Adventures of South America

Friday, February 11, 2011

Colca Canyon

I got up early and made my way towards Colca Canyon; a B-eautiful drive! Pictures will come as soon as I get proper internet connection. There were dirt roads, as I knew. Bumpy, gravely, full of waterholes and a few rivers. You just had to lift your feet up high and give gas, where you couldn`t get past on the sides. There were tourist buses that helped me out in the tunnels, where they could actually light it up. On the way back, I was not that lucky. Just tried my best not to hit a wall.
There were a terrible deal of clouds at Cruz del Condor, so I kept riding down some beautiful roads, to a little village. I visited nearly all of the villages on the way back from Cruz del Condor, which stayed cloudy for a long time. Almost all of the tourists gave up and went back. I knew it would clear up eventually, and got my reward: a magnificent view and spotting my first condor; a old and huge bird that is admired all over South America.
One thing that surprised me about visiting Colca Canyon, was that I was a tourist attraction worth taking their photo with...
And yeah.. Note to self: next time you go offroading, don`t forget a sportsbrah.

Later in the day, I read chemistry in the park, bought my everyday lucuma jet - ice cream from a seven year old ice cream salesgirl... went to the hot springs for a long bath; there I naturally encountered some other gringos, and when I came back, someone had Finally moved into my hotel. I`m meeting the nice argentinians for some cooking and a beer later tonight. One of them is dead keen on riding on the back to Puno, tomorrow morning. If we could ship our stuff with the other argentinian, that Could just work.

As for Tornado, I refilled a little bit of air and oil. The main problem was really the gasoline filter that was dirty and full of water. That`s emptied, but I need to change the filter and the tube in Bolivia. I was just glad that there was something wrong that I could fix! not just altitude.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Arequipa and Chivay

09/02/11

After saying goodbye to the guys, I was on my way to Arequipa for 30 soles. The bus was fine, besides the fact that the speOakers were directly above my head, bursting out the Godfather 2 in spanish. I talked to a nice man from Arequipa, and took a sleeping pill to knock myself out for the whole 11 hours. Worked nicely.
Took a taxi for 5 soles to the center, for The Flying Dog hostel, where my dear Tornado was waiting for me. He has had some upgrades, and I can't wait to ride him tomorrow. I didn´t want to start riding now, when there's so much traffic.
Its a nice hostel with a good breakfast. Just a bit too expensive for me. I´m leaving for Colca Canyon at dawn, and intend to stay at Chivay, before going to Puno.
Arequipa is pretty, but there´s not a lot to do. I´ve walked around, snatched photos, met a guy I knew from Colombia, hung out with some people and really enjoyed watching The Expendables. We´re now going out for a free instrumental concert in the San Francisco church.
Other things to do in Arequipa is fine dining, party and visiting the Santa Catalina monastary.
The evening before I left, I met a german guy on a bike too. Might run into him in Colca Canyon.

I´m now enjoying some newfound music: Devendra Banhart (-freely, escpecially). Thanks Dolan.

Riding to Chivay

What a day!!

Chivay is the little town nearby Colca Canyon, the worlds deepest canyon. To get there, I got up really early and loaded my bike. And hey, my straps are just falling apart, and to not have to wait until traffic commences, I used lots of electrical cables as security! Disturbing.
I was afraid. Seriously afraid to get back on the bike after two months. Riding in such altitudes where the engine keeps tugging, so that you have to remain leveled out in every turn, didn´t help, either. Gradually, I`d get more and more comfortable again.
Travelling is strange. I`m just.. getting to know places now. Exploring. My passion is fresh and stirring. My eye is searching and admiring. My mind is saying I should be more careful.
I did conquer my fears today. Life gave me a nice reward for it. The scenery is once again very admirable. There`s hardly any plant life, but a few animal species; some sort of deer, alpacas and flamingos.
Can`t believe I was walking on my bike that many times to defeat the altitude, still remaining so positive that I was going to make it. I was rolling downhill at one point. The engine just died again and again, after I had passed the highest point, by some snowcapped mountains. Can`t say how worried I am about going back up there, on my way to Puno. Don`t feel like being stuck down here, though Chivay is a lovely town! Taking my bike to a mechanic later.

Everything has tasted great here, people are nice and wearing colorful, traditional clothing, and the dogs are the loveliest I`ve seen. The mountains are spectacular. Sorry, but Norway is just losing this fight...
I found a friendly hotel here for 10 soles, called El Rey. I`ve snatched photos and had a great lunch in a restaurant on the way to the bullfight arena. The landscape in the valley is lovely and there`s flowers all about. Its raining now, so its time to get some chemistry done. In the morning, its due offroading Colca Canyon! Hopefully some thermal baths, too.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Machu Picchu!

Days had been a bit unproductive, and I was keen on getting out of Cusco, though we´d had some kicks.

We booked our trip through Wayanay expeditions; 310 soles for a 6-7 hour minivan-ride through insane terrain that resembles the death road in Bolivia. Its rainy season, so a lot of landslides made the drivers have to get out and move rocks. At one point we all had to get out and cross 100meters of landslide terrain, while rocks were falling at our heads and people screaming out warnings.
We then had an included lunch, drove past some rediculously strong rapids, before we reached the beautiful valley where we would be walking for three hours. The sun was shining, the smell was of wet jungle, the sounds of the river and birds, while my eyes were wide open, pointed at the majestic mountains surrounding us. I thought I wanted to share these things, but I found myself isolated to feel a stronger connection to time and place. It was so good to get back into nature!
We walked a bit in the dark, before we reached Aguas Calientes, the town beneath Machu Picchu. After getting our entrance tickets(you need identification), we had a nice included dinner and a good, short sleep in the hotel which was also included.

The big day:

We got up at 4am and got in line, where we ate a snack. The gates open at quarter to 5, and we were not the first ones. I knew it was going to be a hell of a climb up those stairs. Approximatly 1,5 hrs. One of the argentinian girls that were there said she was an athlete, so she could run up there and keep slots for us. That kind of motivated me extra to push it. Only the first 200 people get to go up the incrediblys steep mountain; Wayna Picchu(50min). Because of the lack of oxygen, I had to stop a few times to breathe, so that the acid wouldn´t murder my legs. I was still number 20 to get up there. Quite happy about that. Especially since I beat that athlete by several minutes.
At 6 o clock, they start stamping your entrance to Wayna Picchu, and the buses begin to arrive. We had our guided tour from 7, so we wanted the 10 o clock entrance. (200 go up there at 7 and 200 at 10). The guide was better than expected! It has such an interesting history. We also had great weather, so it was good for photos. The last few days, it had been pouring down, so it was good that we had waited.
It was strange to be in a place that you had seen so many times before, on photos.
Spectacular!
We kind of lost Jack when we were about to leave, but we managed to get down on time to have lunch and reach the train. The train is slow, but nice. We just played cards and chilled out. It was a great deal better than the minivan, which was a dreadful ride for the last 6 hours.

Now, its our last day in Cusco. I'm sorting out photos, as I´m not sure I'll meet them in La Paz, and we´ll hopefully play some football, before I get on the bus to Arequipa(11hrs, about 90soles). Tomorrow I´ll be reunited with my dear Tornado!

The photos are in reversed order. As for the name in the sand, I do leave my friend's names in random places of SA. This is just the first one I posted. Love you guys!:)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Back in Peru!

3.02.11

After a few days visiting my sister in Oslo, I found myself back on a plane, next to a really intriguing man who had travelled the world by having a normal job, but never wasting and always renting his apartment. I need these kind of people.
Didn't sleep much in the 28 hours, and I didn't really know whether or not to spend the night in Lima. The airline lost my luggage, AGAIN, so they'd send it after me, to Cusco, where its been three days without it arriving. I'm borrowing clothes from a friend, because I don't trust that LAN will cover anything.
Lima was bathed in white clouds, as usual, and hot. I booked my bus ticket with Cruz del Sur, to Cusco(24hours), grabbed a ceviche for the 1,5hour long busride to San Bartolo to pick up my stuff, had lunch with the loveliest old man who was thrilled to talk about his trips to Europe, met a few more friendly locals, and was off to Cusco. Peruvians are nicer this time around.
The buses are expensive: 141 soles, but impressive; comfy sofa chairs that recline a lot, movies, food served, blankets, bingo(!), it wasn't cold at night, either. I recommend sitting on the first floor. The scenery is stunning. We passed by snow, rivers, valleys, farms, mountains(some with pink rocks).

I couldn't have been any luckier. The trip did not feel like 24hrs At all, because I decided to throw out a comment out there, about the security guy videotaping us. The guy in front of me just happened to be the most interesting person I´ve met in my life(that isn't crazy). Michael, who is an australian, and I, decided to stay in Pariwana hostel. Four of his friends, who are also incredibly nice, arrived yesterday, and we went out to dinner and a party last night. I love the fact that I´ve made such good friends for these days here in Cusco, and that I get to share Macchu Picchu with them, tomorrow. They're all in our room, sleeping, before the free breakfast and another massage. I've so far had two. Its 7 dollars for an hour of great massage!
Other than that, I've strolled the beautiful streets in the sunlight, checked out the markets, and just loving that I'm back! More pictures will come, when my camera arrives..

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Lifestyle

Did I always push myself this much? I´ve been so busy teaching at elementary schools, working at the after school program, where my brother also started working. I´ve been dancing zumba, playing volleyball and doing boxing. Also tried brazilian jiu jitsu, again. Its all been challenging and very rewarding. I´ve learned a lot!

Teaching...

- Never make empty threats. Consequence, without lots and lots of warnings!

- Point out who's going a good job, rather than yell at someone.

- Use competitions and prizes for all they're worth.

- Play on their pride as well. Are they proud of being a part of a good class? If they're the worst, never tell them. They will find it cool and fun to be the bad guys. Thus, continue.

- A constant hassle, but as a substitute, you wont always know their routines, so try to get them in order as quickly as possible. You wont know what they have done before, and there are a lot of things you are not supposed to start teaching them.

- Some kids are so fast to do their tasks, that you run out of things for them to do. And some just don´t do them. Be prepared and bring options.

- Be Careful with making exceptions! Only make an exception if its for the purpose of reward, so that you can tell others "no", and motivate to good behaviour.

- Don't let physical play go too far. Normally, with kids, they will go too far and get angry.

- If all else fails, play some bbc documentaries like "the power of the planet" or "around the world in 90 minutes" (for older kids).

I´m liking kids more than I used to, up to a certain age... You learn a great deal about kids; how they work, learn, etc. But it pains me to have to give orders I feel brainwash us from birth: "Do as the others". One of the first graders was a curious little thing, asking me all about the creation of the stars, the earth and the beginning of life. I was able to re-tell a simplified version of National Geographics explanations, with illustrations. The crazy part was that she got it! I also taught dimensional line - drawing to a talented seven year old. The kids had discovered that I could draw, so they all ordered portraits.

17.01.11

This morning I hospitized(?) at my old biologist-teacher's chemistry class at high school, as I have my chemistry exam in may, and worked with fourth graders. It's funny how some of my colleagues remember me as a child. I expected to hear some crazy stories, as I'm known in the family for being quite of a personality. - Good entertainment.

I was not disobedient or mean, but I was so decisive as I knew exactly what I wanted and how I wanted things to be. I would enthusiasticly make up games and fantasies that others were alsokeen on joining in on(I thought I was a lone wolf my whole childhood). All of them had remembered me, despite the vast amount of kids they'd had. And they had thought that I would truly be someone one day.

Its brought back a lot of memories, being back in my old school. I realized that a memory that has guilted my through my whole life, is actually blurry. Every recess in second grade, I used to protect a guy that was being bullied. Everyone else was against him, though he never did anyone harm. It hit me one day that I don't really know if I had pushed him away, or him me. But since that moment, he was alone against everyone, until he moved. I wonder whatever became of him...

28.01.11

I´m now in Oslo. I have actually left home! Such freedom to call it a day last wednesday, and after having said my goodbyes, I was off. I´m now staying at my sister´s place, and my brother is coming tonight. He is leaving for four months in Bali, the day after me. I´m trying to realize that I am going back, and went on a two hour walk today... Impossible. Its just too crazy. I must have been Ghandi in my past life, cuz my life is just too darn good!