/s320/IMG_0596.JPG" border="0" />trying the local beer, pacena. tastes like natty light. bleh.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041778470049090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQD8xjVUI/AAAAAAAAATM/7brsLQjl-9Y/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" border="0" />visiting the train cemetary. 100+ years old!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041785325621186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQEWUDD8I/AAAAAAAAATU/-BjHWmy8VuM/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" border="0" />more old train action:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041795984104546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQE-BOnGI/AAAAAAAAATc/cAV-k65g5HU/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" border="0" />checking out tons of salt in uyuni<br /><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041802122655922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQFU4xeLI/AAAAAAAAATk/hW7l7fB3xJs/s320/IMG_0627.JPG" border="0" />leaping in salar de uyuni! kilometer after kilometer of salt.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041817783604066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQGPOok2I/AAAAAAAAATs/Z-PxNVkJfUA/s320/IMG_0650.JPG" border="0" />isla incahuasi: coral and cacti<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367042645442837218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQ2af-OuI/AAAAAAAAAT0/aOhQgU7zRig/s320/IMG_0667.JPG" border="0" />night one we stayed in a salt hotel! salt beds:<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367042653589826034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQ242XafI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3AkKuM922DI/s320/IMG_0705.JPG" border="0" />lots of ice in laguna colorada. brrr.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367043427566071570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuRj8IrrxI/AAAAAAAAAUk/glTon56cuxs/s320/IMG_0791.JPG" border="0" />arbol de piedra: (rock tree)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367042679278739730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQ4YjFIRI/AAAAAAAAAUU/I-xpSt8GW74/s320/IMG_0767.JPG" border="0" />rocks in animal shapes! what more could one want?<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367043435754197858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuRkao4k2I/AAAAAAAAAUs/qAkAMf1B6CU/s320/IMG_0847.JPG" border="0" />our group at laguna verde. teresa, laura, cristina, esteban, edu & amaia<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367043421514695986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuRjll7BTI/AAAAAAAAAUc/IkDQECiPZ08/s320/IMG_0831.JPG" border="0" />not like the sky is blue here or anything.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367042671185998226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQ36ZnsZI/AAAAAAAAAUM/oa3gQIyXPWI/s320/IMG_0727.JPG" border="0" />dr. seuss plants!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367042662918282850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuQ3bmcXmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/WN2xQADs40g/s320/IMG_0720.JPG" border="0" />ferry ride lake sparkle heaven.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041096806897154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuPcRYZFgI/AAAAAAAAAS8/eVzXoi6Qjxo/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041090764999970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuPb635DSI/AAAAAAAAAS0/dBjurbNsX8I/s320/IMG_0592.JPG" border="0" />lago titicaca:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041080765046994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuPbVnt4NI/AAAAAAAAASs/uixzWOv1qSY/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" border="0" />isla del sol in lago titicaca:<br /><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367041070938456994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuPaxA4A6I/AAAAAAAAASk/AHGtpBJGNZA/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> attractive outfits to go mining in potosi:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367043441064822802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuRkubCSBI/AAAAAAAAAU0/2VV8Spbv7-Q/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" border="0" />miners in the mines of potosi:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367043448777906866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SnuRlLJ-mrI/AAAAAAAAAU8/VPeoTVR-Q_I/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" border="0" /><br />besos y abrazos!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-60673804764261926612009-08-02T08:16:00.000-07:002009-08-02T08:30:42.450-07:00you know you're in bolivia when...Before I go on about the detailed trip, here is a snapshot into Bolivia living...<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">You know</span> <span style="color:#ffff00;">you're in</span> <span style="color:#33ff33;">Bolivia when:</span></span></strong><br /><br />1. A man blows his nose in his hands and wipes it along the building he is walking by.<br /><br />2. A girl pulls down her pants in the middle of the plaza with tons of cars and people around and starts going to the bathroom in front of everyone, and her mom doesn't stop her, but merely shrugs.<br /><br />3. A dog that is supposed to be guarding the store front of a refreshment place pees on the 2L bottles of pop it's supposed to be protecting. The owners see it and don't flinch.<br /><br />4. Your guide just never shows up on the island she is supposed to be showing you around, and when she finally finds you the next day, she apologizes by giving you an assortment of yogurt/flavored milk in bags.<br /><br />5. When on a bus ride, 10+ people that didn't by tickets are picked up in tiny towns along the way and squished in the aisle.<br /><br />6. When on a bus ride, a women breastfeeds her child on your lap.<br /><br />7. When on a bus ride, a man's knife falls from the overhead compartment, almost slicing your leg open, and he doesn't even acknowledge it.<br /><br />8. When on a bus ride, a woman asks you to open your window to throw her bag of puke out it, dripping said contents on you.<br /><br />9. Items 5-8 all happened on the SAME bus ride.<br /><br />10. You order a restaurants "homemade cream of corn soup" and it comes out 3 minutes later, nothing more than just instant, packet made broth soup.<br /><br />11. When #10 happens more than once, in different restaurants.<br /><br /><br />More later,<br /><br />Besos y AbrazosLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-63600759982880347792009-08-01T20:32:00.000-07:002009-08-01T20:40:11.468-07:00sighBeing back in Minnesota is so wonderful I have had trouble trying to bring myself to post about Bolivia.<br /><br />Now that I'm home I've gotten to share all the stories I couldn't tell my family about for fear my mother would have a heart attack...like:<br /><br />1. Masked gunmen outside our house in "safe" Jesus Maria<br />2. Getting robbed at night during Semana Santa in Ayacucho.<br />3. Roomates and I Getting attacked by a gang of young guys in Lima Centro.<br /><br />You know, the usual stuff.<br /><br />No, in all reality, there was plenty of scary stuff that went on in Peru, and although my blog has focused on the beauties of the country, there definitely is an uglier side.<br /><br />I promise to do Bolivia posts soon (mainly for you, Uncle B!)<br /><br />B y ALaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-15345110507958828912009-07-30T06:19:00.000-07:002009-07-30T09:33:42.592-07:00Spirit Airlines: Fail.I am currently in the Ft. Laud airport, getting Bolivia pictures together to put up here.<br />It has been an eventful (did I say eventful? I meant frustrating.) day thus far.<br /><br />July 29:<br />Arrive to Lima airport at 8:10 pm<br />2 hours of waiting to check bags & customs in Lima.<br />I am told flight will be late. They won't tell me how late, or why. Just late.<br />Flight is supposed to leave at 10:54 pm.<br />Flight actually leaves at 11:50 pm.<br />During my time waiting for the flight, the entire crew; pilots, flight attendants and all were right behind me, gossiping. They were talking about their co-workers, along with making incredibly crude sex comments...while people were all around them...even small kids.<br />A few good lines include:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Pilot:</span> Did you hear about the pilot for Spirit Air from Detroit Mike so-so? He's a registered sex offender.<br />(*wow. comforting.)<br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Flight attendant</span>: Honey you should have come out with us last night. We drank so much. But this guy (points to co-pilot) left early to get a hooker. Again.<br />(*they all laugh. really!?)<br /><span style="color:#ffff66;">Co-Pilot:</span> Did you hear about so-and-so? She has slept with that pilot like three times<br /><span style="color:#ffff66;">Flight att:</span> Yeah, but who DOESN'T she sleep with?<br />(*SERIOUSLY PEOPLE?!?!)<br /><br />July 30th:<br />Flight from Lima. No water/snack for 6 hr flight. Oh! But if you want you can BUY water for a nice $5. Cool.<br />Get into Ft Laud at around 7 am Florida time.<br />Hour in line for customs.<br />Go to do the "easy" rechecking of luggage for connecting flight, but no one from Spirit Air is there.<br />We are all directed upstairs. Those who missed flights because of delay are send to rebook.<br />I go to check my bags once again.<br /><br />Spirit Robot Lady (in minnie mouse voice): Oh, you can't check your bags yet.<br />Me: But..I was supposed to recheck, but no one from your airline is down there.<br />Spirit Robot Lady: Your flight is not until 3:30 pm, so you cannot check your bags yet.<br />Me: When can I check them?<br />Spirit Robot Lady: 3 hours prior to flight.<br />Me: So...until then I can't enter the gates/restaurants...and have to lug my bags around?<br />Spirit Robot Lady: Yes. Or you can pay to store them.<br /><br />Sigh. Of course. Paying more money is just what I want to do now, especially after paying 30 bucks for an extra bag, and then being told I'm not allowed to have another bag. Even though it was already paid for. Cooool.<br /><br />So here I am, sitting in a chair next to construction area waiting for 12:30 to arrive. My food options are donuts and pizza.<br /><br />I think I'll just fast.<br /><br />Besos y Abrazos.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-13563843721882608902009-07-29T15:01:00.000-07:002009-07-29T15:35:12.193-07:00time to be sappy...aaaaaaaaand here is the sappy emo post that you will all roll your eyes at most likely, but hey, oh well. I can't see you do it, thus I don't care.<br /><br />I leave for the airport in <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">3 HOURS (bah!)</span></strong> and I thought I would do a quick post to say a huge huge HUGE thank you to all of you that have kept in touch during my time here. As was evident by my blog, and to those who I spoke to, there were definitely times here I was pretty bummed, and getting emails, letters, and packages from all of you completely kept me going. I've learned a lot here, not only about Peru and the culture, but also a lot about all of you back at home. A lot of you surprised me with your thought and kindness in sending packages and letters, and emails commenting about this here blog.<br /><br />Quick special thanks to the people who took the time out of their days to send me my favorite thing (next to raspberries and cheese popcorn): REAL MAIL! There were many that promised they would send stuff and didn't, but the following people followed through!!<br />Mom, Daddy, Lou, Ann&Brooks(cough cough rubber chicken), Kari, Eric, Patrick, Sam, and Bri. I know it wasn't always cheap and took some time out of your busy days, but I can't express how much I appreciated it all. <br /><br />My next few days include:<br />6-7 hour flight<br />10 hour layover<br />3 hour flight<br />4 hour layover<br />1 1/2 flight<br /><br />HOME!<br /><br />During this time I'll be posting about Bolivia, so stay tuned.<br /><br />Besos y AbrazosLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-52998940629938523762009-07-27T23:24:00.000-07:002009-07-27T23:25:49.815-07:00alivei'm back from bolivia.<br /><br />in one piece, believe it or not.<br /><br /><br />posts to come!<br /><br />b y aLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-30275326500492525382009-07-17T06:46:00.000-07:002009-07-17T07:36:39.240-07:00Cusco Trip POST #4<div>And now, finally,<br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Day 3: Machu Picchu/ Huayna Picchu</div><div><br /></div><div>I could talk about this day for hours. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have not been this moved or impressed by scenery in my life, even when I was at Masada in Israel. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know some have gone to Machu Picchu and loved it for the fact that it is a cool hike to accomplish, or because it is one of the amazing 7 wonders of the world. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are others, like myself, who are total nerds when it comes to MP, and are absolutely fascinated by the history. Just thinking about my time there gives me chills. MP is often called the Lost City of the Incas, because it was never found by the Spaniards. When the Incas in the city heard of Spanish invasion, they fled for the jungle, thinking it would be a safer place to situate themselves. Well, as we know, the Spanish conquerors ended up finding these people, but never this city on top of the mountain, which historians have called Machu Picchu (Old Mountain). The first person from outside of Peru to find the ruins was Hiram Bingham from Yale University, led by a small local boy.<br /></div><div>The city itself is supposedly about 80% finished, and after 135 years of building it, it could not be finished because of the invaders coming their way.</div><div><br /></div><div>We started our hike at about 4:00 am, leaving early in hopes to get one of the 400 tickets to go to the tall mountain next to MP, Huayna Picchu. We hiked up the 2000 steps in the rain and fog to reach the top, got our tickets for Huayna Picchu, and walked amongst the ruins with our guide, Ali. It was unreal to see all of the temples, the sundials, the sacred stones still completely intact, untouched by Spanish hands. Unlike most Inca cities that were found and either destroyed or converted into Christian towns with churches, MP is just as it was left.</div><div><br /></div><div>At around 10 am we all hiked up the slippery rocks and through tight caves to get to the top of Huayna Picchu (young mountain). From this point, MP looks like a center for ants. (zoolander, anyone?) The girls and I sat with a few members of the group on a huge rock at the edge, dangling our legs over thousands of feet of mountain. Little by little we hiked down, enjoying the ruins that were on this mountain as well, drinking a little wine, and pouring some on the ground to salute Pachamama (mother earth). After a few hours we made our slightly scary trek down back to MP, where we took more pictures and hung out with some llamas. (only in peru..)<br /><br />A train took us back to Ollantaytambo (after an hour delay because it evidently "slightly broke and derailed"...according to one of the train workers), where we met a bus bringing us back to Cusco. The girls and I got back to the hostel where we had a room reserved, only to find the night guard confused other girls for us, and had given it away. We spent the night allll squished together in two beds pushed together, that equalled the size of about a ping pong table. We were all so tired, you could have put us on a bed of nails and we wouldn't have cared.</div><div><br /></div><div>I left the girls the next day to fly back to Lima, and my kind, young taxi driver home from the airport gave me his number and asked me to go salsa dancing with him. Sigh. You know you're in Peru when your TAXI DRIVER asks you out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are only a few of the hundreds of photos taken (there are also a couple tiny ones to the top right of this page):</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359430463639672882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCFnHemWDI/AAAAAAAAAQE/m5bYFWYuvIo/s320/IMG_0311.JPG" border="0" /> We made it to the top! Please note the long line to get Huayna Picchu tickets. And the intense fog.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359433459269964338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCIVfEhEjI/AAAAAAAAAQc/IYv_1qNIdkE/s320/IMG_0324.JPG" border="0" /> Foggy ruins<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359431404879406674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCGd53o5lI/AAAAAAAAAQM/3pD3IWiMkWo/s320/IMG_0331.JPG" border="0" /> Poles for hanging sacrifices on in a temple<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359432460916685714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCHbX6i-5I/AAAAAAAAAQU/KI8ZMF9G4MY/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" border="0" /> Reflecting pools to see/read the stars<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359434511816408082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCJSwHJPBI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Zc96f6B2B8A/s320/IMG_0367.JPG" border="0" />At the top of Huayna Picchu, looking over the edge.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359435336676898914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCKCw9NeGI/AAAAAAAAAQs/m2y2-1fsi-8/s320/IMG_0474.JPG" border="0" />Machu Picchu ruins, from the famous National Geograpic angle. the big mountain behind the ruins is Huayna Picchu, the other mountain we climbed that day.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359436593849492834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmCLL8Sg5WI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QMypvUUZe1g/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" border="0" />Llama party '09</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I will hopefully post more pictures later, but as of right now I am about to head to the airport to go backpack through Bolivia for the next 10 days! </div><div> </div><div>Besos y Abrazos!<br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-79074121789749550702009-07-17T05:40:00.000-07:002009-07-17T06:37:46.486-07:00Cusco Trip POST #3(once again, please check out the previous cusco posts for the beginning of the trip!)<br /><br /><div><div><div>So now, to continue on with our trek towards Machu Picchu!</div><br /><div>Day 2: Hike it out.</div><div>After an early breakfast, the group followed our new guide Antonio to the edge of the mountain we were about to climb down. He gave us a brief explanation about the history of the town that used to rest in the valley below before a landslide completely wiped it out. Throughout our hike he told us numerous stories about Quechua beliefs of respecting Pachamama (mother earth) and all that she has given to the people of the earth. Once again, I'll save you the history lessons, but if you want to hear about it later, let me know.</div><br /><div> This hike was pretty easy, only about 18 kilometers over a 7-8 hour span. We ate lunch in the middle of nowhere at a tiny restaurant with people who were baffled why Esya, Sophia and I were vegetarians. (What else is new??). We walked through parts of jungle, where we saw incredible amounts of orchids, banana trees, waterfalls, coffee trees, huge flowers, and of course, bugs. I have quite a nice collection of bug bites. I'm planning on bringing them back to the States, along with my new sexy socks-tucked-in-pants bike style...I figure I'll get lots of phone numbers that way. </div><br /><div> We arrived in Aguas Calientes, all beyond ready for a shower or three, only to find out that we got there during a time of "mantenimiento" meaning the water in the whole city was shut off to preserve it. Coooool. When it did come on a few hours later, we all got to take nice ice cold showers before a huge, unreal dinner. Nothing like shower of icicles, I tell ya. </div><br /><div>Half the group joined the German guy Andre in his room for some amazing Chilean wine to toast to good luck before Machu Picchu the next morning.</div><br /><div>Here are some photos from the day, MP post soon to come!!:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359411252432210418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmB0I4J0CfI/AAAAAAAAAPs/FiJntNK6y7Q/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" border="0" />COFFEE!! All those years at Caribou got me excited to see these berries/beans<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359413386501347154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmB2FGLi11I/AAAAAAAAAP8/BOx_DsHoin8/s320/IMG_0300.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359412438147279378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmB1N5SUKhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/vdbzJATwMxk/s320/IMG_0293.JPG" border="0" />Our guide for the day, Antonio<br /><div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-91111220008695363092009-07-16T21:19:00.001-07:002009-07-16T22:35:57.259-07:00Cusco Trip POST #2If you didn't see post 1, please check out the first few days in Cusco in my previous post!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>And now, the 3 day trek to get to Machu Picchu:</div><br /><div>DAY 1: Bike it out.</div><div>Esya, Sophia, and I woke up bright and shiny early to join our group: 1 woman and 2 men from England, 2 (very attractive) Israeli men, 1 man living in CA originally from France, and 1 man from Australia.</div><div> </div><div>After a nice bus ride up to our 4,350 meter starting point at the top of a mountain in Abra Malaga, we were welcomed by fog so thick you could barely see a meter in front of you. (Oh god. I actually just used "meter" instead of "3 feet". Someone get me back to the States. Now.) After the guides checked to make sure the tires had air and that the brakes "sort of" worked, we jumped on our bikes and began down the mountain. I was blessed with a bike whose brakes "sort of" worked, which meant death grip on them the entire way down. We got to stop numerous times on the paved road section to take snaps of the valley below. After the relaxing paved road ended we were greeted by a rock road. No, not little gravel, ROCKS. Rocks that if you hit the wrong way, you and your bike tumbled to the ground, which although I managed not to fall, numerous people in groups did fall down. This includes someone from another group that fell off the edge of the mountain. When I finished that day, they still hadn't found him. Yeah. I'm not kidding either. (sorry mom, don't freak out, it wasn't me!). </div><br /><div>We took a bus to Santa Maria, where the girls and I sadly had to leave our amazing group and guide to join our next group who was also only doing a 3 day trek. The 3 of us jumped into a cab (driven by what looked like a 14 year old boy) and took a terrifying hour long ride down the side of the mountain to Santa Teresa. The girls and I are now fondly calling that experience "Death Cab". </div><br /><div>Arriving in Sta. Teresa we met our new group: 1 man from Belgium, 1 man from Germany, 2 guys from the Netherlands, 1 man and also a couple from France, and 2 boys from California.</div><br /><div>After dinner we all went to a local club for drinks to numb the pain from 6 hours going over rocks on a bike. In hindsight, this may not have been the best idea since we had to get up early for a long hike the next day, but man, we all sure slept well. </div><br /><div>Here's a few photos from the day, another post from Day 2 soon!:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359284379329826994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmAAv5BBELI/AAAAAAAAAO8/5c70if8Q74o/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" border="0" /> Gloomy in Abra Malaga<br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359296950050423970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmAMLmmXBKI/AAAAAAAAAPk/XrqtvSaBpm4/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" border="0" />The guide made me tuck my pants into my socks. Sooooo attractive.<br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359285662894558242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmAB6mqsjCI/AAAAAAAAAPE/11jcPyR_Axg/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" border="0" />"checking" the air in the bikes...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359295239756288866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmAKoDQdk2I/AAAAAAAAAPc/mmpDI1rqWqs/s320/IMG_0253.JPG" border="0" />This picture isn't saturated. It's ACTUALLY that gorgeous here. Gah.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359293337748136562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SmAI5VuYYnI/AAAAAAAAAPU/gdL5WqcnnCc/s320/IMG_0230.JPG" border="0" />Sun finally out!!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-91508877065507488402009-07-16T20:32:00.001-07:002009-07-16T21:19:11.968-07:00Cusco Trip POST #1I have so much to say about this amazing trip, I am sure I will need more than one post..<br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>Day 1: CUSCO</div><div>I arrived in Cusco early the 9th and right away found a few unsure-looking gringas who didn't speak any Spanish outside the airport. These new friends (Sophia and Esya) and I left to find a hostal and some coca tea. </div></div><br /><div>Day 2: SACRED VALLEY<br />The next day we got up early to do a tour of the Sacred Valley, alternating between hour long hikes to ruins and seeing local goods. We visited Pisaq, Urumbamba, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. In Chinchero we got to watch a demonstration of the ancient process still used in this town to dye and weave textiles, which brought me back to the old Science Museum of Minnesota days (Lou, you remember that, right??)</div><div>A few shots from the day:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359270339159566194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Sl_z-pTkp3I/AAAAAAAAAOU/v8qM7A2e0CE/s320/IMG_0107.JPG" border="0" /> Colorful growths on ancient Inca walls in Pisaq<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359272105060460658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Sl_1lbzJ6HI/AAAAAAAAAOc/6peK6N9C26c/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" border="0" /> Inca ruins, the constant theme running through this trip...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359274768018018114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Sl_4AcFtj0I/AAAAAAAAAOs/R9JIFlwE-o0/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" border="0" />On top of mountain ruins looking down at Ollantaytambo<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359276153395140546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Sl_5RFBW18I/AAAAAAAAAO0/lt5Lcxf2BtY/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" border="0" />Can you see the profile of a man with a beard and a crown of towers in the mountain?</div><div></div><div>Our guide this day showed us a drawing the Incas had of their sun god, which looks exactly like the face in the mountain (the towers were built atop to be his crown by the Incas). Historians believe that one of the reasons the Inca people let in the first Spaniards was because when they came with faces with large beards like this sun god, the Inca people believe them to be messangers from their god.</div><div>We learned ridiculous amounts of history, but I will spare you all the lesson for the day!</div><div></div><div>The next day we spent purchasing local goods to bring back, and explored Cusco and its Plaza de Armas before going to bed early, ready to start our trek towards Machu Picchu the next day!</div><div></div><div>The next post(s) will have more pictures from that hike! </div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-20591360508503756582009-07-09T10:33:00.000-07:002009-07-09T10:35:06.492-07:00so my mom can sleep tonighti have arrived safely to cuzco!<br /><br />i am staying with two lovely jewish vegetarians from boston, esther and sophia.<br /><br />we booked our machu picchu hike for sunday monday tuesday!<br /><br />love from the high altitudes!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-41291654562314507712009-07-08T15:18:00.000-07:002009-07-08T15:51:59.144-07:00terminada!<div>finally finally finally</div><br /><div></div><div>I am done with all of my exams, presentations, and papers! </div><br /><div>I've NEVER been so happy to be done with school. I can easily say I would never study at PUCP again, and can't wait to get back to classes at Madison!!!</div><br /><div>Katie, Ash and I had a final lunch with our favorite Peruvians, and said our sad goodbyes before taking the last micro ride home from campus.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356225401411654450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SlUin8QQ0zI/AAAAAAAAAOE/G41wUf3Nxlg/s320/IMG_0056.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now that we are done with school, we are all free to travel, and believe me, we all can't WAIT to get out of Lima and have some fun!</div><br /><div></div><div>While Katie and Ash are going to Argentina, I will be travelling alone to Cuzco.</div><div>I will be doing a 3 or 4 day hike to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu">Machu Picchu</a>, and for the rest of my time..well...I have absolutely no idea! I've made no plans, and intend to just figure things out as I go, meeting people along the way to travel with.</div><br /><div></div><div>I'll be back in Lima for a few days before my trip to BOLIVIA, so I'll try to update with a post and pictures!</div><br /><div></div><div>Hope you all are happy & healthy!</div><div>Besos y Abrazos</div><br /><div></div><div>Coundown:</div><div>Leave for Cusco: <span style="color:#99ffff;">12 hours</span></div><div>Leave for Bolivia: <span style="color:#33ccff;">9 days</span></div><div>Leave for USA!!!: <span style="color:#3366ff;">3 weeks</span></div><br /><div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-36892684374660904632009-07-05T17:37:00.000-07:002009-07-05T18:29:24.597-07:00ahhhh folklore<div> Like I mentioned in my last post, Katie, Mary and I all went to Brisas del Titicaca, a folklore dance and music show. It was absolutely fantastic! Between acts popular cumbia or salsa music would come on and anyone from the audience could get up on the stage and dance!<br /><br /><div>Here are a few photos....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355141518949920610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SlFI1rb0r2I/AAAAAAAAAN8/6QsZIY3MVP4/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>plumas tan grandes, chicas con botas, y hombres como monstruos!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355141167639333218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SlFIhOs2iWI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Qh9vsywRO7s/s320/IMG_0040.jpg" border="0" /></div>"son guapas, bailando la marinera, nuestras mujeres peruanas!"<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355140634254622194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SlFICLsBvfI/AAAAAAAAANs/fmu38yyCNV8/s320/IMG_0032.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxhJELOZvFUmESofP0MCK-bypKYRQ7LfncZQoOuKRxO4RMdSoBi7Wr78ySbg3pIAPfkfmQvyudxmjjvzLvdcQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> .... hope this video works, enjoy!<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>In other news, we now have 2 new girls living in the house with us, both from the east coast. </div><div>Also, Tuesday is the end of the school road for me (FINALLY) with 2 finals, a commentary, and 3 final papers (ouch). Wish me luck. I am going to need it.</div><div> </div><div>Besos y Abrazos!<br /></div><div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-26903793425744963792009-07-04T13:26:00.000-07:002009-07-04T13:31:21.272-07:00dia de independencia y amistad<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">HAPPY</span> <span style="color:#000099;">4th</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">everyone!</span></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#999999;">I've gotta say, being in Lima is a little bit of a bummer, but not quite as bad as in 2005 when I spent the 4th in Poland! It's Dia del Amistad here, (Friendship Day) so at least there's that!</span><br /><span style="color:#999999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999999;">To take a break from studying, and to celebrate the 4th the best we can, Katie and our friend Mary and I are going to a folklore dance show, at a place called Brisas del Titicaca.</span><br /><span style="color:#999999;">It's multiple hours of different types of music, shows, and dancing!</span><br /><span style="color:#999999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999999;">So it may not be BBQs or watching fireworks on Bald Eagle, but it should be a good time.</span><br /><span style="color:#999999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999999;">Entonces, otra vez, </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">Feli<span style="color:#3333ff;">z Día</span> d<span style="color:#ffffff;">e</span> la Ind<span style="color:#ffffff;">epend</span>enc<span style="color:#3333ff;">i</span>a!</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">Besos y Abrazos!</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-84547029189207920912009-07-03T15:19:00.001-07:002009-07-03T15:32:51.124-07:00love affair....with Skype.<br /><br /><br />Come on, how cool is it that I get to see my Mom, Dad and Uncle B who are 4000+ miles away, for FREE?<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Countdown:</span><br />Last final exams: 4 days<br />Leave for Cuzco: 6 days<br />Leave for Bolivia: 14 days<br />Leave for USA: 26 days<br /><br /><br />Besos y Abrazos!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-48392419700397507312009-06-30T11:52:00.000-07:002009-06-30T12:04:51.035-07:00strike!ah yes, i love strikes.<br /><br />no, wait, i don't. unless we're talking bowling.<br /><br />as i have mentioned before, our main transportation here is the combi (or micro) system. we find our that most of the combi workers have gone on strike because they want the fines the police charge them to be less.<br /><br />um..yeah..that makes sense..."we did something illegal but we don't want to pay for it!"<br /><br />also the government tried to mandate that the combis could not be more than 25 years old. which made everyone very angry evidently.<br /><br />so because of this, we took a taxi home from school (and felt very carrie bradshaw about it).<br /><br />yay peru.<br /><br />besos y abrazosLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-73394817865077871282009-06-29T12:04:00.001-07:002009-06-29T12:13:54.532-07:00one monthI am absolutely baffled as to where the time has gone.<br />In exactly one month from today I will be leaving South America to return to the USA!<br /><br />To all of you back in White Bear and Madison, get ready for <strong>ridiculous</strong> amounts of...<br /><br />Besos y Abrazos!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-24931962232853228742009-06-25T20:46:00.000-07:002009-06-25T21:50:52.444-07:00arequipa post II<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">A few photos from the Arequipa trip:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351493796170565202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRTQRJ0BlI/AAAAAAAAANk/4f5COSbLGp0/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Church in Arequipa: Estilo Barroco Criollo<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351481582869156386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRIJXD2EiI/AAAAAAAAAMk/64exnauRF8k/s320/IMG_0734.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center">Andean Condors! (9 ft wing span. Like to eat donkeys. Good.)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351491890625194034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRRhWcZKDI/AAAAAAAAANc/KVmU49kWCc8/s320/IMG_0737.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Colca Canyon: Largest canyon in the world<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351480907384362274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRHiCruFSI/AAAAAAAAAMc/_NTyjzcx0R0/s320/IMG_0739.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><div>Hiking day 1: 20 miles.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351482866167315026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRJUDt9-lI/AAAAAAAAAMs/6ekM___CAn0/s320/IMG_0860.JPG" border="0" />Aaaand getting lost for the second time. This time on the way to Cabanaconde Plaza.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351489025964122482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRO6mv-IXI/AAAAAAAAANM/5aaUWvLJ0Eo/s320/DSCN1208.JPG" border="0" /> Baby Lamb in Chivay! Ahhhhhhhh!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351484021373320690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRKXTMivfI/AAAAAAAAAM0/hAxoFQXLMLY/s320/IMG_0868.JPG" border="0" />Ancient Inca terrazas. Holy. Amazing.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351485139750234386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRLYZeYKRI/AAAAAAAAAM8/eZWppGBnPV8/s320/IMG_0873.JPG" border="0" /> The whole group with our guide, Omar<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351490437673851426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SkRQMxxzGiI/AAAAAAAAANU/CwuwzjfBknQ/s320/DSCN1233.JPG" border="0" /> 4,900 meters. Insert inability to breathe here.</div></div></div><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-77212890055859459572009-06-24T17:16:00.000-07:002009-06-24T19:37:15.022-07:00pase mula, pase!Arequipa, ya te extraño.<br />Ash, Katie, Jake, our friend Jennasen and I loved our mini-trip...<br /><br />We got in town around 5 am Friday, and after relaxing a bit at our fantastic hostel wandered to the Plaza de Armas where we laughed at the menu at the restaurant we ate at. The attempted English translations were great, such as:<br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">Palta Rellena a la Jardinera (Veggie filled Avocado)= "Padded Avocado do to the Gardener"</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">Bistek de Alpaca (Alpaca steak)= "Bistek of German nikel"</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br />After wandering through countless agencies, we finally found a place to book our Colca Canyon tour, and spent the rest of the day on a city tour, going to lookout points to see the unbelievable mountains and volcanoes surrounding the town.<br /><br />The next morning we woke up bright and happy early at 3:30 am to bus out to Colca. After stopping to see the famous Andean Condors, our group was dropped off in the middle of the mountains to start our trek down the canyon.<br />(Let me add that right before they dropped us off the guides were talking amongst themselves about an Israeli girl that was lost in the canyon...whose body was just found a month ago. Oh god.)<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>TREK DAY 1:</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">3 hours down:</span> hot, but full of singing songs to our guide Omar.<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">1 hour up:</span> lunch was waiting for us, as well as more much needed water.<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;">Get lost take 1:</span> Omar hadn't taken this trail in a while, which led to us accidently coming upon private property, which led us to get chased by a group of terrifying dogs, which led us to have to backtrack and hike even more, which led to it getting darker than we planned.<br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">2 1/2 hours of flat, up, up, up, down, up, up, up:</span> My calves hate me.<br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">1/2 hour of down in the dark:</span> Will I trip and fall off the mountain edge? Who knows!<br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">Arrive at "Oasis":</span> Since we got there when it was dark..and since there was no electricity...we could not see anything, but I'm sure it was pretty! Omar tells us we just walked about 30-35k (20ish miles). Hmm..that would explain why my legs feel funny...After a much needed dinner and lemongrass tea we hudlded in our bamboo thatched bungalow and prepared to get up at 4:30 am to hike up the canyon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">TREK DAY 2:</span><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">4:30 am:</span> Shouldn't we be leaving?<br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">6:00 am:</span> Omar comes pounding on our door...informing us he slept through his alarm. Oops.<br /><span style="color:#339999;">6:30 am:</span> We start our trek up the largest canyon in the world, which let me tell you, when you are climbing out of it, you can sure as hell tell it is such. Gah.<br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">3/4 way up:</span> Jennasen and I are out of water, walking slowly upwards in the sun, blisters getting bigger and better with each step!<br /><span style="color:#6633ff;">Last 1/4 way up:</span> We get to ride mules the rest of the way! YES! My mule, Luisa (Haha Lou, there's a mule in Peru named after you), decided she didn't want to go up anymore, and when her owner wasn't paying attention she made a break for it and whipped around on the tiny path trying to go down, not caring about the little gringa girl that had nothing but a small wedge to hold on to for dear life as she dangled over the canyon. Benito, the owner got her back in line and profusely apologized to me. "Disculpame senorita! AY! Disculpame! AY! Mula! Mula! Pase!"<br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">The end of the hike since we made it to the top?</span> : No. Omar waits for Jake to make it up, and tells us that the bus is just a 10 minute walk away. Hahaha. Right. Well, after walking for a while, we come to a fork in the road. With no one in sight to ask, we chose the path that looked the most worn. 5 minutes later, another fork in the road. Hm. We get passed by a herd of sheep and realize we are lost. After hiking through the fields towards some houses we ask men where the plaza is. The point across all the fields to the opposite end of the city. Awesome.<br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">The end of the hike since we made it to the plaza?:</span> YES! 10 minutes later we left Cabacabonde, finally getting something to eat!<br /><br />After stopping to see the hot springs in Chivay, ancient Incan terrazas and at the highest point in the area to further increase my already raging altitude sickness, we returned to Arequipa.<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;">A few things I must say about this trip:</span><br />1. If I had to settle down in Peru, I would absolutely live in Arequipa. The city and the mountains were unbelievably gorgeous, despite the freezing nights and the nearby active volcano...Also, the town is full of ruggedly-good-looking-muscular tour guides.<br />2. Colca Canyon is a hike I would suggest for anyone who is in kick-ass shape, has no problems with altitude, isn't currently sick, and has had a good night sleep before. (note:I was none of the above when I went)<br />3. I will post pictures of all of this in a post soon to come!<br /><br />But now we are back in Lima, getting ready for class presentations and our first final next week, along with 3 huge final papers and 2 more final exams the next week. If any of you feel like sending me some luck, raspberries, or spicy tofu from muramoto, please do.<br /><br />Besos y AbrazosLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-69725792546594203142009-06-18T16:29:00.000-07:002009-06-18T16:56:44.817-07:00gettin' out of lima.In case you haven't heard me mention (okay, complain) about Lima weather, it's grey here.<br />And cold.<br />And foggy.<br />I miss the sun. Truly.<br /><br />So Ash, Katie, Jake and I are headed to Arequipa wayyyy down south at 3:45 am this Friday. It's going to be ridiculously cold there since it is in the mountains, but at least there will be sunshine!<br />Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru, with almost 1,000,000 people and is surrounded by three gigantic volacanoes.<br />We will be busing to Colca Canyon (which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon) to go on a tough 2 day hike. The first day is straight downhill, then we'll be staying in the canyon (brrrr) overnight, and the second day is a treacherous hike back up. The canyon is known for being home to the Andean Condors, and also has natural hot springs which we hope to hit up during our stay in Chivay! I have been warned about altitude sickness, and we all know how well my trek in Huaraz went, so wish me luck...<br /><br />On a completely unrelated-to-peru-note: We found out my sister will be having a <span style="color:#ffcc99;">baby girl</span> in November! If you know Ann and Brooks, send your congrats!<br /><br />Hope you all have a happy summer weekend, and Happy Father's Day on Sunday, mainly to the best father on the face of the planet (<em><strong><span style="color:#339999;">mine, of course</span></strong></em>).<br /><br />Besos y AbrazosLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-8257948347793504362009-06-11T17:18:00.001-07:002009-06-11T19:56:27.607-07:00soapboxI know just as well as anyone else how easy it is when you are living comfortably in the U.S. to forget about looking into what's going on in other places of the world. Sure, we hear and talk about the shocking, big story events like the Swine Flu (excuse me, H1N1), and the terrible AirFrance tragedy, but how often do we really <strong><em>take the time to find out </em></strong>what is going on elsewhere? If it isn't put directly into our lap by CNN or told to us at the water cooler at work, when do we take the time to find out what's up? There have been many sad deaths due to both political unrest and poverty here in Peru recently, and I am guessing most of you haven't heard much about them.<br />Please take a minute or two out of your day to look at these links attatched about two stories currently in the news here.<br /><br />1. <span style="color:#339999;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Puno.</span></strong> </span>Puno is a city in the south of Peru, where temperatures get very cold in the winter, and because of the extreme poverty, every year there are many deaths. Recently over 150 children died across Peru, (35 of them in Puno) all because of a combination of lack of proper food, clothing and heating. See here: <a href="http://www.peruviantimes.com/puno-regional-president-accused-of-negligence-in-child-deaths-from-cold/">http://www.peruviantimes.com/puno-regional-president-accused-of-negligence-in-child-deaths-from-cold/</a><br /><br />2. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Protests over the Amazon.</span></strong> This is currently a VERY heated topic here. Current President Alan Garcia had made a plan to open parts of the rainforest to foreign investment (AKA mining, drilling for oil). As you can imagine this has sparked extreme anger from not only the indigenous people living in the area, but people all over Peru. HUGE protests, road blocking, and numerous deaths have occured in the North. Sympathy protests are now occuring in Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa nd other areas. Today a bunch of kids from my school went to participate in the protest in Lima. I didn't go, as I was scared because if U.S. citizens get caught protesting in anti-govt events they can be jailed and HELD! GAH! Glad I didn't go, my roommate Jenna went and got tear gased. Bah. Check out this story: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/groundreport/up-to-250-indigenous-peru_b_214517.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/groundreport/up-to-250-indigenous-peru_b_214517.html</a><br /><br />Money and clothes are now being given to help out the people in Puno and other areas, but there is a lot of anger about the government not taking precautionary steps earlier in the year.<br /><br />As for the Amazon issue, this is something I forsee going on for a while. Stay tuned.<br /><br />Besos y AbrazosLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-68808536106161051412009-06-09T11:32:00.000-07:002009-06-09T14:04:12.216-07:00for anno<span style="color:#cccccc;">To please my lovely sisters, here are some updates:<br /><br />1. I survived my first oral presentation in class...and let me tell you, <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Si6uNtVAiDI/AAAAAAAAALE/_SbI8wBsqEs/s1600-h/IMG_0525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345401358264600626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Si6uNtVAiDI/AAAAAAAAALE/_SbI8wBsqEs/s200/IMG_0525.JPG" border="0" /></a>everyone looked positively riveted. Did I say riveted? Shoot. Riveted can't be used as a synonym for "baffled by my terrible accent in Spanish" can it? No? Oh. Well then.<br /><br />2. I had the pleasure of changing Ash's hair color so she would appear less gringa-ish. Didn't work, but at least she looks cute ----------------------------><br /><br />3. Turns out winter here</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Si6tfYR-WUI/AAAAAAAAAK8/_JgjV_wDHsY/s1600-h/IMG_0559.JPG"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345400562340747586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Si6tfYR-WUI/AAAAAAAAAK8/_JgjV_wDHsY/s200/IMG_0559.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;"> actually is quite chilly. Now, nothing like WI or MN winters, since there isn't any snow...or even rain...but since it is so humid here it's like walking through a cold heavy foggy mist all day. (yay!) To combat this gloomy atmosphere (and to keep my toes from getting stepped on the Micro rides) I bought new shoes. <span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff6666;">(Louisa, I know you'll approve)</span><br /><br /><br />4. A guy that lived in this house in 2006 is here to visit until the 3rd of July, so we have another roommate! Jake is a high school Spanish teacher from Indiana, and the family is obsessed with him.<br /><br />5. We celebrated Senor Dante's 70th birthday! I walked into the party, said "feliz cumple!"---his response? "Quieres whisky?" Oh sir, you know me all too well.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#cccccc;"><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345434026168915154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/Si7L7OwVlNI/AAAAAAAAALk/c16E3CILOtc/s320/IMG_0549.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc66;">Unlike the picture from Esther's birthday, this actually has everyone in it! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Senora Esther, Cynthia (in black), Natalia & Danny holding their son Alessandro behind their daughter Luciana, Senor Dante holding Camila next to her parents Mariana & Jorge, with their other 2 children Mauricio and Marianita.</span> </span></p><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">Hope summer is treating you all well, enjoy the sun for me!</span></p><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">Besos y Abrazos</span></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-44383224404572780992009-05-30T19:53:00.000-07:002009-05-30T19:59:49.525-07:00zmr<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SiHxxzfjKtI/AAAAAAAAAKs/OoP9YGEzaew/s1600-h/n8644025_33379060_6874.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341816470976539346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SiHxxzfjKtI/AAAAAAAAAKs/OoP9YGEzaew/s320/n8644025_33379060_6874.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>although this blog is intended for peru related things, since i can't be there to annoy him and give him embarrassing amounts of birthday attention in person, this post is dedicated to wishing the fantastic Zachrey a HAPPY 21st! </div><br /><br /><div>21 Besos y Abrazos !<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SiHyLUKXG4I/AAAAAAAAAK0/MwQZI_ex5oU/s1600-h/IMG_0493bbbb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341816909242768258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/SiHyLUKXG4I/AAAAAAAAAK0/MwQZI_ex5oU/s320/IMG_0493bbbb.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-67819179421628114072009-05-29T19:12:00.001-07:002009-05-31T11:14:31.440-07:00important things peru: schoolIn the spirit of staying in on this friday night to study once again, I thought I would make this third installment of important things peru about the lovely university I attend, La Catolica.<br /><br />To understand school here, do the following:<br /><span style="color:#33ffff;">Step 1:</span> Think of the basic organization of a university in the States, like UW Madison.<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ffff;">Step 2:</span> Forget all the basic organization of a university in the States, like UW Madison, it will do you no good here.<br /><br /><br /><strong>CLASS/TEACHER:</strong><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">Madison: Class size 300.</span> Trying to meet with your teacher is like trying to get penciled in for lunch with the Queen: Difficult, but possible.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">La Catolica: Class size 25.</span> Trying to meet with your teacher is like trying to catch a unicorn. Impossible. Unless you are on some kind of drug. Then maybe you can imagine it. Still, imagining will get you no help on finding theses for your three 15-page final papers.<br />(Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture??)<br /><br /><br /><strong>LIBRARY SYSTEM:</strong><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">Madison:</span> Need a book? Go to the library. Find it yourself. Browse if you like. Check it out. Hang on to it for a while, eventually give it back.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">La Catolica:</span> Need a book? Go to the library. Write your name, student ID, book ID, author, title, date, signature, name of your first born, favorite season and the square root of 3423294 on a tiny sheet of paper. Hand it to grumpy looking man along with your ID card. Check it out. Return it within 3 days (yes 3) or else your card will be frozen and you can't check out books for a week.<br />(Um...really?)<br /><br /><br /><strong>CLASS MATERIALS:</strong><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">Madison:</span> Buy expensive books or receive packets from teachers. Sell back books at the end of the year. Get a little money back to go spend on beer to drown your sorrows that you only got $16 back when you paid $400.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">La Catolica:</span> Teacher scribbles article/book name on board. Go to the photocopier and tell them you need one copy of [insert book title] for [insert teacher's name]'s class. Wait anywhere from 5 minutes- 1 hour to get your copy. Extra $ to get it spiral backed. Read it, never get to sell it back or use it again. This sounds not bad right? WRONG. This is what you have to do about every week. For every class. Over and over. The best part is when the teacher assigns a book, but doesn't leave it in the photocopier. This means you get to RUN to the library before the other kids in your class get there, check out the ONE copy of that book, and bring it to the photocopier (and return it in 3 days of course). If the book isn't available at the library? Tough luck.<br /><br />Oh Peru.<br />Well, I must get back to reading my 250 page book (or, well, photocopy of a book) on the history of colonial views in spanish america!<br /><br />Besos, abrazos, y happier posts to come!<br /><br />[thanks to alicia groh, from whom i took ideas for this post!]Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046284446856556964.post-33500375318992086072009-05-24T17:32:00.001-07:002009-05-24T17:44:08.974-07:00updates<div align="left"> Not much has been happening since our return from Ecuador, unfortunately.<br /></div><div align="left">A few highlights of the past week or so include:</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">1.) Sharing how to make s'mores with our Peruvian friends. After we made them for them, their response was "Que Rico!" (shocking, I know)</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">2.) Getting an A/B on one of my Literatura papers. After the way midterms went, looks like I'll be needing to get a 4.0 next year @ Madison. Oh well. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">3.)Opening up our host family's world to velveeta shells and cheese! A friend sent me a HUGE box of it in a package a while back, so Ash and I made it today. What they said after trying it? "Que Rico!" (GAHHHHHHHH)</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">4.)Celebrating our host mom's 73rd birthday! If I look as good as her and have as much energy when I'm that age, I will be incredibly lucky. After the party ended SHE went out more! Not us!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339555379448519826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K9PuMbTeizc/ShnpU9KOHJI/AAAAAAAAAJs/1XBjCOiBe_Y/s320/n8650529_49204849_7937646.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">Mariana, Marianita, Camila, Senora Esther, Alessandro, Mauricio, Senor Dante</span><br /></span><br /><br />And, on a non-Peru related note:<br /><br />5.) My darling sister completed the Mad-city half marathon with a time of 2:32:49. She's insane and fantastic, I know.<br /><br />6.) I was informed I got the job I applied for with PAVE, an organization I've been volunteering with dedicated to ending sexual assault and domestic violence. So I am now the '09-'10 Volunteer Coordinator!!!<br /><br />Besos y Abrazos!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232672247334137723noreply@blogger.com2