Peeing in Public

So today Jillian and I along with our guide went to Guiterro Cave, oldest evidence of man in south america was found there. After that we walked around Yungay, the town in Peru which was destroyed by an avalanche in 1970 caused by 7.8 earthquake. Most of the world never heard about it because it was just a little mountain town in Peru. The memorial gardens are beautiful. So we take a bus on the way home, not a normal bus more like a mini van with people crammed in it like sardines. It makes a stop to pick up people and I look out the window and the driver is peeing on the side of the road right next to the van. That would be indecent exposure in the states! No problem in Peru, everybody does it! There is no toilet paper in the public bathrooms! No toilet seats! It's a different world here. I'm addicted to caffine. Tried to go without it today and got a splittting headache. Drank a coke, bye bye headache!

Bucket Laundry!

Jillian and I spent the morning doing our laundry in buckets! No washing machines here. I don't really think the clothes get all that clean. Apparently the rumor i Saugerties is I fell off the mountain and died. Didn't know a dead person could do bucket laundry! Off hiking tomorrow!

Pictures

here are some more pictures

Civilization!

I am in Huaraz for the week! I am currently sitting in the California Cafe using WiFi on my MAC! The hotel sucks, It is so noisey. I got about an hour of sleep in total, I think I will upgrade to one of the more americanized hotels. At least I got a HOT shower this morning. There is a bit of academic competiviness going on.... Oh well. i have blood blisters on my toes from all the hiking. I will search the market for thick socks! Everything else is great. I am shrinking though...

extreme trail ride

Hello. On sunday we went to the site, which is unreal. It is situated on the peak ofthe andes at 3800-4400m depending on what sector you are in. The remains appear to be in great condition. Bebels dad showed be several tombs located away from the main site, which i am eager to excavate. The hike to the site is a monster, at least 1500 straight up! i choose to ride a sturdy mountain pony/mule. That was exciting, there were places on the trail so narrow that one false step and you fall off the ledge. My pony got me there safely. I did however choos to walk hime down the mountain, to scary to ride on the way down. i have obtained the nickname princess once again, oh well. The showers still suck! Luke warm water doesn't do it for me! I am in Huaraz forthe week, civilization and americanized food. I will post pictures tomorrow. Shrinking already!

Shower Gods

The shower gods smiled on me today! i got a warm shower. The monster hike was postponed until tomorrow, yay! i might have not made it today. We are going to look at rock paintings and the burials beneath them at a farmers farm today! It´s a bit of a hike but worth it. The town of Huari is very friendly. And you eat potatoes with every meal! I am learning Spanish. Bebel´sfamily thinks I am addicted to the computer and they are right!

no more emails from the states!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I´m not checking my email for the next 3 months. What do you people expect me to do? I´m in a third world country where I can´t even take a hot shower. Give me a break. Besides being annoyed at most people I know in the states life here is quite peaceful. It rains everyday around 4pm, Bebel forgot to say to bring a raincoat. Yesterday Jillian and I hike up to the cross above Huari which is about 1000ft above town. It was beautiful. Last night I took an ice cold shower and was cold for the rest of the nght. They don´t have hotwater heaters here, the water is heated by a light bulb connected to a shower head. You get really hot water that way, NOT! Today we hiked up to an archaeological site. It was a 2.5 hour hike straight up. I think I´ll beable to run a marathon when I get home. The site was o it was a disappointment tomorrow we are hiking to Maricajrica, 8-10hrs it total. What fun. I´ll try and post pictures