So, they didn´t happen yesterday but today was great
I pulled up some old camp tricks and made some cool stiches
the others used the beads and did this cool circle thing that id never seen
Tomorrow is my last day at Remar and we´re gonna have a party with some cake and some high school musical songs, the kids are obsessed.
Oh and Nick Jonas is my boyfriend. Some still don´t believe me but I have a few of the younger ones convinced.
Iv been going to all the markets recently to pick up some peruvian goodies, who knew there could be so many different ways to make a hat?
I had a quechua lesson last night. Where vowels mean nothing and one word can have up to five different pronounciations, meaning five entirely different things.
Other then that my days have been pretty normal, Saturday is my last night and also a HUGE halloween party that the school organized. They rented out an entire club and theres gonna be a costume contest and everything. Im going to win.
Tomorrow Im taking my host family out for lunch as a sort of goodbye thank you meal
and Saturday during the day im going to Tipon to try some cuy before i leave. It must be done.
Ill be home so soon, I can´t believe its been a month. Cusco has become a place so familiar yet there is still so much I havn´t explored.
All of my friends from the school are traveling afterwards, Argentina, Chile, Ecquador. Iv decided backpacking is something that must be done in my life. But why stay in South America? I believe the world would be a bit more acceptable.
So ill work on that one for a bit.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Iv been Slacking.
My bad.
Last weekend was Machu Picchu.
Woke up a bit earlier then I should have and went for a walk before meeting the rest of my group (Allie and Paola) at the San Blas school.
From there we met our coordinator who gave us all of our tickets and important information and sent us on our way. An hour an a half in taxi (Michael Jackson blasting) and we made it to the train station. From there it was another hour and a half next to a very annoying British group, who put a lot of effort into making me feel bad for sitting in my assigned seat (window).
"You want to sit on the isle? So you can talk to your friends?"
"no, Im fine thank you"
"Okay, its just that you should sit here so its easier"
"no really. Im fine thank you."
"Sit here, so you dont have to talk over us."
"I wont talk, I would prefer to sit here."
"It would just be better."
Yeah right. For who?
But other then that it was a very pleasent ride, I got to listen to my ipod which i havn´t done in a very long time and got to watch the scenery change from vast mountain to the jungle, and feel the humidity through the open window.
The train stopped in Aguas Calientes which is named fairly respectively for its natural hot springs. We stayed in a hostel with clean sheets and a hot shower. Only one cockroach that we could see so we were pleased.
It started POURING on saturday, actual buckets falling from the sky, so we sook refuge in a cafe and had a cup of coffee. After walking around a bit and exploring the market we sat down for a three course dinner with fresh avocado and grilled alpaca. All of the food for a grand total of 15soles. 5 dollars.
It was an amazing atmosphere with live music (which I can share since I bought their CD)
and an open kitchen.
We crashed fairly early and woke up at a reasonable time of 5am.
Sunday morning we met our guide at the bus station and took another bus for about half an hour up to Machu Picchu. We got a glance on the ride up but we convinced ourselves it was painted into the bus windows. With the morning mist and rays of sunshine it was far too gorgeous to be real.
We made it to the top and our guide took us through a short canal to show us a typical house in this time and how they made their roofs. Then a few more steps in and we walked onto a terrace as all of Machu Picchu opened itself up to us. Going from this thin pathway into this open field only enhanced the experience that much more. From here we could see the structure of the entire city.
It really is an experience that is probably the most difficult to describe. You could see all of the work put into the city, you could see how it was still expanding, you could see the designs. Every house was built to fit the pattern of the city to form a circular structure similar to the snake, representing knowledge of the people.
There were different religious places specifically for sacrifices or rituals. There was the temple of the moon that was built differently then all the other buildings because it was circular. The rocks had been rounded to form this cilinder with its windows placed so specifically so when there is a full moon the entire temple is illuminated.
The rocks used in all of Machu Picchu are also a good percentage of quartz, so when there is a full moon the city is named The Silver City because all of the rocks glow.
Our guide took us around to the most important areas and explained their significance, then we were free to explore on our own.
We looked around for a bit longer and then decided to climb the mountain that you always see in pictures of Machu Picchu. It took us a good hour an a half of practically virtical climbing but once we made it was it worth it. We sat on a terrace overlooking all of Machu Picchu and had a picnick consisting of the mass quantity of snack foods purchaced the night before. I took a nap in the sun and we had some good conversations.
We eplored the ruins at the top of the mountain as well (that used to serve as a lookout tower for the soldiers of Machu Picchu) and then began our decent.
A dark storm cloud threatened us so we went a bit faster then we probably would have normally. Once at the bottom it began to drizzle so we caught the bus back to Aguas Calientes.
We had about 4 hours in Aguas Calientes before our train back so we sat and had an amazing lunch with the most spectacular chocolate pancakes to follow.
Definitely ate well this trip.
Then we sat for a bit, so tired we were actually just sitting, not even talking, and then we caught the train back.
we got off at the stop our ticket told us to and the same stop our coordinator had told us, but there was construction at the top of this station and so the bus we were supposed to catch would be picking up its passengers at the next stop.
Luckily we were not the only ones with this problem so we coordinated a group taxi and found our way back to Cusco.
Arriving around 1130 I took a personal taxi straight home and passed out after my host mom checked to make sure I wasnt a tomato or eaten alive by all the bugs.
(The sun is very strong in Machu Picchu and the bugs are everywhere, so its a good thing I bathed in spf and deet before hand.)
she was impressed.
Thats all for my Machu Picchu weekend, I hope pictures can help illustrate my time once I get those up.
Now we´re back into a normal week with school in the morning and Remar in the afternoon. Tomorrow we´re bringing beads and string to make bracelets so that will be messy and definitely a lot of fun.
As of now, I should be heading home because it is the mother of the mothers birthday and she is turning 90!
I bought her a cake and we´re going to have a little party.
Ill write tomorrow about the bracelets and Im sorry I dont have the effort to spell check this, I hope you can look past it.
Last weekend was Machu Picchu.
Woke up a bit earlier then I should have and went for a walk before meeting the rest of my group (Allie and Paola) at the San Blas school.
From there we met our coordinator who gave us all of our tickets and important information and sent us on our way. An hour an a half in taxi (Michael Jackson blasting) and we made it to the train station. From there it was another hour and a half next to a very annoying British group, who put a lot of effort into making me feel bad for sitting in my assigned seat (window).
"You want to sit on the isle? So you can talk to your friends?"
"no, Im fine thank you"
"Okay, its just that you should sit here so its easier"
"no really. Im fine thank you."
"Sit here, so you dont have to talk over us."
"I wont talk, I would prefer to sit here."
"It would just be better."
Yeah right. For who?
But other then that it was a very pleasent ride, I got to listen to my ipod which i havn´t done in a very long time and got to watch the scenery change from vast mountain to the jungle, and feel the humidity through the open window.
The train stopped in Aguas Calientes which is named fairly respectively for its natural hot springs. We stayed in a hostel with clean sheets and a hot shower. Only one cockroach that we could see so we were pleased.
It started POURING on saturday, actual buckets falling from the sky, so we sook refuge in a cafe and had a cup of coffee. After walking around a bit and exploring the market we sat down for a three course dinner with fresh avocado and grilled alpaca. All of the food for a grand total of 15soles. 5 dollars.
It was an amazing atmosphere with live music (which I can share since I bought their CD)
and an open kitchen.
We crashed fairly early and woke up at a reasonable time of 5am.
Sunday morning we met our guide at the bus station and took another bus for about half an hour up to Machu Picchu. We got a glance on the ride up but we convinced ourselves it was painted into the bus windows. With the morning mist and rays of sunshine it was far too gorgeous to be real.
We made it to the top and our guide took us through a short canal to show us a typical house in this time and how they made their roofs. Then a few more steps in and we walked onto a terrace as all of Machu Picchu opened itself up to us. Going from this thin pathway into this open field only enhanced the experience that much more. From here we could see the structure of the entire city.
It really is an experience that is probably the most difficult to describe. You could see all of the work put into the city, you could see how it was still expanding, you could see the designs. Every house was built to fit the pattern of the city to form a circular structure similar to the snake, representing knowledge of the people.
There were different religious places specifically for sacrifices or rituals. There was the temple of the moon that was built differently then all the other buildings because it was circular. The rocks had been rounded to form this cilinder with its windows placed so specifically so when there is a full moon the entire temple is illuminated.
The rocks used in all of Machu Picchu are also a good percentage of quartz, so when there is a full moon the city is named The Silver City because all of the rocks glow.
Our guide took us around to the most important areas and explained their significance, then we were free to explore on our own.
We looked around for a bit longer and then decided to climb the mountain that you always see in pictures of Machu Picchu. It took us a good hour an a half of practically virtical climbing but once we made it was it worth it. We sat on a terrace overlooking all of Machu Picchu and had a picnick consisting of the mass quantity of snack foods purchaced the night before. I took a nap in the sun and we had some good conversations.
We eplored the ruins at the top of the mountain as well (that used to serve as a lookout tower for the soldiers of Machu Picchu) and then began our decent.
A dark storm cloud threatened us so we went a bit faster then we probably would have normally. Once at the bottom it began to drizzle so we caught the bus back to Aguas Calientes.
We had about 4 hours in Aguas Calientes before our train back so we sat and had an amazing lunch with the most spectacular chocolate pancakes to follow.
Definitely ate well this trip.
Then we sat for a bit, so tired we were actually just sitting, not even talking, and then we caught the train back.
we got off at the stop our ticket told us to and the same stop our coordinator had told us, but there was construction at the top of this station and so the bus we were supposed to catch would be picking up its passengers at the next stop.
Luckily we were not the only ones with this problem so we coordinated a group taxi and found our way back to Cusco.
Arriving around 1130 I took a personal taxi straight home and passed out after my host mom checked to make sure I wasnt a tomato or eaten alive by all the bugs.
(The sun is very strong in Machu Picchu and the bugs are everywhere, so its a good thing I bathed in spf and deet before hand.)
she was impressed.
Thats all for my Machu Picchu weekend, I hope pictures can help illustrate my time once I get those up.
Now we´re back into a normal week with school in the morning and Remar in the afternoon. Tomorrow we´re bringing beads and string to make bracelets so that will be messy and definitely a lot of fun.
As of now, I should be heading home because it is the mother of the mothers birthday and she is turning 90!
I bought her a cake and we´re going to have a little party.
Ill write tomorrow about the bracelets and Im sorry I dont have the effort to spell check this, I hope you can look past it.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Keyboard.
Im happy I learned to type before I came to Peru because this key board has no letters. A bunch of black blocks. Luckily I do know, and the Latin American keyboard isnt tthhhaatttt different. I can still use cool things like Ñç`ºª ¬ and such.
Pizza went over very well. We got cheese and ham with some Lays to accompany. They were very happy with it but you should see how much these guys eat. It was a nice treat but afterwards the had another bowl of food with rice lentils and fried ancovies. Whatever theyre into.
Today we played jumprope with a cord I bought at the local harware market. (Theres a market here for everything.)
Tomorrow is Friday and then on Saturday WE GO TO MACHU PICCHU!
So that will be amazing.
As of right now, Im about to go meet some friends for dinner because this one girl is heading home tomorrow.
I found out that my last night here is Halloween and apparently the whole city lights up. Im really happy I get to see all that.
Thats all for now.
Pizza went over very well. We got cheese and ham with some Lays to accompany. They were very happy with it but you should see how much these guys eat. It was a nice treat but afterwards the had another bowl of food with rice lentils and fried ancovies. Whatever theyre into.
Today we played jumprope with a cord I bought at the local harware market. (Theres a market here for everything.)
Tomorrow is Friday and then on Saturday WE GO TO MACHU PICCHU!
So that will be amazing.
As of right now, Im about to go meet some friends for dinner because this one girl is heading home tomorrow.
I found out that my last night here is Halloween and apparently the whole city lights up. Im really happy I get to see all that.
Thats all for now.
Monday, October 19, 2009
3 minutes
And then I run out of Soles so lets get this done.
At Remar for the past week these girls have been playing with pieces of folded paper and a marble as substitutions for the game Jacks.
So I bought them a few sets with the actual bouncy ball and little plastic pieces for 1sole each.
They were SO happy it was great we played jacks for about two hours, they explained the rules to me. Who knew there were rules?
Im using and american keyboard and it makes my day when the question mark is right next to the shift and not at the top by the 0, cause thats such a stretch.
I have a new spanish teacher and shes amazing. I have two hours of private lessons a day and today we had them outside in the Plaza, the sun was shining and it was gorgeous.
After class I walked around for a bit before meeting Allie to go to Remar.
Today was not a very eventful day other then that and tomorrow will probably be the same, but Wednesday is going to be quite hectic since Allie and I decided to bring the kids pizza for lunch. You know you can buy 6 large pizzas here for 20 dollars?
Why would anybody live in America?
out of money. Hasta.
At Remar for the past week these girls have been playing with pieces of folded paper and a marble as substitutions for the game Jacks.
So I bought them a few sets with the actual bouncy ball and little plastic pieces for 1sole each.
They were SO happy it was great we played jacks for about two hours, they explained the rules to me. Who knew there were rules?
Im using and american keyboard and it makes my day when the question mark is right next to the shift and not at the top by the 0, cause thats such a stretch.
I have a new spanish teacher and shes amazing. I have two hours of private lessons a day and today we had them outside in the Plaza, the sun was shining and it was gorgeous.
After class I walked around for a bit before meeting Allie to go to Remar.
Today was not a very eventful day other then that and tomorrow will probably be the same, but Wednesday is going to be quite hectic since Allie and I decided to bring the kids pizza for lunch. You know you can buy 6 large pizzas here for 20 dollars?
Why would anybody live in America?
out of money. Hasta.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Cheese Burger
Its time I harden up.
Iv bought meals for quite a few homeless people here and street children and I can understand that but last night it went a bit far when I bought a cheese burger for a dog.
I was sitting on the steps of the cathedral and he came over all skinny and nice and I was petting him and I couldnt not.
He loved it very much and I feel it was worth it but still. really?
Today I got to go horseback riding up in the mountains and visit the ruins that I had already seen on the City Tour but it was really cool to see them from a diferent perspective as well.
One place we went that was new was the Temple of the Moon and the Temple of the Sun.
The Temple of the Moon was a temple for fertility and llama sacrifices. In the walls of the natural cave were carved three animals; The snake, the puma and the condor to represent the three worlds. Im not sure if I wrote about that before but they represent the underworld, this world, and the heavens respectively.
The carvings were a bit worn since I suppose its been a few years since they were placed but it was still very distinct. It was the most interesting since at first nobody really noticed it but once it was pointed out it was so obvious and the entire cave was covered with these animals. The greatest one, whos significance was not explained, but at the entrace to the cave was the head of an elephant and his tusks and snout were leveled to be stairs into the entrance. It was very Lion King.
After riding I took a four hour nap.
I miss my naps every day, though I suppose I can sleep when I get home.
I cant believe its already half over, it feels like I got here yesterday. Plus a bit more knowledge in the spanish area. I held a conversation for three hours today using the past present and future tenses with the horse guide since I was by myself and I was quite proud.
I bought Remar a few new things such as jacks for the kids and new brooms and detergent. All in all it cost 20$ and that was pretty cool, im sure theyll appreciate it on Monday.
I wish I could be home right now for Bebe but I hope he knows im there in spirit. Be sure to say some words for me when he goes next to hudson. I bet theyll have a lot of fun, im assuming he was pretty lonely.
Thats all for now. Alrighty.
Iv bought meals for quite a few homeless people here and street children and I can understand that but last night it went a bit far when I bought a cheese burger for a dog.
I was sitting on the steps of the cathedral and he came over all skinny and nice and I was petting him and I couldnt not.
He loved it very much and I feel it was worth it but still. really?
Today I got to go horseback riding up in the mountains and visit the ruins that I had already seen on the City Tour but it was really cool to see them from a diferent perspective as well.
One place we went that was new was the Temple of the Moon and the Temple of the Sun.
The Temple of the Moon was a temple for fertility and llama sacrifices. In the walls of the natural cave were carved three animals; The snake, the puma and the condor to represent the three worlds. Im not sure if I wrote about that before but they represent the underworld, this world, and the heavens respectively.
The carvings were a bit worn since I suppose its been a few years since they were placed but it was still very distinct. It was the most interesting since at first nobody really noticed it but once it was pointed out it was so obvious and the entire cave was covered with these animals. The greatest one, whos significance was not explained, but at the entrace to the cave was the head of an elephant and his tusks and snout were leveled to be stairs into the entrance. It was very Lion King.
After riding I took a four hour nap.
I miss my naps every day, though I suppose I can sleep when I get home.
I cant believe its already half over, it feels like I got here yesterday. Plus a bit more knowledge in the spanish area. I held a conversation for three hours today using the past present and future tenses with the horse guide since I was by myself and I was quite proud.
I bought Remar a few new things such as jacks for the kids and new brooms and detergent. All in all it cost 20$ and that was pretty cool, im sure theyll appreciate it on Monday.
I wish I could be home right now for Bebe but I hope he knows im there in spirit. Be sure to say some words for me when he goes next to hudson. I bet theyll have a lot of fun, im assuming he was pretty lonely.
Thats all for now. Alrighty.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Cashews
The most elusive nut in all of Cusco
I had a craving for some cashews and searched for three days
I finally found some Emerald Nut Cashews in a mega market for 35soles or about 15$
They were worth it.
On another note yesterday was so much fun at Remar
When I got there I was the only volunteer but it wasnt a problem and I helped serve lunch and read some books with the kids then all of a sudden a tranquil day turned into a party.
a news crew from some peruvian channel showed up because they were doing a documentary on Remar to give them exposure and raise money for their move (they recently bought a bigger house and are moving out next week)
so I get to be on peruvian TV woo!
And while all of this is going on the other volunteer shows up with cake because she said it looked pretty in the window. So everybody got cake!
then we all filed outside for a group picture and it was just a really great day.
To top it off in the night I had a traditional peruvian cooking lesson (chicken stir fry) Which I thought was really entertaining. But it was good company and good time
Then afterwards the call center stayed open later so I could talk to Sam for a while and i thanked them very much for that. Theyre getting to know me, its funny.
Im heading over to Remar now but thought id update here first since there was no internet in Cusco yesterday I was unable to do so.
I went into an internet cafe yesterday and asked to use the internet and the man responded no because there was no internet in cusco, but he was laughing so I thought he was joking but he wasnt. it was a very interesting interaction.
I also think something is either wrong with my email or nobody loves me enough to respond to my emails. So im gonna forward some sent messages again in hopes they go through.
feel free to email me too I feel so outta the loop
eva.rowe@yahoo.com
also send me your address and a postcard can be on its way
and for those who asked
Eva Rowe
The Velarde Rivas Doris Family
Unidad Vecinal Zarumilla 601
Cusco, Peru SA
I had a craving for some cashews and searched for three days
I finally found some Emerald Nut Cashews in a mega market for 35soles or about 15$
They were worth it.
On another note yesterday was so much fun at Remar
When I got there I was the only volunteer but it wasnt a problem and I helped serve lunch and read some books with the kids then all of a sudden a tranquil day turned into a party.
a news crew from some peruvian channel showed up because they were doing a documentary on Remar to give them exposure and raise money for their move (they recently bought a bigger house and are moving out next week)
so I get to be on peruvian TV woo!
And while all of this is going on the other volunteer shows up with cake because she said it looked pretty in the window. So everybody got cake!
then we all filed outside for a group picture and it was just a really great day.
To top it off in the night I had a traditional peruvian cooking lesson (chicken stir fry) Which I thought was really entertaining. But it was good company and good time
Then afterwards the call center stayed open later so I could talk to Sam for a while and i thanked them very much for that. Theyre getting to know me, its funny.
Im heading over to Remar now but thought id update here first since there was no internet in Cusco yesterday I was unable to do so.
I went into an internet cafe yesterday and asked to use the internet and the man responded no because there was no internet in cusco, but he was laughing so I thought he was joking but he wasnt. it was a very interesting interaction.
I also think something is either wrong with my email or nobody loves me enough to respond to my emails. So im gonna forward some sent messages again in hopes they go through.
feel free to email me too I feel so outta the loop
eva.rowe@yahoo.com
also send me your address and a postcard can be on its way
and for those who asked
Eva Rowe
The Velarde Rivas Doris Family
Unidad Vecinal Zarumilla 601
Cusco, Peru SA
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Remar
So yesterday was my first full day at Remar the orphanage
its about 25-30min by bus to the outskirts of town but I dont have to do the ride alone luckily I have Allie with me and today I am meeting another girl from the states who works there as well, so we can organize all going together
It was difficult being there because we are supposed to help the kids with their homework. I mean we could probably do the homework for them but to explain it is the difficult part. There are a few english books with things like opposites that we can help out with but thats about all we can do until they finish their homework. Once they finish though then we can play games like hide and seek or hand games with spanish songs we pretend to know.
Theres this one girl Flor who is my favorite so far, shes just very energetic and doesnt get annoyed with us when we dont understand what she says the first time. She has a friend too who is the same but I forget her name unfortunately.
Im on my way over there now right after I finish this I am meeting Allie and I think the other girl right outside this cafe at the fountain in the middle of the Plaza de Armas.
I got to take a hot shower today and wash my hair and do my laundry.
I didnt have spanish lessons this morning so I got to sleep in, I definitely slept for 14hours.
It was amazing.
time to go or ill be late. Send me emails Id love to know how everyone else is doing.
its about 25-30min by bus to the outskirts of town but I dont have to do the ride alone luckily I have Allie with me and today I am meeting another girl from the states who works there as well, so we can organize all going together
It was difficult being there because we are supposed to help the kids with their homework. I mean we could probably do the homework for them but to explain it is the difficult part. There are a few english books with things like opposites that we can help out with but thats about all we can do until they finish their homework. Once they finish though then we can play games like hide and seek or hand games with spanish songs we pretend to know.
Theres this one girl Flor who is my favorite so far, shes just very energetic and doesnt get annoyed with us when we dont understand what she says the first time. She has a friend too who is the same but I forget her name unfortunately.
Im on my way over there now right after I finish this I am meeting Allie and I think the other girl right outside this cafe at the fountain in the middle of the Plaza de Armas.
I got to take a hot shower today and wash my hair and do my laundry.
I didnt have spanish lessons this morning so I got to sleep in, I definitely slept for 14hours.
It was amazing.
time to go or ill be late. Send me emails Id love to know how everyone else is doing.
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