we finally made it to cusco at 7 am PET today. relatively uneventful trip getting here, managed to get some sleep in the lima airport. all the airline personnel and even some travellers are wearing surgical masks, i guess because of swine flu. we had to fill out paperwork on the flight to lima stating that we weren´t sick!
cusco is interesting so far - lots of stray dogs and street markets. the street markets had whole chickens, pigs, and i don´t know what other kinds of meat for sale.
the air is definitely thinner here. our cab dropped us off half a block from loki hostel, but the walk was pretty much a vertical climb. couple that with a 30 lb backpack...oy. will take some getting used to. would love to run here but would probably pass out and anyway, there aren´t really any open spaces for that.
my spanish is coming back slowly but surely - i´ve been able to communicate with cab drivers and airport personnel pretty well so far. the guy in the lima airport asked if i spoke the language and i said "poquito" (a little). he laughed and asked if i was mexican. ha ha ha. yes, actually.
pics to come later...
Friday, July 3, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Orquillos?
I MIGHT know where I'm going next week! Yay! I mean, it's kind of irrelevant but at least I can look at it on Google Earth now. :-)
It's not 100% guaranteed, but there is a strong likelihood I'll be going here:
http://travelingluck.com/South%20America/Peru/Cusco/_3933943_Quebrada+Orquillos.html#local_map
It appears to be in the middle of nowhere...again, yay! However, it may not be as rustic as I thought. The guy I was talking to today said I would probably be sleeping in a school or a community center. Maren and I are having flashbacks to 6th grade lock-ins, ha ha. Dude wasn't completely sure about anything, so I guess I'll just figure things out when we arrive.
I will say that while sleeping in a building with four walls might be more comfortable than a hut, I was sort of looking forward to sleeping in pretty rustic conditions. And who knows, it still could be (heaven only knows what a school looks like there). Regardless, I can't wait to get out of the daily grind. Eight days!
It's not 100% guaranteed, but there is a strong likelihood I'll be going here:
http://travelingluck.com/South%20America/Peru/Cusco/_3933943_Quebrada+Orquillos.html#local_map
It appears to be in the middle of nowhere...again, yay! However, it may not be as rustic as I thought. The guy I was talking to today said I would probably be sleeping in a school or a community center. Maren and I are having flashbacks to 6th grade lock-ins, ha ha. Dude wasn't completely sure about anything, so I guess I'll just figure things out when we arrive.
I will say that while sleeping in a building with four walls might be more comfortable than a hut, I was sort of looking forward to sleeping in pretty rustic conditions. And who knows, it still could be (heaven only knows what a school looks like there). Regardless, I can't wait to get out of the daily grind. Eight days!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Counting down
I've spent the better part of the last year trying to "find myself". I have done some interesting things - run a few marathons, started reading the Bible, experimented with blackout drinking, etc. But what journey to find oneself is complete without taking a crazy trip somewhere? No journey I want to be on. Hence, I leave in about three weeks for a teaching and building trip in Peru (I decided that I may as well contribute positively to society whilst trying to find myself).
Why Peru? Dunno exactly. I was supposed to go there for research last year, which fell through at the 11th hour, and I've wanted to go ever since. Oh, and I'd like to see some mountain goats. Reasons enough for me, although I've been warned at least three times now not to pet said goats unless I'd like worms or fleas.
Getting ready for this trip has been educational and entertaining. For starters, I had to get all kinds of shots - Hep A, B, typhoid, tetanus - yikes! Then I needed to get special insurance, which will allow me to repatriate quickly if my apartment burns down (God forbid) but will NOT reimburse my family if I become dead or dismembered during a sudden breakout of civil war or political crisis.
However, the most interesting stuff has been conversations with other people inquiring about my trip. For example:
Trying to explain to a limited-English speaking co-worker that even though I am taking a 2-week trip with another woman (my good friend is going with me), I am NOT a lesbian. This = entertaining.
Having a straight-faced conversation with my step-brother about what kind of underpants I plan to sport in the Andes also = entertaining. (but educational in addition to entertaining. travel 'roos are apparently a MUST and I've heard this from several sources. to that end I am the proud owner of three pairs of the most expensive drawers on the planet. I have no idea WHERE exactly in Peru I'll be landing but I can assure you that I'll be sporting a dry rear end).
I'm actually very lucky to know lots of people who have taken crazy trips of their own. My step-brother, who is mega into back packing, loaned me his pack (which is bigger and better than mine), sleeping bag, and encouraged me to start eating some lard ASAP to bulk up for the trip. My step-dad, who recently did Doctors w/o Borders in Haiti (and also served in Vietnam), has provided all sorts of tips for scouting potty locations, keeping clean and staying diarrhea free. And a colleague/friend, who spent six months wandering through Asia, provided the best gift of all...a packing checklist. I adore lists.
I think I just need to brush up on my Spanish and I'll be all set. Now, donde estan mis libros de Espanol...
Why Peru? Dunno exactly. I was supposed to go there for research last year, which fell through at the 11th hour, and I've wanted to go ever since. Oh, and I'd like to see some mountain goats. Reasons enough for me, although I've been warned at least three times now not to pet said goats unless I'd like worms or fleas.
Getting ready for this trip has been educational and entertaining. For starters, I had to get all kinds of shots - Hep A, B, typhoid, tetanus - yikes! Then I needed to get special insurance, which will allow me to repatriate quickly if my apartment burns down (God forbid) but will NOT reimburse my family if I become dead or dismembered during a sudden breakout of civil war or political crisis.
However, the most interesting stuff has been conversations with other people inquiring about my trip. For example:
Trying to explain to a limited-English speaking co-worker that even though I am taking a 2-week trip with another woman (my good friend is going with me), I am NOT a lesbian. This = entertaining.
Having a straight-faced conversation with my step-brother about what kind of underpants I plan to sport in the Andes also = entertaining. (but educational in addition to entertaining. travel 'roos are apparently a MUST and I've heard this from several sources. to that end I am the proud owner of three pairs of the most expensive drawers on the planet. I have no idea WHERE exactly in Peru I'll be landing but I can assure you that I'll be sporting a dry rear end).
I'm actually very lucky to know lots of people who have taken crazy trips of their own. My step-brother, who is mega into back packing, loaned me his pack (which is bigger and better than mine), sleeping bag, and encouraged me to start eating some lard ASAP to bulk up for the trip. My step-dad, who recently did Doctors w/o Borders in Haiti (and also served in Vietnam), has provided all sorts of tips for scouting potty locations, keeping clean and staying diarrhea free. And a colleague/friend, who spent six months wandering through Asia, provided the best gift of all...a packing checklist. I adore lists.
I think I just need to brush up on my Spanish and I'll be all set. Now, donde estan mis libros de Espanol...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Champagne and street meat
Three of the four people in our hotel room are in varying stages of sickness. Anne has been sick all week, I started coming down with something Friday, and on Saturday Maren said her throat was scratchy. This is probably the reason we all accidentally slept until 11:15 am. Oops.
The plan for Saturday was pretty simple. Drink. Do a little shopping. And probably eat. Then more drinking. Em and Bill (Em's husband) have a delightful restaurant in their neighborhood that serves unlimited mimosa brunch for $6 ($6!!!!) so we decided to go there, since this fantastic bit of heaven was available all the way until 3:30 pm. It was 70 degrees outside and we took our time walking to the subway and then to the restaurant where we spent a solid 2.5-3 hours guzzling alcohol and eating delicious eggs. Why don’t they have stuff like this in Cincinnati? I guess serving unlimited cocktails and then sending people out to drive (no subway in the Queen City) is asking for a lawsuit? Hmm.
We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Manhattan drunk, occasionally stopping at places like fabric stores and H&M. Several hours later the buzz had worn off so we all headed back to Em and Bill’s for organic pizza before venturing out to a lounge in the Flatiron District. In Cincinnati, the word “lounge” would indicate a dive bar that is probably attached to either a bowling alley or perhaps a factory. In New York, lounges are fancy deals, so we actually cleaned ourselves up and put on nice clothes to go out. :-)
Bill had set the whole thing up and made reservations in advance, which meant we got cushy seats at a table in the VIP room. The décor was kind of 70’s but was still pretty cool, the cocktail list was killer (so were the prices :-), and I got to talk to some of Emily’s New York runner friends who are coming to run the Pig in May. Good times.
Swanky flight of rum
Maren, Malia, Anne and I decided to take the subway home and what goes better with a 2 am (actually 3 am) subway ride than...street meat! We had the most amazing hot dogs - ketchup, mustard, and pork by-products. Mmmm. For some reason this put me in the mood to sing Electric Light Orchestra tunes all the way back to 40th street.
Will I see you tonight...on a downtown train?
We were giggling like 13-year olds when we got to the hotel and laid in bed talking utter nonsense for a while before we all passed out. I love my girls. :-)
The plan for Saturday was pretty simple. Drink. Do a little shopping. And probably eat. Then more drinking. Em and Bill (Em's husband) have a delightful restaurant in their neighborhood that serves unlimited mimosa brunch for $6 ($6!!!!) so we decided to go there, since this fantastic bit of heaven was available all the way until 3:30 pm. It was 70 degrees outside and we took our time walking to the subway and then to the restaurant where we spent a solid 2.5-3 hours guzzling alcohol and eating delicious eggs. Why don’t they have stuff like this in Cincinnati? I guess serving unlimited cocktails and then sending people out to drive (no subway in the Queen City) is asking for a lawsuit? Hmm.
We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Manhattan drunk, occasionally stopping at places like fabric stores and H&M. Several hours later the buzz had worn off so we all headed back to Em and Bill’s for organic pizza before venturing out to a lounge in the Flatiron District. In Cincinnati, the word “lounge” would indicate a dive bar that is probably attached to either a bowling alley or perhaps a factory. In New York, lounges are fancy deals, so we actually cleaned ourselves up and put on nice clothes to go out. :-)
Bill had set the whole thing up and made reservations in advance, which meant we got cushy seats at a table in the VIP room. The décor was kind of 70’s but was still pretty cool, the cocktail list was killer (so were the prices :-), and I got to talk to some of Emily’s New York runner friends who are coming to run the Pig in May. Good times.
Swanky flight of rum
Maren, Malia, Anne and I decided to take the subway home and what goes better with a 2 am (actually 3 am) subway ride than...street meat! We had the most amazing hot dogs - ketchup, mustard, and pork by-products. Mmmm. For some reason this put me in the mood to sing Electric Light Orchestra tunes all the way back to 40th street.
Will I see you tonight...on a downtown train?
We were giggling like 13-year olds when we got to the hotel and laid in bed talking utter nonsense for a while before we all passed out. I love my girls. :-)
Friday, March 6, 2009
New York, New York
So, I got to Penn Station pretty late last night and dragged my uncle (who let me crash with him) out for cocktails and a semi-swanky dinner in Hell’s Kitchen. One of the things I love about New York is that no matter what time of day it is, you can always find a good restaurant and a nice glass of Chivas. Ha.
I went to bed kinda buzzed and woke up this morning to a killer view from the 19th floor. I had the best intentions to get some work done and then go to Times Square for a quick store check, but ended up laying around in my pajamas until about 1:30. Then I met my friend Jenifer for a long, leisurely lunch in Bryant Park involving smoked salmon and more Scotch. I just love vacation.
Around 5 pm my Cincinnati crew – Maren, Malia, Anne, and Sarah – arrived at the hotel and we hit the subway to go surprise Emily at her apartment on the Upper West Side. We have been keeping this trip a secret since, I don’t know, last August, and we were all relieved to finally let the cat out of the bag. It was awesome too - Em was completely shocked to find us in her lobby but recovered nicely over a bottle of red wine.
Pre-drinking at Chez Mason (Em and Bill's apartment)
Dinner was at a super hip French restaurant in/near Soho and a couple people in our group ordered steak tartar. I’ve never seen this as an entrée before and was completely intrigued with the process of mixing bunches of sauces together, then combining them with raw meat right at the table. The end result looked something like an uncooked meatloaf. I’m not sure I could have gotten down more than a bite of it (I didn’t even try).
The Gang (why do I always smirk in pictures???)
Afterwards we were a little tipsy and wandered around the streets singing “I’m Proud to Be An American” (no idea why) and finally landed on the patio of some local bar that had Yuengling on draft. Cheers to that! A giant group of twenty-somethings started smoking marijuana and one of the bartenders came out and said “The weed smells nice but can you please stop that?” Ha, ha only in New York.
Silly girls...
I went to bed kinda buzzed and woke up this morning to a killer view from the 19th floor. I had the best intentions to get some work done and then go to Times Square for a quick store check, but ended up laying around in my pajamas until about 1:30. Then I met my friend Jenifer for a long, leisurely lunch in Bryant Park involving smoked salmon and more Scotch. I just love vacation.
Around 5 pm my Cincinnati crew – Maren, Malia, Anne, and Sarah – arrived at the hotel and we hit the subway to go surprise Emily at her apartment on the Upper West Side. We have been keeping this trip a secret since, I don’t know, last August, and we were all relieved to finally let the cat out of the bag. It was awesome too - Em was completely shocked to find us in her lobby but recovered nicely over a bottle of red wine.
Pre-drinking at Chez Mason (Em and Bill's apartment)
Dinner was at a super hip French restaurant in/near Soho and a couple people in our group ordered steak tartar. I’ve never seen this as an entrée before and was completely intrigued with the process of mixing bunches of sauces together, then combining them with raw meat right at the table. The end result looked something like an uncooked meatloaf. I’m not sure I could have gotten down more than a bite of it (I didn’t even try).
The Gang (why do I always smirk in pictures???)
Afterwards we were a little tipsy and wandered around the streets singing “I’m Proud to Be An American” (no idea why) and finally landed on the patio of some local bar that had Yuengling on draft. Cheers to that! A giant group of twenty-somethings started smoking marijuana and one of the bartenders came out and said “The weed smells nice but can you please stop that?” Ha, ha only in New York.
Silly girls...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Getting there is...educational
It’s been an interesting day. I started out in Eastern PA for a client meeting and then rode an Amtrak to NYC for my friend Emily’s surprise 30th birthday party. I’ve never been on an Amtrak before and I’ve learned a few things on this trip that I probably should have already known. For instance, you don’t want to be in the bathroom when the train starts moving. And...don’t drink the water. Even if there are cups, a spigot, a brass plate that says “Water” and no signage or any other indication that the water is vile. Also, a friend of mine warned me not to put anything on the floor of the train unless I don't mind having my luggage peed on. I have so much stuff for work that I threw caution to the wind on this one and fully utilized my 12 inches of floor space, but I guess I got lucky...everything looks dry...
Out the train window, I saw parts of the country that I’ve only read about prior to now. There is some serious money in Eastern PA and some sprawling, palatial estates to go with it. Just a few miles away are some of the poorest neighborhoods I think I’ve ever seen. Perhaps the most disturbing thing of all was the quintessential farmhouse scene I saw: silo, big red barn, cows, sheep, etc. with the steaming towers of Three Mile Island in the background.
Funny, I wasn’t expecting a last-minute Amtrak ride to turn into such thought-provoking travel.
Out the train window, I saw parts of the country that I’ve only read about prior to now. There is some serious money in Eastern PA and some sprawling, palatial estates to go with it. Just a few miles away are some of the poorest neighborhoods I think I’ve ever seen. Perhaps the most disturbing thing of all was the quintessential farmhouse scene I saw: silo, big red barn, cows, sheep, etc. with the steaming towers of Three Mile Island in the background.
Funny, I wasn’t expecting a last-minute Amtrak ride to turn into such thought-provoking travel.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Random quotes/pics from the Portland trip
Pictures
Idiot-proof instructions for Portland parking meters
Anne found a nice "silence of the lambs" looking mask in the pocket of her ski jacket
Funny sign in Manzanita, Oregon
Up on the roof in downtown Portland
I just liked this one
"Gas Open to the Public" struck me as entertaining after a few cocktails
We broke Shawn's blinds. I won't say how.
Sign on top is advertising a lost cat. Sign on bottom is advertising a found cat, which is obviously the same cat. Someone wrote "duh" on the bottom sign and drew an arrow towards the top sign.
Even the fire hydrants in Portland are smiling
Quotes
"You're either a man or you hug a baby" (as demonstrated in the Southwest Airlines emergency safety instructions)
"Bitches ain't shit"
"Black. Strap. Stout."
"Troll-e"
"Le Fucking Grumpy"
Idiot-proof instructions for Portland parking meters
Anne found a nice "silence of the lambs" looking mask in the pocket of her ski jacket
Funny sign in Manzanita, Oregon
Up on the roof in downtown Portland
I just liked this one
"Gas Open to the Public" struck me as entertaining after a few cocktails
We broke Shawn's blinds. I won't say how.
Sign on top is advertising a lost cat. Sign on bottom is advertising a found cat, which is obviously the same cat. Someone wrote "duh" on the bottom sign and drew an arrow towards the top sign.
Even the fire hydrants in Portland are smiling
Quotes
"You're either a man or you hug a baby" (as demonstrated in the Southwest Airlines emergency safety instructions)
"Bitches ain't shit"
"Black. Strap. Stout."
"Troll-e"
"Le Fucking Grumpy"
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