The good, the bad and the ugly

As many of you can imagine time comes and goes before we even realize it. As I left South America I told myself and Kristin that I would post about my trip once I got back....did it happen? Uh no. So here I am 2 months later and a few days after my 30th birthday sharing a few of my favorite moments from Peru and Bolivia.

Let the adventures begin in Peru.

 



It is so cold in South America. I WAS FREEZING!!

 

Drinking a traditional Pisco Sour in Lima.

Just a little gizzard, cow heart and the unknown.

Making ceviche at the Sky Kitchen in Lima.

The amazing Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

No big deal, hiking next to a llama.

Don't try and cross the street or he will come very close with his whip!

Kristin and I got suckered into the traditional dress of the Incas.

I am about to eat a guinea pig. Wanna know how it tasted? Awful.

 

After spending some time in Cusco we decided to head to Machu Picchu.

But first we had to get there. The sign says "It is prohibited to pass on the bridge".....

Well there was no other way!

Up at 4 a.m. for our hike up to Machu Picchu. Cool headtorch Kristin!

 

 

Un-believe-able!

Blessed!

 

But the adventures did not end there!

Lake Titicaca, on the floating islands.

Getting dressed in traditional clothes from the floating islands.

Our special friend who dressed us in traditional clothes.

Watching the sunset over Lake Titicaca

Best friends!

More traditional clothing, this time on the island of Amantani.

 

We said good-bye to Peru and hello to Bolivia

 

The amazing view of Copacabana, Bolivia

This is the breathtaking view as we walked down to Copacabana at sunset.

Laguna Verde, can you guess why?

We were standing on salt.... okay we were jumping off salt.

Laguna Colorada, the most amazing red lake caused by an algae.

Stone tree in the Bolivian desert.

Flamingos liter the lake below an extinct volcano.

SWEET LIFE!

Salt Flats, Boliva

Freezing to death in the Bolivian desert... get me a heater ASAP!

Hanging out on Luci's hands.

AAAHHHHH falling of a Pringles can.

Tiwanaku statue

Yes those a dried llamas. We went to the witches market in La Paz

 

 

 

Once again I have been blessed with these crazy adventures. It was an amazing summer filled with lots of laughter, lots of bundling up and complaining and there was a lot of coca tea. Until the next adventure.....

 

 

 

 

 

P-E-R-U

Wow time flies and I mean it in the best way. I know it has been since April since I last wrote but of course my "365 project" is still on. 

I have done some amazing things, milked a cow, toured a cheese factory, made a mala necklace, eaten many different fruits (courtesy of Magdiel's mom), traveled to Roatan, snorkeled with sea turtles, ran a marathon relay and so many more. I apologize for not blogging about them. 

But in the words of my dad "the show must go on".  So with that I hope to share with you my latest adventure, Peru and Bolivia. 

My best friend and travel partner, Kristin and I couldn't stay away from the lure of South America, especially Machu Picchu. But in true teacher fashion we decided to divide our trip into two parts; teaching English for 3 weeks and travel for 3 weeks. 

I will spend the next 3 weeks in Cuzco, Peru teaching English. 

I landed yesterday day morning and Kristin and I spent our first day in Lima walking around the neighborhood of Miraflores. We spent nearly 6 hours walking around... In an attempts to get warm. It is winter in South America and it is cold. I, of course, left my winter jacket and Ugg boots back at home. So I will have to make due with wearing every article of clothing in my backpack. But I believe my first purchase will an alpaca wool blanket, maybe a sweater and socks to accompany it. 

Ciao

Day 164-179

Day 164: Wear a pedometer to track my steps
I don't realize how many steps I actually take a day. So I put a pedometer on to the test: 16,460 steps is what I averaged this day. At least I made it past the 10,000 a day requirements by the American Heart Association.

Day 165: Pecos park

Day 166: Petroglyph park

Beautiful sketches in lava rocks.

Day 167: Quarai, Tiguex Pueblo

The last part of the pueblo standing, which was built in the 1600's

Day 168: Mineral Museum Socorro, New Mexico

The most amazing minerals I have ever seen!

Day 169: Meet Penelope

Being an aunt is the greatest. 5 months after this precious little one was born, I finally got to meet the adorable Penelope Castillo!!

Day170: Celebrate Magdiel's acceptance to New Mexico Tech

 

Day 171: Chimayo cocktail

The world famous....according to my parents: The Chimayo Cocktail, what is in it, I don't know. But all I do know is that it was strong as hell!

Day 172: Easter in Santuario de Chimayo

 

Day 173: Quit my job
I officially resigned from my job. It was the most glorious day. I will soon be saying good-bye to a school that doesn't respect its teachers and moving on to hopefully a school that does.

Day 174: African Dance with my students
I get a kick out of my students everyday. So I love giving them a kick out of me. They are in the last trimester, which their art special is African Dance. It is amazing watching them learn all about West African dance. On this day my students were dancing and they just weren't showing much attitude (which is unlike them because they are full of it). So I hopped in line and started dancing with them. It was so fun to watch their faces drop and then decide they couldn't let their 29 year old white teacher show them up. So they kicked it in to high gear and finally got their booties shaking.
Now they ask me to dance with them everyday because we had so much fun!

Day 175: Shakespeare's The Tempest

The story of revenge and a lesson in bullying through the story of the Tempest by Shakespeare.

Day 176: Chinese Herbs
My acupuncturist told me I was too stressed out and I needed to calm down. I can't say that I am out of control stressed but my body is heading down a path of negativity due to my stress. So an an effort to calm me, he gave me Chinese herbs.

Amazing calming herbs

Day 177: Opening Day for the Rockies

Go Rocks!!

Day 178: Estes park, Colorado

The famous Stanley hotel, which the movie the Shining is based on.

Beautiful hotel

Magdiel found a friend!

 

Day 179: Leisure drive

We went from the beautiful open plains....

to the wooded Rocky Mountains.