The time I spent the night in a homeless shelter in Peru...

I seemed to have been a bit preoccupied during September and October and never finished the latest South America trip or started the Utah trip. Here goes...

After our amazing day we headed back down to Cusco. When our guide picked us up we told him how we wanted to go to Puno the next morning. He made a few phone calls and as it turns out, there was a bus strike starting the next day and there were no buses leaving Cusco. Great. So we spent the next day in Cusco waiting to hear from our guide about the possibility of the strike ending. While we waited, we ate guinea pig, a Peruvian delicacy.

It wasn't that great, but we had to try it. Anyway, a miracle happened and we were able to get on a night bus leaving for Puno, along the shores of Lake Titicaca. We got to Puno about 4am and sat down to discuss how we were going to get to the reed islands (the main reason we came to Puno). Some lady who works for a tour group was hovering over us and trying to get us to go with her group. We wanted to see the reed islands and get to La Paz that night. She assured us that if we took a day tour of the reed islands and some other island in Lake Titicaca we would be back to Puno by 5, she would have a taxi waiting to take us to Desguadaro (Peru border town), and we would make it across the border by 8 (when the border closes for the night). I didn't trust her but I was outnumbered. More on her lies later.So we got on a boat out to the reed islands. The reed islands are these floating reed islands out on Lake Titicaca. They were mentioned in a General Conference address, and sounded cool. They were.

The night we left for Puno with our awesome guide Diego who found us a ride out of Cusco (he's in the Utah State sweatshirt)

 Puno. We didn't see much of it. But there it is.

 The beginning of the floating Uros Islands. So cool.

The cute little ladies waiting to greet us. And sell us stuff.

A model about how the islands were made. It kind of made sense. I remember they have to lay new reeds once a week. Seems like a lot of work.

These poor guinea pigs were most likely going to be dinner later

Everything on the island was made from the reeds.

After the Uros Islands, we took a 2 hour boat ride on Lake Titicaca to this little island where they were having a festival. I think it was a festival for the sun, but I don't remember. They had really colorful costumes.

Their colorful costumes

It was beautiful

I wanted to kidnap her

With some kids we had to pay when they jumped into our picture. I didn't want to kidnap them.

So that lady who I mentioned earlier that said she would have a car waiting to take us to the border...well, she lied. She got us a taxi to the street where you can get a taxi to the border and then spent 45 minutes arguing about prices. We all couldn't fit in one car, so we would split up. But then the drivers would only leave with a full load of passengers and there wasn't anyone else around looking to get to the border. In the end we were able to convince them to let Mike sit in the back with the luggage. Then our driver drove 90 miles an hour all the way there (even through towns with 30 mph signs). I prayed the entire way that we wouldn't die. I think everyone else did too. We were able to get to the Peruvian border in time, but the Bolivian side wouldn't stay open to let us come across and we were 5 minutes too late. We were stuck in Desaguadero, Peru (aka the butt hole of Peru) for the night. We soon found out that all the hostels were full or overpriced. So Mike asked a guy at the border if he knew of any cheap places to stay (we were cold, desperate and dark out). He led us for about five minutes down deserted streets (I got my mace ready) to some old building. There were only 4 beds left in the place so I chose wisely to sleep in the guys room. This is the pillow I found on my bed:

I had this same pillowcase in 1989. Thankfully I had my own pillow. Anyway, the building was kind of gross, and I was definitely grateful for the Freshette. We got up super early the next morning to be first in line at the border. That is when we found out that we had just stayed the night in a homeless shelter. While we waited the cold, we observed people carrying their loads back and forth:

 Her load weighed more than she does. Way to help out, men. 

While the men just stood outside in the sun. 

I've never been so happy to see another country

Finally arriving in La Paz with all our gear. We didn't pack light.

Holy Grail of ruins

We woke up at 3am for Machu Picchu. More specifically, to climb the big mountain in the above picture, Wayna Picchu. They only let 400 people climb it per day, 200 at 7am, and 200 at 10am. So we woke up ridiculously early and headed down to the bus stop. The buses don't start to leave Aquas Calientes (the town near MP) till 5:30am. Climbing up the switchbacks to MP wasn't an option either as the bridge out of Aquas Calientes didn't open till 5am, and there was no way we could all climb it in a half hour. So Mike read us about the history of MP while we waited. After getting up to MP, we had to wait in another line to get our ticket stamped for Wayna Picchu.

By some small miracle we were able to get on for the 7am hike. When we first got up there we figured we were too late already. So we got our stamp and met up with our guide (a new one) and decided to do a tour first before the crowds got there. And this is the first thing I saw:

Clouds! Stupid, annoying clouds. First they ruin my views of the Christus statue in Rio, and now this. We hoped they would clear once the sun came up. We walked around the ruins, but I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open standing up.

This place is really amazing. It was such a site. It was built at the top of a mountain-those Incans were awesome. I wish I had more insightful things to write, but I don't remember much of what our guide said. After sleepwalking, we began our climb. Stupid altitude made me feel so out of shape. Thankfully the hike wasn't as scary as I imagined, but still scary at times (I pictured Angel's Landing in Zion Nat'l Park, Peruvian style). We got up to the top and were rewarded with this:

Can you see Machu Picchu down there? Me neither. I really hate clouds. We waited/rested at the top for a bit and got an occasional glimpse through the clouds...

...but as soon as we tried to get a picture of us with MP in the background we got this:

We waited up top for an hour or so and decided to head back down. And as we climbed down the clouds disappeared. Figures.

The surrounding mountains

Attempting to point to the top of where we climbed. 

When we were at the top of Wayna Picchu, Mike decided that because of the clouds he wanted to climb the mountain on the other side of Machu Picchu, called Machu Picchu mountain (clever). So while we were still hanging out at the top, he left to go climb the other mountain. The altitude had no effect on him whatsoever. After we came down from Wayna Picchu we took some pictures and waited for him. He was only gone about 2 hours and came to tell us that we had to climb half of the MP mountain as the view was amazing. Since we had bad pictures that morning, and because he assured us it would only take about 40 min to climb halfway, we agreed. Other than being exhausted from just climbing another mountain, it was worth it. Mike said the view was even better at the very top, but we decided to take his word for it.

They were so nice to go along with my OHIO poses

I'm also a new advocate on climbing MP mountain instead of Wayna Picchu.
1. There is no limit to the amount of hikers they let up on MP mountain, so you can go up whenever you want aka you don't have to wake up at 3:30 in the morning to get your ticket stamped.
2. There are less people on the trail.
 3. The views are just as great, maybe better since you can get an aerial view of the typical Machu Picchu shot
4. The hike up didn't have as many scary spots like on Wayna Picchu
5. Did I mention not having to wake up at 3:30 in the morning?
6. MP is higher than WP, so there is bragging rights for having climbed higher.

And so it begins...

As I've mentioned, I recently returned from 2 1/2 weeks in South America. Peru and Bolivia to be exact. The main reason for going was a humanitarian expedition to Bolivia for a week. A few of those going decided to go to Peru the week before the expedition since we were going to be so close. Five of us met in Lima to begin our week of adventure...

As Amy and I were waiting in the terminal, I watched this guy spend 2 hours trying to set up his hammock. You could move two sets of chairs together and make a nice bed (which we finally did about 3am). So the time this guy wasted on setting up his hammock he could have had a nice nap. And he never did get his hammock to sit more than an inch off the ground once he was in it. I guess he was just super pumped to use his new hammock.

I went in to buy some memories but they were all out. Sad. I had to make my own.

I wish I bought one of these to carry around. The altitude was brutal. A flight of stairs left me out of breath.

Overlooking Cusco from a cathedral the greedy Spaniards built over some Incan ruins.

Our little family photo. Mike (who I knew at BYU-random), Amy, Charlene, me and Rich.

The little baby llamas were really cute. The girls were cute till they became greedy and wouldn't split the generous tip we gave them amongst themselves and each wanted more money. All they did was pose. They didn't sing or dance or anything.

Then we went to some ruins where there were some rocks that weighed over 700 tons that the Incans somehow moved. Our guide told us that aliens helped them. I figured he was kidding, but I'm actually not sure if he was.

Overlooking the ruins mentioned above

Over 12,000 feet and feeling it.

Some Incan fountain ruins. Our guide told us it was the fountain of youth. He had some crazy ideas.

The next day we left Cusco and went into the Sacred Valley. It's this beautiful valley north of Cusco full of Incan ruins that ends with Machu Picchu. 

You can't really tell in the photo, but there are ruins in the top center of the photo, above the terraces. The terraces and ruins seemed to always be built on the side of steep mountains (or at the top of them, like Machu Picchu). The Incans were really ambitious or just crazy. Or possibly paranoid. Whatever the reason, I was impressed.

After seeing the view they had, I can see why they built up so high.

The Incans started to carve a kings face into the side of the mountains before the dirty Spaniards came and they had to flee (can you tell I'm a little upset with the Spaniards?). Anyway, you can see this eyes and nose, and part of his crown. I don't know if the grainery to the right was going to factor into the carving or not.

Ollyatatambo. You can't tell much from the picture behind me. I'm just including it because it is one of the few photos of me this trip wearing something other than my black jacket. It is wintertime in South America. Despite being close(r) to the equator, the high altitude means cold. Hence, the jacket in most photos.

Ok, I'm going to bed. Next up, Machu Picchu.

Goal accomplished

I have finally accomplished one of my life's goals: fill a passport with stamps. My recent trip to South America helped me achieve this. Ok, well technically I have two open spots left, but that won't get me anywhere besides a trip to Canada, which I wasn't planning. Oh, and I accomplished my goal with 3 years left on my passport so now I have to get pages sewn in. I'm just glad I have something to show for my 20's besides a couple of bachelor's degrees.

I guess you had to be there

One of the things that is hard about going on trips is all the stories that no one else understands. This past trip to South America is no exception. I tried telling the story where Dave got stoned on 2 Ambiens and wouldn't give up his ukulele, but it's not as hilarious to anyone else besides those who were there. Or Brandon's bedtime stories about Relative NRG, his family band growing up. At least I know that one of my readers (Becca) remembers this great night and is laughing (hopefully).

I got back last week and have worked every day since then except one. Maybe I'll have time at the end of the week to start posting about the trip.

One man's trash is another man's treasure

Before I left for South America I bought a watch. I didn't want to take my nice silver watch down there where it would get really dirty. So I went to WalMart and bought a $7 digital watch. Nothing fancy. It had an alarm I could set which I thought might come in handy while traveling. Plus I can get it to display in military time so I figured I could use it as my new watch for work. Oh, and it also has a velcro strap. I don't know what it is about this watch, but I have had at least 10 compliments on it. I've been asked where they can purchase one just like it.

 It doesn't even look as cool as this one.

Lifestyles of the rich and famous

I just got back from South America and was spoiled on my flights. I don't know how I'm going to fly again. Because I'm awesome (or because I have frequent flier miles), two of my three flights down to Peru my seats were in first class. I don't know remember being able to pick my seats in first class, but I got upgraded. It was great. But the real treat came yesterday on my way home. On my flight from Lima to Atlanta, I was originally seated back in coach (an outrage, I know). As I was waiting for the flight, my name was called, and when I went to the gate, they told me I had been upgraded. Business class. I'm sure the people thought I was trying to cut in line when I went to the first class boarding area. And I know they were judging me based on my appearance as I walked into first class. I had on dirty jeans (we had no laundry out in the village), a tshirt I had worn twice without washing (again, no laundry facilities), and a zip up hoodie. Not exactly business class attire. Add to that my carry-ons that consisted of a dusty duffel bag, camping mat and camelbak and I certainly looked out of place. Oh well. Anyway, the flight was heavenly. Great food (or maybe I was just really hungry) and I had the best night sleep ever on a plane.
It's going to be hard to go back to coach.

Rivers, rapids and rafting

This past weekend our ward went white water rafting on the New River in West Virginia. Katie and I had been carefully planning who we wanted/needed (aka strong boys to help us stay alive) on our raft for months.  Our planning paid off and we had a great time with everyone. I also got us the coolest river guide.  It was a great trip and I wish I could go every weekend.

Highside! Hurrah!

The company we rafted with, Ace, took some awesome action shots:

With our awesome guide, Andy.

I'm going to have to go running a lot more now

I've found my favorite candy:

They are the best of salty & sweet. And who doesn't love chocolate covered pretzels? I can't stop eating these things. If I end up on the Biggest Loser soon, you'll know why. Curses you, M&Ms for creating the perfect snack-but I love you for it.

Longest kept secret in the Columbus singles ward

A few years ago a few of my friends and I were having a girls night. It was April Fools Day so we decided to go car painting and decorate our guy friends cars who were gathered together watching the national championship. We videotaped the crime:

(It was a night so it's kind of dark. And the goal wasn't really good cinematography)



Surprisingly we were able to keep it a secret. For 3 years. With our friends moving away we decided that we should confess: