Blogs from Peru, South America - page 1111

Jeff gave his talk on research to the students this morning. (He gives the same talk slightly modified for the faculty tomorrow.) Once again, he ended up speaking in Spanish because the students (who supposedly speak and read English) claimed not to. For lunch today we had Guiso de Calabaza, which is a rice and squash dish with yellow pepper sauce with it. It was quite good, but I don’t think it was anyone’s favorite. I went to el Super (the supermarket) today to pick up some items. * 46 ct. pack of Huggies s/42.00 * 6 bananas s/1.50 * chiramoya s/2/65 * cantaloupe s/2.57 * 2 mangoes s/1.69 * Small pkg laundry detergent s/3.80 * Ivory liquid handsoap s/8.90 ( 2 tuna s/1.54 Chiramoya is a heart shaped artichoke like fruit that has a texture ... read more

We journied to Huaraz on Monday morning in a very posh coach, complete with DVDs, air conditioning and club class style seats (not exactly traveller´s roughing it). As it happened the air conditioning clapped out after an hour so we sweated the rest of the 8-hour journey in the baking heat all the way to Huaraz. The coach bravely climbed the mountain side over a 4000m+ pass before descending into Huaraz in the valley below the looming Cordillera Blanca. The journey took in some stunning views of crystal clear lakes, rolling hills and we also saw our first llamas of the journey. When we arrived in Huaraz we were greeted by several expedition companies and reps all offering their wares. We followed a guy called Aldo who showed us to the Hotel Galaxia which, despite having ... read more

Hi I am in Lima testing tis travel blog ... read more

Jeff worked most of the day today preparing for two lectures he’ll be giving on Thursday and Friday morning. Alberto, Elizabeth and I went to a remate (sale) of alpaca goods. They had spectacular sweaters, blankets, scarves, pashminas, coats, gloves and hats. The baby alpaca material feels just like cashmere. I would list prices, but I bought some of you gifts so …. let’s just say that a sweater I’d expect to spend about $200 on at Macy’s ran $30 or less. For lunch we had Aji de Gallina, a traditional Peruvian meal of hen with roasted pepper (yellow pepper, but not bell). We all liked it, but Jeff loved it and I’m sure I’ll be duplicating it when we get home if I can find a source for the peppers. Alberto and Elizabeth have household ... read more

Wed 5-3-06, 7:30am...wake up. still alive. Need to wake up, was told last night by Omer, the property Manager, 25 years old, to splash water in my face as soon as I woke up. No, I need a cold shower. Must wake up...get out of bed. Wash my body...NO, not MY body, the body I am using to experience LIFE. Last night 8pm Omer and Don Jose showed up, went to the small cottage/hut, near the main Hut. Dark. Noises everywhere. Sitting across from Elizabeth. Don Jose first whispers into his hands, blows tobacco smoke over the Ayahuasca, chants softly, a whisper. I have the first taste, shot glass size, brown thick but runny, chocolate, with fingernail polish remover taste. Melting into my stomach. gargling. We wait. Time passes as I begin to feel the first ... read more