Latin Opportunity

When I first arrived in SA I was alarmed at the number of Asian produced goods available... I mean labour is cheap here, so why not produce here? But now I know why... they don´t have the work ethic of the Asians. Everyplace latino run place has at least 3 times as many staff as we would think neccessary. These places also seem to lack inspiration, perhaps because they isn´t much opportunity and without opportunity it´s hard to have a dream.

In contrast, when I visited Cuba, years ago, it seemed a happy place, despite really not liking the system they are living under.... but with an ageing president and the USA just 100 miles away, perhaps it was opportunity for change that kept them happier.

Peruvian Pisco and Pelicans

Pisco, Peru
17-18 March 2010

I caught an overnight bus from Arequipa, I wanted to go to Pisco, but apparently I couldn´t. So I went to the next town, wandered around, decided I didn´t like it, and caught a collectivo to Pisco.

In Pisco I booked a morning tour to Islas Ballestas, the poor mans Gallapagos.

In the evening prior to the tour I went to Pisco´s most recommended bar for a Pisco Sour... much better here than in Chile! And the barman was nice enough to tell me where I should go for dinner, then, since it was quiet, took me to dinner. Imagine, a 22 year old taking me out for dinner! And he insisted on paying (at least it was cheap, even for here... a fraction of the price of the Pisco Sour).

Peruvian Pelicans

The Candelaria... they don´t know why, but there it is on a dune faces the pacific. And it´s really big.

The islands from a distance. They are white with Guano, bird doo, a major export product for fertiliser.

Sea Lions and their pups. Wow!

Outside of town the houses were made of straw mats!

Notes:
Accomodation in Pisco, Gino´s $7, private room, private bath.
Tour to Islas Ballestas, 3 hours (but more like 4 hours) $14
Pisco Sour $5
Dinner, skewered Beef hearts, $2.

Colca Canyon Trek - Was I feeling too fit?

13-14 March 2010
Colca Canyon, Arequipa, Peru

    Go to Arequipa, and the must do thing is a to go and take a look at the Colca Canyon... the 2nd biggest Canyon in the world (another, not so far away is the biggest, and I am told that the Grand Canyon is the 3rd). But some crazy idea got into my head that looking would not big enough. No, I would take a trek. The options were a 2 day or 3 day trek. Both cover the same ground, 3 days is easier because you take more time.... I booked the 2 day trek.
   Remember it is only the 2nd biggest canyon in the world, and just a few days earlier my knees and ankles had been sore (I broke my ankle at 18 and usually it is good, but it doen not like changing altitude). By the time we got half way down, my knees were not happy.
   But I survived, I rode a mule back up! The mule ride was a lot of fun. And the scenery was spectacular. But if I knew then what I know now.... I would do the 1 day sightseeing trip.

Happy people, at the start of the trek. My group: John (England), Sebastian (France), me, Anna & Mas (Denmark), Christian and Pauline (Australia/Portugal).

Colca Canyon

Having now ridden a mule up the Canyon I now think I understand the difference between stubborn as a mule and stubborn as a ass (donkey). This is a donkey, the woman was having trouble getting it to continue the steep climb. My mule, on the other hand, kept going and going, like it was on energiser batteries, it hardly stopped. Occassionally it took a brief breather, then put its head down and, stubbornly, kept going.

Gotta love the gate, especially the shoe soles for hinges. Dad, please show Peter.

See the zigzagged line going up, that is the trek out. The moment I saw it I counted my cash to see if I could take a mule up.

My mule liked to be first.... these people did not have quite such dedicated mules. Yep, it was steep. My mule did not stop to allow photos.

Bad photo of me..... sun in eyes. This is after the trek. Including Roy, our smooth Guide.

Notes:

2 day trek, accomodation and meals $44

From my Dad.... a poem by Odgen Nash.

The one-L lama,


He's a priest.

The two-L llama,

He's a beast.

And I would bet

A silk pajama

There isn't any

Three-L lllama.

Stalker in Arequipa, Peru

12-16 March, 2010
Areqipa, Peru.

Arequipa is a beautiful city. The main plaza´s beauty struck me the moment I saw it,  and on clear days (it wasn´t when I arrived) you can also see that it has a back drop of beautiful mountains. Also, having been in the highlands, I was enjoying having oxygen again!

On arrival, I immediately set about finding a 2 day hike tour in Colca Canyon. When I walked down the street, a Peruvian man stopped me to talk. "What was I looking for?" He asked... "Nothing", I said, "just passing time". "Oh". Then he came too. I dismissed him by saying I wanted to find a tour. He left me be! Then I booked the tour, and stepped out of the tour office to find him again. "Let´s go have a drink", he offered. "No, actually I have 1 hour to visit the monastry", I replied. "Ok" he said, and followed me to the monastery. I paid and went in, he didn´t. Released again! After the monastery I dawdled in and out of shops in the direction of the plaza, one block and he was there again! I agreed to his company over dinner, nothing more, I was going on a trekking tour at 3am in the morning!.

I returned from the trek 2days later, went out with the tour group for drinks and who should turn up but the same guy, surely my stalker! But I stuck with the group. (Another story).

He (Ricardo) said he was from Lima, but I actually think I won´t run into him there.... I think he´s a tourist hassler. For what reason I mightn´t need to know.

The Monastery in Arequipa is a village inside a city, it had everything. The nuns lived here in a vow of seclusion, now there aren´t so many and they occupy just a small section in the back corner. This is the laundry.

The monastery is beautiful and interesting, but I wouldn´t stay there, even to avoid my stalker!

Fried Guinea pig.... tastes good! and a glass of Chicha Morena, made from corn.

I think that´s Misti volcano overlooking Arequipa.

The cathedral of Arequipa. Stunning, and beside a stunning plaza.

Can´t stomach guinea pig? How about some sheep´s head?

Notes
Accommodation in Arequipa:Los Andes B & B $8 private room, shared bath, breakfast included.
Monastery entry $10.