I recently completed a group of excursions, but they all started in Peru's second largest city: Arequipa. Arequipa is known for its Rocoto Relleno (stuffed pepper dish), sillar (white, volcanic stone used in the city's architecture), and its strong, patriotic love for Arequipa as if it were a completely separate entity apart from Peru itself. It is known for other things as well, but for the sake of time and energy, I limited it to those three items. So, I was accompanied by a few ladies from the U.S. for this trip, and it was nice to have some companions, even [View Full Entry]

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Salutations! I spent this past weekend (Friday-Sunday) in the Amazon, and I must say, it was a unique experience. I use the word "unique" loosely because it was both good and bad. It was unique in a good sense because I was able to see some amazing animals in their natural habitats like monkeys, bugs, spiders, birds, sloths, snakes, lizards, etc. It was bad in the sense that there were an abundance of large, disgusting bugs that enjoyed making you uncomfortable. It rained quite a bit the first day as well. Overall, it was most certainly worthwhile. I started out flying [View Full Entry]

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Greeting from Lima! I have returned to Lima for the first time since August of 2006. It is wonderful to be back here again for many reasons. One being to practice my Spanish. After all, it is my profession, and I would be doing a huge disservice to my students if I didn't sharpen my skills. Secondly, to rekindle old friendships. I made some valuable friendships here. We drank, we danced, we sang, we talked. Another reason for returning was for some unfinished business. In a country so geographically and culturally rich, you can't see everything in one, two, three or [View Full Entry]

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Well, I finally did it. I finally went to Machu Picchu. I saved the best for last I think. I can't help but jump on the bandwagon and say that it was probably the most amazing sight in Peru that I've seen. Granted, I haven't seen everything in this geographically rich country, but nonetheless, in terms of archaeology and anthropology, Machu Picchu is choice. God help me I can not remember the exact altitude, but Machu Picchu is an ancient city where about 1000 people lived. It is completely surrounded by lush, green mountains, and the Urabamba River runs down below. [View Full Entry]

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FINALLY!! This is the first time I have traveled for quite a while. To give you all an example, the last time I left Lima was before my mid-term exams, and I just finished up my final exams on Thursday of last week. Needless to say, I was as happy as a clam to get out for only a weekend. Zach and I decided to set out for the city of Pisco (which is also a hard Peruvian liquor) and from there we went to La Reserva Nacional de Paracas. Paracas is a beautiful spot if you want to feel a [View Full Entry]

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You know, I realized that the prior two entries follow a common theme. That theme is obviously sadness, regret, and hurt. As I stated in the disclaimer, I merely wanted to express myself. Also, I thought that everyone could relate to my feelings at one point in there life or another, and I know how healing that can be to be able to relate with other people. Well, putting all of that drama aside, I have decided to devote an entry to the friendships that I have made here and the memories I have mastrange that we all have met at [View Full Entry]

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Howdy doody! I hope all everyone is doing well. Saturday I went to the procession of El Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of Miracles). It's a huge and important procession here. It is the largest procession in Peru, so I hear. So I went, and only stayed downtown for about an hour or so. It was extremely crowded. Many of the streets in downtown Lima were shut down. It was a beautiful and respectful procession. I was thinking though. Peru is an extremely poor country. There is poverty on every street corner. Rich and poor literally live right next to [View Full Entry]

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There have been some instances here that have inspired me. They haven't necessarily been all good things. They also haven't been unique. What I mean is that just because I'm in a foreign country doesn't mean I have new problems. They are the same ones that I have encountered in the States. Well, these experiences have inspired me. I would encourage all of you to try writing as a means of expressing yourself. It is very cathartic. So, I have written some poetry. Some of it isn't very good and incomplete, but I feel the need to share these with someone. [View Full Entry]

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Hola a todos. I hope everyone is doing well. This past week a couple of my classes were suspended because I have mid-term exams this week. So, I was presented with a dilemma. Study or travel? Obviously, my priorities come first. So I decided to travel. I left Tuesday night by bus for Trujillo which is 8 hours or so from Lima. This was my first solo trip by the way, and I recommend that everyone do it. Travel alone by the way. It is just a good experience because you put yourself in charge of everything. There is no one [View Full Entry]

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Hey duderinos! I have been thinking that I want to share something with you all. I felt inspired a few weeks ago when I visited Huaraz. If you have seen the pictures of the lagoon I have posted on here, you will surely notice that it is absolutely unbelievable. While I was there marveling at this beautiful, natural lagoon, I looked around me. The 5 or 6 others that I was with were completely quiet and resting themselves. A few of them were even sleeping. What was interesting was that everything surrounding the lagoon was rock. Large, sharp rocks. So, I [View Full Entry]

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