Thursday, September 20, 2012

Hola Huaraz

After a 10 hour bus trip that was meant to be 6 hours I have finally made it to Huaraz. A few things that made the journey muy interesante...
- totally paranoid at the bus station in Lima, just thought that I stood out like a sore thumb with Gringo painted all over me. Anyone that gave me a second glance I was suspicious of. I'd stick close to the security guards, lean on a wall with my backpack on my back so no one could slash my bag. You could say I was slightly on edge but that all seemed to subside once I got on the bus.



- We stopped at a cafe along the road and this very kind mother & daughter invited me to sit with them.  Whilst the conversation was a little awkward due to my limited Spanish we managed to converse reasonably well. I used my basic Spanish & they used their basic english. Back in the bus the daughter gave me a handful of lollies to suck to help with the altitude as we climbed our way to Huaraz which I thought was very thoughtful.

- The view of the Andes as we steadily made our way to higher ground was spectacular. 

- After dark I was starting to panic a little for a few reasons one I couldn't get in touch with Madie ( the volunteer coordinator who was meeting me at the bus station)  to tell her that my bus was running 4hrs late; two at the risk of sharing too much I was busting to go to the ladies but we weren't going to stop anytime soon and I couldn't see a toilet anywhere on the bus but to my physical & mental relief I finally built up the courage to ask the lady next to me in my best spanish and discovered there was a baño up the back; three I almost got stuck in the toilet cause I couldn't figure how to unlock it but I did manage to eventually escape.

So I'm now in Huaraz my flat mates Madie & Jacob are muy simpático (very nice). I have already been to the supermarket which is just around the corner from us, unpacked and hooked up to the Internet. 

- the Internet connection is not very strong here, which might make uploading the online videos I make with the kids interesting. Spose I'll just go to an Internet cafe or leave it running overnight.

All in all, things are going well

Tomorrow I get to meet the kids that I'll be working with which I'm really looking forward to. Have heard so many stories of how lovely they are.

Buenos noches 

2 comments:

  1. hey Sal!

    yer back in my neck of the woods and doing what you love. Very cool!

    have you read the book, Andes? Might be good reading right now. Takes you the whole length of the range.

    Anyway, have fun, stay safe, work hard, as I know you will.

    Besos

    Rick in Buenos Aires, still

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  2. Hola Rick so good to hear from you. How are you going? Will have to check out the Andes sounds great. Thanks for your words of encouragement, does feel good to be back doing what I love. I hope you are well, I know it's been a tough few years for you.
    Besos
    Sal

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