Dry Hair

Lima last week:

60 Soles Hair Color

Upgrade:

20 Soles for some spray that conditions the hair
30 Soles for conditioner to use while I'm travelling

I always get sucked into buying more than what I go in for!

Tea Selections

Loads of tea to pick from!

I LOVE it.

Coca tea is great.......

Overflight Nazca Line

$70.00 US for a 30 minute flight. 20 Soles airport tax.

I had to really think about going- and once I was convinced I truly was looking forward to it. We had been to the Planetarium the night before and now I had an idea of what to expect.

There were four of us left to go to the airport- Nathian, Anita, Jo and myself.

Once we got there we saw the first group who had just finished their flight.

Two of them were green from the airplane ride (small Cesna 206- 6 seater- 4 passengers , 2 pilots).

I quickly decided this was not going to work for me.

The lady behind the 'Alas Peruanas' counter advised I would get a refund. Great!

Not even 5 minutes later- this changed- no- I would not get a refund.

Everyone was telling me to go on the plane- don't worry- there are puke bags in the plane. Chew cocoa leaves or suck on cocoa candy.

No way was I going!

I arranged for our tour leader- Jo- to go in my place. She was really happy- as she has never been.

Money down the drain.......

P.S. No glowing recommendations on this optional activity- so I would advise anyone planning to take it to not do it and save their money.

Overnight Comfortable Bus

This was the description for last nights bus ride. Nazca to Arequipa (aprx 9 hours).

It was in fact comfortable. We even got food at the start and end of the trip (as well as a movie at the start).

Too bad I can't sleep on an overnight bus.

I tried........and I might of slept here and there........but boy I sure needed a nap today.

I love afternoon naps!

Convents

Santa Catalina Nunnery. Arequipa, Peru.

35 soles entrance fee. 5 soles each for the tour.

In 1579, less than 40 years after the Spanish arrived in the city of Arequipa, the Santa Catalina de Siena Convent was founded. Since its inception, women from diverse social backgrounds have entered the convent to serve as cloistered nuns, never again to return to their homes and families.

Sister Ana de Los Angeles Monteagudo was a nun who lived in the convent up until her death in 1686. In 1985 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II.

I'm not sure what would of ever possessed someone to enter the Convent in those days.

The Convent now has 20 nuns left. Ages 18 to 96.

It's a beautiful place. "A city withing a city".

The entrance fees pay the maintance costs.

You call tell they don't run out of cash!

Amazing Coast Line

Driving down the coast in Peru is simply amazing!

Sand dunes all along the beach line.

Colorless...........but amazing still the same.

Love it!

American Addiction

Starbucks.

Lima.

Alto Tazo Chai Latte.

9.50 soles.

Two days in Lima = Two Chai Latte's.

It's a miracle I didn't get more.

Roll The Dice In Lima

There are a lot of Casino's in Lima.

It's like a little mini Vegas.

Even the Casino's have the same names!

I was tempted to go into one of them.............but.....I held back and spent my money on alpaca wool products.

Christmas is just around the corner.

Lavanderia In Lima

Lave Queen.

Two blocks from our Hotel.

15 soles for 3.5 kgs.

The clothes smelled so clean when I picked them up.

I was smiling all the way back to the Hotel with my little bag of freshly washed clothes.

It's the simple things in life that one enjoys so much when on the road.

Clean clothes is one of them.

Marching Bands

All night long in Pisco.

Saturday night and the place was celebrating something.

Not sure what- but the loud music stopped around 5:30 am.

Crazy Peruvians.

Good thing for ear plugs.

Sand Duning Fun

Sand dune buggy and sand boarding all for 60 soles (1 hour). Huacachina Oasis.

I skipped on the sand boarding, but did join the fun with the sand dune.

It fit six people. The driver plus five.

Nathian, Jordan in the front with the driver. Kristin and Bree in the back with me in the middle.

The sand dunes were amazing.

I screamed like a little girl the whole time!

Loved it!

Bird Shit

I dodged the bird shit this morning on the boat while visiting Ballestas Island.

This Island is known as the poor man's Galagapoe Islands.

Sea lions, penquins, pelicans and tons of birds.

A few of the people on the boat got hit by them.

They say that bird shit landing on you is good luck.

I say that's crap.

Afternoon Pub Crawls

Nathian and I- Wednesday afternoon.

Pisco Sours.

Only made it to two bars along the beach.

We really liked the second bar.

Bily the owner came to talk to us.

He's worked in the cruise line business for 7 years- and now opened up his own bar.

We brought the whole gang back for drinks later in the night.

We may run into his sister in Puno.

She has a bar there as well.

It's called Mosquitoes.

Mud City

Chan Chan for the morning.

Huaca del Sol y la Luna in the afternoon.

Artists And The Homeless

I made two new friends in Huanchaco.

An aritist and a homeless man.

I met them while I was on the beach walking around.

The artist scetched my portrait for 10 soles (aprx $3.50 USD).

The homeless man just talked to me while I was sitting there.

I saw the homeless man the next day and he came by to say goodbye to me.

He even gave me a kiss on the check.

Scenic Drive

The drive along the coast from Huanchaco to Lima was simply amazing!

I was sitting on the right hand side of the bus and had the ocean view.

It was very sandy and dune like all the way.

Very cool.

Travelling In Style

Today I was on the best bus ride. Ever. In my life!

Oltursa Peru Bus Line. First Class all the way.......

The bus even had a bus attendant serving us lunch and then dinner.

Wow! It was even better than a plane.

More leg room. Movies (License to Wed, All About Steve, Awake, The Blind Side).

We were all over excited being on this bus that the 10 hour bus ride from Huanchaco to Lima went by really fast.

Bienvendio a Bordo.

Inca Cola

Yellow is the color.

Very tasty.

Roasted Pig

After the walking tour in Cuenca, I made my way over to the Museo de Arte Moderno.

Sam, Jo and Kristen came with me.

Unfortunately it was closed, so Sam, Jo and I made our way to New Town to see what was there.

We stopped in a market and ate some local food.

Roasted pig, corn and these potatoe things I didn't really like.

The dog hanging out while we were eating sure had a feast from all the food I was giving him!

Hats and More Hats

In Cuenca during our walking tour we went to visit the 'Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla'.

panamahat@sombrerosecuatorianos.com

They told us the Panama hat really is an Ecuadorian hat.

I haven't googled that yet to see if this is the truth.

Interesting place.

Love of Books

I only brought one book to read on this trip. Very different to all the books I brought for the Africa trip.

I'm not into the book I brought- and luckily I saw a book in Quito at my Hostal that I liked so I took that book with me.

Prep. A novel by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Great book!

Peruvian Money

Ecuador's money was the US currency- strange- but easy to use.

Peru's money is Nuevos Soles.

Average exchange is 2.75 Soles for 1.00 USD.

I now have to use my brain for calculations.

Beach Life

Hanging out on my deck in Mancora Peru loving life!

This town is very small and is set up as a surfing/beach town.

Loads of gringo's.

Stoner ones.

Platos Tipicos

Last night I had the best food here!

I had 1/2 the churrasco- which is the typical food Ecuadorians eat.

Loved it!

A slice of beef, rice, salad, avocado and a fried egg on top.

All for $2.90!

Super yummy........

Lovely Cuenca

One of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador.

Population: aprx 500,000.00

We are staying in Old town- La Castellana Hostal.

We are leaving at 10 am for our walking tour.

Yippeee!!

Four Thirty Morning Drama

Knock Knock.

Who's there I wonder at 4:30 am this morning.

Oh- just our tour leader waking me up to let me know 'We have a problem- Michelle is not back yet from the bar.'

Angela was out with her and a few others- they ended up splitting up and now Ang was worried about her.

They wanted to know if I knew where the American guys we met the night before where staying.

No idea I say.

Great is what I'm thinking...is this going to happen every night???

What do you know.....right at 7 am the time we were leaving- AND- after Jo our tour leader finished writing a long note on how to find us- Michelle shows up.

Nice.

Good to see that people are responsible and considerate of others.

Clipping Nails and Picking Noses

Should NOT be allowed in any public place.

Especially on a bus.

Two Ecuadorian guys- one clipping his fingernails, the other clipping his toe nails.

One of them also picked his nose after his fingernail clipping.

How attractive.

Shopping Heaven

Ecuador.

Great place to shop.

Not one single pushy person.

They ask you once and then leave you alone.

Love it!

Dinner Groping

I had my money on Sam & Emma hooking up.

Not sure which country.

I was wrongo.

Sam & Michelle.

Several nights ago- in the jungle.

I found out last night at the Mexican Restaurant.

Very uncomfortable trying to eat next to 2 people groping each other under the table.

Australians.

Very classy.

Mucho Bebidas

Last night was one of the first gong shows I was at with the group.

We broke out in two groups for dinner.

I ended up with the group going for Mexican food.

Afterwards, we all hooked up at that crazy little bar from the night before.

It´s two AM and they are trying to get us out of there.

I had to say Buenas Noches to the Columbians that were talking to me at the end of the night. I felt like I was in the Scarface movie talking to them.

Anita was a mess.

Alex picked up the American boy from California.

Johanna was with Miquel...the guy that worked at the bar. He was in love with her. She was being good. My advice to her continues to be to have a man at every port.

Nathan was well behaved.

Miquel´s cute little cousin (18 years old) with all the piercings and his tight clothes (he wore a belt that had a homemade mirror belt buckle) could not speak a word of english.

What a night!

We told everyone we would be back tonight- our last night in Banos.

Massage Heaven

Prana Massage.

Full body massage + reflexology + face massage + hot stones + hot esstentials oil.

Special Promotion.....Free Facial.

All this in 1.5 hours.

Twenty Five USD Dollars.

You´ve got to love Banos, Ecuador!

Crazy Quito

Not a safe place.

Scams:
- Spray of ketchup, mustard or some other awful stuff on your back pack. When you stop to clean it up there will be someone there to 'help' you. You usually have a day pack and put that down as well. Last time you will see it.
- Flyers are coated with some powder that when touched by your finger tips makes you a bit drowsy- forgetful. Goodbye daypack, wallet and camera.

Pick pocketing was also common. I met several students at the Spanish School who had there wallets taken on the crowded public buses. One girl had her purse cut open and camera stolen. It's common to have purses straps cut while walking or in crowded places.

One student took a cab one night and then was robbed when the cab driver stopped in a tunnel and two guys got in-one on each side of the student- took his money- he jumped out of the cab and kept running.

Scary stuff.

One needs to be super careful in these big cities when travelling.

Dancing In Banos

Last night we all went out to an Italian restaurant.

After dinner a few of us went for a drink.

I really haven't been going out drinking as Quito was quite dangerous- separate blog entry on that.

Nathan, Anita, Alex and I were wondering around when this young guy tells us that his bar has a 2 for 1. We hear the loud music and decide to go in.

Small place- deadly drinks.

Daily Blogging

Hard to do.

Then it's difficult to catch up.

It's raining out and everyone is white water rafting. I'm waiting for my room- as we had to check into one funky hotel yesterday as this one was booked. We have 3 nights in Banos.

Banos is located beneath the towering Volcano Tungurahua. It's in the sierra between Quito and the jungle. Tourists stop here for all the adventure activities- white water rafting, bungee jumping, bike riding, hiking, horse back riding etc.,

I've decided to just hang out.

I might look for a massage spot this afternoon or go check out the thermal water spas.

Life is great!

Blogging At The Front Desk

I'm sitting behind the front desk of Hotel Villa Santa Clara in Banos trying to get this blog up to date.

It's check out time and all the guests are talking to me thinking I work here.

I would be sitting somewhere else with my little computer if I could find a plug.

Electrical plug in's are very difficult to find here.

Oh, got to go- someone wants to pay their bill.

In The Jungle The Mighty Jungle

Sunday we were off to the Amazon Jungle.

Cotocoha Lodge.

I had my own hut. One double bed, one twin. Amazing room! Right in front of the Napo river.

There is no electricity in the huts- they give you kerosene lanterns around 5:30 pm so you can see.

The first afternoon we walked to see a local community, how they live, what they eat and what the medicine man grows. The afternoon ended with a soccer game. Gingo's against the locals. Funny to watch!

I left a lantern on in the bathroom the first night. The second night I decided to give both lanterns back. BIG mistake. It was pitch dark. I was a bit scared. Made me wonder what was crawling around in my room.

The next day we headed off by canoe to walk in the jungle. We had quite the hike to another waterfall. Everyone jumped in the cold cold water once we got there. I just hung out - water is not something I need to jump into.

We jumped into the canoe again and stopped in this small port to see some monkeys. This is where we all saw one monkey give a dog a blow job. Very funny.

The ride back in the canoe was a bit choppy and dark. Scary.

Great day in the jungle!

Saturday Day Trip

Our day trip was organized by the school- however, they needed 8 students to make it a go with a private bus.

I managed to fill the bus up with all the Intrepid folks- other than Angela and Michelle who came in late on Friday night, also Jordan who was tired.

We had a total of 16 plus 2 teachers- Marta and Jackie (who also brought her teenage daugher).

Thirty dollars for the day-which included breakfast as well as several spots before and after the Otavalo Market.

One stop prior was at this fruit stand on the street- yummy- can't remember what it's called now. It was green and bumpy- you ate the inside- which was white and had pits. A sweet fruit that most of us liked.

The next stop was for breakfast. It was in this small town and a place famous for biscuits.

Ecuador has these amazing fresh juices and mine was so good- blackberry- fresh and delicious!

We also stopped briefly at the animal market. It wasn't that busy at the time- as most of the action is first thing in the morning. This market was all locals and they had all sorts of animals in wire type cages. Dogs ($5.00 each), kittens, chickens, pigs, hens...........you name it you could buy it. Some of the folks on the bus were disturbed by the way the animals were squeezed in the cages or how they looked like they would be treated. I wasn't. Food chains are like that.

The market itself was huge. Tons of paintings, wool clothing, crafts and on and on. I had to buy an umbrella to shade myself as it was far too hot to walk around.

After the market we stopped for lunch. They gave us an entree of guninea pig to try. Tasted like chicken. Doesn't everything wierd?

Our next few stops were at waterfalls. One was quite the hike.

We got in a bit late- 8:30 pm from the sheduled 7 pm............but that's because we were all having so much fun at each of the spots!

Our tour leader was a bit worried we showed up so late.

What a great day in Ecuador!

I only managed to buy a few little paintings.

Can't start quite yet!

My Trip Mates

Tonight we met up for our first meeting.

Johanna Cordova is our Intrepid Leader all the way to Bolivia.

Across the Andes:

Michael (Mechanical Engineer) & Vanessa (Medical Scientist): Perth.
Alex (Lawyer): England
Anita (Paramedic): England
Emma (Doctor): Australia
Kristin (Just graduated from College): USA
Sam (Graphic artist): Perth
Jordan & Bianna (Just graduated from College): England & Australia
Nathan (Exporter- cars): England
Anglela (Police Officer) & Michelle (Office Adminstrator): Melbourne

Cowgirl Bella

I rented a horse when I was up in the mountains the teleferico ride brings you to.

I had all the gear: poncho and leather cowboy hat.

This all went great with my sky blue converse runners.

Five dollars buys you a lot of fun!

Four Thousand One Hundred Meters

It only took 10 minutes to go 2,500 meters on the teleferico.

A three dollar cab ride to get there.

Eight dollars and fifty cents for the ride.

Breathless but amazing views!

Adios Jimena

I have a new friend!

Jimena.

She is so much fun.

I had to tip her big- on top of the bottle of dulce de leche liquor I bought her.

Jimena told me that Luis pays his teachers $2.60 per hour.

Luis charges the students up to $7.50 per hour.

Luis is a muy rico hombre.

Luis The Business Man

You would think that Luis would give me a BIG discount for referring so many students (Alex, Sam, Anita).

I also filled up a bus so he had to order a bigger one for the Otavalo day trip tomorrow.

NOPE!

Luis just thanked me for all the 'recommendations'.

Luis is a Business Man that makes mucho dinero.

My Friend Vince

Still very funny.

Jimena's Love Story

I have this cute tiny Spanish teacher: Jimena.

Today while visiting the Market, she told me of her latest love. A German boy.

Unfortunately it did not work out.

She did not want to move to Germany, and if he moved to Ecuador, things would be too difficult for him.

What a sad love story.

Helping Sam

Today I set Sam up with the Brazilian Embassey. I had my Spanish Teacher Jimena come with us to help translate. It will take Sam 8 business days from Monday to get his visa. This is a problem. We came up with another plan- organize this all in Peru.

I then set Sam up with his Spanish Classes.

Oh- I even had him included in our cooking session.

Sam owes me big.

Popcorn 101

Today's activity with the school was cooking!

We all pitched in to help. My role was to chop up the onion's.

We made this delicious dish of 'Pollo Ceviche'.

Delicious!

We were even taught to put popcorn in it.

Super yummy!

Amazing Museum

The Spanish school I'm attending offers activities during the week.

Yesterday's afternoon activity was to go visit 'La Capilla Del Hombre Guayasamain'.

What an amazing place!

The art all told a story and was very sad.

I can't recall ever hearing the story of this famous Ecuadorian painter.

Travelling is so educational.

Spanish Homework

Si.

Escribir las cantidades.

Cambiar al plural.

Cambiar al genero contrario.

Ayuda.

Sexy Salsa Class

Two Boys.

Eight Girls.

All Gringo's.

One sexy Ecuadorian dance instructor.

Gringo's are not sexy dancers.

My First Day At School

Class started at 8:30 am.

The school was full with people- you could tell who the teachers were. They were the Ecuadorian Ladies. All the other people were gringo's.

My teacher's name is Jimena. She is in her mid 30's. Not married. Lives at home. She comes from a large family.

I make her laugh with my Spanish/Italian/French/English.

I understand............but I cannot speak. My pronunciation sucks.

Four hours of laughter.

Volunteer Fees

I gave up on volunteering in the afternoons as I found out that most of the places that set you up to help an organization want money.

One place wanted $250.00!! They then changed this to $100.00 saying..."Oh, you are here already- so we do not have that much administration paperwork to take care of." I would also have to give money to the organization- aprx $25.00. I didn't mind that fee- but the other one was ridiculous- especially for 5 days.

I'll need to fill the time doing other important stuff.

Espanol Funcional

I decided to take some Spanish classes while I'm in Quito on my own.

Seeing as I don't speak Spanish...ever....the little I learned in Guatemala has since been forgotten.

I checked out a few schools and signed up with 'Academia De Espanol' Guayasamin.

I'm looking at my 'Nivel Principiante' course booklet and see that it covers:

- Gramatica
- Ejercicios
- Vocabulario
- Tareas

For only $6.75 USD per hour, I will be able to understand what the last word on my list means!

Chocolate and Me

Like everyone sane, I love chocolate.

I especially love it when I accidentally come across a 'FREE' Chocolate sampling session at this very funky store.

How could I pass that by?

www.pacarichocolate.com

Yummy! Sample after sample. Still Yummy!

Coca Tea

Must try it.

Ecuador FYI's

Population: 13.9 Million

Capital City: Quito (population 1.5 Million)

Language: Spanish

Currency: US Dollar

A lot of tourists stop here to go to the Galapagos Islands(by the way- one of those Islands is called 'Isabela').

Another top tourist destination is the Amazon Jungle.

Weather: Wet or Dry

Back To School

Quito is a big city.

I need to learn Spanish.

I'm going to take a few days of Spanish classes to help me get around in this big city and this big continent.

I start tomorrow morning.

Take out Pizza

I stopped for a tea in Old Town just before stopping at this Internet spot.

I also decided to get a take out pizza for this evening.

I ended up with a take out tea as well after I drank my tea in the restaurant in a nice white cup. The take out tea came in a styrofoam cup, a cut up lime and sugar in a plastic bag. My pizza also came with some liquid stuff in a plastic bag (he tried to explain this as some sort of salsa).

I returned the take out tea and am now going to walk home with my pizza and the liquid stuff.

Hopefully it tastes good.

I might even be able to figure it out when I taste it!

Olga and Me

The Hostal has this cute little lady that is the maid/ housekeeper.

I asked her what her name was and I think she said Olga.

When I tried to ask her if I should take my rain jacket out today- she thought I wanted to give this jacket to her.

No I say taking it back.

Trying to say rain in Spanish is very much like saying eggs or Thursday.

Llover, Huevos, or Jueves.

You had to be there.

It also doesn´t go well when trying to mime it.

Locked Cars and Alarms

I arranged an airport pick up last night when I arrived in Quito.

This went smoothly enough until the driver accidentially LOCKED me in the van while he went to pay the airport fee and get the other 2 people that he had left at the airport while they had to visit the washroom.

He asked me to sit in the front and wait while he ran his errands. I had no problem with this so I calmly sat in the front seat.

Not even 2 minutes after he left me there, I hear the car locks LOCK!

YIKES! I now cannot open the windows or the doors.

I CANNOT sit in a car like that. HELP!!!

I was having an anxiety attack while I was trying to figure out what to do.

I bolted over to the drivers side and noticed that door unlocked no problem.

The alarm quickly sounded and did not stop for a good 5 minutes.

I just stood in front of the van waiting to be arrested.

Thankfully everyone ignored the alarm and me.

The driver came back calmly after a good 15 minutes. Smiling.

I smiled back and told him what happened.

He then remembered that the car locks automatically after the doors lock.

Right.

Note to self: Never sit in a car without the keys.

Informacion Turistica

Interesting how it´s very had to get anything in English.

No problem in Spanish though.

Makes sense though.

Everyone should know Spanish.

Magnets and Me

My Fridge is covered in them.

I can now proudly add the Obama- 44th President magnet (which I purchased at the Houston airport).

And I can also add the ´Mitad del Mundo- Ecuador´magnet I purchased at the Market today.

I love all these magnets!

The problem lies in rearranging them on my fride in alphabetical order every time I have new ones to add.

The artist in me needs to do this.

Room Nine

I´m living in this little attic room in Hostal Casa Kanela!

One single bed. Two little windows. A small bathroom that has a tiny shower. The doors are all slanted and short due to the ceiling.

This is the one time it´s good to be short!

I feel like I´m in a fairy tale.

Americans and Toilets

I notice that every public washroom in the USA provides you with those toilet paper seat covers.

Wow!

Texans and Spanish

I believe that Texas is mostly Spanish speaking.

Yes, I do believe!

Even all the signs at the airport are in English and Spanish.

It's fantastic.

Wireless and Me

I LOVE my new HP mini netbook!

I have NO IDEA why I didn't buy one ages ago.

I'm finally into the 2010's!

AND.......I'm using free wireless at the Houston airport!

You've go to love that.

American Airports

Not only do you hear flight announcements you also have the joy of hearing:

'Certain remarks or jokes will result in your arrest.'

Nice!

Truth and Mirrors

Truth is a mirror that makes you see yourself more clearer.

Long Time No Blog

It's been a very long time.

I was planning on updating it with Africa.

Was is now just a memory.

Slowly fading.