last few days.... Have an amazing last week or so out there! The yarns you spin and the photos you take have kept me on the edge of my office seat.... I hope you'll save a few for the pub when you get back! I hope you're on a nice Ecuadorean beach relaxing (without mosquitoes).....see you soon. Ben
just had to comment on the amazing photos- not sure how much credit goes to the photographer but I suppose as the guy who actually climbed up the mountain, you get some credit. (although it sounds like the porters deserve the lion's share.)
I am glad to hear tha riots and protests about mining rights did not manage to prevent you making the Inca trail but enjoyed the brief political insight from your blog, which i feel has been missing until now. I am hoping that this blog has just been a snippet and when you get back- your stories and pictures will be even more extensive. can't wait. xxx
Jealous Amazing stories Charlie, you're giving me itchy feet, just caught up on a few of your posts. Look forward to checking out this leather jacket! x
thought provoking blog I was very excited to see a new post and as usual scrolled through 1st time, just looking at the photos. This is not rudeness on my part but signifies the wonder of your photos- they just blow me away. I am not sure whether this is more to do with your skill with the camera or what south america gives you to work with. Anyway, having been stunned by the photos i went back to read what you have to say. In general it is just great to hear what you have been up to but I do have a few concerns. Firstly black outs are not good- although I am giving you the benefit of the doubt; if you say you didnt drink that much, i will not question that and just feel sympathy for you being spiked. Secondly i am not sure how you can question the likeness of the valley to the moon- it looked pretty good to me. I would just go with it, maybe even come up with a convincing back story to explain that you were actually on the moon? Thirdly I would like to say that i am sure that if you think you look good with you new clothes- i am confident you could carry it off back here. Maybe even start a new trend. Lastly, I am concerned there were no new potential careers in this post- I hope this was a temporary blip! Keep up the good work with the blog. xx
Puerto Montt Well done for visiting PM! Great to see my old stomping ground and to see you've enjoyed some of the best seafood in the world! When's the next update? We're eager for you to spin us some more yarns.....
paraguiding As charlie himself says, its paragliding INSTRUCTOR not guide, or trainer or teacher. pay attention people, and thanks very much dad for making me agree with jo (kind of).
vote for profession I have a few concerns: firstly that you may count the "MandD" vote re profession as more than one (in the assumption this avatar is representing your parents); therefore trumping my vote. If this is the case, I formally object- if they are commenting as one person, they should only have one vote. In fact "MandD" may be a pseudonym for one person- who knows? Also I would like to counter the point about paragliding guide- I think with a little imagination, you could be entitled paraglider trainer or teacher which answers the issues completely. I propose this is not a valid reason to object to the profession! So I hope paragliding is still an option. Although obviously, I still approve of the other suggestions- it is just that since my choice was trashed by "MandD", i feel protective of it! xxxx ps I do hope that this poll starts to get more votes so it does not become a competition between MandD and me :)
Tour questions Darling. You will not have been aware that since you started travelling, we have tried to turn this little bit of Kent into a small part of South America. For example Mum thought she would like to see what it was like para-gliding of the upstairs balcony but she, and the two condors we are currently renting, had to abandon the experiment when they realised that they had the wrong kind of thermals.
Anyway in order to keep up with you could you answer the following questions:
1. How do you mix a "Pisco Sour"?
2. How do you mix a " Caiparihans"? [ blog 2 unless you count your pre-trip blog]
In passing we would mention that our least favourite of your next occupations is the para-gliding option because when answering the perennial drinks party question "...and what is Charlie doing now?" with "para-glider guide",you soon discover that this does not slip off the tongue as easily as say," snake charmer". Incidentally we think that both of these occupations sound interesting and in the 21st Century they probably both count as "Profeesions".
We loved this latest blog. Love MandD.
Yaaaah At last, a new post......and well worth waiting for. Great pictures; and stories are great too. I am totally jealous about almost all of you interesting times- except perhaps the sulphur breathing that does not sound that healthy. I am also loving the job suggestions- are we allowed a vote? That is what happens on all the best blogs........I will kick it off by voting for the paragliding. I would love any excuse to paraglide- either the Alps or Andes will do. It is good to see you having so much fun- although we are missing you loads. xxx
failure My reference to the Arsenal boys in the last comment obviously made you feel that you had to do as badly as them in responding to the pressure......it was meant to encourage you to show them how it was done. A fan asks for a new blog (decent performance against a useless side) and you give them a new blog (decent performance against a useless side)....not implode completely!! :)
waiting.... The fact that i am having to comment on this entry pretty much says everything- when is the next installment coming?? Some of us are vicariously living through you so you have a responsibility to keep us entertained. Now you appreciate what pressure the arsenal boys feel....
Hola Charlie Hi from London Charlie where the skies are blue and the sun is shining... don't know if you heard about the incredibly hot easter weekend we were lucky enough to experience but it's all feeling very cosmopolitan here at the moment!
Really enjoying your blog and looking forward to your thoughts on Mendoza - another epic experience! If you cycle the wine route (highly recommend it) get your bikes from 'Orange Bikes' - absolutely hilarious guy runs the show...
Well, enjoy. Ciao for now
Becky
wow I was very excited to see a new post- which I took as a sign that you were safe from your camping trip. However those photos are so spectacular that my jealousy has reached new levels. I expect those kinds of images from national geographic- not you. I cannot imagine how amazing it was to see scenery like that in person. would it not be possible to mention blisters, worries about getting lost forever........anything like that to make it not seem like the most perfect experience ever??? You are not missing much here- arsenal are making the life of a fan something of a rollercoaster which i fear will end in a massive trough and royal wedding mania is reaching its peak :( loads of love. xxxx
Wow!!! Looks like you're having an absolutely awesome time Charlie - I'm so jealous!!!!!!
I was only in BA for 3 days but totally fell in love with the city. Palermo rocks :)
looking forward to your next update x
the Hyatt? Charles!! checking in at the Hyatt? do I hear champagne back packer ringing in my ears?? next thing you'll be telling me you have a wheely bag!
BA ... now if your ever growing jealous readers want to know what "childish" can be like, we may be able to help. Do you remember "the supermarket"? Go well. Baraccus.
jealously really kicking in another great post which has had the effect of escalating my levels of jealously. really verging on the so envious maybe starting to dislike you! you may need to put a few negatives in every now and then so we all dont jack our lives in here and join you. (except those like marc who obviously couldnt do that with the kids and all....). all in all it is a great time as an arsenal supporter to be the other side of the world. xx
Really not jealous Looking at the pictures and realising your trip isn't just about the journey, but also the sights, sounds, nightlife, beer, and ridiculously good weather, I'm doing me best not to be jealous.
Working 9-5 and then being mauled by kids really is a good alternative. Honest.
Jealous - very very jealous Mate - it sounds like you are having a great time and I've got to say that you may have a future career as a travel writer. A bit of culture, a bit about the weather and a bit about the joys of travelling (never unpacking your bag and cramped dorms).
I've got to say that I have been thinking about what I have achieved in the last month and it reads a bit like: went to work (a lot), watched some TV and cut the grass. I am massively jealous.
Keep up the blogging and I'll set you a challenge of enjoying the sun, beer and steaks as you enjoy the South American lifestyle.
Nath
Happy Birthday! Hi Charlie! Have a great day and have a Quilmes on me..... (I'll pay you back when you get back honestly!) How's the Spanish coming on? Sounds like you're having an amazing time. We are green with envy here! Looking forward to more updates and hopefully some photos of Ba's famous nightlife!! Good luck for the next bit of travels....Happy to help if you have any questions. Buen Viaje!
more like it! this is what a blog should look like! great photos and even felt informed about where you have been. although i am sure a friend from uni used to rave about bohemia beer and it was mexican- could be confusing........xx
waiting do you realise that if you were going for a vague once a week blog that you are way overdue???? some of us are relying on your news so that we can live vicariously through you. xx
After deciding that my job wasn't really doing it for me, i made the decision that travelling around South America might be more enjoyable than working. Here are the details of what i am getting up to on my tour...... full info
Carmen
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AMAZING photos!! looking forward to hearing more on your return xx