Peru Day 4 - on to Cusco

Got up at 6am in order to eat and be at the airport in time for our flight to Cusco. Poor Michelle rode backwards in the van to the airport and got car sick, then air sick - poor thing. She's looking a little green here, and staying close to the bathroom.




Diana on the other hand enjoyed a head massage from Washi. He shared with all of us, then we reciprocated for him with a neck/shoulder massage. We became a very close knit group very early on.

I felt great when we arrived in Cusco. It was sunny and warm and I took off all my layers except one for the first time in Peru. I was actually hot! We had our private driver Gido pick us up and take us to Madre Tierra (mother earth) where we would be for 4 days.

Madre Tierra






Here are some photos inside the place and arriving. The streets in San Blas (the neighborhood in Cusco we are in) are so narrow the cars have to back out. Our luggage was on top of the van - Rocker (Washi's brother - who's real name is Rogerio, but none of us could pronounce it in Spanish so he's Rocker) and Washi brought it all down and took it in for us. The beginning of just how good they took care of us. Washi called us "Pacha Mamas children". Pacha Mama is also mother earth, in Quechua the native tongue.

Michelle and I were roommates again, she went straight to bed sick - while the rest of us had lunch and an hour of free time to get acclimatized. I was feeling great, which made me feel a bit guilty cause she was feeling so awful.

After our rest and freshen-up period, we had our welcome ceremony with Jenni and Diana. We set our intentions for the trip, and wrote down one thing we wanted to release and burned it in a bowl. Then we set what we wanted to embrace and I said my inner goddess, feminine essence and complete open love. We also picked names to see who we would be a secret angel for. It was our job as angel to send little messages or gifts anonymously to them throughout the trip, and to encourage them on achieving their intentions. I had selected Michelle, which she didn't find out until the end of the tour. We certainly did bond and she took care of me and was my angel later when I was sick.

We did a diad (two people) exercise to find out about each other on a deeper level than just "I'm a photographer from Edmonton, blah, blah, blah". It was right up my alley and most of us had cried at least once by the end. We had to tell the other person "tell me who you are" and I remember saying things like:

- I am growing and learning
- I am grateful to be here and at peace
- I seek connections with people
- I am on a physical and spiritual journey (I had NO idea!)
- I am living life fully and loving it
- I am a goddess to Rob's warrior
- I have been a warrior and now is time for the goddess
- I really felt connected to Jenni this day (she is fearless and powerful, but tender and caring also)

We also created an alter and placed our special objects on it. We would use it again often in the trip. I added my string of Chinese coins I hang in my purse to represent prosperity, and a single chocolate to remember Rob's mom who passed away 4 days before I left home.

Afterwards we had about 2 hours to explore or rest. Most people napped but I was itching to get out and start photographing Cusco. It is SO cute and quaint I couldn't sit still and besides I felt great. But I was wary not to overdo it (unlike later in the trip).

I ran into Susan, which was a good thing as she had her map which I had forgotten to bring with me. Here are some of the photos I took that day.













Susan and I found the main square and then started wandering back. We ended up going off the small map Jenni had provided and were not sure which way to go. It was getting dark and we were now late to meet the group back at the Hostal. We stopped under a street lap to try and read the map, turned and looked down the street to our right - couldn't find a labelled street sign that was on the map. Turned to our right and saw the rest of our group walking towards us. Seems we stumbled upon the street the restaurant was on, and Rocker was left to wait for us at the Hostal.

We passed this amazing view of the moon over these cacti and went on to eat the crepes you see below. I had the chicken with mushrooms, peas and artichokes and to drink had fresh squeezed papaya juice that was amazing and tried the Chicha morada that Washi was having (blue corn drink, very sweet). Michelle was feeling better and came with us, then started her mission to have as many desserts as possible. She ordered this one that had fruit and pisco (their liquor) and it was beyond amazing! We all had a taste and wanted more.







Washi gave us all Southern Crosses to wear around our necks. Is the Andean 12 sided cross with great meanings - more on that later. He also gave us each our Quechua names. Mine is Monay Tika which means "beautiful flower".

Got to do email here for free, they have a computer for guests to use. Surprisingly they have internet and email everywhere in Peru. Got to talk to Rob and Mom, they called me. What a great day, what an amazing place. And we were just beginning!

Peru Day 3 - Lima

Saturday September 15th

Slept until 11am, man that felt good! We were up late talking so needed the rest. We all have to get up real early Sunday so no chance tomorrow.

Had my usual Sunrider and an orange (or maybe it was a tangerine, I think those are more common here). I went to the park for a while and browsed the artists displaying their work. Almost bought a painting for $40-50 but wanted to wait until Cusco and see what I found there, might be cheaper. I figured I'll be back in Lima for a Sunday before I leave so I'll see these same artists again anyway. Is hard to tell if it is original and they did it or not.

I also bought this sweater below, which I wore almost every day and slept in! It is so fuzzy and warm, I love it. Even has a hood. Also got gloves and socks for myself. Alpaca wool.



Then I was meeting up with some of the ladies who were going downtown to the cathedral with Washi. I hadn't met them all yet so I was anxious to do so. I ended up waiting for over an hour for them as Washi got tied up helping Michelle fix her travel arrangements for Sunday and Arla and Susan fix their phone cards. So I grabbed some lunch at a place close by, was great. They had a special for 9 Soles, chicken, two side dishes and one sauce.

Not bad for $3 hey?! Chicken, babies potatoes, yams and salsa.

So they arrived and I met Sonja, Susan and Arla. Michelle didn't come with us she was tired and Myrna had taken a taxi on ahead as she thought we had left without her. We all got there anyway. Here's a shot of us ladies at Plaza des Armas in Lima. Washi took this one.

Me, Arla, Susan and Sonja

They all went to the cathedral, found Myrna and did some shopping. They wanted sweaters like mine. I wandered around the square and a few blocks around the area - mostly taking photos and browsing at things. Great Spanish inspired architecture. Is an old city too.

I saw the changing of the guards outside the palace too. Was a whole lot of hoopla and fanfare. A band came out and played and marched around. Then two new guys came out, shook hands of the other guys and they switched. That was it. LOL. I had bought a fresh squeezed papaya juice but the lady put in water from a pitcher and I didn't trust it was filtered or bottled so Washi took it and gave it to one of the street vendor ladies. Here are some of the photos I took there:















In the evening Arla, Michelle and I had dinner. I negotiated 2 free pisco sours with dinner at the place we had lunch Thursday. Risotto with scampi was really good! Diana joined us and Arla went to visit friends in Lima. We browsed the night market in the park
and bought some earrings.

Set some intentions for traveling to Cusco the next day. At this point my navel piercing is really inflamed. It had been irritated from the first day in Lima and I have tried all sorts of natural remedies and it isn't getting better. Is itchy at this point and starting to drive me insane.

But I WILL be 100% fine at high altitude! That was my intention before even leaving sea level.

Peru Day 2 - Lima

Forgot to mention a few things one must know about traveling in Peru.

1 - always carry tissue or a 1/2 roll or toilet paper in your pocket or pack. The bathrooms here usually have no paper, and you're actually quite lucky if there is a seat on the toilet! Many times you have to squat and hover, and you never put the paper in the toilet - always in the little bin on the floor. Yes - always!

2 - had my first Pisco Sour yesterday. Is the drink of Peru but Chili and Peru each claim at their own and that theirs is best. I don't know about the Chilean version but I LOVE the Peruvian ones. Most restaurants offer one free one with dinner.

3 - there are internet cafes everywhere and for about 4 soles an hour you can get access. (that's about $1.30/hr)

Now, on to day 2, Friday September 14th. Had to move to another room at the Hostal today. Michele is arriving tonight now. Jenni is flying out to Cusco ahead of us to get set up there.

My day started with a freezing cold shower, there was no hot water. Didn't do much today, we all had coffee and lunch then Jenni was off. Washi was missing so she took a taxi herself to the airport. We found out later he was sick the night before and did go to the airport last night and waited for Michele. Poor Washi!

For lunch I had asparagus soup and tacos especiale (beef, chicken, sausages and beans). They make good Mexican food in Peru. The garlic sauce is pure garlic and is to die for!

I had a nap in the afternoon. I hit a wall finally and had to just rest. Feeling very positive about doing well physically at the high altitude in Cusco. I will be 100% fine, I have just decided.

So here is my second room at Hostal el Patio. I didn't have a peep hole, I had a "peep window" LOL.

QUOTE: "The world is a book. Those that do not travel, read only one page" author unknown.

Learned a lot about Diana and Washi today. Diana and Jenni have traveled a LOT, done some scary things, been to many spiritual places. They seem fearless - my heroes! Next year they are adding trips to Nepal and Diana is going there on October 23rd with her husband. She invited Washi along and said she'd pay for his trip. He was like "are you serious" with his cute Spanish accent. She was - and he's going! He was over the moon, he said he's always dreamed of going there. Rob is completely jealous. Is on my list now too. Red Lotus adds it to the repertoire for 2008, and I'm SO there. I also found out I know Jenni's fiance, Greg Masuda, who's a photographer in Calgary and used to be a Queensberry client of mine.

For fund raising between Diana, Jenni and myself we have almost $3000 US in cash, plus we each brought a huge bag of school supplies. I'll be so glad when we can give all that away and not have to haul it around.

Diana and I did a bit of shopping today. I did some on my own and I helped her get a top for Jenni - we're about the same size, so I had to try it on. Do you have any idea how hard that is when you're wearing 4 tops and a jacket and have a backpack on too? Not fun, let me tell you! But I did manage to buy a cute pair of slip on cowboy pseudo boots, and a very bling bling pair of latina jeans. When in Lima . . .

Here's Diana buying a pair of fuzzy boots for 60 Soles ($20)
It was like boot heaven! Why didn't I get a pair again???

Here are some street scenes from Miraflores area in Lima. I did some walking around and noticed that there are a lot of people kissing in the parks there always! Made me miss Rob even more. He could text message me on my phone for free but I couldn't reply. That was kinda weird but good to be connected to him somehow.








Had a weird allergic reaction of some kind to something I ate for dinner and my throat was all scratchy. Cleared it with Calli tea and more Sunrider foods. Had picarones for dessert. Is a kind of donut made from fried yams served with chancaca (a very sweet cane syrup).

Diana and Washi and I set up the other 2 rooms with t-shirts, candies and candles for the other ladies arriving tonight. Then I hit the sack and they went to the airport at midnight. Michelle snuck in about 2am or something and we ended up talking for about an hour. She had quite the journey and I warned her she'd be freezing at night so she wore her toque to bed. There was very load music playing from some bar down the street so we had trouble falling asleep. Thank god for my iPod and relaxation audios!

Peru Day 1 - Lima

Sept 13th, 2007

I had no idea Lima was so big. Over 8 million people live there! It is a big city, with no subway, one freeway to speak of, lots of old cars and trucks, and LOTS of smog!

So I finally met Jenni in person, I liked her right away. We are a lot alike, but she is completely fearless. She's my idol, I want to be like her when I grow up (even though we're only 2 years apart LOL). I also met Washington our guide for the tour. He is a native Peruvian, 25 years old from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. He has so much pride for his people and his country, it's awe inspiring. He also has vision for it and plans on being mayor of his town next election (3 years) and president of Peru in 15 years. With his ambition and personality and what he's overcome in his own life to get where he is - I have NO doubt he will do it and I'll be visiting him in the presidential palace in 2022!

Breakfast at Hostal el Patio consisted of one piece of white bread (round bun), one piece of fruit and coffee or tea. I used my Sunrider foods to keep me fed and took the fruit to go. This is the hostal in the daytime. It is a very cute little place with a great courtyard. My first room overlooked the courtyard.

This is the view from my window.

Oh, did I mention I was freezing in Lima every minute I was there!? I had so many layers of clothes on, slept with a sweater and hood on, wool socks - I could barely move. It was about 15c during the day and about 5-7c at night - BUT - they don't have heat indoors! I got extra blankets and a heater on the second night after I learned it was available. The heater itself was a bit scary - propane! Only got it for an hour then it got taken away.

The day staff spoke good English though. This is us with one of the desk girls Janice.

(Me, Diana Love, Janice, Jenni Lund)

Okay, so the money changer guy came and I got some Soles (3 for every US dollar), stored my passport in their safe - and off we went to lunch.

This is about 5 blocks from our hotel. This street is all restaurants, no traffic. The area of Lima we're in is called Miraflores. It is a relatively safe, touristy area close to the ocean.

This is Washington (we call him Washi) and we all love him to pieces.
How can you not with that smile?!

My first Peruvian beer! Salut!

This guy came and played for us while we ate. We gave him tips
of course. I found out later, he comes every day. Saw him many times.

Beginning of great food in Peru. This is Diana's salad. The avacados there are totally amazing and huge! I was told was safe to eat salad in Lima. We did and didn't get sick so there you go.


This is my first lunch - ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in chili and lime juice.

That is giant corn on top. I thought I'd get something with it like rice, or veggies - guess not. But as I soon discovered, we all love to share our food and try new things - so I got some of that salad and Washi got to eat what I didn't.

After lunch we had a driver take us downtown to Cathedral de San Francisco. It is in the heart of Lima, very Spanish looking. We had some fun with pigeons outside, then we went in to see the catacombs. There are 3 levels of them under the cathedral and over 25,000 people buried there in the 1500's. It the 1850's or so it was discovered and they wanted to try to count how many bodies were there. So they started arranging the bones in groups.

Washi took about 17 shots like this of us! He loves photography and had camera envy of mine. He loved when I let him use it.

Amazingly enough, none of us got "shat upon" shall we say!

Is that a bit creepy or what?!

Lima architecture, very Spanish.

The presidential palace, guards with guns and all.

Plaza des Armas in Lima


Traffic in Lima - going back at 5pm was NOT a good idea!
Took us 20 minutes to go like 5 blocks.


Hostal el Patio at night.


That's my room open on the left. At least for one more night.

After that we went to dinner on that same street as we had lunch and Michelle was supposed to arrive that night but had travel issues and didn't get in. Diana was trying to reach Washi to tell him not to go to the airport and was back and forth to the internet cafe and using my cell phone. In the mean time - Jenni and I went salsa dancing at this place.

I don't have a lot of photos at night cause my camera is too big and obviously expensive I left it in my room most of the time for safety reasons. I have some from everyone else's photos and we have to compile them all together yet.

Tomorrow - Jenni flies to Cusco, Diana and I go shopping.