Favorite places to crash; The Point Mancora

     After spending my first few months in Cusco, I left for Lima, but only decided to stay for about two days. Lima was a beautiful city, but much too hectic, and too much going on for me- plus I was longing for days spent taking siestas in a hammock by the pool  and night swimming in the warm ocean. So here I was, pulling into  Mancora- a small, rustic beach town in the North of Peru known for its surf and nightlife. The minute the bus door opened, you could feel the heat creeping in quickly- despite being on their already twenty hours, I was slow to make my way into the sun. At first glance  I was surprised that this "party town" wasn't anything like the "party" beach towns I was used to, but more like a tiny gravel street, lined with small stores and restaurants,  nearly the size of my Community in Jacksonville. 

     Not knowing exactly where to go, I hopped in the first tuk tuk (little three wheeled motorized rickshaw that lace the streets) and went to the Loki Hostel. There is also a Loki location in Cusco, therefore it was the only familiar hostel I saw- plus it was on the main road so I decided to give it a go. My tentative plan at the time was, I would stay in Mancora for a month or so,  hoping to find a hostel that I could work in. Walking into Loki, I had flashbacks from being 19 at Fraternity parties in Tallahassee. Some backpackers may love Loki's vibes, and tell you it was the best hostel they've been to. However, it just wasn't the pool hammock scenario I had envisioned. So that very same day, I went in search of a new hostel- that I knew had to be out there in this Peruvian paradise. 

    

     After a few hostels, I was taken down a very long dirt road away from the town, and ended up at the end of the road right before the beach to a large bamboo gate and a little sign that read "Our own little Paradise".  Alas! The Point is exactly how a beach hostel should be. Walking around the stone sidewalks, you will find guest sleeping in hammocks, lounging at the pool, doing yoga under the deck or making their way to the beach to try and catch some waves. It isn't just all lounging and relaxation though- they offer a full liquor bar, with happy hour specials daily. Where else can you get a giant Brahma beer for only 6 s./ !! Inside the hostel is also a restaurant with a variety of foods including some Peruvian specials, as well as simple hamburgers and fries. The rooms are breezy, yet still very hot- which is one of the only downfalls. You can also rent a beach bungalow for just a little more money, which are beautiful, bohemain two story private shacks right on the beach! 

     From what I sensed in my month of staying here, it tends to draw in a very like-minded and friendly group of travelers, who are all drawn to each other like an instant family, no cliques here. Most of my days when I wasn't working, were spent walking to the market to get supplies for making jewelry or lounging around by the pool reading a book. Nights here consisted of an early happy hour, leading to bottles of wine and listening to the hostel's very own musicians Yuyo and Diego, playing acoustic sets on the beach under the stars. Each week there are also themed parties, where face painting is always involved. The full moon parties here at the hostel are what draws in most of their crowd, and are the best in town. I owe a huge thank you to all of the staff, (even the bald Peruvian dog Pelo) at The Point Mancora for making it one of the most memorable months I've had- I still talk to most of the friends I've met, and plan to visit as soon as I'm back in South America:)

    For prices and booking information, visit http://thepointhostels.com/peru/mancora-beach.html

xx SLW

How to Deal; Keeping Yourself Busy on Long Bus Rides

     All of you traveling gypsies on a budget will agree, that traveling by bus is definitely not going to be the quickest option out there. However, the majority of the time, not only is it the most affordable method of travel, it usually is the most common, especially if you plan on going beyond the major cities. During my time in South America, and here in the States, I have taken (beyond) my fair share of lengthy bus rides. I've actually taken a Greyhound from New York City down to Jacksonville, Fl, and didn't think twice about it considering the busing days on end I had experienced. 

     

     A great thing about many of the countries I have been to in South America, is that they actually have a great busing system that caters to, and are prepared to serve you for these lengthy trips. For example, even the most economical National buses in Peru, will either provide you with meals, or will stop often, have a nice, clean bathroom, and you will be entertained with movies in your reclining chair (sometimes even treated with English subtitles if it is a tourist company) the entire trip. Not to mention, the experience of seeing the amazing rural country sides that can't even be fathomed by the poor soul riding in an hour long airplane trip. It is important to see first hand the backroads that make up the culture of a new country instead of limiting yourself to the major cities your lonely planet has recommended. 

(dirt road in Colombia)

      The most unique aspect of the transportation in S.A I found is that at any stop you make, you will have the opportunity to buy from, or at least be entertained by all of the regular street vendors who literally just bombard the bus, sometimes four at a time. You will see everything from home-cooked full meals and drinks to random toys, clothes, or recharging your Movil or Claro! cell phone. You will even have the occasional guy who tells you his true or possibly not so true story about how he needs your donation because he is sick and can't afford surgery (think the New York subways). I remember a time in Ollantaytambo, Peru, a lady carrying a traditional Peruvian wrap on her back, filled, to the point I thought she may fall over backwards, with huge pieces of some type of meat on a stick jumped on, and was selling her food for a solid thirty minutes.  I just kept glancing between her small town, that was now just a mere dot in the horizon, than to her lack of reaction to the fact she was a more than a couple miles down the road. Would she have to walk all the way back ?! 

(little cutie I met at the bus station in Quito, Ecuador)

     The busing system, I have found, is relatively safe. Especially if you are considering one of the other options, sharing a car with strangers; which while it may be cheaper at times, has no sort of security blanket whatsoever. Many bus companies will require your passport number, fingerprint and some even video tape you going onto the bus. I only had a two incidents I felt "unsafe", which isn't a term I use loosely, and both were in Ecuador. Their transportation system is more geared toward locals rather than tourist which I had been accustom to in Peru. Possibly the reason I had an uneasy feeling these specific times.

(broken down for four hours in Peru, luckily it was a nice view!)

     All in all, even though the major bus companies DO try their best to make sure that you survive your twenty plus hour bus rides, you WILL be bored without a doubt, and at times, want to literally jump off of the bus and possibly the cliff that the your driver, who was obviously trained by Nascar, is barely avoiding. So, I decided to start a mini series of post with my favorite bus-trippin' past times. So check back and look out for these post! Until then, stock up on the generic Ambien you can find at the local farmacia. 

xx SLW

fair well my magical little Cusco ...

So the day had come. My last days were filled with adventures to nearby towns and sunny days with Willy and his friends; a girl Sarah found a four leaf clover, and gave us all a leaf and we said we'd meet again in 2020 in the same spot. Leaving a place that you've been for over a month and a half is both exiting and sad. I felt like this was my town; I had friends, I had my favorite spots, and would even see people I know walking around dailey. However, Cusco was the first place I had been for more than two days in South America- so I was dying to get out and explore! Besides, I was deathly pale and needed the beach. I love, love everyone that I met here in Cusco- and still keep in touch with a few. I will forever give the best recommendations to visit here as it remains my favorite city in the World so far! As well, I foresee me coming back in the near future, and hope to bring my mom and little brother one day.  So goodbye Cusco, your beauty, abundance of wonderful energy, mystics, humbleness and innocence will all be very much missed. Nos Veamos ! MUAHS !

xx SLW

Fotos de Cusco

As the chapter of my tales of Cusco are coming to an end, I want to share some great memories that haven’t had a chance to make it in my blog so far. Looking at these pictures brings a huge smile on my face, just thinking about all of the warm people I met while I was there. Since it was my first time traveling alone, I was so surprised, and glad, at how easy it is to make so many friends in a new country. Nobody should ever let the fear of being alone hold you back from traveling, because in reality you are never really alone. Enjoy!

xx SLW

Happy 22nd Birthday to me !

Well, last Wednesday, the 27th was my 22nd birthday! I know I am a little late, but my birthday was spent visiting my friends in Miami, so there wasn’t much time for blogging. Now that I am back from the madness, I have a chance to reflect on my year and the one that lies ahead. Astrologically speaking, Aries is the first sign, so I always like to think of my birthday time as a fresh start, as it is technically a new year. A year ago from today, I was face paintin’, and dancing the night away in the magical beach town of Mancora. Looking at these pictures made me miss everyone and having a life full of adventure so much! I hope the year ahead is full of these crazy nights, and much, much more! As I evolve into myself each day, I am able to see my future more clear- and just can’t wait to get back to exploring the world. Salute ! 

xx SLW

Machu Picchu : my magical adventure

   

 Now that the tedious part is out of the way, I can share more about the sweet little moments that filled my day. However, I’m finding it difficult to describe my experience without making it sound like I’m a travel agent trying to sell you on coming to “find yourself at the mystic Incan Ruins”, so I’ll let my pictures tell my story for me.  

Early morning fog, but this was one of the first pictures I took at the opening once you walk to the top. You can see how it is literally a maze all over made of rock sidewalks and green terrace. 

Llamas roam freely on the terraces. They’re really personable- probably from the millions of tourist they see each year. Cusco is filled with llamas and alpacas, so this wasn’t a huge surprise, I just think they’re adorable and so gentle! 

Our guide told us that one of the amazing things about the structure of M.P, is that the rocks above are so heavy and massive, it is hard to understand just how they managed to get the huge pieces all the way  up the mountain. They walls and buildings are formed so perfectly together, that not even a paper can slide between rocks. Although located on two faults, M.P has withstood multiple earthquakes with no severe damage.

Part of the temple of the Sun.

Thought to have been some sort of Astrological stone, located near the Temple of the Sun.

Possibly my favorite thing I saw, since I’m a huge lover of crystals. The Intihuatana stone, thought to be an astrological clock, naturally drew in my attention. It is said that each Incan temple had one of these stones, that hold high energy, but the Spanish Conquistadors ruined them when they invaded. Since M.P is the only site that the Spaniards never found, it is the last remaining stone. The energy of the quartz and other minerals are definitely still thriving today and can be felt just in the presence. I even got to touch it, I was beyond stoked. 

Lush mountainous jungle and slivers of the muddy Urubamba river surround the floor. 

Those were just a few of my favorite pictures, this link contains the millions of others taken, while I was in full on tourist mode. As I’ve mentioned in my past post, the important advice I can share about going to Machu Picchu is to really slow down, enjoy the day and only focus on the present moment. Everyone is there for the same reason, so you really arn’t going to be bothering anyone by going slow and taking lots of picture. At the same time, don’t get too caught up in capturing the moment, that you forget to embrace it. You are in the middle of the jungle, 8,000 feet high- nothing else should matter. I hope that some of you have come across my page because you are planning a future trip of your own, it is truly breath taking and should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list!   Has anyone else been here and have any other tips, or adventure memories to share ?

xx SLW 

Travel Gypsies on a Budget: Machu Picchu

It honestly is hard to put a price tag on the opportunity to see the amazing Incan ruins, known as Machu Picchu. The sight alone is one of the most awe-inspiring in the world. However, like most beautiful things, it comes with a price. And the price tag isn’t too easy for the eyes, especially for tourist or those looking to take the easy, conventional way. I have never been one to opt out for the conventional way, and may have some useful information for anyone who’s not feelin’ the heavy price tags either. So, here is a few tips about Machu Picchu on a budget. Pictures and stories of the magical ruins will come later! 

1. If you’re a student, get a ISIC card. 

I hadn’t heard of this card before, but a friend told me about it and how you can get discounts all over the world for hotels, restaurants, etc. With the student card, the ticket to Machu Picchu is half off.. already saving you about 60 s./ . The card itself took a day to get, you just need passport photos and cost about $20!

2. What to bring.

If you are going to be taking the train, then you don’t have to worry about brining too much because it is pretty much a straight shot. On the other hand, if you are taking a route, like mine, that consist of a mixture between cars, buses and walking- you need to make sure to pack light! Which you should be used to, right? The number one rule for backpackers is to not bring more than you need. First, let’s talk about what clothes to bring. You should plan on wearing comfortable clothes the entire time. I had gotten used to pretty much living in leggings, because they are so versatile and can easily go from day to night. I wore leggings, a sweater and my big jacket with vans. I would recommend better hiking shoes, but I  was obviously packing for the beach when I came to Peru because I had nothing of the sort. I just planned on sleeping in my leggings and long sleeve shirt I had packed for the next day- which saves lots of room. Make sure you do bring an extra pair of socks though! A HUGE tip that I decided not to follow was to bring a poncho. Honestly, my Jacket had a hood so I assumed I would be okay, and really just hate ponchos. Well, during the 1 1/2 hour walk to Aguas Calientes, it rained the entire time and I was the ONLY person without a poncho. My cotton jacket was absolutely drenched,as well as my backpack. I was also freaking out that my camera was getting wet- so make sure to put it in a bag or something just in case. Another favorite of mine is to bring a big scarf. This can be used as a blanket for trips, a towel in case the hostel doesn’t have any, or as a scarf if it is cold- and in my case, a way to keep my camera from getting soaked.  Make sure you bring your passport and ISIC card, as well as cash- there are ATMS, but it is always better to be prepared. I’d also recommend bringing some snacks- the restaurants in Aguas Calientes are fairly expensive, (if you are coming from eating 5. s/ meals in Cusco). 

3. Step by Step getting there!

Okay, there are obviously lots of options when trying to get to Machu Picchu. You can take the physically hard way, and do one of the jungle trails which entails biking, zip lining, walking, hiking and all that shit. Sounds great and I love an adventure, but I just don’t see myself being able to physically walk after two days. The other option, is taking a train! Which is super easy, yet the pricer option. I honestly wanted to go this route, but decided that I would totally feel like I’m cheating myself out of the real experience. So, I went with option three- a mix of buses, cars, and walking. At this point in my life, hoping from little buses to big buses then to random cars was like an ordinary day. I did a little research before hand, but was pretty much just letting the universe guide me in the right directions. I started off going to the Santiago Bus Terminal behind the San Pedro market like I had been told to do, once I got there I was told that I needed to walk down a few streets. After stopping and asking about five people, I finally made it to the terminal. I can’t exactly describe how to get there, but if you tell anyone your looking for the bus to go to Santa Maria, they will be more than glad to tell you! One guy even walked me like half way there. The bus was about 20 s./  and took about 5-6 hours. The drive is amazing, you get to go through alot of small towns like Urubamba and Ollantaytambo that I had been wanting to visit. I was actually really surprised because there weren’t many tourist on the bus with me, so I was actually a little nervous once I got dropped off to Santa Maria. It was pretty much a “town” in what looks like the middle of the jungle, from the ride over with rocky mountains and nothing more than little shacks selling snacks. I had to pay 10 centimos to use a “bathroom” which was a hole in the ground behind a piece of wood, and bought a little queso y palta sandwich that had probably been sitting out for hours. I immediately went to the youngest driver there, and asked how much for a ride to Hydroelectrica. The other tourist, whom were from Argentina followed. We each paid about 10 s./ and squeezed into his little minivan. It was about a three hour ride from here, stopping in Santa Teresa to pick up other people. Depending on where the driver is headed, you may have to switch into a new car with a new driver. It may seem sketchy, and you feel like your going to fall off the edge of the mountains, but these drivers, even if they are sixteen, are doing this five times a day- and know what they’re doing! The ride was filled with small talk, listening to “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” and all the other usual songs, and taking breath taking pictures- all of which managed to be on my Iphone that I lost a few days later and were never able to recover sadly enough. Okay, so after arriving in Hydroelectrica, the next stop is an hour and a half walk to Aguas Calientes. I was lucky enough to see a tour walking in front of me, and just caught up with them! Traveling alone is interesting, because your always alone yet  never alone. Things seem to always work out in your favor, maybe I’m just lucky. This is the walk that I had previously warned about- BRING A PONCHO! THe walk isn’t too bad, unless it is storming as it was when I did it. Well, here you have it. It might not be the easiest way to get to Machu Picchu, or the most adventerous. However, it is great for travelers on a budget, and a filled with the ever exiting adventures of riding in buses and mini vans with the always awesome local Peruvians. 

4. A few extra tips 

STAY CHEAP. When I first got there, I was trying to search for a hostel, and found that the prices were higher than in Cusco for the most part. If you keep walking away from the center of town, you WILL find good deals. My hostel was 20 s./ for my own room and bathroom, with HOT water ( Which is very rare in Cusco) and a towel. I also found a hostel for 10 s./ - but there was bugs in my room, which is where I draw the line. These hostels are fairly quiet and don’t have much going on, unlike the crazy hostels in Cusco. Which is okay, becasue you are literally going to be there about 7 hours which consists of showering, eating, and sleeping. The hostels will hold your bags for you while you are at the ruins, which is super helpful.

GO EARLY! I had heard this from a few other people, and I am surely happy I took their advice. The morning is pretty foggy, so you don’t get to see all that Machu Picchu has to offer yet, however you are there sharing the magical places with only 10% of the people that will come later during the day. My pictures from the mornings didn’t have hundreds of people in the background like my later pictures did.

PLAN WHEN YOU ARE GOING. Well this is an obvious one for most people, but it is something that I DIDNT  do. I am very sparatic, and like to do things NOW, instead of planning for later. I was ready to leave Cusco, so needed to go to Machu Picchu as soon as possible- which meant going during the rainy season. The rain didn’t ruin my experience at all, but it would have been nice to see it a little less gloomy and my clothes a little less wet from the day before.

GET YOUR PASSPORT STAMPED. I had totally forgot that you could get your passport stamped with the Machu Picchu symbol- which would be awesome if you are trying to go to all of the World Wonders.

JOIN A TOUR. This may technically be cheating, but I’m pretty sure nobody cares. Paying for a tour is expensive, and something that I thought as unnecisary. Well it is definitely nice having a tour guide explain to you about each area of the Ruins, and the history there. I was lucky enough to just jump into my friends’ group, and there were all super friendly. I think that just walking with groups listening wouldn’t be a problem for most- as they are coming from a five day hike in the jungle and probably just don’t give a shit at this point.

SOAK UP EVERY MINUTE YOU CAN. The ruins are huge, so it is easy to get overwhelmed and be ready to leave after a few hours. After all, you are exhausted from walking up and down the stairs all day. It is really important to slow down, look around, and appreciate the amazing place you are in. Live in the present moment, and just spend all day, even if by yourself, wandering around, absorbing everything that you can. I was so tight on money, I wasn’t able to get my ticket to Huayna Picchu beforehand, therefore wasn’t able to go. But I heard that it is amazing- I really wish I would gotten to see it. Sometimes, it is important that a little extra spending is worth it, because you might not ever be able to revisit a moment in time.

Well, these are my tips for getting to Machu Picchu on a budget, and for the lone gypsy who is trying to do this without a tour! I hope that anyone out there is able to find a little sigh of relief, and less trouble down the road with these. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask! 

xx SLW

How to deal: getting sick

      Being in South America this past year was my first time being out of the country alone, first time traveling alone, and really being away from my family for more than a month or so. It was always a weird feeling knowing that I couldn’t just pick up my phone and call my family or friends anytime I wanted to. I am very independent, and handle most things very well by myself. However, being really sick is one of those moments when I just want to curl up in a ball and have my mom there taking care of me. Many travelers, especially those who are young and inexperienced, may get really depressed and home sick feeling while you are ill. Something about the thought that you are somewhat helpless and alone can get to you at times. 

     When I got back from Puno, I was still sick from the Ceviche, and literally stuck in my bed for about a week. Imagine laying in a bed with no T.V, and barely working WIFI for an entire week. I think that I slept more within that week than I ever had in my life. I felt hot, and freezing at the same time, my mind and body were both literally drained, and I couldn’t stop vomiting. I was so helpless, I didn’t know if I would ever feel better! One good thing about being sick in a foreign country, is that their laws on FDA approvals are much different. I ended up taking some giant pills for my stomach, that helped cure the pain in just a few days. That I’m pretty sure are really illegal in the states. The lady at the store also gave me some different teas to drink and coco leaves to help settle my stomach. I was so relieved once I was feeling better, I was scared to eat or drink anything so that I never felt that way again. 

     In reality, it wasn’t the food that made me get so sick. It was just the way my body reacted to the harsh food. If you are not born, or haven’t spent a significant amount of time in a certain place, than your stomach and the rest of your body may not have adapted to local foods and the water. This is why we’ve always heard warnings of not drinking the water in certain places, yet you see locals doing it without getting sick. There are a few simple tricks to keeping you out of germs way, and helping to build a stronger immune system. First, always boil water before drinking it, even if you are just going to refrigerate it afterwards. Second of all, never eat seafood if you aren’t anywhere near the coast. I am so used to trucks that deliver fish daily, that I didn’t even consider that eating Ceviche in the middle of the Mountains may not be fresh- but it was apparently hilarious to everyone else I told. Third, you get what you pay for. If your body isn’t used to eating street food, you probably shouldn’t risk it- even if it is only $1. These are just a few, common sense tips to keep you from ending up like poor little me, below.

XX, me as a pitiful little gypsy.

PUNO !

Puno is the home of Lake Ticitaca, a lake that is bordered by Peru and Bolivia. I was so bummed that I couldn’t go to the Bolivian side, because there lives Copacabana. I’ve heard that Copacabana is an absoloutley amazing paradise. This was exactly what I needed after a hectic couple of days, but again because of my visa situation, I wasn’t able to go. For Americans going to certain countries such as Bolivia or Brazil, you have to first apply for a Visa, which also cost about $150 or so. Since it was a surprise that we would be at Lake Ticitaca, I hadn’t applied for a Visa, nor did I want to pay any money for it for only a few days. I’ve learned that you can’t always do EVERYTHING you want to! and it takes a bit of picking and choosing, but that it is okay. So, I stayed behind in Puno for a few days while waiting for Franzi to return. I had a lot of free time to myself, which is somthing that I was getting more used to, but was still new. At home in the states, I am constantly “connected” to my phone, the internet, watching T.V. etc. I have so many tools to distract me during my free time. Here in Puno, this hostel didn’t have internet or a T.V. I also didn’t have really anything to keep me entertained such as books. I spent most of the days wandering in the little outdoor markets hoping to find cheaper things  to send to my family. I didn’t find many things that were cheaper, but did come across a huge Walmart type store which was a little shocking. Puno is a beautiful city with lots of historic areas with old buildings and small parks that are enjoyable. 

At first I felt a little anxiety because I really didn’t know what to do come sun down. However, I ended up going to a nice little dinner at an Italian type resturant. The people were really nice, and I had my first long conversation in Spanish- I was so proud! It was awesome to being able to express how I felt in Spanish, not just the typical touristy questions everyone always seems to ask you. It was a great night, untill I woke up in the middle of the night feeling horrible. I was sick to my stomach all night and didn’t get much sleep. This continued the whole day on the bus the next day- which is horrible when you are traveling for HOURS and HOURS. To say the least, I never felt happier when we pulled into the bus station at my lovely station in Cusco.

xx SLW

It’s All Apart of the Journey

Something that I am always trying to remind myself of doing, is to take life as it comes and to not try to map out the future so much. This can be easier said than done, as I have witnessed time and time again. While backpacking, you do need to have somewhat of a plan if you want things to go smoothly, but at the same time need to understand that at least half of your plans might end up a little bumpy. A perfect example would be at the end of our trip to Chile. We left Mollendo, with the plan to get to Tacna, Peru then hop on over the border to Arica, Chile. We went on our way, grabbed a van with a few fun lovin' Peruvian strangers, and arrived in Tacna after a few more hours. 

Franzi and I then arrived at the chaotic bus station to discover that the road that crosses the border had been damaged due to flooding and they weren't sure WHEN we would be able to get a bus! We could 1) Stay in the industrial-like city of Tacna and see what happens within the next few days; which didn't sound great considering the mishaps we had already experienced in this little trip and the fact neither of us had much money to waste on hostels. Or 2) Head on over to Puno, Peru where Franzi would go alone for the night to Bolivia since I, being the lovely American I am, couldn't join her without paying for a Visa.

After about five minutes of standing in the crazy busy Terminal, we shared a “Get me the fuck out of here” look, and went directly to the ticket booth. It was one of those moments when you are so annoyed, but being miserable about it really won’t solve anything. Instead we loaded up on our favorite bus snacks, ( Sublime Chocolates are to die for) and knew we would laugh about it later. For those of you reading who are thinking, what is the big deal? You rode a few extra hours and had to turn around? Well, these can be up to a twelve hour ride consisting of a mixture between nice Grey Hound like buses or to sharing a four person Oldsmobile with a crying baby without A/c.

Well, we definitely did have our laughs afterwards! Not to mention the amazing scenery as always, as you can see the pictures above. This trip always reminds me of the lesson mentioned earlier. Much of the time while traveling, your plans aren't going to work out exactly or anything like you had hoped. However, you can't let it get to you, and panic. Sometimes you may literally be in the middle of nowhere, and complaining won't solve your problems.The best thing to do, is continue along your adventure by improvising!  After all, the unknowing of where your going, how your getting there, and who you may meet along the way is all apart of the journey. 

xx SLW 

Southern Beaches of Peru

After our couple days in Arequipa, the mini getaway to Chile continued, next stop was Mollendo. Neither of us had any idea what to expect in Mollendo, as there wasn't much about it in my friend's Lonely Planet, and most travelers we had talked to hadn't been there either. Well, this is probably because there are no tourist here. At all. Usually, I would like being in a place with no tourist, it's a break, a chance to get a glimpse at the real Peruvian lifestyle. However, this case was a little bit different, because it was summer break, so everyone from Arequipa and other cities inland flock to the beaches in summer. (Think like Daytona Beach Spring Break if you are familiar with Florida). The beaches were packed, and the stares we were getting were intense. Mollendo might be nicer to visit when it isn't summer- not sure. There are lots of nice little restaurants and bars around, but I had turned into such a cheap scape that a $3 meal was breakin the bank, so it was hard to enjoy the nice places. 

We had a few fun little adventures, and I was just so stoked to be in sunny weather at the beach- that the Artic-like waters didn't even bother me too much! Beaches here are so different than in America. There are people walking around selling EVERYTHING  you could imagine. Pool rafts, sand toys, umbrellas, jewelry, clothes and every type of food or drink possible. It's exactly how the buses in South America, but beach version. I definitely wouldn't mind getting Margs and ceviche served to me while laying on the beach in Miami. Anyways, let's conclude that Mollendo is a nice weekend get away if you are looking to go to a beach and just hang out enjoying the sun. There is a big market, a water park, a few clothing shops, and some yummy restaurants. However, if you are looking for a party beach town, I would head straight to Lima or Mancora (my second favorite place in Peru!!)

P.S- The sun is INTENSE! Being from Florida, I thought my skin was unable to burn- well, turns out in South America you get fried ! So load up on the sun screen whities. 

xx SLW

The White City

After weeks in Cusco, I was dying to get out and see something else. It was my first time traveling by myself, and I just wanted to start seeing more. A friend from Aldea Yanapay, Franzi, needed to renew her 90 day Visa so we had to go to Chile for the weekend. Our plan was; Arequipa---> Mollendo ---> Tacna ---> Arica, Chile. Seems easy enough, except it consists of about a million hours in buses. 

We got to Arequipa about 5 am after a 10 hour bus ride; I recommend taking over night buses if able to. A lot of websites and blogs I had read prior said that it is unsafe, but these people are seriously over cautious. I never found it to be unsafe at all- and then you don't have to waste a night paying for a hostel! Arequipa is a beautiful city known as the White City, because of all the huge, white stone buildings that surround. I was surprised when I got there! They had the same tourist type stores as Cusco, but not as many- and we found it more expensive. However, there were also a lot more "mall" type stores, nicer restaurants, and more fast food, etc. Arequipa seemed much more like a real city to live in, not like a city made for tourist. This was nice, but at the same time, we were bored after a day. So, if you have a short trip- I wouldn't save too much time for Arequipa. 

The day we went was a Sunday during February- which means Carnival! We got to see a parade which was awesome, but we also got to be the victim of kids throwing water balloons, silly string, foam, and anythign else they could find. Gringos were the ultimate target! At least in Cusco, we either recognized most of the kids, some went to Aldea Yanapay, and if you told them NO! as if you were their teacher, they wouldn't soak you. In Arequipa, the kids gave no mercy, haha. It was fun, but just a little warning if you are in South America ( not sure which Countries go this hard during Carnival )- you may want a change of clothes near by ;) At night, we went out to the Wild Rover- which as mentioned previously, is also a crazy, fun hostel in Cusco. It was a Carnival Party, and we all got masks to drunkenly decorate. Hostels remind me of Summer Camps with a lot of alcohol. We met some always awesome, Argentinean guys - seriously whose ever met traveling Argentines that aren't great !? But they really are traveling everywhere, especially guys, I'm surprised there are any people left in the country. 

After a hungover morning, we woke up in a hurry to catch our small 20 person bus to Mollendo. To get to the station, we just got a taxi and asked for the terminal de bus- I'm assuming it is the only terminal, because there were plenty of options here for Mollendo, back to Cusco, Lima, etc. 

xx SLW

The Belly Button of the World

Cusco is known as the Belly Button of the World, and for good reason. There is a gravitation pull that exists here, centering it in every way. Originally it referred to being the center of the Incan Empire- but I think it could apply for our world today as well. My favorite part about the trip, was the really positive feeling that engulfed me! I think that this came from the constant reminder of the Spirituality here. Walking the streets and seeing stores filled with raw stones and crystals, sage, herbs, natural medicine, ancient statues, and so much more was amazing. The woman here are so strong and so wise, I would trust them for anything. A few times when I was sick, I went to a tienda, and they gave me a special tea or herb to help. Just remember, to go a little outside of the main squares to find the real locals that aren't trying to just make money. I found that Peruvians are very honest people and love to help when they can. There are also Yoga Studios and Meditation Centers everywhere- most of them even offer Retreats into more rural, nature areas a little outside of the city. 

But be careful, because since there are so many tourist- the locals have learned that they can make money easily off of native soul searchers. Shops with signs claiming to have Ayahuasca and Peyote Ceremonies line the streets as well! I went in one just to check it out - as soon as the guides started speaking english, and the prices were in U.S dollar I knew it was sketchy. Those are two definite giveaways for anything fake in another country I'd say. Brining yourself into another dimension withs something as strong as Ayahuasca, should be taken very seriously and I wouldn't trust doing this sacred ceremony if I didn't seem right- you never know what could happen! I never found any real Shaman that I felt like it would be right with, so I was never able to try it. This reminds me of my post about the "Bricheros" here in Peru ;) 

http://sweettalesofagypsy.blogspot.com/2012/11/view-from-my-eyes.html

You just always have to trust your instinct, because your heart always knows more than the head! 

xx SLW

Is there proper bargaining etiquette ?

Going to the markets are one of my favorite things to do. I love anything to do with jewelry, clothes and household items, especially that of which is from a different culture. I wanted to make sure that I brought home lots of goodies with me, and for my friends and family! However, I was broke so I had to bargain wisely.

 In the main plazas in Cusco, you can't get anything cheap.. you have to go outside of the box a little, at least to the market San Pedro. They will try to start off high, seeing as your a tourist, but you can usually talk them down. The best trick is to just start to walk away, and they will almost always give you the price you wanted. I saw a a poncho for like 70 s./ but I ended up walking away with one for like 45 s./ Which is probably still more than locals would pay for it. However, I always felt so bad doing this! I know that these people are working so hard for their money, and I really wanted to be able to help them and give them more money- but I really just didn't have it. Then on the other hand, I knew that there are tons of tourists everyday, so they are bound to get their merchandise sold!

 Regardless, the markets here in Peru are absolutely amazing- filled with bright colors, soft textures, delicate little handmade jewelry and dolls and so much more! I ended up buying so much that I had to mail a big box home.  What do you guys think, what is the proper bargaining etiquette? 

xx SLW

Favorite Spots: PISAC, a must see while in Cusco

If you have to pick and choose because of time and money, like myself between all of the mini magical places near Cusco- I would hands down choose Pisac. Not only was it a beautiful, clean town in the middle of no where- it was a fairly cheap ride down if you travel like a local! Which is always my favorite way to travel, not only do you pay like a tenth of the cost as tourist buses can be, I always meet the nicest people who love sharing information and hearing about you and your journeys as well.  

Getting There: We took the local but for like 2 s./ I think which can be found SE of the Plaza de Armas, if you ask for the local bus terminal, any taxi can take you here-  just make sure you don't say terminal de bus- because they will most likely take you to the main terminal that goes to Lima, etc. We were literally the ONLY tourist on this bus, and stood half of the time but thats what makes the adventure! The scenery on the way is breath taking, you pass lots of pueblos and miles and miles of green mountains. We did see a bigger bus went over the rail because it was raining out- that definitely freaked me out! I hate taking pictures of these small buses, because I hate marking myself as such a tourist, but I did manage to snap a few. I would say the bus was about an hour long; and the drivers drive WILD. So if you have a weak stomach, this isn't for you. The way home we took a taxi for about 10 s./ because it was raining so hard, and nobody trust the bus drivers. 

Perk of Pisac: The town in itself is small and very clean, and mostly revolves around the market. We went on a Sunday, which is the big market day of the week! They also have little festivals often. There is plenty of hotels, ATMS and restaurants if you plan on staying longer than just the day. My favorite veggie restaurant in Cusco, has a second location here is Pisac. For tourists, the prices in the market are about the same as in Cusco- but I found tons of jewelry and little things that I hadn't saw before. If you are good at bargaining, you can probably get a good deal! I was surprised at the amount of people who spoke English there, which is always nice as a backup when trying to bargain in a foreign language. The crazies thing we saw was a cage full of live CUY (Guinea pig) in the middle of the restaurant we were eating at, and no, they weren't pets. 

xx SLW