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Europe of the Americas, Here I Come

Friday, March 9th, 2007

I can´t go to Manu National Park until April. Seakayaking on Lake Titicaca doesn´t start until April. And Bolivia lowlands are flooded. My plans were falling apart on me very quickly this week. So, I am making a radical change to those plans and I am flying next week to Buenos Aires to spend 3-4 weeks in Argentina. I will check out the most European city in the Americas, take in the coast to see wildlife, visit the Glaciers National Park, drink wine in Mendoza during harvest and then make my way north for Bolivia and to finish Peru and maybe see some of Chile. I am not sure if I will get to Uruguay. I am also not too excited about the hoops Brazil is putting me through to get a visa so I may postpone Brazil until I start the next leg of my trip in August. This will leave me more time than I expected and I may use it to see more Peru, go back to Colombia and/or go back to Central America before heading home in late May or early June. I also may put Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas back on my possibilities. Who knows? I don´t care now. The focus after seeing the Nazca Lines next week will be ARGENTINA!

Salute to Women

Friday, March 9th, 2007

Yesterday the greatest event of my trip occured. I tried to see an exhibit of Martin Chambi´s 1920-1940s photos of Cusco and Machupicchu, but it was closed until 4 PM (I did see it today with my friend, Mark, and he was as great of a photographer as Ansel Adams). I was walking to Plaza de Armas (I´m in Cusco again, by the way, with plenty of stories to tell about the last few days, but I think this one is more important) when I spotted a parade of indigenous people. Luckily, I had my camera with me although I had no intention of taking more Cusco photos and I got it out right away. The locals were all dressed up in their traditional clothes. They were grouped by their home villages and each village has a different outfit. I noticed soon that almost all of the participants were women. I took pictures from the middle of the parade to the end when I noticed that the parade of thousands was wrapping around the plaza and headed down an alley to the next plaza. I gave chase…

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Peruvian Police

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
I would be lying if I didn't tell you about some of the downsides of Peru so I will get to them in the next few stories.  While I love the people and places, there are some real problems here.  ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cajamarca Carnaval

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
I arrived in sleepy town Cajamarca (population around 100,000) February 15th by flying from Lima.  I stayed a few kilometers outside of the small city at a hot springs resort.  After my first day, I was a bit underwhelmed, but I figured a ... [Continue reading this entry]

Dead End

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
I am in Arequipa, Peru now.  I have a few stories to tell and since today ended up being a no-go due to my first airplane cancellation (Arequipa to Cusco supposedly due to weather, but the weather is perfect... go ... [Continue reading this entry]

Absorbing Peru

Sunday, February 25th, 2007
The desire to see as much of Peru as possible is pushing me along.  I think this would have happened in Mexico, Panama and Colombia, but I had places to get to per a schedule and therefore I could not ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cajamarca to Trujillo

Saturday, February 24th, 2007
So the 310 kilometer drive which really only covered 120 kilometers from the Andes town of Cajamarca down to coastal city of Trujillo truly was beautiful.  Cajamarca sits in a valley surrounded by mountains.  The mountains are not so impressive ... [Continue reading this entry]

Weight of the World

Friday, February 23rd, 2007
It is very easy for me to hear about a tragedy somewhere in the world and not get too affected.  Those sorry saps on over-crowded ferries in Indonesia, for instance.  I don't think I am too different from you in ... [Continue reading this entry]

Worst Drivers in the World?

Friday, February 23rd, 2007
I think I already mentioned that the driving in Peru is mighty scary.  That's an understatement.  I now believe that Peruvian drivers will be near the top of the list of bad drivers when I "finish" seeing the world.  My ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cafe Negro, Por Favor

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
I didn't start drinking coffee until I decided to do this trip.  So, at 42 years of age, I had my first cup of coffee.  Why wait until 42?  Ask me later.  I quickly found that adding milk and sugar ... [Continue reading this entry]