Posted by
Serina Hardiman
Now that our vacation is coming to its close I'll weigh in while my mind is still fresh. I'm sure Chris will touch on his favorite parts of the trip as well. I'm fairly fond of lists (anyone who knows my organizational skills will vouch for that) and I feel it fitting to go with a list of 30 things from the trip as Chris and I both shared that age milestone while hopping over the equator.
I'll start by stating that this trip has stirred a new curiosity in me that I feel will blossom into more trips abroad. I already want to revisit Peru as we were able to only see a slice of what that beautiful country has to offer but know I want to revisit with more purpose and outward facing vision and action.
So without further ado,
Serina's Peruvian List of 30 (in increments of 10)!
1-10 Cusco- I found that international travel for vacation should be done in as relaxed a manner as humanly possible. Always plan ahead by giving yourself some buffer between your arrival and local activities. Chris and I arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta 3 hours before departure and stood in line behind many folks with varying tales of missing flights days before. Electronic check-in was not an option for us so we had to wait in line at Delta until right up to 1 hour before our flight to check in. Regardless of prep and requesting seats, Chris and I were assigned on two separate rows but luckily with the bargaining chip of both being window seats. An incredibly nice lady passenger in my row, middle seat, gladly swapped Chris for his window. One of the vows I should have added during our wedding was to always relinquish the window seat for my hubby. He's pretty worth it and shares the view with me always. I really don't mind riding in the middle. It's also an opportunity to meet fellow travelers. I've also found that in comparison, U.S. airlines lack tremendously in customer service than international airlines.
- Upon arrival in Lima everyone was most accommodating and polite. Many folks were quick to direct and answer questions and stumble in far better English than my preschool rated Spanish. I've been humbled in my lack of multilingual skills and have found that after two weeks of immersion in Latin-American Spanish speaking Peru it really charged my desire to learn. There's a beauty in learning another language by waking up your brain and offering a respect to native speakers who genuinely appreciate your efforts. The nice barista at the Lima Airport Starbucks (oh yes, our first stop, really roughing it I know!) smiled warmly when I attempted my order of a Vainilla Latte y frio! Coupling that with the worst fumbling of ordering a zucchini quiche for breakfast as my first attempt at conversational Spanish he sweetly converted to English and asked us where we were from and about our trip.
- Arriving in Cusco (Q'osco by the Quechuan name) made our trip real for me. The tiny airstrip taxis you past bleachers of locals watching the planes land and rolls up amidst flanking mountain ranges into an airport that felt like two rooms large. We walked to baggage claim and were pleasantly welcomed with a local group playing melodies woven between the charango (a sort of mandolin), drums and siku (Andean panpipe). Music continues to be a universal language as I felt so comfortable and at ease at the sound of their work. My one regret is that I did not buy their CD as once we notified our hotel transport we had arrived they whisked us off in a taxi where they began their pitch for all the local tours they could sell us. Luckily for us, we had come prepared by booking our Inca Trail trek with Peru Treks beforehand so we were able to make it to our room at Royal Inka I Hotel in record time. My aunt was not so lucky on her arrival as her transport had her tied up for a couple of hours after she got to her hotel. My suggestion to anyone is make sure to do some research in the areas you are staying and map out what you would like to do and shop around online before making a decision. Travel groups are a dime a dozen when you get to your locale so don't ever feel rushed to solidify your trip unless, like hiking the Inca Trail, you need prior permits that need to be acquired ahead of time.
- Q'osco (Quechuan meaning: the navel of the world) is such a vibrant town with incredible history. Walking the various streets, many of which we found out the "hard" way were in the midst of changing between the old Spanish names on our map back to the Quechuan names, we set out each time on some kind of adventure to find a museum or restaurant to patron.Passing by the street markets where locals peddled their wares and the Inca stone foundations of fine craftsmanship erupting into Spanish colonial tops nestled in between large mountains gives you an appreciation for the culture and history.Cathedrals that seems to scrape the sky loom over the Plaza de Armas where the bustle of commerce and panhandling make steady pace. There is never a loss of inspiration or saturated colors around the area as many of the doors and window shutters are painted very eye-catching hues of blues and greens.
- NEVER underestimate the awesomeness of holding a baby llama for they are soft and snuggly! Seriously, don't pass up that kind of opportunity! We're contemplating moving to a farmhouse so we can raise llamas. We're sure Bella would enjoy that immensely!
- Sending postcards is so much more fun when the postal drop is through the jaws of a bronze mammal. What was even more surprising is that we made this drop on Christmas Day and the post office was open with employees and all!
- There was beauty in ever crack and crevice of Q'osco. We spent many hours traversing up and down the little alleyways into pockets of mini plazas flanked by street vendors and cathedrals. Many times we found restaurants as happy accidents that would be absolutely empty when we arrived and spilling out into the streets by the time we finished. Maybe our schedules for eating were just a bit more of the "early bird" variety. Many times we'd set off to find a restaurant or shop only to find it moved with no forwarding address, then, upon further wandering with no expectations we would happen upon its new whereabouts, often stopping in. The streets were always crazy with taxis and beeping so you would have to keep your wits about you but sometimes you'd wander into an offset square where the sounds died out and the scenery would just happen to give you a priceless shot. We meandered into a square with one museum and two cathedrals and I watched as a family came out of service dressed in their best. Chris marveled at the local birds that would dare come just close enough to taunt you and flit off and puff their feathers while perched on small fences surrounding the gardens. I happened to be snapping shots of the infamous doors and happened to capture this Quechuan woman and her llama pass. Yet another happy accident! Not only the architecture is breathtaking, but the people. There are no airs about them and no glances into reflections of shop windows to make sure everything is picture perfect. The beauty in them are the weathered cheeks, the traditional garb, the deep lines on their faces that convey the emotion even without the effort of a smile or frown. Many will stop and take a picture for a sol or two often with a sweet cherub at their back.
- If there is one thing that takes to the streets more than tourists, locals and taxis it's the abundance of stray and/or gently loved dogs. It was all Chris and I could do to not pack each one of them up in our luggage and haul them home. My aunt said you really have to look at them differently while you are here or it will break your heart. Many we would see shying away from crowds and people just to come around again to pick through rubbish and discards. Some would wander in packs barking as other passed some would sit near the local police of which made me wonder if they were canine units (which do at least exist in Lima that I saw). Most would stay clear of the streets and stick to the sidewalks. Even the pooches have pedestrian etiquette! It was interesting to see the combination of breeds as they scooted around town. Many of which were of small dog varieties - mainly what looked to be pekingese. The one above caught my eye in the San Blas (artistic) district as it reminded me of a white version of our pooch.
- Our idea of how many can fit in our hotel elevator and the hotel's idea differ. This is Chris and me standing in the teeny box speculated to hold "6 Personas". We found that the 3:1 exchange rate possibly applies to this elevator as well.
- Christmas is such an interesting time in Q'osco. On Christmas Eve, the Plaza was filled to the brim with stands and markets for Santuranticuy (The sale of Saints) where many people from the mountains come to sell various materials making up the nativity that are often handmade. It was a bit rainy this day so everyone had covered up their wares sitting out the weather. By midday the sun was out and deals were being made left and right! Everyone rushes out to purchase the goods to really jazz up their nativities. Figurines and natural materials to construct the mangers are splayed out for potential buyers to ogle and haggle on. By the end of the evening the Plaza has been stripped down as if the festival never happened. Much to our excitement when we made it to the Plaza on Christmas morning we saw people spilling out of the main cathedral. In the midst of the best attire we saw flashes of color and heard groups of young women singing and then all of a sudden the festivities made waves into the street. No barricades were set up so you'd see all of the traffic some to a screeching halt as the parade of dancers and singers demonstrate on the main thoroughfares. Many of them spill out and break off into subgroups but all of them have a mission in mind. They spread their cheer from street to street, dancing all the way and all making their way to the large nativity (complete with alpacas!) just outside of the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).The heart they put into this and the heat they endure while dancing is quite spectacular. It makes you want to get in and dance with them.
Subscribe
1 comments:
Your description is so vivid I feel like I was there with you. Bravo and thanks for sharing this experience.
Love
Patsy
Post a Comment