Final post

This will be my last post in Peru.  I have come back to Lima and for the last two days I am living the high life at the Sheraton.  Oh my, how wonderful is a bathtub with hot water.  A room with warm air, and television with popular American shows and movies.

I forgot to tell how scatter brained I was going into Cusco.  I arrived at the airport very early so I sat down for a bite to eat.  Watching the time I played games on my iPad.  When suddenly it penetrated my brain that I had not yet gone thru security.  OMG will I make it to the plane?  I rushed thru, stressed as security of course takes its time.  Get thru look at board.  I was told gates 1 thru 7 just look at board to be sure.  I see a plane leaving for Cusco with the announcement " last call".  I rush down to the gates and run to the desk in the nick of time.  Except that wasn't my plane.  I still have about 5 minutes for my flight.  Lol, catastrophe averted!

My first night back in Lima I brave the bus to go back to Miraflores so I can show my host family here how to use their gift.  I had brought them a chefs envy as a gift.  Actually I had forgotten it back in Dallas and Ted mailed it.  But two weeks later when time for me to leave for Cusco it had not yet arrived.  Turns out the mail delivery was not working.  My host family got it the day I came back from Cusco but only because she went to the post office and asked for it.  The important thing is that it arrived so I could show her how to use and hopefully she will keep all of her fingers.  She was thrilled with it, as she had been cutting all by hand.  Who knows the company may suddenly get a rash of orders from Peru.  Although judging from the shipping costs I doubt it.  It cost more to ship two here then the machine itself cost.  

In the elevators here they advertise the morning buffet as 49 soles.  Pretty expensive even by American Standards.  About 20 bucks.  But I am living high so I go for it.  Imagine my surprise when I must sign my bill and the costs is zero!  I think there must be a mistake.  But she says no it is included.  Well that makes me feel a little better.  I was quite annoyed to find that my hotel, which I chose based on the fact that there was a casino, has not had a casino for 4 years!  Also apparently I was given some sort of card when arriving at the airport that if I still had it they would not charge me taxes.  But of course I do not have that.   So I will have to pay taxes but my breakfast is free.  Since it was a buffet and 20.00 I was determined to get my money's worth.  But I was torn.  I have lost weight and my stomach now easily accepts a small amount of food to be satisfied.  Do I really want to go backwards just because of the price?   I stopped when full, so again even happier that it was included.

Today I plan on shopping around for last minute souvenirs.  I lightened my luggage considerably by putting all heavy jeans and sweaters in my carry on.  Which made it difficult to squeeze into overhead.  But I made it.  And of course it is heavy to carry.  But it will not be for long.  I will hand it all over to my husband as soon as I get home.  That's why we get married right?  

In conclusion, I now know most of the pitfalls and can manage to get around Peru.  I definitely recommend the trip it is worthwhile.  Hopefully, I can get Ted to come with me and we can return someday.  I still need to see Arriquipa, Nascar and Paracas.  Then with taking Ted to see Machu Picchu that is a full trip.  Maybe my mother even.  If you can spend a little money it can be an easier trip.  And did I learn any spanish.  Well yes!  I feel I can confidently say I speak Spanish.  I may not know every word.  But I can understand and be understood in most circumstances!   Now I have to decide to I want to immediately go to Montreal or go work the New Mexico State Fair?  The fairs have sounded like a lot of fun.  Seriously may need to check that out.  It will be the company's  only fair until next year.  

Tonight the hotel will have a wonderful Brazilian steak house type buffet for 115 soles.  Pretty steep, not expecting that to be  included.  Depending on my level of hunger I may indulge!

Last few days, winding down!

Well my trip is winding down, so the last three days are all here in one.  Taking it easy after my ordeal.  I rode the double decker red bus all around town.  I have seen a 24 ft Christ on the mountains but never up close.  This bus took us to the top.  It was a gift to the city of Cusco, a copy of the one in Brazil.  Food at home is still either just passable or inedible.  Apparently the son did not pass on my dislike of the mustard banana and that is what was offered to me last night.  Except it was already cooked with the egg so I couldn't salvage it. The alternative was a mixture of vegetable that looked very much "leftover" so I asked for the delicious but unhealthy ramen.  BTW, the banana with the cooked egg does look as disgusting as I thought it would.  The night before my lunch was so large I took it home and had it again for dinner.  Now that was good, rice with seafood.

It is still very cold here.  Last night I woke up having a hard time breathing.  It lasted until mid morning.  The way I feel when exposed to cat hair only not that bad.  I started taking my altitude pills again in case that was the culprit.  Feeling better now.  There is a great deal of work being done on the streets and the dust is flying wildly.  Could  be that.

I got a pretty decent foot reflexology treatment, 30 minutes for 12 dollars.  I took a music lesson to learn how to play the zamboña.  It is not too difficult to learn but requires a breathing technique I have not quite mastered.  I'm sure my husband with his trumpet skills would nail it.  I learned to play Sound of Silence and The Condor Pasa.  If you don't want it loud I did surprisingly well.  

In my path of taking it easy I have been hunting down movies via YouTube.  Last night I watched Father's Little Dividend with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.  His daughter gets into an argument with her husband and runs home.  He tells his son in law to go get her, he says you can't expect any self respecting wife to come home on her own!  Made me wonder how long I could stay before Ted would come and get me!  But we aren't fighting so not quite the same thing!  I am finally looking forward to heading home.  Little tired of the cold and tired of playing the lottery with my food choices.  Will I be ok?  Or will this make me sick?  You pays your money and you take your chances.

I have two days ahead to pick up souvenirs.  I haven't wanted to lug around stuff so I haven't bought much just yet.  But heading back to Lima tomorrow and I get to live large as Edie likes to say.  The Sheraton Hotel with I hope a real bathtub, warm room and maybe room service!  

My only regret is that I missed seeing the penguins.  But I learned today I may be able to book that for Sunday.  So maybe a possibility.

In the Plaza de Armas they had about 8 police just pulling over every other car to check documents etc.  Quite a nice little trap for them.  I saw them writing out many tickets.  These few days have been for the Virgen del Carmen.  I was lucky enough to be in the plaza when the procession went by.  Pretty cool.  The next day they had groups of school children performing various dances.

Today we played scrabble, in spanish of course.  I know my mother would be so proud I kicked his butt!  Two to one.  Ok, I'm heading out to lunch and see if I can find the superslide I saw when coming in from the Airport!  I know it is for the kids but I love superslides!  Wish me luck!

Day 29 and 30 I survived the trip to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu!  First I will say that it is worth it to get there.  But if you learn nothing else from me at all, hear this - TAKE THE TRAIN.  

The train is relatively expensive, about 170 dollars round trip.  The only way to get into Aquas Calientes is to walk or by train.  I knew I would be walking supposedly 2.5 hours on mostly flat terrain.  It took me 3 hours and they failed to mention that the first 15 minutes is straight up.  I mean a mountain goat would think twice about doing this.  Ok, so I start my walk exhausted.  

But the rest should be easy, yes?  No!  

Crossing a train bridge with rusty panels that give and pop as you cross. Occasionally walking on railroad ties to get across a stream that are not evenly spaced and if you misstep you are falling into the river.  By this time I am tired and as usual not well coordinated and alone.  Yes alone.  The rest of the group is walking much faster then I can and they quickly leave me behind.  I am not particularly concerned as I am sure as soon as I hit town the guide will be there waiting for me.   I really liked walking in the forest alone except when I could hear animals rusting in the brush next to me.   I was really hoping they didn't have anything too dangerous. Well I made it to town but the last part was in the dark.  There is not much light and I do not see well at night so I am trying my best not to trip over something.

The guide is waiting, yes?  No!  So here I am in town but my papers do not say what hotel I am staying at and my group and guide are nowhere in sight.  I ponder my options.  Sit down and hope they come looking for me?  Find a spot near the river and sleep until morning then hope I can find them?  Knock on hotel doors until I can find a room?  This last one is the most comfortable option but I am afraid what if they are all sold out?  The first hotel I come to is 270 a night for the cheapest room.  Ugh!   But I explain my predicament to the front desk mgr.  He kindly calls the agency that booked my tour and got the name of my hotel.  The agency also said for me to wait there and he would send the guide for me.   Whew!  Catastrophe averted!

Also another potential catastrophe.  When checking in at Hydro Electrica I was asked for my passport.  I do not travel with my passport, I leave it in my room.  I have my drivers license.  The others on the van say they were told you cannot get into Machu Picchu without a passport.  So my stress levels rise as I think I have come this far to be turned back.  But no problem, everyone looks at my ID and passes me on.

When the guide comes we walk to the hotel which is nearly at the top of the street.  By the way all of Agua Calientes is built on the mountain.  So there are no flat parts and it is steep.  Makes San Francisco look easy.  I get up there and I am shown my room.  It is clean and nice and he says come back down in 30 minutes for dinner and an explanation of the tour in morning.  I just made it up and he wants me to do it again?  I am doubtful.  But after a few minutes rest I decide I can do it.  The plan in the morning is you get up by 4 am in order to walk up this mountain, 1.5 hours for the average person. Or you can buy a bus ticket to get to top by 6:30.  Which option do you think I took?  Yeah, I'm on that bus.  While riding the bus up and seeing now steep and how high it is I am so happy I made that choice.

Machu Picchu is a magical place for certain.  I arrived at sunrise.  Imagine being at the top of a tall mountain where the clouds are swirling around you.  Beautiful, breathtaking scenery everywhere you look.  The work that was involved to create this place is incredible.  When the Spaniards began to take over South America the Incas abandoned this site in order to preserve it for future generations.  The Spaniards were destroying the Inca temples and building over them their churches.  They did a good job, it stayed hidden until 1911 when and archeologist asked a farmer if there were any sites around.  He then paid this farmer 1 soles to escort him up there.  The pictures will show you but is nothing like standing there and looking around.  There are also a pack of llamas to admire on the grounds.

Ok here is why I say take the train and why I felt my life was in danger.   I was placed in a van that seats 12 and there were 12.  4 rows of 3 and barely enough space for the average body but no space to move your legs.  I did not know how long the trip would take but I thought well I can handle this for a while.  The trip is 7 hours.  Yes you read that correctly 7 hours crammed into a van like sardines.

But this is not the worst of it.

Now at first he stops after a while to let us out and stretch or take advantage of facilities.  First place had a surprisingly nice and clean toilet.  Now the van apparently has no air conditioning or heating.  At first we are cold but I have my jacket and his window is open.  I can also crack my window sideways to let in a little air.  Now after 2 hours we get on to a road that has hairpin turns, more like u turns then actual curves.  So while we are packed in there is no rest because we are constantly being swayed back and forth.  I counted to 20 between each alternate turn.  This continues for 3 hours.

Then we stop for lunch at a place that I feel is questionable.   But I haven't gotten sick so I guess that was ok.  Now after this town for the next 2 hours are on a 1 lane road with traffic going both ways so if another car came you or they may have to back up to a spot wide enough to pass.  This road is dirt and rocks.  So the ride is like the roughest wooden roller coaster.  His window is open so choking dust fills the van.  The road was still winding turns.  You must honk while approaching the turn in case there is a car coming the other direction.  The best part ?  This road is on the side of a mountain and on one side is usually a 100 ft drop or more to a solid rock river bed.   So one careless slip of the car and you are gone.  Our driver does this at usually about 50 mph.   So as you can imagine this upcoming walk of 3 hours was starting to look really good.

Now this was uncomfortable and scary.  But it even pales in comparison to the return back.

First there was his stop on the road to talk to a cute girl.  They flirted while we all were crammed in.  Just as I am ready to to tell him to move his butt he continues on.  On the way the back the drop is now on my side so I can more fully appreciate the danger.  As we move along I make note of the various crosses placed by loved ones of those who did not make it.  I wonder what my cross will look like and how long will it take for them to find us.  Because for obvious reasons this is not a well traveled road.

Ok, just hold on for these 2 hours it will get better.

Did I tell you I was blowing mud out of my nose. Because of the sand blowing in?  Oh, and I have never had my hair feel so bad.  It was like you find in dolls thrown in the bottom of the toy box.  I seriously thought I may have to just cut it. Ok survived the 2 hours there.  Now the next 3 hours of constantly being thrown back and forth.  Which by the way is also a road on the mountain with a perilous drop but at least it is two lanes so a little room for error.

This should get better right?

When asked about stops we are informed that we are short on time.  He is on a schedule and can not stop.  Ok now the front passenger is yelling at him that this is unacceptable.  Does the misery stop there?  Oh no.   Let us get into a rain that fogs up the drivers window so he cannot see.  Now I hear gasps from the others from time to time as they react to the car in front etc,  I am crammed into the back and cannot see ahead.  Probably a good thing.  He decides to stop at a roadside cafe type place and we can all get out while he washes his van.  We are so happy to be out of the van I could care less what he is actually doing.

The bathrooms here are disgusting.  Now it is getting cold so I put on my jacked which reeks of sand.  He makes another stop and we get out.  Where is the bathroom?  It is a shack next to the pig sty in the back, mind you it is pitch black.  A child holds a flashlight for us and in the shack is a hole in the floor.

Can it get any worse you ask?  Yes!  It can!

At that moment we hear a hissing sound as the front tire deflates.  So now, we sit outside in the cold wind while waiting for him to repair tire.  I am seriously considering hitchhiking.  Tire repaired on the road.  We finally got him to turn down the blaring obnoxious music.   He stops two more times, not to let us out but seemingly to conduct some sort of personal business.  But finally I make it back to Cusco, tired, cramped, starving.

I go straight to McDonalds because I want something fast and that I don't have to think about if it is safe.  I get 10 chicken nuggets and large fries and medium drink.  I am so tired I can only eat half of it.  I child wandering around trying to sell his gum and he is being asked to keep moving but lingers around.  I put my fries in the box with the rest of the nuggets and motion to him does he want it?  He did not hesitate to take it.  I grab a taxi and get home.  Grateful I am in one piece.  

So the moral is Machu Picchu is worth the trip, but TAKE THE TRAIN at whatever the costs.

Day 28

Today I had my first excursion out of Cusco.  I went to Pisaq Ruins and Ollantayambo Ruins. I tell you the Incas were proliferate builders.  I heard that often when they start to dig like to build a house they run into ancient walls.  At least from where I am there are ruins and ancient temples everywhere.

What makes them even more spectacular is that they are built as high up on a mountain as they can get.  For two reasons, primarily because they felt the higher up they were the closer they were to their gods.  Secondly because.then you can see for miles any trouble that may be headed your way.  And believe me after making the trek up to these places you had to really want to fight these guys to make that trip.

The mountains, of which there are many, are sculptures with terraces for their farming.  This way they could farm directly on the side of some pretty steep mountains.  But back to the building.  These places were made of huge stone that was sometimes quarried miles away.  They pushed them bit by but from the original location then up this steep hill.  Now that is some dedication to your work. I don't even want to work when my manager doesn't leave me the right towels!

Lunch was a stop in a small village where they set up a buffet.  The salad was crisp cold and delicious.  As was everything in the line.  A lovely dish of guacamole I was forced to just admire. ( if you don't know avocados upset my stomach).  

Because I book a tour with an agency that was not recommended by the school I was a little apprehensive.  Would I be on a run down van or what?  When I was at my appointed place in the morning a girl came up and said she was with the tour , follow me.  We walked to a plaza where she had me wait while she went to collect another passenger.  The we walked to the next plaza where again I waited while she ran off.  Just as I was getting worried she came back and connected me with the tour guide who then had me and 6 others walk to yet another plaza to get on a bus.   But the bus was every comfortable and nice and I was happy to be on my way.  I bought a water from a street vendor.  At the first stop I took it out and realized the top was not sealed.  Now it is very possible I opened it and took a drink before.  But I had a half bottle and was finishing that one off first so I really do not remember.  So I threw it away.  It was a 70 cent bottle of water not worth getting sick over if she had just refilled the bottle with tap water.  Which I was warned could happen.

The first bathroom stop you had to take a small bucket of water in with you to pour into tank to affect a flush.  I'm telling you if beautiful clean bathrooms are your thing.  This is not the country for you.

At lunch I was advised to load up on fuel because our next stop would require walking up 243 steps to get to the top of the Sun Temple.   About now I'm thinking what if I just say I will stay in bus.  But I'm here, don't know when or if I will make it back.  I made myself do it.  Mind you I am doing this at nearly 12,000 ft above sea level.  The air is thin and tends to make some people sick.  Fortunately I've been here long enough to get a little accustomed to it but still that was a work out.

Of course beautiful views and I just cannot believe the work that went into these temples with huge rocks.  I have a picture from the site of the mountain where the boulders came from.  It is miles away.  She said they also discovered there quite a few bodies.  Well yea, I can see how you just might give out trying to move these things.  And they are meshed together expertly with fault lines even so they would be stable in the event of an earthquake.

On the return we climbed even higher up the mountains.  I was surprised to see meadows and fields atop.  In the distance you can see the snow topped mountains.  We stopped at a textile factory where they demonstrated how they made the yarn from the alpaca or llama or sheep.  From cleaning the wool, making it into yarn, dying process and then finally weaving.  We were served tea made from coco leaves while watching.  Underneath the stove top was a cage of guinea pigs.   They were so cute it was hard to realize they were not pets.  That was their ranching.  Those pigs are slated for dinner sometime soon.

The prices were disappointing.  I thought that my going straight to the source we might get a discount.  But alas no.  But I did find some better pieces for my gifts at a reasonable price.

I thought we were coming back very late but made it back by 6:30.  I have to admit I went ahead and had Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner.  I was too tired to worry about if I was finding a good place to eat.  I just wanted to eat and go home.  Tomorrow is an early start for a very tiring two days.  Up next... Will I make the trek from Hydro Electrica to Aqua Calientes?  

Day 27

Friday, next to last Friday I am away from home.   Didn't do too much today because I have a big day planned for Saturday.  

For class we took the weekly exam and walked to the Monestary of the Sena.  Very well done displays showing what life is like for these cloistered nuns.  They are not allowed to interact with the world.  They make communion wafers and sweets.  To buy them there is basically a lazy Susan where you put your money down, turn it around and they will put the item in and turn it back.  But you never see the person.  I wish I could have taken pictures but yet again they were forbidden.  They also make the priest constumes and other religious apparel including weaving.  I mean what else do you do when your life consist of only 7 other people and you are not allowed out?

I bought a t-shirt for Machu Picchu.  I knew the weather here was cold so I didn't bring anything for really warm weather.  I hear it is quite tropical.  I also had to buy mesquite repellant.   I also found a hat for my husband ( be sure to act surprised when I give it to you).  This was a big deal because they do cholos here not ball caps.  I have seen very few ball caps and the ones I saw were pretty crappy quality.  I was just about to go ahead and get one just because and I found a nice one!

Dinner was not great but not bad.  I guess they do not want to waste because I got back the chicken I was too full to eat the night before.  Now that is a difference between the last house and here.  Last house I couldn't finish my chicken and I told her to wrap it up I would have it later and she insisted she doesn't keep food,  it is better to do all fresh.  No wonder her food was always good !  Anyway it came with a marinated type mixture of cauliflower, broccoli, peas, carrots, and onions,  not bad just nothing to write home about,

Lunch however was a smash.  I got the small version of a selection of pastry savories.  One with chorizo, one with spinach, one with a ground beef and a cheese one.  That way I had room left over to finally get a slice of cake.  Primavera cake,  white cake, cream filling, kiwi, strawberries and peaches.  Yum yum but since I hadn't eaten much it as very rich on my stomach.  Worth it though.

I finally found a you tube site that offered full length movies.  So before bed I watched Cinderella with Brandy as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as fairy godmother and Whoopi Goldberg as the queen.

Day 26

Thursday the other student is back.  Today for conversation we walked to the chocolate factory.  Wow the smell was so sweet.  So a little history on chocolate.  The Incas learned to make a paste and use that for drink, or mix with peppers.  The Aztecs took it from the Inca.  Then the Spaniards brought it to Europe.  It was considered only for the nobles.  It was too previous or the poor to consume,  if they had any they would use it for trade.  The cocoa tree blooms all year around and grows in warm climates.  So I guess I can't have one at home.   They gave a free sample of chocolate tea.  Actually very good.  I mean what's  not to like about chocolate in any form?  

After school we went on a horse riding tour.  Finally got to the top of the mountain.  Getting on and off was not pretty.  The stirrups were too high and I have not been on a horse for I don't know how long.  At the top we got off and crawled over a huge rock down to the temple of the moon. 

A sacred place for the women.  Inside was a huge rock worn smooth so it resembled a table.  At the top of the table in the ceiling was a small hole to the sky.  When the moon is full this Temple is full of light!  

Getting on the horse again a little easier now that my legs were stretched.  Headed down past sheep, llamas, alpacas, couple of cows.  

Today while shopping pretty sure a street vendor ripped me off.  I bought two dolls for twenty soles.  After I walked away she came running up and said I had given her a counterfeit bill.   Nothing much I could do.  Couldn't prove I didn't.  So if not her then somewhere someone.  Because I confirmed with school it is fake.  Ok, 8 dollar lesson,  I went to bank and changed all my money to small bills.  

Let's get back to food.  Yesterday's dinner beats all I've ever seen.  Ted says he bribed them to start feeding me badly to ensure I will come home.  Well not guaranteed to come home cause I still have Lima, but I will not miss dinners in Cusco!  Now restaurants are fine. It is my house mother. Ok, so here is what she served.  Take a banana cover it in mustard, put a piece of white cheese and wrap it up in ham.  Then beat up an egg pour it over this dish and cook in microwave.  I do not know how that would taste because that was just too much for me.   I was able to halt the egg and washed off the mustard.  The son admitted he didn't care for it but it is his mother's favorite.  Fortunately, she wasn't there.  I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings. But her cooking is out there.  

Also I forgot to mention that at the Inca Museum there were skulls and mummy's. The kills were malformed long and tall.  But they did that to themselves if they were a part of the upper elite.  No wonder the conquistadors thought they were just wild savages.   

Lunch today was a hole in the wall place with ham and cheese with tomatoes and lettuce with pineapple juice.  Not bad but looking forward to getting back to Lima!

Tomorrow I have to take a test to prove I am ready for the next level.  Test are easy.  And next week a new friend from the school in Lima arrives here!   I made a new friend from Amsterdam.  So I have someone to look up there.  She is however from the Czech Republic. 

Yea!  They are getting the idea.  Tonight's dinner was a plain chicken breast with French fries!  There is hope for the rest of my stay!

Day 25

School then sightseeing.  Today the man from the travel agency was to come and collect my money for my trip to Machu Picchu.  The day before he had said 269.  I figured that was cheap after all you get two days, one night hotel.  My one day trip in Lima was 114 soles so it seemed commensurate.  Ah, no!  As I handed him my 269 soles he said no, the price is 269 dollars!  Ouch!   I told him I'm sorry I didn't understand and that I would get back to him.  I thought that was just a little high.   As it turns out the train ticket is more then half that amount a out 170 dollars.  So he wasn't gouging me, just a little high I thought.

For the trip the first stop was the market in Pisaq.  This was some place interesting.  I passed a tourist agency that had just Sacred Valley for the day for 34 soles.  That's a bargain so I signed up for that for Saturday.  His tour to Machu Picchu was also 2 days but costs only 149 dollars.  Ok here is the difference.  His tour is a van not the train, but he had a very well made slide show with pictures to show me the difference in the two route,  he had the train option too.   Ok, so I had seen tours offer hiking through the Inca Trail and I thought no, I'm not a hiker.  But after he explained that by taking this van which include a walk around, I would be able to see wildlife and orchids and maybe Condors.  Also I would see the backside of Machu Picchu that is of some interest.  I decided why not?  Time enough to pay extra for trains and extreme comfort when I'm old and feeble.  I may regret this come Tuesday morning, but I took the van and walking option.  So for 100 dollars less I get three days of tours instead of two, and many more sights.  Now since I am walking I will travel very light so that means no IPad,  so you will not hear from me Sunday and Monday.  I get back late Saturday so odds are I will be too tired.

The food here is offal !

Today I walked through the Market of San Pedro again and this time found the meat market.  Ok, almost had to turn around and get out from the smell in one area.  Donkey heads, entrails, stomachs, chicken feet, and cow noses.  Yes that is right just the mouth and nose,  I asked what they use the donkey head for and she said to make soup.  Ok I may not eat another bowl of soup again.  I tell you, the food in Lima was wonderful.  Cusco is scary and navigate well my friend, you just don't know what will end up on your plate.

I guess I've gone native.  After my lunch I sat in the plaza and watched the people go by.  Really had little interest in moving for a while.  There was next to me a chocolate factory with free tours but I think one of my professors is planning on taking us there.  So I waited. 

There were two young girls with a small llama.  Now I could not leave Peru without having my picture taken with a llama.  I asked how much?  She said it was voluntary up to me.  Well the women with the lambs charged 1 sole.  So after my picture I thought I was very generous to give her 2 soles.  She tried to ask for 10 and wanted something for the girl that took the picture.  I said, no way but I did give the girl that took the picture one sole.  They said thank you and I left.  But really 1 sole is about 35 cents.  A lot of people here earn about 2 dollars or 6 soles a day.  So while it isn't much to me it is to them.

Yesterday the salon wanted 25 soles to wash and dry my hair.  The water in the showers here is not a strong force and again it is cold as heck.  So I am not interested in trying to wash my own hair. I thought she was trying to gouge me because it was only 10 soles in Lima.  Today I tried another place and sure enough it was only 4 soles.  I tipped her 3 soles.  You don't really tip here so I know she appreciates it.  

I took a taxi back home because my hair was a bit damp and I thought It best not stress my feet before this weekend.  Speaking of taxi's. I know my husband is looking for signs of altitude sickness and acting goofy is one of them.  This morning I decided I was late for class because it take me 30 minutes to walk and it was coming up on 8:30. Classes start at 9.  But for some reason I decided I don't leave by 8:30 I need to be at school by 8:30 so I took a taxi.  Now it cost the equivalent of 1 dollar to take the taxi so it wasn't a waste of money but yes I got to school 30 minutes early.  Can't blame it on the altitude I've done the same thing back home when I'm working in a different store with different hours.  

I still fill up very quickly and walking a flight of stairs is taxing.  But I think I am adjusting.