My development/barrio - Magistereo - today looked like these pictures - beautifully sunny.
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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