Random Happenings Since Perú and Bolivia

Since I have not blogged in a while I will try to sum up the highlights the past couple of weeks since my return from Perú and Bolivia. In no particular order:

1) Amaru Cholango Indigenous Art Exhibit: photography, sculptures, videos, poetry, etc... first time I ever went to a museum alone... incredibly interesting.

2) Ecuadorian Darty? Yes, Patricio and I went to what we thought was going to be a Saturday rager but turned into a two hour commute to a country club of doom. Let's just say the country club looked more like a backyard of an impoverished New Jersey suburb and the only guy we knew there weeped like a small child for a good hour or so after his girlfriend broke up with him mid-darty.

3) Centro Historico View: as a required program event the BC Gringos did a night walking tour of the Centro Historico. While I am sure the information was rich in culture I could not stop staring at the outfit that our tour guide was wearing, who was trying to impersonate either Zoro or Captain Morgan... either or. The highlight, however, of this outing was crawling through the walls of a very old church, lit only by candlelight, and eventually arriving to the top of the church and seeing the most beautiful view of Quito that I have ever seen.

4) Indigenous Ballet: two weeks ago today we had the pleasure of seeing an indigenous ballet performance. I would not quite call it ballet... the style was truly unique, the music was great, and we were invited on stage to dance mid-performance!

5) Thanksgiving in Quito: while it was definitely difficult to be away from home for thanksgiving, I will admit that the thanksgiving dinner we ate was phenomenal. We went to Adam's Rib (perhaps the most American named restaurant in Quito) with the entire group, Amanda, Bonnie, Andrea, Mark, and the parents of Beth, Nate, and Tori. Perhaps the only thing I missed more than mom's mashed potatoes, however, was not going 12AM Black Friday Shopping with my sister, Melissa, like we do every year.

6) Skyping with my big italian family on turkey day: while I don't consider myself to be an outwardly emotional person, there is something so overwhelming about turning on your skype camera and seeing a herd of family members crowding around. I can say, with confidence, that my family, no matter how crazy or atypical they are, is absolutely incredible and always supportive. Perhaps it takes being away from home for an extended period of time to realize that. Also, I never thought it would be my brother to be the reason why I burst out into overwhelmed tears but, then again, I had not spoken to him since August 14th. I am so excited to go home in three weeks and see everyone!

7) Receiving the cutest thanksgiving card from my mom and sister.

8) My last day at the Macarena: today was my last day volunteering at the Macarena. Although Pat and I decided we would attend their performances on Friday, today was our last day working in the classrooms. I will certainly miss having the kids crawl all over me... I will miss Erick, Pamela, Jefferson, and Amelia (favoritism exists... sorry). The experience was absolutely incredible and one that I will certainly carry with me forever.

Machu Picchu!!!

The only thing that could ever possibly wake me up at 3:00AM besides mashed potatoes and gravy or Adam Levine himself would be MACHU PICCHU!!! After eating one pancake and tea we found ourselves sprinting to the next checkpoint. This checkpoint was the most important because if we made it there the two other groups we would be the first to enter Machu Picchu that morning! Luckily our company, United Mice, is the shiznit and we were the first ones at the entrance at around 3:45. We had to wait until 5:00AM for the gates to open but from that point on it was pure adrenaline. There we are, 13 United Mice from the age of 20-60 dashing full sprint through the darkness as backpackers from other companies are trying to pass us. No pee breaks, no water breaks, just Piznit on our minds. The race became intense as Kevin told one speedy backpacker that he was an asshole (good thing we saw him the next day at the airport). After what they call the Gringo Killers, a series of crazy steep stairs that seem to go on forever) we had finally made it to the Sun Gate... where we were able to see absolutely nothing because of the fog. But, it could have been raining so I was not about to complain.

We started our descent down into Machu Picchu and when that “postcard” picture of the ruins was finally in sight a feeling of absolute joy and amazement came over me. Literally 20 minutes into our descent the skies cleared and we were given the most beautiful sunny day that I could have imagined. During times like that I question why I am atheist because it was an absolute miracle. We had a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu from our guide Sol. The precision of the stone- work is impeccable… you can’t even fit a coin through the stones because of how precise their building techniques were. The Incans were also known for being hydraulic geniuses. For a civilization to form up in the mountains is quite unknown because of the lack of water source however the Incans mastered the use of mountain rain water through canals/pipes that are still working today and were able to use the mountains as a form of protection!

After the tour we had about 2 hours of free time so we checked out the ancient Incan bridge which, not going to lie, was highly anticlimactic. I was anticipating a beautiful, dangerous, old drawbridge where tourists could enter at their own risk… what we got was a plank of wood connecting two very close boulder ledges. The thing that I will admit was cool, however, was the Incan use of removable bridges. When they needed to pass they would use the bridge and then take the platform with them as they went so that others could not cross. I found it very intriguing and typical South American that on the way to the bridge we had to walk on the side of cliffs hundreds maybe thousands of feet up and there were no safety precautions. It would have been very easy for someone to fall off the edge to his or her death.

Afterwards, the other three began an hour hike to Aguas Calientes which Pat and I were having none of. After a 4 day hike, Machu Picchu was the reward, the culmination of all of my hard work… you could not have paid me 200 dollars in that moment to hike down to Aguas Calientes. Instead, Pat and I relaxed on a terrace by the ruins for a good hour… best decision of my life. Well, until we met a guy who kept taking pictures of us because we were “muy lindo”… this was the same guy who proceeded to tell us that he was a billionaire who now had 700 dollars in his bank account. I think he may have had some social problems but he asked Pat if he was Jewish, told me I was Hispanic, and then asked a random Asian girl what her nationality was… it was strange. He then told us that he wanted to take the train back with us. Thankfully, there was a llama walking by us and the man got distracted at which point Pat and I bolted.

After eating lunch in Aguas Calientes with the group we all got on a train that very much reminded me of Disney World (not sure I can explain why… maybe it was the soothing music). The views from the train were incredible and once we had arrived back at the start point I was shocked at how far we had walked (an hour and a half train ride)! After a train we took a 3 hour bus ride back to Cusco where we had to say goodbye to all of our friends from the Inca Trail which was really sad. There is something so personal about sharing an experience like the Inca Trail with strangers. I am not sure if it is the lack of hygiene, collective pain, or passion that united us all on the trail but they are truly a group of people I will never forget. While I am certainly an outdoorsy kind of person, I was not prepared for how difficult the Inca Trail would be. However, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget. 

Inca Trail: Day Three

View from my tent Day 3!!!

Day Three was definitely much easier and more enjoyable than the first two days. The hike was beautiful, it was not raining, and we made it to camp-site by 1:00PM! After eating lunch we had the rest of the day to ourselves so we went to Wiñyawayna Ruins, which can be best described as a mini Machu Picchu. There were terraces which were used for agricultural purposes, similar to Machu Picchu, and a mini town where people lived. We spent a lot of time around the ruins taking fun pictures and just enjoying how absolutely breathtaking it was. It was definitely a good preparation for the big Pizzle the next day.

Just casually planking some Inca Ruins

The others decided to go check out some other ruins but it was the first opportunity for us to use any sort of bathing water (and by that I mean a sink) so I had to take the opportunity to clean out my disgusting hair. Pat and I washed each others hair… true story… and changed our clothes, which felt lovely. Afterwards, I had to shoot some photos for my photography class so Pat and I returned to Wiñyawayna and he was my model. For the first couple of shots I told him that I needed him to act sexy and lean against the wall with an apple in his mouth… this was all, of course, a joke and for my own personal enjoyment but out of it came the brilliant picture below. Afterwards we ate dinner and headed straight to bed because we had to wake up at 3:00AM the next morning for Machu Picchu!!!

Inca Trail: Day Two

Day Two began with an incredible view and room service… yes, we had coffee, tea, and hot chocolate brought to our tents which, was just what I needed after a cold, restless night during which I apparently cuddled up on my British tent-mate… woops? During the first leg of our journey the sun was shining and I enjoyed a long conversation with our guide Sol. After about two hours we summated Dead Woman’s Pass, which was the highest point on the trail. To celebrate Sol brought out a bottle of Rum. On the way down the rain began which resulted in me wiping out three times and really hurting my hand. Lunch was spectacular as usual and we drink tea before and after every meal, which is a habit I would love to continue.

The view from my tent!

After lunch we had another uphill pass to complete and we had opportunities to see ancient Inca ruins along the way.  While the group was looking at some ruins I took it upon myself to climb 5 more minutes up to do my business in some grass. While mid-business a group of 5 porters (the men who carry our tents and make our food) were approaching and there was absolutely nothing that I could do but fake being dead and lay in the grass next to the evidence of my activities. It was incredibly awkward and I am 100% certain that the porters saw the mentally challenged girl lying in the grass with her butt out next to her own little present. It was horrifying.

DAY TWO!!!

When we finally hit our second summit of the day the rain was falling so hard but there was no tree coverage. The group was required to wait for everyone to summit before continuing down the mountain… which meant all of us had to wait for about 45 minutes in the pouring rain huddled up in little balls. Luckily we found a cave about 30 minutes in and took cover. On the way back down the sun came out for what seemed like the first time in days and I was able to pop my iPod in and jam out to my Ecuafaves playlist. The end of day 2 took us to a different set of ancient ruins that looked over the river valley… it was beautiful and really incredible to have the opportunity to have an Inca history lesson in this remote place. We learned that there are many other Inca remains that the local Peruvians know about but refuse to share with the public. We also learned that the grueling path that took us 4 days to complete was finished in 3 ½ hours by an indigenous Peruvian years prior during a race.

Once we reached campsite we were finally introduced to all of the porters (some of whom were 65 years old) and enjoyed dinner and a much better night’s sleep!

Inca Trail: Day One

Within the first two weeks of arriving in Ecuador a group of us got together and planned our once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu. This trip consisted of a four-day backpacking trip through the Inca Trail in which we would arrive to the famous ruins on the fourth day. After months of planning and anticipation the day had finally arrived.

We were picked up at our hotel, Yamanyá Backpackers, at 4:00AM and as we entered the bus we were greeted by the faces of fellow backpackers with whom we would be spending the next four days. It took us about three minutes to realize that we were not only the only Americans but also, the youngest backpackers on the trip, hands down. The two-hour bus ride took us to a tiny deserted town where I enjoyed banana chocolate chip pancakes, and ham and cheese omelets in hopes of fattening up for the long trek… little did I know we would eat like kings during the hike. Once we arrived at km82 we strapped on our 25 pound backpacks, sleeping mats and bags, etc and began our trek through the historic Inca Trail.

Three words to describe day one: pain, misery, and accomplishment. When I signed up for this 4 day backpacking trip I was not aware of how difficult the trek would be. While, in my defense, the first day was the longest and toughest day, anyone of my BC guys knows that I was not a happy camper (pun intended). When we arrived at lunch I sat by a woman named Brienne from the UK who has been traveling around the world for the past four years. Her lifestyle fascinated me, which was made obvious through the thousands of questions I had for her. She was living the life I had always dreamed of… that was until Kevin (the wise soul he is) made me contemplate why Brienne is always traveling. The concept of Brienne running from something or never being able to commit was a thought I reflected upon for a large portion of the trip. I realized that the fear of failure after graduation was a large contributing factor towards my appeal of traveling the world. Being able to admit this to myself really guided my thoughts regarding my future throughout the rest of the hike.

After lunch we started what I consider God’s way of punishing me for being an Atheist because there is no way that man has the power to chastise an innocent soul in such a powerful way. The second leg of day one was an uphill, stair intensive, journey through what not resonates in my mind as hell on earth. Imagine climbing uneven stairs for three and a half hours in the pouring rain with skinny jeans on an 25 pounds on your back. Writing this reflection about this day almost gets me frustrated because there is no way to accurately describe the mental punishment of turning another corner to find that the campsite you hoped would be there was nothing more than another grueling set of inclined rocks. Had I not had Dave, Amos, and Damien on my iPod I don’t think I would have made it to the top of that mountain until jetpacks were commercially sold.

When I finally arrived at our first overnight campsite, a sense of pure achievement and joy overtook my body.  Despite the events just described the BC Gringos were among the first to reach the top where we passed the time by throwing around the football that Pat brought. Once everyone had arrived, an hour and fifteen minutes later, we drank hot tea and enjoyed our first dinner together. Rob and Emma, the newlyweds from our group, taught us a plethora of slang British phrases like “right minger” which is a bad hookup, “Did you pull last night” which means “did you get with anyone last night”, “and “I’m going for a Gypsies” which means I am going to pee.  After dinner we all went back to our tents and passed out by 8:00PM.

Perú: Las Islas Flotantes, Puno, Cuzco, and Lima (After Incan Trail)

This is the fun part of my blog where I get to tell you all about my detainment at the Peruvian/Bolivian border and how, as illegals, we convinced border patrol to accept our bribe and issue false government stamps in our passports. Well, I think that about sums it up. If you ask the Bolivian government, we were never in their country... if you ask our passports... we left Perú for three days and simply disappeared. I have a feeling this is a story I will be telling for a long time...

After finally escaping the custody of the Peruvian border patrol we were on our way for a five hour bus ride to Puno, Perú. Part of me wishes I had taken pictures of that which I had seen driving for those four hours but part of me is happy that the memory of that bus ride only lives within my mind. With my iPod whispering the soft tunes of Amos Lee and Damien Rice, I couldn't help but feel such complete peace with the world during those four hours. It was the first time, in a long time, that I was left with my thoughts... left to contemplate... left to reflect. I have learned a lot about myself during this South American journey and I can't wait to continue this amazing year.

When we arrived to Puno we knew our time was limited so we wasted no time and hopped on the first boat to Las Islas Flotantes (Floating Islands) which are home to the Uros Tribe who began constructing these manmade islands hundreds of years ago. These people had wished to protect themselves from invasions and the conflicts on the mainland so decided to make their own floating islands out of reed and start their own community which they could move whenever they needed to. There are 44 islands all together that are home to markets, living spaces, schools, etc. We also learned how to say hello "how are you" (Kami saraki) and "im doing well" (waliki) in their native language of Aymara. Having the opportunity to explore these incredible islands was completely last minute yet, perhaps, one of the highlights of the entire trip. They were unlike anything I have ever seen before and definitely the most remote location I have ever visited.

(My Favorite Shot of the Entire Trip... 2 Uros Girls on a Reed Boat)

After our boat ride back to Puno we ate at this delicious restaurant where we ate traditional Peruvian dishes like Lomo Saltado y Alpaca. Unfortunately we didn't spend too much time in Puno because we had to get on another overnight buscama back to Cuzco. In the middle of the night (12AM exactly) we all surprised Kevin with a piece of chocolate cake and sang Happy Birthday to him! What followed was a good 4 hours of trying to fall asleep in the fiery inferno that was the oven buscama we were traveling in. Note to travelers: buscamas are either 10 degrees below zero or 1000 degrees... layers are key.

We arrived in Cuzco at 3:45 in the morning where we were ripped off by a taxi driver who charged us about 10 times what the normal fee was but we had no other option. When we arrived at our hostel we were overjoyed to feel the beds which were more comfortable than any bed I have slept in in months. We all passed out right away because we had to wake up for a pre-trip debriefing with United Mice, the company with whom we would be completing the Inca Trail. We all had a relaxing day because we wanted to rest up for our 4 day adventure but enjoyed Kevin's birthday to the fullest! We all went out for lunch in Cuzco and then did some shopping. Let's just say that the loved ones in my life are getting spoiled this Chrismas... I just can't stop buying things for them! In honor of Kevin's big day we all went to mass (Yes, the Atheist went to church) which was a good time to be alone with my thoughts. Afterwards a few beers at a British pub and then dinner. 

I will now skip to our day in Lima after the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu so I can devote a separate blog to that experience... After four days hiking the Inca Trail we all had one last dinner in Cuzco where we were all falling asleep at the table. It was a very early night for us but we knew we had a jam-packed day in Lima to look forward to. In the morning we ate breakfast and then headed to the airport where we ran into Rob and Emma (newlyweds from our Inca Trail Group). We landed in Lima midday and took a taxi to the heart of the city where we explored. Lima is a beautiful city, definitely not as beautiful as Cuzco but only because it reminded me more of a typical city in the states. We all ate one more typical Peruvian meal for lunch which consisted of the spiciest ceviche known to man and pollo saltado. Afterwards, we did a lot of relaxing in the park, shopping for more christmas presents, and then more relaxing outside of this beautiful church. There were hundreds of birds in the church courtyard and a woman selling feed so we bought a bag and enjoyed the beautiful weather. As Kevin put it, "there was no where else I would have rather been". That hour or so spent outside of the church made me realize that traveling is not always about sightseeing or museum tours... it is about feeling the energy of a city and simply relaxing.

I took a trip in 2007... a three week catamaran sailing voyage around the Leeward Islands with 12 other kids from around the world. When I got on the plane in St. Martin to return to the states I was sad not only to leave my friends, but, more so, because I was convinced that those three weeks spent living on a catamaran, sleeping under the stars on a hammock every night would encapsulate the best trip of my entire life. Scuba Diving every day, sailing, wake boarding... how could you beat it? While I was more than grateful for the experience I had believed that as a 16 year old I had already completed the greatest adventure that life had to offer me... it was not until this trip that I realized how much more was out there waiting...

Bolivia: Isla del Sol and Copacabana

After a night of sleeping in the airport most people look forward to catching some Z's in a bed... in our case... a buscama... A bus full of recliner chairs that you should be able to sleep on (should being the operative word). However, the combination of the frigid air and the 200 pound indigenous grandma backing her tush up into me, throughout the night, resulted in what I would consider a less than pleasant sleep. At some point the next morning when I was dozing and and out I heard the bus driver say "Copacabana". I quickly opened my eyes to notice that the four boys were fast asleep. In somewhat of a mad rash I awoke the slumberous cherubs and we quickly excited the buscama, realizing that had I not been such a light sleeper we would have ended up in the middle of nowhere. Oh wait, we did anyway. When the bus pulled away it revealed a landscape that was, for lack of a better term, confusing. We were not at a bus station, we were not in a town, we were in the middle of a dusty desert in Perú where nothing could be seen for miles... except the two white sketchy vans full of indigenous Peruvians that became our only escape option.

While in these questionable vehicles that would be perceived as pedophile vans in the States, we met a woman who asked if we would like to enter the country legally or illegally. Fact. U.S citizens have to pay $135.00 to enter Bolivia because their government and just about everyone else in the country hates Americans. While I can't say we entered the country through a sewage pipe or hidden in a trunk of a car (although that would have been epic), I also can't say we entered the country legally. When the BC Gringos arrived at the Peruvian/Bolivian border (pictured below) we decided to present our Ecuadorian Residency cards in place of our passports. I mean, how strict could their border patrol be when their border was comprised of a rusty chain that didn't cover the entirety of the road? Once Perú allowed us to leave their country with our Censos we made our way to the Bolivian office where we were greeted by a man who hated America so much you could have sworn he was the illegitimate child of Osama Bin Laden and Fidel Castro. After a 20 minute screaming match he accepted our collective bribe of $100 and allowed us to enter. 

Once we finally arrived to Copacabana, Bolivia we bought our boat tickets to Isla del Sol and then relaxed and had lunch by the water. It's crazy that a week before we had no plans of visiting Bolivia at all but, there we were, illegals ordering trout by the waterside. Life is good. At 1PM we took an hour long boat ride from Copacabana to Isla del Sol which is located in Lake Titicaca, the highest freshwater lake in the world. While on the boat, I had my feet up leaning against the window sill until a grouchy Bolivian told me that I was not on vacation and ordered me to sit properly. Last time I checked, I was on vacation but that's besides the point. Point is... Bolivian people really do not like Americans and Jessie really does not like Bolivian people. Pictured Below: Copacabana

When we arrived to Isla del Sol we rented a mule to carry our bags up the mountain which was literally an hour trek of doom in the blazing sun. This arduous task was completely made worth it when we arrived at Inti Kala, our hotel. The view from our porch was absolutely indescribable and, hands down, the most beautiful view from a hotel room I plan on ever seeing in my life (the picture below does not do it justice). Isla del Sol has no paved roads, no cars, no street lights, no nothing. It is quaint, hidden, and unbelievably beautiful. The island is self-sustainable and, for that reason, there was not a lot of variety between restaurants. By that I mean you were either eating, trout, meat, pasta that tasted like ketchup, or Pizza. When the sun faded, we hiked up to the highest point with flashlights, looked over the lake, and felt the sheer isolation of this incredible island that days before we didn't know existed. 

The next day was Halloween! None of us, however, realized until about noon. We woke up at the god awful hour of 6AM to eat breakfast and meet Efrane, a Bolivian who took us on his boat from Isla del Sol to Isla de la Luna an adjacent island home to 50 people. When we arrived he showed us the trail and told us that it would lead to Inca Ruins. The island is believed, by the Bolivians, to be the birthplace of the Inca civilization. The ruins were very interesting and it was nice to sit overlooking the mountain in complete silence, left with our thoughts. Note: if you ever consider taking a picture of a mule or sheep in Bolivia... DON'T... someone will be standing behind you asking for payment afterwards.

We then got back on the boat and enjoyed a ride on top through the sunny Bolivian waters towards the North Side of the island where we ate lunch. Shortly after we set out on a four hour hike from the North towards the South of the island where our hotel was located. While I was not particularly jumping for joy at the thought of a hike days before a 4-day hike through Perú, I can say with confidence that this day turned out to be my favorite of the entire trip and the beautiful scenery and deep conversations that filled the afternoon had a lot to do with it. At every corner the island became more beautiful and by the time we had reached our hotel I found myself yearning for more. 

That night, after dinner, we had a brilliant idea that I, unfortunately, cannot write about on a public forum... and I suppose I will leave it at that. However, the next morning we woke up early, had our last breakfast, and completed an hour hike with our bags to some other Inca Ruins where we were picked up by good old Efrane and his brother on their boat. After a 45 minute boat ride we were back on mainland, Copacabana. After another harborside lunch we boarded a bus to Puno, Perú. The last memory I will have of Bolivia was the public toilet flushing system which involves filling up a bucket of water and manually draining the toilet as flies swarm your body. Well, I guess that would have been the last memory had we not been detained at the border... for that story please refer to my next blog post.

Perú: Lima to Cuzco

After months of planning the day had finally arrived. Friday afternoon (two weeks ago today) Jon, Nate, Kevin, Pat and I set out on our ten day Peruvian/ Bolivian journey. Our first step was Lima, Perú for one night. The plane right was wonderful... I just finished the Hunger Games series (highly recommended) and started reading "The Help", a great book which was accompanied by complimentary white wine. While the wine was delicious, it was the start of a perpetual 16 hour long head ache.

During our ten hour layover in Lima we took a cab 40 minutes away to find a typical Peruvian restaurant... instead at the taxi driver's discretion, we were brought to the nicest restaurant in Lima... a seafood restaurant on a pier overlooking the water. The view was absolutely gorgeous which made the entire experience even more surreal (picture below). When Kevin and Pat asked fro a table for five, the hostess gave them a stare down and it was not until the men in suits and women in dresses began to exit the restaurant that we understood why. Regardless, after about a half an hour or internal conflict, the hostess escorted us to our table. The food was incredible and there was even a desert called "Wet Chocolate Cake with lots of chocolate and so much more..." While we didn't order the chocolate cake, the question of what the "so much more" could possibly be will forever haunt us.

Within one hour after leaving the pier, we went from living like high society to sleeping on the airport floor. Yes, 5 BC Gringos cuddled around three trash cans next to about 25 other travelers. Although I am the lightest sleeper in the world, my hopes were high... however, these hopes were shot down when the hours passed and passed... hours that were filled with the obnoxious pre-recorded voice of a woman advising me to take precaution in the airport EVERY THREE MINUTES. After 4 1/2 hours of lying on the airport floor, we had to catch our second flight from Lima to Cuzco. I sat next to two girls around the age of 16 who screamed of excitement when the plane took off. It was their first flight.

Unfortunately, my headache was still raging at 9:30AM when we arrived in Cuzco so while the boys began exploring, I rented a hostel and slept for three hours... best decision of my life. When I was awoken by the boys I felt 1000x better. We began to explore Cuzco, the most important city of the Inca Empire, which was absolutely beautiful (picture below). As the good Boston College students that we are, we did a Jesuit Church Tour. Afterwards, on our way to get lunch, Nate bargained a painting down from 150 soles to 1 sol... only in South America. We ate at Paddy's which is the highest Irish pub in the world. Shepherd's Pie was scrumptious. After lunch, Nate and I began to wander around Cuzco and, to our surprise, the was a parade throughout the streets. I am not quite sure what the parade was for but it was really incredible to see Peruvians of all ages dressed up dancing through the alleyways.

At dinner I taught the group about Glums and Glows. When I was on my Broadreach Three Week Boat Trip throughout the Leeward Islands in 2007, every night at dinner each team member had to say their glums of the day and their glows (like highs and lows). The five of us shared our glums and glows every day of the trip which was a great way to end each jam-packed day. After dinner we took a buscama (a bus with leather recliner chairs for sleeping) for 9 hours to the Peruvian/Bolivian border. The next post will show you the sketchy place where we were dropped off and tell you all about the amazing time we had on Isla del Sol, Bolivia!

Mid-Trip Reflection

I could not begin to tell you how many times I have stared at World Maps while envisioning the adventures I would partake in. Indonesia, Burkina Faso, Brazil (to name a few) always sparked my excitement and wonder as I planned, in my head, the waters I would float in, streets I would roam, and people I would encounter. Whenever I came across the blog of a young traveler I couldn't help but feel inadequate and incomplete... like the stranger behind the words was steeling my fate... my dreams. I pondered the possibility of being the author of my own adventures... having young people read my blog and feel inspired to explore the world. However, while my heart was overseas, my mind was constantly inhibiting by euphoric desires with reality. You have to put your brain to good use and settle down in the real world. But the more I contemplated the more I realized that the fantasy land that most Americans live in is a complete rejection of the real world.

In the real world, people wonder not what but how they will eat for their next meal. In the real world it is necessary to lie about the price of my $56,000 a year education because such money is simply unheard of. In the real world, a plane ride is a luxury most will never experience while public buses find themselves overpacked with newborns, elders, and workers who travel hours every morning in order to make a living. While I understand that I have reflected upon this before, my appreciation for the advantages and luxuries that my life has provided continues to grow every day. In my high school graduation speech I quoted Randy Pausch who said, "It's not about the cards you're dealt just how you play the game". While this quote certainly applies to the upper class, white population that is Locust Valley, New York, quoting such an idealistic perspective on life would simply be ludicrous in most parts of the world... it would even be an insult. Unfortunately, for most human beings, the cards will never change regardless of their fight. Real life is an understanding that the brilliant boy, Erick (below), in my Pre-K class will probably work a minimum wage job because although he has the intelligence he doesn't hold the appropriate cultural or social capital to be a CEO or lawyer. His country doesn't hold the sufficient funds to distribute enough grants or scholarships and he will most likely fall victim to the vicious cycle that continues to stratify society.

Perhaps one of the most difficult challenges I have encountered while traveling around South America has been my failed attempts at solidarity with the natives. While I attempt to connect on a more personal and spiritual level with others, I realize we come from two completely different worlds. And, while we take the same public transportation, the woman next to me is headed home after a challenging week selling potatoes on the street... as for me, I am headed to Bolivia to relax on a beautiful island before returning to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. But anyone who thinks this social segregation will become more just is simply naive. Life is a survival of the fittest and the most I can do knowing that I started this monopoly game with an unfair capital advantage is simply appreciate human struggle and the education, love, and opportunity in my life.