Hi everybody, we are now in Cuzco, having spent 2 nights in Lima. The journey across the Pacific was long and boring , 16 hours from Sydney, including 3 hours plus in Auckland, we arrived in Santiago, anothe 8 hour wait then on to Lima and finally in bed at 1.30am in all 33 hours travel, Lima is big, busy , noisy and polluted. No metro or train/tram system means millions of cars/trucks. We had an interesting tour of the city and did see some very interesting sites. Today we flew to Cuzco a flight of 1plus hours over the Andes. getting into Cuzco airport is a mean feat - follow the valley at low altitude then turn sharp right to miss the mountain then put it down and brake hard - mountain ahead. We met up with the other volunteers - 15 in all, we had a meeting with Jane and Selvy who set up Peru.s Challenge then went to a supermacardo to get vital food supplies. So far good with altitude sickness, light headed, tingling fingers but neither of us have been crook - waiting for that to come. Cuzco is an amazing mix - roads as rough as ? , buildings of all shapes , sizes and in variuos stages of decay. Then there the new buildings - as good as you see in Adelaide. We take it eazy tomorrow them Monday visit the village of Purmamarca where the school is and where the projects are to be undertaken - building painting fixing. Ok will close now and hope to down load a photo or two next time Trevor. HI, A few comments from me 0 we are working on an unfamiliar laptop so there are a few mistakes along the way . a very interesting mix of young and middle aged people from all over Australia and it will be fascinating to see how the various talents and personalities manage with what is before us. We might be on the same planet but this is such a world away in every respect and I have to pinch myself to realise where we are . Trevor didn,t mention that Lima has nil rainfall it never rains there so imagine the dust and grime that hangs on everything but having sai d that there were lovely green parks and gardens because they have plenty of water down from the Andes. The next couple of days we will nominate the projects we want to be involved in so till then I will say goodbye to you all love from Andrea
Now in Cuzco
6 Comments
Tony Hills:
May 4, 2008
Interested to receive your comments. An article in the Melbourne Herald-Sun advised that Peruvians eat approximately 65 million guinea pigs each year. Make sure that you get your share!
May 4, 2008
Good to hear your news, Andrea and Trevor. I was thinking of you as I flew back to Hong Kong (a much shorter flight than yours). I'm now settled back in and start school tomorrow. Still a dodgy voice but I'll see how I go. I'm looking forward to reading your adventures as I want to see that region after I finish here, in my retirement. I hope you don't suffer badly from altitude sickness in the next few days. I loved reading your impressions of Lima and Cuzco. Waiting for the next posting. I trust that you stay fit and healthy and enjoy the experience to the max!!!!
May 5, 2008
We hope you are getting over the jet lag and altitude tiredness so you can start with the projects and site seeing trips we are looking forward to the pics and travel log stay safe, till the next blog.
May 5, 2008
Great to hear that you guys arrived safely. Sounds amazingly different to Adelaide!Can't wait to see some pictures. Trev with a shovel and Andrea with a paint brush!
The Crows won easily and that other team won also. 4th and 9th respectively.
Roll the sleeves up and get into a bit of work.
Cheers
Alan & Lyn
May 6, 2008
Guess you're starting to recover from the journey by now. Look forward to your next adventures and some pictures too. Stirling is resplendent in it's autumn colours and we've even had rain for the last few days. Homesick yet?
May 7, 2008
Sounds as though your adventure has begun in earnest. Can Trevor get the football scores or will it be a big surprise when you get home?
