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Published: September 19th 2006
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We got up this morning at 4:30 since we needed to leave the house at 5:30 AM for a 6:30 AM flight to Lima. I said my goodbyes last night to the other volunteers. What a wonderful group of people!!!
The plane was VERY, VERY small!! There were 8 rows with one seat on each side with a very tiny narrow aisle that you had to hunch over to walk down. So that makes 16 passengers on this plane. On each seat for our flight were earplugs for us to wear!!! And we needed them!!
It was like being on a rollercoaster ride that you couldn't get off of. The plane is moving all around just enough to give you that nauseated feeling. I had to keep my eyes closed for the whole flight.
I flew with Kelly, Andrea and Heatherly. Heatherly was flying back to Lima to catch a flight back to Detroit. Kelly and Andrea and I are all going to Cuzco. Kelly and Andrea took an earlier flight (about an hour before me) since they are going straight up to Aguas Calientas so they can get up to Macchu Pichu before daybreak.
It was so
amazing to arrive in Lima this morning. There were other WHITE people and I could hear English being spoken. The Best... a McDonalds in the airport!! Everywhere in Ayacucho it was only Spanish or Quecha. The only time you saw other gringas or heard English was in the CCS house. I've never been anywhere like Ayacucho. No tourists. Everyone was so very friendly and geniuenly happy to have you there in their city. The National Parks blew me away. Think of the National Parks in the US.... crowds, crowds, and more crowds with tour buses, hordes of cars and pollution. When we arrived at the Battle of Ayauchco monument there were only 3 other tourists and the mountain views were amazing to behold. I guess there are few places like Ayacucho left. I would bet that within 10 yrs it will be totally different. I know they want tourists because of the dollars they bring but it will totally change the town and the people. For me the lack of tourists is what makes this place so special. You are truly living among the people and I for one did not feel like a tourist.
Airports: The airport in
Ayacucho... no English at all. That makes it interesting. In addition the airport was about the size of my house!
I arrived in Cuzco about 1:30 and the kids at the Wawa Wasi with their colds and nasty noses have succeeded in making me sick. I'm running a fever and I can't breathe out of my nose. Great....
I checked into my hotel and let me tell you the room was TINY!! I then walked around the plaza. Don't get me wrong, its gorgeous but I'm not a fan of Cuzco. Remember, everyone comes to Cuzco to see Machu Pichu so there are a ton of tourists. You also can't sit still or even walk for more than 2 minutes with out being hassled by people trying to get you to buy fingerpuppets, postcards, dolls, watercolors, etc, etc. Mostly the people who are hassling are street children. I was warned by the guide that if you give money to one child within seconds 30 other children who you didn't even see will horde you wanting money and you'll never get away! Great... huh!
I wondered around the square a while and then went back to room and
tried to get some sleep since whatever I've picked up is seriously kicking my &^%$!!
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Monica
non-member comment
Hey
I am glad you made it home. I know your family missed you. Let me know when you get your pictures back maybe I can meet you for lunch one day. Take care of yourself! Chicken Soup is the best!