Hola Jesús

I had my first chance to try my legs as a teacher on Friday. I attempted to teach a group of Peruvians how to Irish jig. It was absolutely unsuccessful, but at least a lot of fun.

Here was my treat for finishing the lesson: pisco sour, a Peruvian drink featuring pisco, lemon, and egg whites, and aji de gallina (both delicious, and the first meal I've eaten out since I've arrived). (Also, don't get any ideas; the other pisco sour belonged to my program-mate Katharine.)

I am getting spoiled by the food here. Breakfast in my 'family house' consists of fresh-pressed juice, fruit, granola and yogurt, and fresh bread. Lunch and dinner are at the whim of Sergio, our mean old chef, but usually feature potatoes and beef or chicken and surprisingly amazing salads. I'm happy with this arrangement because eating out is how a lot of visiters run into stomach problems. My only issue is that my stomach hasn't quite gotten used to the altitude; I don't think I've been able to finish a single meal.


Yesterday morning I went on a hike with two fellow TEFLers, Christine and Patrick, up to Christo Blanco, a statue of Jesus overlooking Cusco à la Christ the Redeemer in Rio, only less famous.

Llamas!

Sacsayhuaman (pronunciation similar to 'sexy woman'), an old Incan fortress that I intend to explore next weekend.

At Christo Blanco we met Maximo, the legendary musician who hangs out up there playing traditional instruments and chatting with tourists. I took a video of him singing in Quechua, one of the chief native languages of the Andes, but it was taking forever to upload. I'll try again later.

The size difference between Maximo and me is quite typical. I don't think a full assimilation is in the cards for me in this country.

I learned an important lesson yesterday: forgetting to take your altitude sickness pills plus climbing a mountain plus an hour and a half salsa lesson results in a nasty headache. However, ibuprofen, 10 hours of sleep, and many cups of coca tea make everything better.

Un reloj de beep beep beep

Yesterday, after a beautiful nap, I did some trekking around the city. And got lost, of course (the streets are really haphazard; I guess that's only to be expected in a city shaped like a puma), but I'll figure it out. I still get winded easily, but I don't think that will ever go away entirely. Although yes, Dad, I might become addicted to coca tea.

One thing I appreciate about Cusco is that for the most part my Spanish is better than the locals' English (this surprised me). So I'm forced to use what limited knowledge of the language I have, and the most basic of errands are puzzles. The title of this post is how I successfully bought an alarm clock yesterday.

Today I had orientation for my TEFL program. There are 10 of us, ranging in age from 22 to 50-something. It's a great group, which I'm grateful for as I'll pretty much spend all of my time with them for the next four weeks.

Here are a very few photos, hastily taken, from yesterday and today. I'll take better ones when I get more comfortable with the city.

Plaza de Armas, the heart of Cusco

 

The famous 12-corner Inca stone (the Spaniards just built above the Incan masonry)

The San Blas district, the oldest and artsiest part of town

Other news:
1. I saw a llama today!
2. I got a cell phone. I'll give anyone the number who wants it, but Skype is probably the best (i.e. cheapest) option.
3. I am currently drinking coca tea. Dad, see above.

Last of boring travel updates

I'm in Cusco! I am sitting on my bed! I am going to fall asleep in approximately two minutes! Also, no sign of altitude sickness except that climbing stairs is somewhat difficult.

I've been in the city for a little over an hour. I've survived a traffic jam in seemingly laneless streets, drank a cup of coca tea, seen more feral dogs than I've ever seen in my life, and begun to settle into this absolutely gorgeous house. I'm feeling overwhelmed, but I think that will be par for the course for this first month.


There is excellent wifi here. If any of you have Skype, add me--my address is the oh-so-creative kaylaskarbakka.

The end. Goodnight.

Y hola tambien

My luggage and I are both happy to be in Lima and checked in for the final leg of the trip--a paltry 1 hr 15 min flight to Cusco, where for the first time in my life I will be met at the airport with someone holding a sign with my name. I am ridiculously excited for that.

Not quite excited enough, however, to make up for being up at this hour. I will not fall asleep my first hour in Peru. I will not fall asleep my first hour in Peru. I will not fall asleep my first hour in Peru.

Bonjour

I'm currently laid over in Toronto en route to Lima (oh airlines and the games you play). On the flight from Minneapolis I sat next to a woman who traveled extensively in Peru and Colombia in the 1960s. She was full of advice and stories. A little too full of stories. But it seemed to be an auspicious start to this trip.

That's about it. Sorry to start this blog on such a boring note. More exciting things to come.