I just got back from the Colca Canyon, I had a great time, the hike ended with a three hour hike uphill. It was amazing, the only way to get to the place where I stayed was to hike in. There is not a road that you can take a car on. I also got to go in some Hot Springs. They were great.
The city is located in the shadow of three giant volcanoes. Chachani, at 6,075m is the highest, but it is the perfectly conical Misti that draws the attention. Although Arequipa is in the middle of a desert, agriculture has ensured that directly around the city there is plenty of greenery. The barren hills clearly visible from the city form a stark contrast with the fields found throughout the city.The main celebrations in Arequipa occur in August to mark the founding of the city in 1540. Typically, a dance exhibition, Festidanza, with participants from all over South America, happens. There is an enlarged crafts market at the Fundo El Fierro, and there is an interesting general trade exhibition at the FIA. There are also massive rock concerts at the FIA, featuring musicians from all of Peru and Latin America. The night of the 14th there are firework displays all over the city. On the 15th there is a mass ascent of Misti and a parade around the centre."
Yesterday we went to the Sacsayhuaman ruins (right outside of Cuzco) and rode horses!! It was fun.
Sacsayhuaman- ruins of a magnificent Inca fortress overlooking the city of Cusco. The fortress is generally attributed to the period of Inca Pachacuti, the man who essentially founded the Inca empire.
Hello Christy, The guy that is going to bring you to the other Project is Esteban Huamán, and you’re leaving either 28th or 29th, depends on the weather.
The activities for your project would be the following:
- Feed the animal 3 times a day (6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.)
- Train the parrots with the sound system
- Take care of the parrots and watch for predators
- Clean the parrots' room)
"Manu Wildlife Center (MWC) is located in the remote and wild Manu Wilderness of Southeastern Peru. Amidst spectacular forest and incredible scenery, the density and diversity of animal and plant species reach a peak in the extreme western Amazon, near the foot of the Andes. A 35-minute flight from Cuzco to the mouth of the Manu River and a 90 minute motorcanoe ride down the Madre de Dios River brings you to the single best wildlife destination in the entire Amazon."
Yesterday was a fun day here because there were no tourists. Four of the staff members for this lodge and a few other guys around at other lodges and Angie and I got together and played fotbol (soccer). we had a good time. I found out I am not in very good share to run for a hour . Then we played cards together after dinner. We had a good night. It was the first chance I have had to hang out with them. They don't speak English so it was interesting having conversation. There will be tourists tonight. I am getting fed very well. We did not have our usual three course meal last night and I am excited for soup tonight. The stars were out last night for the first time since I have been here. Usually it is so cloudy that you can not see anything. I feel like I have had a nice slow transition from Lima which is crazy then to Urubamba (less crazy) and then the forest with one friend and the next stop is the jungle solo. I am getting mentally prepared for solitude: I know there will be people that I can make friends with but I am just trying to prepare for the worst. Then what ever kind of connection I can make will seem like a lot. I hope that the work I do feels meaningful to me; that will help. That is about all I know today. Things are about the same as they have been every other day. Yesterday I spent some time laying on a rock in the river trying to get the little bit of sun there was to get. I am feeling good and an ready to get to where I will be spending most of my time
I am leaving on the 28th to go to Manu, that is all the plans I know and I will know the name of the person who is taking me on Friday. I think I am going with a group of tourists but I am not sure. I don't feel like Peruvians care about being informed on the same level I am use to. So I am just kind of going with it. I thought I was laid back about making plans but they are even more so.
Angie is really nice we are having a good time with each other and it is nice to have company. We took a walk this morning and used a cart to get across a river. It was cool. The monkeys are out for breakfast every morning. Yesterday I handed a monkey a piece of bread after breakfast. As of right now there is not a lot of work to do. We are going to work on marking the growth of the plants this afternoon.
For the last two days, I have been traveling and going to ruins. Good times. On Saturday I went to Ollantaytambo with another girl working with Nexos and her sister who is traveling in South America. The girl who is working with Nexos is only 15 years old! We had a good time, both were really cool people. http://www.ollantaytambo.org/en/
Yesterday I went to Pisac in the morning (solo), it took about an hour on the bus, and spent the whole day there. On Sunday there is a big market.
Everything is going great. I am in good hands with Nexos and Peru Verde and I am over the initial shock of being here. My Spanish is getting better. Send my love to everyone. Christy:)
PS: ZOO ( that is what I am calling the monkey) went to Pisac with my yesterday. She had a great time so I guess I was not really alone:)
The people are so resourceful. Yesterday I saw a man and his son on a bike and the man was on a regular bike seat and there was another one attacked in-between him and the handle bars for the son. What I great idea, no need for a whole child's seat!