Roadtrip through Peru, Part 1

January 7, 2008

Greetings from Peru! I am at the southern beach of Peru right now, relaxing after many hours in a stuffed car. The trip has been lovely so far. What a beautiful country! I am traveling with a few Peruvian friends, an Iranian, and a Mexican, so we have a nice mix. My Spanish is shaky at best, but improving as I soak it all in.

I will start by reiterating how beautiful Peru is, with so many diverse climates. We went from desert in Lima, to the beach, into the mountains, and finally to lush and "selva alta" (high jungle) at machu picchu. The beach to start out with was great. We stayed at our friend Ricardo´s family's house. Beautiful white homes lined the beach, with a great rooftop to watch the sunset (and drink some pisco, the local alcohol).We spent a few days in Cusco, a city in the mountains, with red roof tops, great crafts, llamas, farms, and incan ruins. The drive was long, but beautiful through the mountains. We were there for new years and partied with the rest of Peru in the square. Everyone shoots fireworks and runs around the square at midnight. Plus the rain. It was a bit crazy, but fun.

And of course, Machu Picchu. I know there are certain places you see in photos, and think, wow, that´s beautiful but it´s a postcard. But this was...beautiful. No other word. A friend managed to get us tickets on the luxury Oriental Express train to and from the site, so we had an oddly luxe time, with great food, music, dancing and sightseeing all the way. The site itself is high in the mountains, you have the sensation of being perched on top of the mountain tops. From the top, you can see all the way down to the river and the train station. It´s just so green and lush, with cloud patterns shaded on the trees and the ruins blending in oddly well with all around them.


From there, back in the car for another long day driving to Lake Titicaca, where the air is so thin at 4,000 meters. We took a long boat ride across the sprawling lake to the island of Taquile. We longed on the top deck, dozing as we looked at the outstreched water and far off shore. Our boat driver was from the island and showed us around. It took me forever to climb up to the main square because of the altitude, but once I made it, it was worth it. Blue waters stretched forever until you saw the mountains of Bolivia. The island itself is tight knit community. Everything is co-oped and shared. On the way back we stopped at the islands of Uros, floating islands made of straw! It was odd and incredibly interesting. The islands have been in existence since the native people fled from the Spaniards. I have been taking photos, and will be sure to send you the link once I am able to upload them all.

I don´t think I have yet to mention the food, but DELICIOUS. I have had some truly good meals, as well as yummy corn from the markets. We had delicious fresh fish and quinoa soup on Taquile, maybe one of my favorites so far. We will be heading to Arequipa next, a beautiful white stoned town, then to the Colca canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon. Then finally, back to Lima.

I am thinking of you all and look forward to hearing from you!

Love

K