The Joys of Dining Abroad

I made a big mistake last night. I had no idea what kind of mistake I was making until it was too late. I thought I could be safe just sticking to the basics, but here in Peru, dining comes with no insurance.

I ordered pizza.

I know, I know- I should have gone out for a "cultural experience" but I was kind of tired and figured I could be cultural for my next meal. So I ordered a cheese pizza from Marinos for about s/ 30 (or 10 bucks). I was filled with anticipation and finally the pizza came.

It all went downhill from there.

My pizza (luckily) came with a small plastic bag of mayonnaise and some hot sauce. Someone at the pizza place forgot the sauce under the cheese but they did manage to send a few hairs along with the order (thankfully). I got full after a slice and found a granola bar I had brought along.

On a happier note, I did get the joy of trying sugar cane. This was probably one of the most satisfying experiences of my young life until the woman who sold it to me attempted to sell me donkey milk. You know, there are things that one really has no desire to ever sample (snails, ants, octopus) and I think donkey milk is on definitely on the top 10 of that list.

Perhaps it is the altitude, but since the pizza and donkey milk experiences, my appetite has hardly been what it once was. What I wouldn´t give for a good ól Pizza Hut experience.

Up, Up, and Away (Bienviendos a Cusco)

Before coming to Peru, I went to the UNC travel clinic. I spent about an hour sitting in a room being warned about all the terrible diseases I was going to catch while I was abroad. During that hour I was told to fear different strains of malaria, Dengue fever, typhoid, and of course japaneze influenza (since I´m obviously going to Asia to work rice fields). This is not the first time that my sarcastic attitude prevented me from hearing information about an important subject, in this case: Altitude Sickness. Since I´m living in the Andes, this may have been a relevant part of the hour rant. Whoops...

Well, now I´ve got it. I suppose ascending 2,500 meters in one day might affect one´s body, and now my head is throbbing a little. I feel a bit dizzy and my heart rate seems to be increased. My book says altitutde sickness can result in death, but it says that about everything. With a little rest and some altitude medication, I should be fine.

This morning we boarded a plane from Lima headed to Cusco (see, I knew the plan would come together). I have the privlidge of staying a "quaint" hotel that is costing me $8 a night. This seemed like an excellent deal when I was in Lima (with heat), but now I am concerned about a few things the hotel may/may not have.

Mays:

The hotel may have a particularly "rambunous" couple next door
The hotel may have thin walls
The hotel may face the Andes and have an excellent view

May nots:

The hotel may not have heat
The hotel may not have airtight windows
The hotel may not have hot water (the extent to which is yet to be determined)

For those of us who are not climate buffs, it is important to remember that Peru is entering it´s winter season. Living in the Andes is going to be beautiful but I fear it may be a bit cold. Oh well, thank goodness I have that sleeping bag.

This one is for Mom (see, I´m alive!)

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Well, we have a plan.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

We might or might not have a plan.

After two days at the Ministry of Education in Lima, I have finally come to the above conclusions. Defined...I know.

It looks like I am going to be traveling to Cusco (Cuzco) on Friday to begin working there. This has changed two times in the past ten minutes. I have the greatest confidence that Friday´s destination will change a few more times before Friday. In fact, I am positive. In fact, it just did.

It seems like I will be traveling to different locations each week and helping teachers implement the laptops. There is a very nice lady, Mari, who works for the ministry that has taken the role as my organizer for the week. She and I enjoy sitting down and discussing my intended methods of travel. Every time we talk, we change the means by which I will be arriving. A typical conversation goes something like this:

Me: ¿Voy a ir Cuzco por "tren?" (I am traveling to Cuzco on a train?)
Mari: No por "bus [pronounced boos]" (No, by bus)
Me: ¿Y voy a viajar a Puno por "bus" tambien? (And I will travel to Puno by bus too?)
Mari: No por "avión" (No, by plane)

------10 minutes later--------

Mari: Vas a Cuzco por...? (How are you getting to Cuzco?)
Me (excited that I know the answer): ¡Por bus! (By bus!)
Mari: No, por tren. (No, you are going by train)
Me: ¿No bus? (No bus?)
Mari: No, por tren, es mejor. (No, going by train is better)

I feel like deciding on a means of travel would really help me get the planning process on it´s feet. I also believe that this opinion is in the minority here at the Ministry of Education.

So, while I wait for plans, Mari and I play the transportation game. I know for a fact I will travel by either plane (avión), tren (train), or bus (bús). While that does eliminate a few options, I still am wondering if I may just be walking to Cuzco come Friday. There are always llamas...

Counterclockwise: The arrival in Lima

Well, I made it.

We arrived in Lima at 1am Saturday morning, by taxi. As usual, there were a few hiccups in transit.

The minister of education (with whom I am living for the week) gave us his address when we met him in Boston. He wrote it down and drew a map. He warned us that the taxi driver would not know his address or where to find his house. He was correct. We located the stand for "Taxi Green" and we were assured that the driver would be able to find the house. Three gas stations, two security guards and one random individual later- I arrived at Oscar's house.

At this point, I think it is relevant to mention the system of driving in Peru. There is no system. There aren't lines on the roads and it seems like driving is more of a competition than an actual means of travel. Every 200 meters one must blow their horn, cut someone off, flick off someone else, and put on the breaks. Needless to say, crashes are pretty common. If only cabs had seatbelts...

Everyone has been asking me, so I may as well make this a public announcement: yes, the toilets do flush backwards down here. The water does swirl in a counterclockwise fashion which is confusing- but not really a dealbreaker for Peru.

This week should give my project a bit of direction. I'll finally find out where exactly I am going and how I am going to get there (llama anyone?). Oh, and by the way- my duffel weighed in at 49.5 lbs. Impressive, huh?

The Woes of Packing

I am a terrible packer. No really, I am. I bring way too many items that I never end up using and I always (and I mean always) end up paying the overweight fee at the airport. Always. I am determined to be a better packer this year. I am doubtful about being successful.

Upon my first trip to the Outdoor World, I realized how many things I need. See, this is where the problems begin, because what I need the least is more "stuff." Oh well...I am now the proud owner of a waterproof duffel bag, lime green hiking boots, and a sleeping bag that will keep me warm in the arctic, if necessary. I'm only going to Peru, but hey, maybe the arctic is next year.

I also managed to purchase wool socks. I am very skeptical about the ability of wool to stay dry and warm and non itchy. I was assured that these socks were the best socks. Well obviously I need the best socks. I said no to wool underwear though, a woman must have her limits.

A note on Dr. Bronners Pepermint Liquid Soap. Dr. Bronner, there are simply not 18 uses for your soap. I do not believe I can wash my car and my hair and my clothes with your product. I simply do not. I also tried your liquid soap as tooth paste. That was a big mistake. When something is advertised as soap (even "dental soap") it is still soap. There seems to be a large gap between the definition of soap and tooth paste, therefore I have decided to bring a large tube of good 'ol Crest. The flavor, thankfully, is "crispy mint."

Tomorrow will be the day of truth. Can I pack enough for 8 weeks in 32 degree weather yet not exceed my duffel bag and small pack? I think so, my mom thinks not.