we're back in lima after a 3 day trip to cuzco and macchu picchu. wut an eyefull. the tourist aspects were annoying -- horrible horrible attempts at american food, higher charges for us "unassuming" tourists, and "japonesa, chinois" left and right--but the country landscape was enchanting, the kindness of many locals heart-warming, and the overall experience memorable.
the incas' achievements blow my mind. paved trails and precisely cut stone steps climbing up thousands of feet to incredible heights. their sense of beauty and harmony with the mountains is reflected in the perfect appropriateness of macchu picchu's presence, seemingly carved by some deity's hand into the side of the mountain.
aguas calientes, the village at the feet of macchu picchu, was a hard lesson in tourism. our first taste of what we call "chish" -- fried fish sticks that have the consistency of chicken. we thought they brought out the wrong dish. very disconcerting. elena made friends with a dog named "orejas"--"ears" for the big floppy bloodhound ears on his head. he wouldn't leave her alone while we ate dinner (yes, in the restaurant) and she can't say no to things on four legs. the dogs here are like squirrels in LA, EVERYWHERE. from far away they look okay, but as you get closer, you realize they're all funny looking. their heads and bodies don't match at all. it's like someone went "chop" and played mix and match with them.
free-running kids are just as plentiful as the doggies. but they're much cuter. they love the trail mix bars. too bad we didn't bring kuLer stuff, like pencils and notebooks. it's so sad... they wander the streets and sell guds or beg for money in the most pitiful voices. there's so many, i'm not sure how to help. i wish i could hug them all and shower them with opportunities.
tomorro we're going to visit the clinics armed with our 200 toothbrushes and toothpastes. tonite, however, is play time cuz more of our group just arrived. pisco sours all around! "the" peru drink. a little bit of white wine, egg whites, and other stuff. reminiscent of a margarita. if we wake up in time, paragliding along the coast. for 25 bucks! everything's a bargain here.
the pictures will be up soon... promise. just need to figure out where to keep em.
ciao for now.
2 comments:
you can keep ur pics on photobucket.com
hi teesa! wow, i didn't know you were traveling :) have a safe trip back and call me when u're down in soCal~ :D
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