June 10, 2005
Final Notes from Peru
Hello,
Our trip definitely began to wind down the last few days in Peru. The day after the white water rafting, we went horseback riding in the mountains above Cusco. The horses were for the most part very stubborn and would not follow commands from the riders. Dave’s horse was particularly rude and made sure Dave knew who was in charge: the horse! When ever Dave attempted to mount the horse it would kick at him and physically attack him. Dave can still move fast when he wants too… After most of the day, Dave and I traded horses and the horse was much more amiable to me.
We had a guide for the day that took us on a tour of several Inca ruins around the hills above the city. The best part about the ride was the wonderful blue skies and the incredible views of the city and the sculpted hillsides. We walked back to the city from the ranch and had a late lunch at which point a cold that was threatening me all day hit me full force and I wanted nothing more then to go back to the hotel and take a nap.
Three hours later I awoke and only Gaung was around, David had gone off to do some exploring of the city. Guang and I set out to get a small late dinner and as usual were attacked by a hoard of street venders trying to get us to eat at their restraints, use their tourist services, buy their finger puppets, cigarettes, candy, and trinkets. We eluded them and had a skewer at the same place we ate at the night before. For desert I had a chocolate bar and finally a 15 year old kid selling postcards succeed in his attack. We wound up taking him to dinner at a restaurant off the beaten path.
We learned a lot about the school system, and the different hats that the women of Peru sport. Apparently you can tell what region a women is from by the type of hat that she has. The next morning we got a late start, which was good because I had a head cold that was slowing me down and David managed to get some sort of a bug and had him praying to the porcelain god.
For the day we hired a taxi to take us to a near by valley were there were some hot springs. When we arrived we were the only ones at the hot springs and got right into the big pool. The water was not hot, but it did not have the familiar sulfur smell I usually associate with hot springs either. The water did in fact have an unusual amount of iron in it though, which gave it a strong red tint. Two hours in the soothing warts rejuvenated both Dave and I quite a bit. On the way back we stopped at a small town for lunch and ate fresh trout at place that had some real flare. The trout was probably the best that I have ever had, and the entertainment of the old Peruvian restaurateur battling it out with the local dogs armed with a spray bottle, made for a memorable experience.
The next morning we had hired a taxi driver to take us fishing to a local river about 90 minutes outside of Cusco, but apparently 4:30 was a bit too early that day and he never showed. So we went back to bed and slept in.
This was our last day in Cusco before the journey home started so we set out to the main food market to get some fruit. This time we explored the whole market and found that you could buy anything from fruit to frogs to caterpillars to beef shouts. We debated as to whether or not to get lunch at one of the many venders selling hot meals but decided against it on the grounds that we did not want to significantly boost Imodium AD’s year end results.
That afternoon, we hopped a plane back to Lima and were met at the airport by Lenino. He informed us that his mother had a meal ready for us back at the house. It started with a large plate of civeche and finished with an even larger plate of beans rice and chicken. After the early dinner Leneno took us on a quick tour of the city of Lima. There was not too much of interest to mention except for a vista that overlooked the city from about 1000 feet up, and a walkway beside the Lima River where there was a small market and venders selling a variety of fresh pastries made while you watch, and several small arenas where performers entertained crowds of people.
The next morning Guang and David had to catch their flight back to the states. I had a late afternoon departure so Leneno and I went out to do some last minute shopping and get some take home for lunch. It was Mother’s Day, and Lenino did not his mom to cook at all. We got a traditional Peruvian seafood lunch that was absolutely wonderful. When it was time for me to leave, the family and I loaded into Leneno’s VW Golf and headed to the airport where we said our goodbyes. Well that just about raps it up.
I hope you enjoyed my Notes From The Road!
Posted by DaveDTC at June 10, 2005 12:30 PM