Peru in a nutshell

Highlights of Peru

() Making it across the border without any problems... (except that I got pulled
off the bus because I somehow missed getting my immigration card. Ooops!)

() Having my 1st and only hot shower in Peru at Jo's Place Hostel in Huaraz.

() HUARAZ!!!
-Andean Cafe- They had the most delicious banana pancakes & spinach omelettes.
Plus, real coffee! It was even served in your own little French press.
And to top it off they had one unbelievable library :)

() Almost missed the overnight bus to Lima because I was buying $1.25 Chinese
food on the street. And it was damn good..

() Santa Cruz Trek- 3 nights/4 days of
mesmerizing difficulty. Every speck I loved from the amazing scenery, exploding
pain, my shitty attempt at camp food, everything... except for the damn attack
flies.

() Hitchiking back to Huaraz after the Santa Cruz Trek with the Quechua grandpa
and his grandson. The most beautiful drive I've been on.

() Sandboarding!!

() Lima for many, many reasons despite that most people I met didn't like it.

() This kid I met (working in the mall of all places) named Santiago who I found
quite inspiring. He wanted to know everything about everything. His favorite
band is Alice in Chains.

() Had a 45min conversation with a man who worked in a bookstore about art. We
share the same favorite artist- Egon Schiele. He told me that he can see his
dreams through the paintings of Schiele.

() Wandering the streets of Lima until 5:45am

() My Peruvian leather jacket & pinstripe pants I bought (although I did spend
too much money which is a bit sad)

() Ice cream :) Inka Cola :) Street Chinese food :)

() Machu Picchu— One hell of a hill to climb to get there and a bit expensive.
But well worth ii. One of the most impressive sites I've ever seen.

() Cusco— considered the capital city of the Inkas. Very European with its
cobblestone streets and narrow sidewalks. A great nightlife and the only town
in Peru I was able to buy a real beer in. Also, beautiful/talented people
abound here.

() Little kids playing with my hair on buses who were seriously confused by it

() making the most kickass guacamole on a rooftop because I didn't have any money
for anything else

() Lake Tititaka and the floating islands


-----------------------------------

Lowlights of Peru
-----------------------------------

() Having little kids (under the age of 6) try to rob me in the Chiclayo Market

() Spending too much money here

() My 2 weeks of being deathly ill with one hell of a bout of traveler's diarrhea
& getting a stomach parasite

() allergic reaction to the stomach medicine

() BEER SUCKS!!!

() Almost got in a fight in a bar in Lima for no other reason then some
bald-headed guy didn't like it that my friend and I were from the States and
spoke English. It was a very sad experience.

() Peruvian wine is just as bad as the beer. Don't buy or try it!!

() Getting harassed by people on the street wanting you to
(a) eat @ their shitty overpriced restaurant
(b) join a fucking tour that I have no interest in joining
(c) Buy drugs from people who simply say, “ I got drugs. You want to buy?”