Army/Navy Game in Philadelphia
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Back for a few
Well it has been quite a while since I have actually written a whole post. I guess it's time to take a few minutes and write down all of my thoughts and adventures over the past 4 weeks on the East Coast.
The November election was an amazing time in the United States. I've never really felt such animosity between people in this country. Just walking around with long hair gets one stares and derrogatory remarks in different places. It is extremely interesting. I was a little disappointed by the election, but not much, only because from traveling I have gained a bit of perspective on the important things out there. American politics is at about the same importance level for me as the daily soap operas and WWW matches. All you can do is vote and see what happens.
I was extremely surprised at the weight of people here. In Peru, there were no fat people. Here, people waddle about with absolutely no shame. It's pretty disgusting to me. People can always choose to do whatever they want, but if they moved down there, they sure would catch a lot of slack.
NYC was a mind-blow. Traveling from Q'eros to NYC was most likely the most disparate two areas I could have visited in succession. I feel very lucky to have been able to visit them so quickly after each other, mainly because it really helped me contrast the two views. In Cusco, which seemed like a metropolis compared to the village, there is only one 6 story building. In NYC, as the picture shows, there are countless, literally, countless amounts of them. I thought about bringing my friends there and watching their heads explode.
I have picked up on the rediculousness of American society - the finickiness of our youth, our obsession with television and video stimulation, our grasping, our lack of mindfulness. It is pretty disturbing. What bothers me the most is the ease in which newscasts and television shows can influence our public. In general, Peruvians don't trust their government officials, ecspecially after years of crooks. Here, we can be swayed to vote a certain way by a 30 second commercial...One would think that the most powerful country in the world would be run by people who think for themselves...
I am also amazed at the lack of respect for nature, for life, for other people. Everyone runs around, working, working, working. Granted, people drive around in beautiful cars, have amazing clothes, fifty dollar meals; but do they really have time to appreciate it all? The meaning of life to Peruvians and Bolivians is totally antithetical to that of most Americans that I know. It is all still such a shock.
Anyways, here are a few more pictures from the past month's travels. Bien dia
chau
The November election was an amazing time in the United States. I've never really felt such animosity between people in this country. Just walking around with long hair gets one stares and derrogatory remarks in different places. It is extremely interesting. I was a little disappointed by the election, but not much, only because from traveling I have gained a bit of perspective on the important things out there. American politics is at about the same importance level for me as the daily soap operas and WWW matches. All you can do is vote and see what happens.
I was extremely surprised at the weight of people here. In Peru, there were no fat people. Here, people waddle about with absolutely no shame. It's pretty disgusting to me. People can always choose to do whatever they want, but if they moved down there, they sure would catch a lot of slack.
NYC was a mind-blow. Traveling from Q'eros to NYC was most likely the most disparate two areas I could have visited in succession. I feel very lucky to have been able to visit them so quickly after each other, mainly because it really helped me contrast the two views. In Cusco, which seemed like a metropolis compared to the village, there is only one 6 story building. In NYC, as the picture shows, there are countless, literally, countless amounts of them. I thought about bringing my friends there and watching their heads explode.
I have picked up on the rediculousness of American society - the finickiness of our youth, our obsession with television and video stimulation, our grasping, our lack of mindfulness. It is pretty disturbing. What bothers me the most is the ease in which newscasts and television shows can influence our public. In general, Peruvians don't trust their government officials, ecspecially after years of crooks. Here, we can be swayed to vote a certain way by a 30 second commercial...One would think that the most powerful country in the world would be run by people who think for themselves...
I am also amazed at the lack of respect for nature, for life, for other people. Everyone runs around, working, working, working. Granted, people drive around in beautiful cars, have amazing clothes, fifty dollar meals; but do they really have time to appreciate it all? The meaning of life to Peruvians and Bolivians is totally antithetical to that of most Americans that I know. It is all still such a shock.
Anyways, here are a few more pictures from the past month's travels. Bien dia
chau
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Where have I been?
Winston-Salem, NC
State College, PA
Charlottesville, VA
White Hall, VA
Raleigh, NC
Boone, NC
Pittsburgh, PA
currently in: New York City, NY
About to be home after a few weeks on the road- I'll update next week. Happy Thanksgiving
State College, PA
Charlottesville, VA
White Hall, VA
Raleigh, NC
Boone, NC
Pittsburgh, PA
currently in: New York City, NY
About to be home after a few weeks on the road- I'll update next week. Happy Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Halloween
Well the trip back from PSU was successful. I thought that I would answer a few questions posed by Penn State kids from my trip regarding my travels to Peru/Bolivia. I didn't answer them this way when asked, instead, I've thought a bit about each question and am going to answer them here and now for you.
Q: Wait so you live in Bolivia?
Me: Yep
Q: So, like, is everyone there poor?
Answer: No. Everyone is not poor. Just like every country, there are wealthy Bolivians as well. Santa Cruz was once the cocaine capital of the world in the 80's. Santa Cruz was one of the richest cities in South America and still has a very large wealthy population. There are Hummers and BMWs driving all over the place in the main part of the city. Now, Bolivia is the third poorest country in all of the Americas, so yes, there are extremely extremely poor sections, people poorer than you could possibly imagine, however, in my experience it is not as bleak as everyone in the US believes it to be where everyone is starving and dying of hunger.
Q: Wow Bolivia. What language is that?
Answer: Spanish. As a rule of thumb, Spanish is spoken everywhere, except Brazil, which is Portuguese, and highland areas of the Andes, where they speak Quecha, the native indigenous language. Of course there are native languages in uncontacted lowland tribes and English, which is everywhere, but generally think Spanish and you will be okay.
Q: So, there are those kidnappings and people who would just kill you for 50$ if they wanted to?
Answer: Well, this guy is probably thinking about Eastern Columbia, but no there are not very many kidnappings in Bolivia. There is serious political unrest at times, and in fact, a mayor of an area near Puno was lynched a few years ago, however, nothing really that serious happens too often. If you're thinking about "Proof of Life", that takes place in Columbia as well.
Ok, that's all I got - Plans are to work out of the room this upcoming week and travel plans to Charlottesville and Winston-Salem for next weekend and the week following are being created.
Q: Wait so you live in Bolivia?
Me: Yep
Q: So, like, is everyone there poor?
Answer: No. Everyone is not poor. Just like every country, there are wealthy Bolivians as well. Santa Cruz was once the cocaine capital of the world in the 80's. Santa Cruz was one of the richest cities in South America and still has a very large wealthy population. There are Hummers and BMWs driving all over the place in the main part of the city. Now, Bolivia is the third poorest country in all of the Americas, so yes, there are extremely extremely poor sections, people poorer than you could possibly imagine, however, in my experience it is not as bleak as everyone in the US believes it to be where everyone is starving and dying of hunger.
Q: Wow Bolivia. What language is that?
Answer: Spanish. As a rule of thumb, Spanish is spoken everywhere, except Brazil, which is Portuguese, and highland areas of the Andes, where they speak Quecha, the native indigenous language. Of course there are native languages in uncontacted lowland tribes and English, which is everywhere, but generally think Spanish and you will be okay.
Q: So, there are those kidnappings and people who would just kill you for 50$ if they wanted to?
Answer: Well, this guy is probably thinking about Eastern Columbia, but no there are not very many kidnappings in Bolivia. There is serious political unrest at times, and in fact, a mayor of an area near Puno was lynched a few years ago, however, nothing really that serious happens too often. If you're thinking about "Proof of Life", that takes place in Columbia as well.
Ok, that's all I got - Plans are to work out of the room this upcoming week and travel plans to Charlottesville and Winston-Salem for next weekend and the week following are being created.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Return
Well the return to the US was fairly uninteresting. I passed straight through customs without getting checked, the first time that has ever happened. None of the flights were late and everything worked out. I still got the usual freak-out at the airport when everyone was speaking in English and I could understand everything, but it wasn't nearly as bad as last year. I did feel the speed of the car this year however.
I'm back in the US, so perhaps my blog won't be as interesting as it was in Peru, but I'm going to continue to document everything anyway, particularly because there are some really good road-trips ahead, and also because I'm going to keep comparing the US and Peru/Bolivia, which is the point of this Blog.
Today, for example, at the bosox/yankees game, I noticed everyone freak out because the police came on the field. In the Cienciano games, when an opposing player left the field, the police covered him with shields, to deflect the bricks and stones thrown at his head. There were always riot police there...so a few fans threw baseballs back, big deal. They'll do anything to make things seem exceptional on TV, even eccentuate the barely interesting.
This week will consist of observing PA - I'll try to write all the thoughts down. I'll also have time to put up some more pictures and write in a new interview. Please keep continuing to read and share with your friends about the site, I'm excited to see all my friends who have been reading, it's a great way to keep everyone updated!
~ D
I'm back in the US, so perhaps my blog won't be as interesting as it was in Peru, but I'm going to continue to document everything anyway, particularly because there are some really good road-trips ahead, and also because I'm going to keep comparing the US and Peru/Bolivia, which is the point of this Blog.
Today, for example, at the bosox/yankees game, I noticed everyone freak out because the police came on the field. In the Cienciano games, when an opposing player left the field, the police covered him with shields, to deflect the bricks and stones thrown at his head. There were always riot police there...so a few fans threw baseballs back, big deal. They'll do anything to make things seem exceptional on TV, even eccentuate the barely interesting.
This week will consist of observing PA - I'll try to write all the thoughts down. I'll also have time to put up some more pictures and write in a new interview. Please keep continuing to read and share with your friends about the site, I'm excited to see all my friends who have been reading, it's a great way to keep everyone updated!
~ D
Saturday, October 16, 2004
A Good-bye
"But long before this scene concludes,
the end I'm seeking still eludes,
my every effort to apply,
your will to moments passing by.
But every time you say good-bye,
a pain I can't identify,
reveals to me that hidden door,
that leads to several moments more."
- "Meatstick"
Phish
Looks like it's about time to say good-bye to Cusco again. The past four months or so have been really wonderful, an amazing experience once again. Unforunately I have to leave before I really want to and won't get to say good-bye to Maritza. However, leaving this early and not going on the Heath trip will allow me to come back in mid-January.
Tonight I am going out with Evelyn and her friend Mary. Last night we went out to get some food and walk around the plaza, tonight we're going to hit up some clubs. Today was mostly taken up by a party for Chaska Wasi at the playground in Majisterio. Steve was in charge of cooking 500 pieces of terribly tough meat - he did a pretty good job.
I am scared to come back to the US. So much happens there, life is so fast, I just don't know how I am going to cope with it...I've forgotten what it's like to drive a car, what its like to eat a cheesesteak, a lot of things. I'm truly going to miss everyone who has helped me adapt here for the 3 months that I'm back in the states doing research on the Heath Project. Hopefully I'll get to see everyone before I leave Monday afternoon.
~ D
the end I'm seeking still eludes,
my every effort to apply,
your will to moments passing by.
But every time you say good-bye,
a pain I can't identify,
reveals to me that hidden door,
that leads to several moments more."
- "Meatstick"
Phish
Looks like it's about time to say good-bye to Cusco again. The past four months or so have been really wonderful, an amazing experience once again. Unforunately I have to leave before I really want to and won't get to say good-bye to Maritza. However, leaving this early and not going on the Heath trip will allow me to come back in mid-January.
Tonight I am going out with Evelyn and her friend Mary. Last night we went out to get some food and walk around the plaza, tonight we're going to hit up some clubs. Today was mostly taken up by a party for Chaska Wasi at the playground in Majisterio. Steve was in charge of cooking 500 pieces of terribly tough meat - he did a pretty good job.
I am scared to come back to the US. So much happens there, life is so fast, I just don't know how I am going to cope with it...I've forgotten what it's like to drive a car, what its like to eat a cheesesteak, a lot of things. I'm truly going to miss everyone who has helped me adapt here for the 3 months that I'm back in the states doing research on the Heath Project. Hopefully I'll get to see everyone before I leave Monday afternoon.
~ D
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
October 13th Wednesday
It has been a little since I wrote. Santa Cruz has been great, the weather here is absolutely beautiful. It is the windy as well as the dry and hot season here. There are tremendous fire throughout the lowlands here in Bolivia, partially because of the heat and the wind, but also because it is the time to slash and burn for farmers in the countryside. This leads to a large amount of haze every few days. The wind helps though, in the afternoon temperatures reach around 100F which in my opinion is pretty hot for October.
I've spent most of my time here in the Museum, working on planning ahead on a project that will measure inundation periods and fire history of the Pampas del Heath using remote sensing. There are several experts here with whom I have learned all sorts of new things, like unsupervised classification with ERDAS. I've also done other things with them though. On Sunday, Belen and I and a couple of her friends went to a park on the outskirts of the city where there are huge gigantic sand dunes. I have no idea where these came from, but suddenly, across the flat horizon, 10 story high sand dunes appeared. Wish I had taken a picture...
I am so excited about the idea of living here next year. Bolivians are much friendlier, at least in my experience, than Peruvians. In fact, to Bolivians, Peruvian is a synonym for "thief". Perhaps the ill feelings are due to the war which denied Bolivia access to the sea, but I agree with them. In Santa Cruz I've encountered less pickpockets, scams, or begging than in Cusco, and Bolivia has one of the poorer economies of the entire Western Hemisphere. Everyone seems to be very happy here. It might be the first place I've been to, when asking about where you would like to live, everyone I've asked has said they would stay here. Not a single person desired to go to the US, and very few wanted to go to Europe. Most people are completely happy here, in the beautiful weather in a friendly atmosphere.
My bus leaves today at 7PM. The bus trip will last about 16 hours and gets into La Paz sometime tomorrow morning. I'll be in La Paz for a few hours and then take another buscama to Cusco. I expect to get there sometime on Friday, after about 30+ hours on a bus. This will be a true test to the battery power of my Ipod, and my ability to be content looking out a window. I'll probably get through my book, The Poisonwood Bible.
On Tuesday I will arrive back into Dulles. It’s hard to imagine that these 4 months have gone by so fast. I will continue the blog throughout all of my travels in the US and especially when I come back here and finish out the year.
It has been a little since I wrote. Santa Cruz has been great, the weather here is absolutely beautiful. It is the windy as well as the dry and hot season here. There are tremendous fire throughout the lowlands here in Bolivia, partially because of the heat and the wind, but also because it is the time to slash and burn for farmers in the countryside. This leads to a large amount of haze every few days. The wind helps though, in the afternoon temperatures reach around 100F which in my opinion is pretty hot for October.
I've spent most of my time here in the Museum, working on planning ahead on a project that will measure inundation periods and fire history of the Pampas del Heath using remote sensing. There are several experts here with whom I have learned all sorts of new things, like unsupervised classification with ERDAS. I've also done other things with them though. On Sunday, Belen and I and a couple of her friends went to a park on the outskirts of the city where there are huge gigantic sand dunes. I have no idea where these came from, but suddenly, across the flat horizon, 10 story high sand dunes appeared. Wish I had taken a picture...
I am so excited about the idea of living here next year. Bolivians are much friendlier, at least in my experience, than Peruvians. In fact, to Bolivians, Peruvian is a synonym for "thief". Perhaps the ill feelings are due to the war which denied Bolivia access to the sea, but I agree with them. In Santa Cruz I've encountered less pickpockets, scams, or begging than in Cusco, and Bolivia has one of the poorer economies of the entire Western Hemisphere. Everyone seems to be very happy here. It might be the first place I've been to, when asking about where you would like to live, everyone I've asked has said they would stay here. Not a single person desired to go to the US, and very few wanted to go to Europe. Most people are completely happy here, in the beautiful weather in a friendly atmosphere.
My bus leaves today at 7PM. The bus trip will last about 16 hours and gets into La Paz sometime tomorrow morning. I'll be in La Paz for a few hours and then take another buscama to Cusco. I expect to get there sometime on Friday, after about 30+ hours on a bus. This will be a true test to the battery power of my Ipod, and my ability to be content looking out a window. I'll probably get through my book, The Poisonwood Bible
On Tuesday I will arrive back into Dulles. It’s hard to imagine that these 4 months have gone by so fast. I will continue the blog throughout all of my travels in the US and especially when I come back here and finish out the year.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Thursday, October 07, 2004
October 7th
It is Thursday and I'm here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The 10 hour bus ride from Cusco to La Paz was fairly uneventful. We arrived to Puno at about 5AM while the sun was just barely rising. Puno is a pretty desolete place, almost like living up on top of a plateau. We crossed the border at Copacabana, where I had to pay 60$ (480 Bolivianos) in excess for being in the country 60 days longer than my visa allowed. The official at the immigration office took my passport for photocopies and ran one way into town, the bus crossed the border and started to leave, and I was stuck at the immigration office with nothing, only 7 soles. Luckily, the guy did come back and the bus hadn't quite left yet. I walked over Lake Titicaca to Bolivia, jumped on the bus, and we continued to La Paz.
La Paz, seen in this picture is very much like Rio or San Francisco. It's a beautiful place, by far the nicest city I've seen yet in South America and the people are extremely pleasant. I think Bolivians, in nature, are less cold than Peruvians, with whom I've tended to notice a lot of hostility. I spent 2 days in La Paz, going to the military base and coercing officials to buy satellite information from the 1970's for use in Northern Bolivia. I finally got started in a relationship with an official and decided to get headed to Santa Cruz, to learn more about our GIS concerns.
I took a 17 hour bus to Santa Cruz where I am now. The women here are the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, and the people are extremely friendly. This lowland city of about 1 million is a wonderful place to be, and I'm enjoying it working and then going out at night-time. I will be here until next Wednesday, where upon I'll take two consecutive busses all the way back to cold and dreary Cusco.
Find of the day : there is a cosmic bowling center here in Santa Cruz, just in case you thought you would miss it being away from the US
La Paz, seen in this picture is very much like Rio or San Francisco. It's a beautiful place, by far the nicest city I've seen yet in South America and the people are extremely pleasant. I think Bolivians, in nature, are less cold than Peruvians, with whom I've tended to notice a lot of hostility. I spent 2 days in La Paz, going to the military base and coercing officials to buy satellite information from the 1970's for use in Northern Bolivia. I finally got started in a relationship with an official and decided to get headed to Santa Cruz, to learn more about our GIS concerns.
I took a 17 hour bus to Santa Cruz where I am now. The women here are the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, and the people are extremely friendly. This lowland city of about 1 million is a wonderful place to be, and I'm enjoying it working and then going out at night-time. I will be here until next Wednesday, where upon I'll take two consecutive busses all the way back to cold and dreary Cusco.
Find of the day : there is a cosmic bowling center here in Santa Cruz, just in case you thought you would miss it being away from the US
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Preparing for the trip
Today I am hitching a bus to La Paz at 10pm. The trip is 12 hours and I will get there by 12 tomorrow. Last night I met up with Patty´s sister and we were out dancing until 5:30 in the morning. I didn´t get to sleep until 8.
plans for the next week
Sunday : arrive in La Paz
Monday-Wednesday : Find the military office and order the aerial photos of the rio heath area
Thursday : 15 hour bus ride to Santa Cruz
Friday - Wednesday : Work at the CI office with Tim and try to georectify the aerial images
Thursday - Friday : A combined 27 straight hours on a bus to get back to Cusco...
I´ll keep it updated the best I can. The current exchange rate for Bolivianos is 8 to the dollar.
plans for the next week
Sunday : arrive in La Paz
Monday-Wednesday : Find the military office and order the aerial photos of the rio heath area
Thursday : 15 hour bus ride to Santa Cruz
Friday - Wednesday : Work at the CI office with Tim and try to georectify the aerial images
Thursday - Friday : A combined 27 straight hours on a bus to get back to Cusco...
I´ll keep it updated the best I can. The current exchange rate for Bolivianos is 8 to the dollar.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Rainy
Today it rained terribly hard. So hard, in fact, that the roads were pretty much flooded on the way back from lunch. I walked back to the office today instead of taking a Tico, simply because a few of them got stuck in the several inch deep water. What made me think about all of this though, was that the sewer system flooded with all the rain, and filth and plastic bottles flowed up from the sewer into the street, making it look like a tornado had come through. Things like this make you appreciate a proper sewer system.
The news today is that I'm headed to Santa Cruz, Bolivia next week to visit with Tim Killeen, from Conservation International. Apparently, there is a diesel fuel shortage in the area, so taking busses is fairly impossible, but a flight costs over 400$. The bus trip is great though - it is a 15 hour trip to La Paz, and then another 15 hour leg to get to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is at 500 feet, making the trip be a descent of over 3000 meters.
However, the women in Santa Cruz are known for their beauty. The Bolivian representative for Miss Universe was from Santa Cruz. It should be an interesting trip at least.
I am going to help Mirian with her English again tonight at Cuate. I'm also going to go with Juan Carlos to stalk the bouncer that attacked him the last time we were at Mythology (a club). J.C. is plotting his revenge, which I'm sure will be sweet. That's all I got...
The news today is that I'm headed to Santa Cruz, Bolivia next week to visit with Tim Killeen, from Conservation International. Apparently, there is a diesel fuel shortage in the area, so taking busses is fairly impossible, but a flight costs over 400$. The bus trip is great though - it is a 15 hour trip to La Paz, and then another 15 hour leg to get to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is at 500 feet, making the trip be a descent of over 3000 meters.
However, the women in Santa Cruz are known for their beauty. The Bolivian representative for Miss Universe was from Santa Cruz. It should be an interesting trip at least.
I am going to help Mirian with her English again tonight at Cuate. I'm also going to go with Juan Carlos to stalk the bouncer that attacked him the last time we were at Mythology (a club). J.C. is plotting his revenge, which I'm sure will be sweet. That's all I got...
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Realization
Sitting here in the office on a Saturday night. I have plans to meet two people, at 9, and at 10. Magaly wants to go dancing at 9 and I agreed to meet Paty at 10. Looks like its going to be a long night at the discotecas.
I've been very surprised recently at the local attitude towards the down season. While in July, Procuradores flows with tourists, now in October until March, it runs dry like the Colorado. Everyone is in a sour mood. The haggling gets harder and of course, I am totally mobbed by kids handing out free drink coupons to the bars here. I can't seem to understand that...I pass through town every day - surely they recognize my gray hat by now? Or maybe I look just like every other gringo tourist that they see...pretty interesting.
The clubs are crazy. The Mama's are very annoying, filled with stupid americans who think they are different because they travel to South America. It is blatantly obvious just how afraid our entire culture is of publicly dancing. I've never seen so many awkward faces in my life than last weekend at the clubs. White people just can't dance...I am not white though, I am Hungarian.
The best clubs have very very few tourists but are still in the main part of town. There are a couple really good ones, the best one I've seen I can't remember the name, but was packed yesterday. I couldn't even find a place to dance with Maritza and Marie Elena. The music is a mix of reggae (everyone here loves Marley), merengue, salsa, electronica, and disco... Needless to say its a dancer's heaven.
Along the lines of who dances and who doesn't, I've been asking around. Dancing is something that everyone I've met here loves, kind of like soccer. There are no video games here, no movie complexes, no NBA games, the only thing there is to do, is dance. As a result, people here are passionate and fantastic dancers. If dancing comes from the soul, then people in Cusco are the most spiritual people I've met. Perhaps its a sign of our culture that we are too scared to dance...Whatever the cause, when I am back in the US, I sure will miss the attitude at the clubs here - to celebrate and enjoy life.
The club called "Las vegas" is the most dangerous in town. I went a few weeks ago. Apparently it is so dangerous that even other Peruvians won't go. I kind of stumbled into the place and as I walked in, the entire room's eyes followed me to the bar. I felt like I was in a movie and the music screeched to a halt. Nothing happened, but I left at 2AM, which is really early, because I was feeling bad vibes from the drunks hanging in the corner.
I wonder what life is like back in the US. It has been about three months since I left. I imagine that the election fury is rolling, and Americans are worrying about what's on Oprah and the presidential candidates' lies of the moment. For sure though, nobody is thinking about Peru, or the people living in poverty here. For sure no government programs are helping little kids here. For sure Peru is not even a subject of conversation in the debates. I am not sure how I am going to handle the relative affluence in the US, even mine. My jeep, my computer. I just am not sure what will happen when I see all that I have. What I do know is, that I've started learning more about what is important in this life.
more later...
I've been very surprised recently at the local attitude towards the down season. While in July, Procuradores flows with tourists, now in October until March, it runs dry like the Colorado. Everyone is in a sour mood. The haggling gets harder and of course, I am totally mobbed by kids handing out free drink coupons to the bars here. I can't seem to understand that...I pass through town every day - surely they recognize my gray hat by now? Or maybe I look just like every other gringo tourist that they see...pretty interesting.
The clubs are crazy. The Mama's are very annoying, filled with stupid americans who think they are different because they travel to South America. It is blatantly obvious just how afraid our entire culture is of publicly dancing. I've never seen so many awkward faces in my life than last weekend at the clubs. White people just can't dance...I am not white though, I am Hungarian.
The best clubs have very very few tourists but are still in the main part of town. There are a couple really good ones, the best one I've seen I can't remember the name, but was packed yesterday. I couldn't even find a place to dance with Maritza and Marie Elena. The music is a mix of reggae (everyone here loves Marley), merengue, salsa, electronica, and disco... Needless to say its a dancer's heaven.
Along the lines of who dances and who doesn't, I've been asking around. Dancing is something that everyone I've met here loves, kind of like soccer. There are no video games here, no movie complexes, no NBA games, the only thing there is to do, is dance. As a result, people here are passionate and fantastic dancers. If dancing comes from the soul, then people in Cusco are the most spiritual people I've met. Perhaps its a sign of our culture that we are too scared to dance...Whatever the cause, when I am back in the US, I sure will miss the attitude at the clubs here - to celebrate and enjoy life.
The club called "Las vegas" is the most dangerous in town. I went a few weeks ago. Apparently it is so dangerous that even other Peruvians won't go. I kind of stumbled into the place and as I walked in, the entire room's eyes followed me to the bar. I felt like I was in a movie and the music screeched to a halt. Nothing happened, but I left at 2AM, which is really early, because I was feeling bad vibes from the drunks hanging in the corner.
I wonder what life is like back in the US. It has been about three months since I left. I imagine that the election fury is rolling, and Americans are worrying about what's on Oprah and the presidential candidates' lies of the moment. For sure though, nobody is thinking about Peru, or the people living in poverty here. For sure no government programs are helping little kids here. For sure Peru is not even a subject of conversation in the debates. I am not sure how I am going to handle the relative affluence in the US, even mine. My jeep, my computer. I just am not sure what will happen when I see all that I have. What I do know is, that I've started learning more about what is important in this life.
more later...
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Interview with a waitress:
Rosa Castro
works 8 hours a day - 9-5, monday through sunday, there are no free days. earnings = 300 soles a month
Do you like your job?
I like the job, but I'd like to get paid more. I like to work with people from other countries, tourists. They are more peaceful than Peruvians, they don't bother me as much. I like to learn different languages. I want to learn more about people from other countries.
What do you think about the US?
I have heard a lot about the US. There are many conflicts with the president and other countries? There is so much war. I don't like war. It is bad. It is the worst, the worst. The worst for everybody.
What do you think you would do if you were the president?
After 9/11 I would talk to the terrorists, but I understand that you cannot always do this. First I would talk to them, if at all possible, to see what they wanted.
What would you do after 9/11
I would kill the terrorists, just like Bush tried to do.
What do you think about the War?
I haven't heard much about that...only that there are wars there, but I don't know much. I though Saddam was very bad? They need a new government, there are many poor people. The US wants to govern Iraq?
ME: Kind of
Well, that's good. They have more money, they can help other countries right?
What do you think about your life?
It's good. I'm okay working here, I want to study more though still. I'm normal, kind of in the middle.
What do you think about your self-image/body?
I think that I'm a little fat, sometimes i don't want to eat, just so I don't get overweight. But I'm not totally preoccupied with this.
What type of food do you eat?
Vegetables, fish, sometimes meat, all things. I like candy, but I don't eat much. Sometimes I eat condiments, but most times no.
ME: Do you know what the food pyramid is?
No, I don't know what that is.
ME: Why don't you eat lots of sweets and chips?
I don't want to spend lots of money, and I don't want to gain weight.
What do you think about nature?
I like nature. Always I like to go to the country when I have free time. There's more space to do things, it is much cleaner than here. I have respect for nature, everyone should.
ME: If you had to pay higher taxes to clean up Cusco, would you?
If I had enough money, I would help pay for these taxes.
What would you do if you were a millionaire?
Travel a lot. I would buy a house and a car. I would pay for my brother to get through his school. I would buy clothes and presents for people in the country who are very poor. I would buy my parents what they need. I would continue with my studies though.
What do you think about religions?
I am Catholic. I don't think anything bad about other religions. People have the right to practice how they want. This is equal with race too.
That's what I have for today. More tomorrow....
works 8 hours a day - 9-5, monday through sunday, there are no free days. earnings = 300 soles a month
Do you like your job?
I like the job, but I'd like to get paid more. I like to work with people from other countries, tourists. They are more peaceful than Peruvians, they don't bother me as much. I like to learn different languages. I want to learn more about people from other countries.
What do you think about the US?
I have heard a lot about the US. There are many conflicts with the president and other countries? There is so much war. I don't like war. It is bad. It is the worst, the worst. The worst for everybody.
What do you think you would do if you were the president?
After 9/11 I would talk to the terrorists, but I understand that you cannot always do this. First I would talk to them, if at all possible, to see what they wanted.
What would you do after 9/11
I would kill the terrorists, just like Bush tried to do.
What do you think about the War?
I haven't heard much about that...only that there are wars there, but I don't know much. I though Saddam was very bad? They need a new government, there are many poor people. The US wants to govern Iraq?
ME: Kind of
Well, that's good. They have more money, they can help other countries right?
What do you think about your life?
It's good. I'm okay working here, I want to study more though still. I'm normal, kind of in the middle.
What do you think about your self-image/body?
I think that I'm a little fat, sometimes i don't want to eat, just so I don't get overweight. But I'm not totally preoccupied with this.
What type of food do you eat?
Vegetables, fish, sometimes meat, all things. I like candy, but I don't eat much. Sometimes I eat condiments, but most times no.
ME: Do you know what the food pyramid is?
No, I don't know what that is.
ME: Why don't you eat lots of sweets and chips?
I don't want to spend lots of money, and I don't want to gain weight.
What do you think about nature?
I like nature. Always I like to go to the country when I have free time. There's more space to do things, it is much cleaner than here. I have respect for nature, everyone should.
ME: If you had to pay higher taxes to clean up Cusco, would you?
If I had enough money, I would help pay for these taxes.
What would you do if you were a millionaire?
Travel a lot. I would buy a house and a car. I would pay for my brother to get through his school. I would buy clothes and presents for people in the country who are very poor. I would buy my parents what they need. I would continue with my studies though.
What do you think about religions?
I am Catholic. I don't think anything bad about other religions. People have the right to practice how they want. This is equal with race too.
That's what I have for today. More tomorrow....
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
September 22, 2004 Wednesday
Monday was Mariana Elena's Birthday - headed to the Irish Pub for drinks until 1:30AM.
Tuesday was rather hard to find the motivation to get up, but so it goes. The musical idol of the day are the P.U.S.A - picture to come, still have yet to get the software needed to post pictures on here. I've officially made myself an ACCA card at a printer's in town. It cost 1$ for 50.
Tuesday night went out with Paty and we kicked it on Procuradores. I succeeded in bringing 10 tourists to Guate and ate for free. Swung by and saw Christian bartending at Mama Amerika for a bit too - got home at 12. Today I'm working on managing this GIS database - beautiful Spring Day
~ Peace
Tuesday was rather hard to find the motivation to get up, but so it goes. The musical idol of the day are the P.U.S.A - picture to come, still have yet to get the software needed to post pictures on here. I've officially made myself an ACCA card at a printer's in town. It cost 1$ for 50.
Tuesday night went out with Paty and we kicked it on Procuradores. I succeeded in bringing 10 tourists to Guate and ate for free. Swung by and saw Christian bartending at Mama Amerika for a bit too - got home at 12. Today I'm working on managing this GIS database - beautiful Spring Day
~ Peace
Monday, September 20, 2004
First Post
At the advice of Nick, I've started a Peruvian and World travel Blog.
Hopefully this will inform others about life around the world as I travel and view it.
Right now, I am living in Cusco, Peru.
So, I guess this first chapter will be about my time here in Cusco.
Hopefully this will inform others about life around the world as I travel and view it.
Right now, I am living in Cusco, Peru.
So, I guess this first chapter will be about my time here in Cusco.
WHY AM I HERE?
I am working for the Amazon Conservation Association. I'm managing a GIS database right now, but soon will be working on research and editing a book on the Cloud forest for ACA. I have been living here since early July this year and was here for 3 months in 2003, so I am pretty familiar with the area.
WHY AM I MAKING A BLOG?
Nick told me to. But seriously, I've been updating my picture page - HERE - care of Derek - homepage here - and failed to add enough of my thoughts. At the advice of many, I sought to create a page that would give those of you stuck in reality in the US a glimpse of a traveler's life.
WHO AM I?
In all reality, I am a cross-border Generation X/Yer, born and raised in Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania. I went to Wake Forest University where I majored in Biology with honors. I consider myself lucky in all that I've done, where I've gone, but also unlucky in that I haven't been able, until now, to document all I've seen. Granted, I've gotten some lucky opportunities in my life, now I'm trying to spread all that I've been giving by showing people on this blog what life is all about, or, at least in my opinion.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I am pretty unfamiliar with all this new Blog stuff, so don't expect too much out of me. I'm not a computer programmer. While I can classify with supervision a TM Landsat to show you vegetation patterns anywhere in the world, I haven't any idea what the hell JAVA is, or anything like that. So, I'm just going to post pictures, write a little bit every few days, and see what happens. If you like it, enjoy it. If not, don't read.
TODAY - September 20th, 2004
I have only 1 month left in Peru this time around until I come back in February. Today's topic was that every single 20-something year old working Peruvian girl (5) I've met has at least a 3 year old child and a deadbeat dad. With no legal requirement to pay child support, fathers disappear. And with such a conservative Catholic community here, there is virtually no contraception or abortion allowed. Two of these friends, Rosa and Tina, work 10 hour days and make less than 100 soles (about 30$) a month, and will continue their entire lives. Makes you wonder...
Today is Maria Elena's birthday, which means we'll be going out to Crosskeys for drinks. The Eagles game is on, and I've found one place in town that carries the signal. Expected prices:
~ D
I am working for the Amazon Conservation Association. I'm managing a GIS database right now, but soon will be working on research and editing a book on the Cloud forest for ACA. I have been living here since early July this year and was here for 3 months in 2003, so I am pretty familiar with the area.
WHY AM I MAKING A BLOG?
Nick told me to. But seriously, I've been updating my picture page - HERE - care of Derek - homepage here - and failed to add enough of my thoughts. At the advice of many, I sought to create a page that would give those of you stuck in reality in the US a glimpse of a traveler's life.
WHO AM I?
In all reality, I am a cross-border Generation X/Yer, born and raised in Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania. I went to Wake Forest University where I majored in Biology with honors. I consider myself lucky in all that I've done, where I've gone, but also unlucky in that I haven't been able, until now, to document all I've seen. Granted, I've gotten some lucky opportunities in my life, now I'm trying to spread all that I've been giving by showing people on this blog what life is all about, or, at least in my opinion.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I am pretty unfamiliar with all this new Blog stuff, so don't expect too much out of me. I'm not a computer programmer. While I can classify with supervision a TM Landsat to show you vegetation patterns anywhere in the world, I haven't any idea what the hell JAVA is, or anything like that. So, I'm just going to post pictures, write a little bit every few days, and see what happens. If you like it, enjoy it. If not, don't read.
TODAY - September 20th, 2004
I have only 1 month left in Peru this time around until I come back in February. Today's topic was that every single 20-something year old working Peruvian girl (5) I've met has at least a 3 year old child and a deadbeat dad. With no legal requirement to pay child support, fathers disappear. And with such a conservative Catholic community here, there is virtually no contraception or abortion allowed. Two of these friends, Rosa and Tina, work 10 hour days and make less than 100 soles (about 30$) a month, and will continue their entire lives. Makes you wonder...
Today is Maria Elena's birthday, which means we'll be going out to Crosskeys for drinks. The Eagles game is on, and I've found one place in town that carries the signal. Expected prices:
- Long Island at happy hour = 2 dollars
- Large pizza - 15 soles = 4 dollars
- taxis back and forth from town to my house and the office = 1 dollar
- Large Beer = 1 dollar
~ D
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