Greetings from the Euro of Peru

I landed in Arequipa Monday night after a relatively uneventful but gorgeous bus ride from Puno. The full moon was SO bright that we could see all the scenery we would normally miss in the dark. Glaciers, mountains, lakes, you name it. A drive of more than one hour through Peru usually results in at least four different geographical zones, if you will.

The weekend in Puno visiting Lake Titicaca was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Alissa, Niamh and I set out from Cusco late Friday night in what was possibly the most uncomfortable night bus ever. We all thought the others were sleeping the whole ride when in actuality no one slept more than an hour! Luckily it was warm and I didn´t have the creeper man moving ever so slowly over the arm rest onto my lap. Niamh is quite the trooper. By the way, I met her in Lima at the hostel and we´ve been on relatively the same travel schedule ever since! It´s great.

I met Alissa in my host family in Cusco and while we´re both into education and chocolate, things couldn´t be better! In any case, the three of us had a fabulously funny time visiting touristy yet awesome floating islands and spending the night with a host family on the island of Amantani where the doors were half my height. We stayed with the president of the community, it was rad. His wife dressed us in traditional clothes and the little girls in us couldn´t help but crack up as our circulation was being cut off by the beautiful belts they wear. We felt guilty for laughing given the impression it may have given, but hopefully no serious harm was done. The views were some of the best I have ever seen and the tranquility of the island was perfect after a few weeks in the bustling city of Cusco. Not to mention that we were at 4300 meters when the sun set on Sunday night and! that the lake is the highest navigable lake in the world. Titi for Peru and caca for Bolivia. It was also amazing to see the massive amount of lightning far off in the distant jungle while we enjoyed a completely clear beautiful night.

Quite the opposite is the gorgeous city in which I am now residing. The Plaza de Armas (main square) is breath taking. Palm trees, fountains, a block long cathedral, and plenty of old men doing sketchy business deals with typewriters on the green benches. I kid you not. The wealth that was supposedly brought over after WWII by German immigrants is quite apparent. The people have a different air about them in this city and Niamh and I keep noticing how we feel more like we´ve landed in Spain than Peru. It´s super interesting that such a contrast can exist within one country.

My hair is drying after an excellent afternoon of rafting down the Chiri river with adorable Spanish kids and a pretty hot Brasilian guide. My arms are a little sore, but it´s definitely a sport I would do again. You don´t even mind the freezing water splashing everywhere because the rush is so good. Plans for the evening hopefully include falafel and the debate...we´ll see what happens after that party.