Itīs been an extraordinary week. We first landed in Arequipa, which is a beautiful, tranquil city in the South of Peru and a nice change from Lima. The taxi drivers donīt seem bent on destroying their cars and passengers! I got to visit an amazing old monastery with an entire mini city inside. Arequipa was the base for our trip to the Colca Canyon where we got to see massive condors flying overhead and took a bus ride up to 4800 meters. I could barely open my eyes and my hands felt like lead.
From Arequipa we headed to Puno, which is not really worth mentioning, then headed right out to stay on Amantani, an island on Lake Titicaca. The island was a truly unique experience -- though it recieves a lot of tourists all of them stay with families. there are no restaurants, no internet cafes, no tour agencies, no discoteques. Just islanders welcoming tourists into their homes. Though the homes and food and bathrooms are modest, to say the least, itīs one of the most "real" experiences you could hope to have nowadays. Also the island and the lake are breathtaking.
We arrived this afternoon in La Paz and are just soaking up the energy of the city. I was here years ago and itīs slowly coming back to me why I enjoyed it here so much. Itīs hard to put a finger on, but thereīs something so vibrant about this place. I am excited to spend at least a few days here, but our tight schedule may make us move on faster than weīd like.
Josh and Dave and I are having lots of fun playing cards and seeking out cafes with real coffee and not nescafe or, worse, esencia de cafe. Itīs been easier to meet fellow travelers as a trio rather than as a couple. Also Josh and I have stopped being such travel snobs, so that helps.
Daveīs got one week left and Josh and I have about 3...itīs unbeleivable that our time here is drawing to a close.
|
