My travels through South America.

Traveling to Cajamarca

August 24, 2007
Day 695

I rode a bus all night to Trujillo. I had already been there, so I immediately bought another ticket to Cajamarca. I had a few hours to kill, so I meandered the city's streets until I got to the Plaza de Armas in the center. The city… Read More »

Hot Springs and Meat Markets

August 23, 2007
Day 694

I found out that the only buses to Trujillo left at night, so I had all day to kill. I did a lot of walking around town and eventually ran into the local meat market. It's definitely not for the squeamish with dead chickens hanging from their necks,… Read More »

Disappointment

August 22, 2007
Day 693

I was awakened early this morning with a knock on the door from my hotel's owner and a note passed underneath. The succinct note was from Rich. The stomach illness he had recently picked up had taken a turn for the worse overnight, so he wouldn't be able to… Read More »

More Huayhuash Plans

August 21, 2007
Day 692

It was a long night of rough sleeping at high altitude, but at least this time I had plenty of clothing to keep me warm. When it was finally light enough to see, I cheerfully walked out of my tent, but was surprised to see that it was being… Read More »

A Huayhuash Warmup

August 20, 2007
Day 691

This morning I took a bus up a hill outside of Huaraz. The bus went past several traditional farming communities, and being surrounded by Quechua speaking people with big rosy cheeks, campesino hats, hand-knit sweaters, dresses, and leg warmers, and carrying bundles of wheat and piles of firewood made… Read More »

I Can't Get Out Of Here

August 18-19, 2007
Day 689-690

I brought some bottled water to the donation center for the earthquake victims, and was surprised to see how huge the pile of donated goods had become. In only three days, the people of Huaraz managed to put together an entire semi full of clothes, water, and food. Most… Read More »

A Tour With New Friends

August 17, 2007
Day 688

A few days ago when I was satisfying my ceviche addiction at a street vendor, I had a nice conversation with two local girls named Hilda and Yuriko. They are students waiting for school to start in a week and offered to show… Read More »

Learning About the Earthquake

August 16, 2007
Day 687

I spent most of the day on the Internet and watching TV. The earthquake was an 8.0 on the Richter Scale, the first major earthquake in Peru since 1970. A lot of people at home were wondering if I was OK, and I was wondering the same about everyone… Read More »

Huaraz Once Again

August 15, 2007
Day 686

I arrived in Huaraz this morning after being on a bus all night. I was here at the beginning of my trip, and loved the mountains and small city atmosphere. My feelings remained unchanged on this visit. The air is clean, the scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly,… Read More »

Stopping in Lima for a Change

August 10-14, 2007
Day 681-685

This was my fifth visit to Lima. I wasn't too fond of the city on my first visit to start my trip, so I left after two days. Every other time I came to Lima I was just passing through. On this visit, I was going to get a… Read More »