Arica - Where it rains once every 100 years

After a really hot 6 hour bus ride from Arequipa we made it to Arica ready for some sun and surf. The woman who ran the hotel we stayed at treated us like her own kids, telling us when breakfast was served, making sure we were dressed properly when we left and even calling us cabs. However, shortly after arriving Dave fell ill and was the second to get a steriod shot in the butt while Jason was trying to tell the doctor in Spanish that it didn´t hurt when Dave peed. As of the time of this writing he was doing much better and ready for the 12 hour bus ride to San Pedro de Atacama. While Dave was resting, the rest of us explored the beaches of Arica, enjoying a marvelous seafood lunch on the beach and Brad even caught a few waves surfing.

More updates to come from the dryest desert in the world, San Pedro de Atacama...




Plaza in Arica


















Brad riding a 40-foot wave (in his mind)

Fun in Southern Peru

Arequipa is known as the Jewel of Peru...well not really...but it is the second biggest city in Peru. The blend of taditional buildings and modern services made for a marvoulous mesoptaimian metropolious. Another great blend of the city incuded the food, one of our favorites was Chinese and Peruvian. Many of the rooftop restruants were also geat. The city´s crowning jewels are backdrop of three majestic snowcaped mountains.

This leg of the tip is when the local population started attacking back...and by local population we mean the little people...and by little poeple we mean germs. Brad was the first to go down with a fever and cough (don´t worry his recovery has already occured from a good shot in the butt, antibiotics, and some rest). Jason, Erica and Dave are still going strong...although Dave did drink some of Brad´s water. : / Bus tavel has taken us between all of our spots so far, so it´s time to get on a bus for the next adventure. Hi to all of our Moms and more updates to come...

The Plaza de Armas in Arequipa

On a rooftop terrace restaurant

Lightheaded in Cuzco

Cuzco: We spent three days in Cuzco and really loved the city. All of the Peruvian people we met there were extremely friendly and helpful. A couple of us succomed to the altitude since it is about 11,000 feet above sea level, which prevented us from thouroughly enjoying the city but we got to see a lot while we were there. We met up with our friend Shannon from high school who is currently living there and helped us out a great deal (Thanks Shannon!) Here are some higlights:

• Attending a soccer game where the home team came back from a 0-2 to win 3-2


• Eating an Alpaca steak for dinner and Peruvian fruit flavored ice cream


• Celebrating Jason´s 25th Birthday with cake that was shoved in his face


• Haggeling with old women over Alpaca hats and gloves in the textile market
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

The armed police protecting the visiting team

The crew at the soccer game (Dave was feeling the effects of the altitude)

Plaza de Armas in Cuzco

Machu Picchu

Trip Update

Hey all! Just wanted to let everyone know that we are alive and well. We enjoyed Cusco and are heading to Arequipa tonight. We will write a blog post about Cusco asap.

Machu Picchu

Yesterday we visited Machu Picchu and had a great time despite the 3am wake up, horrific bug bites, and tiring hike. Machu Picchu was stunningly beautiful and photos really don´t do it justice. During out time at Maccu Piccu we hiked a trail above the site, explored the site, took a nap, and stalked a couple of llamas. Overall it was a great day.

On the trail above the site.

Central area with alpacas and llamas relaxing in the grass.

Hungry alpaca.

Introduction & Travel Plan

Hello family and friends. Since many people (hi grandmom!) enjoyed the travel blog I wrote last summer I decided to write another blog for this summer’s trip to Peru & Chile.


The Travelers

Although this summer’s trip is much shorter (~3 weeks), it does feature a larger cast of travelers. This summer there will be 4 of us traveling through Peru & Chile. And here they are:

Dave (far left) : I just graduated from grad school and am taking one last trip before starting my job in SF.

Jason (second from left) : Jason went to high school with me (Dave) and Erica, and college with Brad. He currently lives in the Philadelphia area.

Erica: Erica went to high school with both Jason and me. She currently lives in NYC.

Brad (far right) : Brad went to college with Jason and currently lives in SF.




The Plan

Our current plan (which could change) is to visit 6 different cities/towns. We will then explore and take day trips from each of these locations.

1) Cuzco – A high altitude city that was the capitol of the Inca Empire and is a short train ride away from Maccu Picchu.

2) Arequipa – Peru’s 2nd most populace city has beautiful monasteries and is near one of the deepest canyons in the world.

3) Arica – A Chilean beach town that is known for its surf breaks and relaxed atmosphere.

4) San Pedro de Atacama – Is a tourist town in the middle of a high altitude desert. Near the town are hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, salt flats, giant sand dunes, and altiplanic lagoons.

5) Santiago – The capital of Chile is full of art, sights, museums, etc.

6) Valparaiso & Vina del Mar – We may visit these towns if we have extra time while in Santiago.


I hope you all enjoy the blog and feel free to leave comments. All four of us might write entries, so at the bottom of the post it will say who wrote it. Enjoy!


(post written by Dave)