Cuzco::Lima as Austin::Houston

We started out in the morning being picked up by Maria Elena, our tour guide for the next few days. Religion is huge part of life in Cuzco. Not because everyone is constantly praying, but because it has shaped the beautiful city that Cuzco has become. Maria Elena, herself is a Catholic Quechuan, but gives great insight into the fusion culture of Cuzco explaining that Catholicism in Cuzco is different from anywhere else in that it combines superstitions from the Incan beliefs, natural Paganism, and what we all know as Catholicism. It is truly a beautiful combination and it was nice/refreshing to see cultures from opposite ends of the spectrum, come together. Gives me hope for our future. However, as mushy and sweet as this sounds, it didn't come without the Incas overcoming great adversity.

The conquistadors (that as a 4th grade social studies teacher who realizes how much crap is written in those textbooks that glorify the greed of these conquistadores) were not people that Peruvians look up to. In their reality, the conquistadors represent the stripping of their culture and way of life. Even though now many of the people of Cuzco accept Catholocism as their faith, they still resent the Spanish for shoving their beliefs down their throats. Hm... I can't imagine that being offensive...This information was very interesting to me and she went into great detail that would take me forever to go into. You're probably wondering why I am explaining all of this. Everything in the Incan history and the ruins we explored today was connected to the Spanish conquistadors. We visited multiple ruins that showcased the Incas' mathematical genius, their ingenuity, and their incomparable creativity that the Spanish were unable to match. Where Spanish churches crumbled and had to be rebuilt due to earthquakes, the Incan ruins (those that weren't destroyed by the Spanish) still stand with a strong foundation, without using the mortar and cement the Spanish used in their constructions. We ended the tour in a stunning church that showed thousands of pounds of gold encrusted crosses, altars, religious statues...really breathtaking beauty and were surprised (others were surprised, but I knew exactly why she ended the tour in this cathedral) to find out that this stunning institute of purity, morality, and holiness...would not be, had the Spanish so kindly, not have melted the gold off of every single Incan temple in Cuzco over the course of 6 months. I have a feeling that it will be a really long time until Cuzco turns into yet another money making, corporate run city, like it's friend Lima. When that time comes, the people of Cuzco will be smarter and will rely on the memories of their past and their roots to stand tall against the seemingly powerful and strong influences of Greed.

On a happier note, Cuzco is absolutely breathtaking, but I felt that in order to appreciate all that is Cuzco, one must understand its complicated history. Out of all the places I've been to, Cuzco is one of the only places I would live in. The people are so happy, have no complaints and welcome you in with open arms. They smile at you, speak in a very romantic, sweet way towards one another, and remind me that it is so important to slow down and smell the roses. Also, this city is now very near and dear to my heart because I met my first alpaca friend. He/she was so cute! I am in love (with both alpacas and this city).

The Hustle and Bustle of Lima

Lima is a beautiful city off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Since it is right on the shoreline, it is very unique and beautiful and reminded me a lot of Barcelona. We had so much fun in Lima. We started out by exploring the Miraflores area in which we were staying in. This trendy hotspot boasts plenty of gastronomical eateries that would appeal to most foodies, and even has restaurants that reminded me of the good ole ATX that would appeal to the hipsters that dine in South Congress. Lima is now one of the top five culinary cities in the world and loves to show off its culinary fusion foods and boy do they have some good eats. Anyway, after exploring the area in which we were residing in, we took a tour of the actual city. Words cannot express the architectural beauty of this old world yet modern city. I wish I could post a picture on here, but the iPad is stupid. Anyways, the cathedrals were spectacular, but reflected the cruelty and thievery of the Catholic churches on the native peoples, the Quechua (the kings of the Quechua were known as the Incas. We always learned that the Incas were a people, but Incas were the kings of the Quechua). The cathedrals, ornate in gold and silver, were truly breathtaking, and the process of retrieval (melting them off of Inca temples and plastering them onto beautiful, but cheaply made alters) bore close resemblance to another tragedy in history: the stealing of fine jewels from the Taj Mahal by the British to try to make the English palaces less bland.

We later went to a restaurant (perfect in every way, almost) that one should not start their trip with. La Mar is one of the best rated restaurants in all of South America, and one of my student's dads, who's from Peru suggested it (and TIME Magazine). It was over an hour wait and was filled with crazy rich people dressed in their best, and then us...poor kids in denim. But god was it worth it! We devoured our appetizer, which was a piece of artwork, showcasing their finest selections of seafood. For my main course, I had a local Peruvian fish on a bed of deliciously flavored yucca, all covered in a tomato based sauce of some sort. William had a tuna steak with some other deliciousness. Til this day that is the freshest seafood we have ever had.

We ended the evening walking on the shoreline and visiting the El Beso, a statue of two people kissing and it represents two lovers in the beautiful city of Lima.

The Big City: We Arrive in Lima

​While I was dreading starting off yet another break by sitting on another long flight, the flight to Lima wasn't so bad. We started out leaving Houston and taking a short flight to Atlanta where we had an hour layover that seemed to fly because by the time we ate lunch, it was time to board. I was mentally prepared for the long 6 hour journey ahead, preparing myself for gross food, swollen feet and the biggest concern of all: boredom. Luckily, I fell asleep and when I  woke up they were serving food. I was trying to convince myself that since Delta is associated with my favorite airlines, KLM, that they would provide decent food, and I was right! Grilled chicken, stuffing, sautéed carrots and spinach, a roll, crackers and cheese, and most importantly the blondie brownie! Anyhow, with the multiple meals, fruit ninja, naps and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE on the big screen, I was impressed. By the time the entertainment was over, we landed. Once we dragged ourselves through immigration, customs, and luggage we walked out into the passenger pick up area. This is the moment I stepped back to observe the culture shock on Williams's face. What? A smile? A confused smile, but still he was smiling. As we walked into the room hundreds, literally, of people stood behind ropes holding up pick up signs. People looked down from all around balconies at the new arrivals. All you could hear was random names being called out, the joy of reuniting families, and..."taxi!" We somehow managed to find our tour guide who did an excellent job helping us feel like we were his royal guests. We were taken to our trendy hotel in Miraflores and passed out for the night, but not before updating my Facebook status, duh.

I LOVE traveling abroad, in fact love is an understatement. However, one thing I hate about arriving in a new country is that hellish car ride from the airport to your hotel. The disregarding of traffic signs and lights, the yellow lines everyone seems to ignore, and the worst of all- the honking. Dear god, is all that honking necessary? I think not. I am not one to say that anyone should do anything the "American" way, but really, with the exception of stupid teenage girls in giant SUVs, we've got the driving down. Once we arrived to our hotel, everything was pure bliss. Since we are budget travellers we picked a "modest" 3 star hotel. What we walked into could have easily been a 4 or 5 star hotel in the states. The lounge was gorgeous, the restaurant had beautiful lighting and a floor to ceiling wine rack, and our bathroom had a rain shower! We hung up our clothes in the beautiful mohagany cabinets and before I knew it, I had passed out. Tomorrow we will explore the wonderful cosmopolitan city of Lima!

Mental Prep Begins

This time in two weeks I will be in Lima, Peru. I am having mixed feelings at the moment as I comfortably lie in my divine, over-priced, and extremely comfortable bed. I am going to miss one of my favorite things to do over Winter Break...snuggle and listen to Christmas music while enjoying some hot tea with ginger. Hmm... I guess I'll just make up for it now. Even though I know I'm going to miss relaxing and being lazy, I am glad that I get to go on yet another adventure with my world-exploring partner in crime, William. We have already begun the many small, irritating tasks that must be completed before traveling out of the country. This weekend both of us acquired the nasty little yellow fever shot! Let me tell you... it is over in less than 30 seconds, but it is so freaking painful. I'm embarrassed to say, but when the pharmacist administering the shot asked me if it hurt, I was so choked up and teary eyed, I could only let out a mere, "mmmhmmm." That little bottle of vaccination stung for hours! I got the shot in a strange place, as did William- it was under the arm! Such a sensitive...squishy place :(

Either way, it's done and over and I don't need to get another one until 2022. Luckily that was the only shot I really needed. Thankfully, my parents got me vaccinated for every other disease imaginable when I was a child and traveling abroad on a more regular basis.

The preparation, research, and time that goes into preparing for a trip abroad is so immense, however there is no way around it. I work hard now, so I can enjoy my trip to its fullest once I'm there. This trip is proving to be a challenge we have not yet had to face-preparing for an uncivilized, true adventure of its own-The Amazon. Yes, we will be spending 3 nights in the Amazon...in a lovely little cabin...with no electricity...or hot water. I can imagine that while some think of this as a unique once in a lifetime experience filled with fun and adventure (what we're thinking), many, including my mother, are thinking of us to be insane. I'll let you know who is right once we come to that. But, the reason I bring it up is that it is extremely hard to plan for! I am trying to think of anything and everything that we may need to conquer, but there are many things we probably won't be able to prepare for. Oh well. I will continue to research our upcoming travel destination, hope for the best, and enjoy the Christmas spirit now! I can't believe it is only two weeks until our exploration in a new continent begins! :)