tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62169666051649966192024-03-12T20:14:41.067-04:00La Gringa EspañolaElenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-32023683622874342752009-10-13T11:37:00.002-04:002009-10-13T11:57:52.422-04:00I'm Moving!After some careful consideration, and what seemed like endless hours of researching blog design and a bunch of other techie stuff that drives me crazy, I have decided to move to WordPress. I am currently in the process, which is why you may noticed the inconsistencies between my regular domain and my blogspot domain.<br /><br />My domain is the same http://www.gringaespanola.com/.<br />My new feed is http://www.gringaespanola.com/feed/.<br /><br />Please join me at my new site location!<br />In about a week or so I will be completely moved to Wordpress, so I hope to see you all there.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-89191290017122757992009-09-10T16:44:00.003-04:002009-09-12T00:47:21.873-04:00Greetings From Asbury Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg5BFlgpUrD39TNYcDtHnKcCkL4nGLVaA93b4QrAlQMHzW5-2X_LuYjsn4JclsA4Ey_OoarsF0fGxNcqWAumfkvrbip-MbukEqFCagMWV7aYccENHhzNbPrln56hAH6Ih-fCxTXNvEVk/s1600-h/IMGP6926.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg5BFlgpUrD39TNYcDtHnKcCkL4nGLVaA93b4QrAlQMHzW5-2X_LuYjsn4JclsA4Ey_OoarsF0fGxNcqWAumfkvrbip-MbukEqFCagMWV7aYccENHhzNbPrln56hAH6Ih-fCxTXNvEVk/s800/IMGP6926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379923091564199922" border="0" /></a><br />My cousin forced me to see Asbury with different eyes. He loved Asbury Park, even at a time when I would roll my eyes at the suggestion of spending an afternoon there laying on the beach. Before talks of development and building restoration projects, he was a fan of this beach town because of its conflicted history, not despite of it. Another perk is that it is less crowded than other favorites along the coast, although that is quickly changing.<br /><br />There is something intriguing about going to a place that has fallen off most people's radar. Off the beaten path, some people call it, when you decide to explore somewhere not in the travel guides. There are many perks to this philosophy, for one you avoid the crowds and you get enjoy an experience a place few others have.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn70lR51RNlwu3jmYAUAardtpoDfv115LtTcRChKyZhwVKuBEoyVIMUxanqubKQ1ncpYiH91Ccg06Vfpi2tRHDn17gq9ydZgoQm6ss7nmDA-l74XVjYYgbApeiOTdEuaHQXiZqYTQDfg/s1600-h/IMGP6907.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn70lR51RNlwu3jmYAUAardtpoDfv115LtTcRChKyZhwVKuBEoyVIMUxanqubKQ1ncpYiH91Ccg06Vfpi2tRHDn17gq9ydZgoQm6ss7nmDA-l74XVjYYgbApeiOTdEuaHQXiZqYTQDfg/s800/IMGP6907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379986031693227618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXoCsOH1en_Dm1XxxHxPQfvj10WfKJ36i0uL3VPhOYTXqdkvc9EnAWPbwZyyVUmKm8on-NGSrwFhxTF8gdSoit0814iHPsbDZpbsb10bajvNLJqAR4nnwq8CjJuTrOWs-uHaDpSAXf-4/s1600-h/IMGP6802.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXoCsOH1en_Dm1XxxHxPQfvj10WfKJ36i0uL3VPhOYTXqdkvc9EnAWPbwZyyVUmKm8on-NGSrwFhxTF8gdSoit0814iHPsbDZpbsb10bajvNLJqAR4nnwq8CjJuTrOWs-uHaDpSAXf-4/s800/IMGP6802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363245854398938978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdrk7A4DCVOCyHhfJaQyX8ZnHY-H6cbCAetz8hhskhK4QsCUeN5_d4ZkfVmcFd_vBYvsfonaKyzp3N1Cl8ByGTLNjeVqmyrZSqg8mjW1lingg2Y7kBhtwHP2GOE7SjDaQ4RS9nBNVido/s1600-h/IMGP6895.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdrk7A4DCVOCyHhfJaQyX8ZnHY-H6cbCAetz8hhskhK4QsCUeN5_d4ZkfVmcFd_vBYvsfonaKyzp3N1Cl8ByGTLNjeVqmyrZSqg8mjW1lingg2Y7kBhtwHP2GOE7SjDaQ4RS9nBNVido/s800/IMGP6895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379991523734524306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The fireworks are hailing over Little Eden tonight<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Forcing a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1AGTus9tJEUsvnVHrQbjzJHoFdy3JX4QPyjMKSRlCaPcOCqM-8onw25XeF8aioXxzT2kquc-9o-Dwy0Ns2413nQR2hvFpH62O8ZsiYCL4vlwBIAXGx-iiAiZuRYD6ObMsx4ZfcPWSO0/s1600-h/IMGP6918.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1AGTus9tJEUsvnVHrQbjzJHoFdy3JX4QPyjMKSRlCaPcOCqM-8onw25XeF8aioXxzT2kquc-9o-Dwy0Ns2413nQR2hvFpH62O8ZsiYCL4vlwBIAXGx-iiAiZuRYD6ObMsx4ZfcPWSO0/s800/IMGP6918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379986047945114962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS0u-J8sAw3v6akgMLgc8o3G3Rnlo54vhKvBNGt3KLLGZqdqExL5VBKMaTf0b-VskIMQ7DsCk1CQfzM_dsVLOACXBu16Z04xUiWtYXnlGdDK2Gnf0uY_Ya-mGpTbOg0aPIXwWqAsLO5Q/s1600-h/IMGP6853.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 381px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS0u-J8sAw3v6akgMLgc8o3G3Rnlo54vhKvBNGt3KLLGZqdqExL5VBKMaTf0b-VskIMQ7DsCk1CQfzM_dsVLOACXBu16Z04xUiWtYXnlGdDK2Gnf0uY_Ya-mGpTbOg0aPIXwWqAsLO5Q/s800/IMGP6853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379991532375748306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXww5SrJKh3tdpLO2rLlys9hZtrfet4QSsiXpNp2lHBzvHpsWSwl6N4SKxI4zZEvox4gcCUfi7_4fykkxnoPuoxts2fsouoRfhspKI1eb0nuwih_zQJ8oFFITUplItjWiKhnTfyLqrQn8/s1600-h/IMGP6914.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 381px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXww5SrJKh3tdpLO2rLlys9hZtrfet4QSsiXpNp2lHBzvHpsWSwl6N4SKxI4zZEvox4gcCUfi7_4fykkxnoPuoxts2fsouoRfhspKI1eb0nuwih_zQJ8oFFITUplItjWiKhnTfyLqrQn8/s800/IMGP6914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379991555006283298" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9jHtBwixQPBdeGJ5eq3u8yaza2n5lgcrUZJ1NkNtCO3jRtxW34Hsj6shWnlBblN95kibhsiCO4pbBBatNyJ6YgK5-WOD7MD_cnwr7rDCBnzIqh-0Vd5iSpPIYoRDrvxlYYwSSBog_Zg/s1600-h/IMGP6848.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9jHtBwixQPBdeGJ5eq3u8yaza2n5lgcrUZJ1NkNtCO3jRtxW34Hsj6shWnlBblN95kibhsiCO4pbBBatNyJ6YgK5-WOD7MD_cnwr7rDCBnzIqh-0Vd5iSpPIYoRDrvxlYYwSSBog_Zg/s800/IMGP6848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380002342615428098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-nfFsXU95JPuS973FUKeTln62xHV3RC1_W81L9oOgZCl6LjKd-Owr_CvgZR4DNboR2LyAXbQhKKe_oGXb3mGFPyuvh0yrYP9r8tpr8wjg35gbFMX54qKyhK587WRUCFIL6K4hmQQy9k/s1600-h/IMGP6825.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-nfFsXU95JPuS973FUKeTln62xHV3RC1_W81L9oOgZCl6LjKd-Owr_CvgZR4DNboR2LyAXbQhKKe_oGXb3mGFPyuvh0yrYP9r8tpr8wjg35gbFMX54qKyhK587WRUCFIL6K4hmQQy9k/s800/IMGP6825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379996522418235026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQS6yUPx-iJfNIf5f5R1x_0SCqtuFTHGhEII5uYGXZQHmn_u1Vt8IINtmyOrSz2ziDEM0S7GVcxZIjjXOC-kNeQH0gsR_lGWg-ght3pjvHqWwhMAqxVwReUyJ67IT7qTRMDqYtrO3Opo/s1600-h/IMGP6901-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQS6yUPx-iJfNIf5f5R1x_0SCqtuFTHGhEII5uYGXZQHmn_u1Vt8IINtmyOrSz2ziDEM0S7GVcxZIjjXOC-kNeQH0gsR_lGWg-ght3pjvHqWwhMAqxVwReUyJ67IT7qTRMDqYtrO3Opo/s800/IMGP6901-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379922591971779138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oXSoisnasxpOQr4YLWAqeOtT5geS1tVQHYKUbo7Qkx9p4vf4ADMc50ibeFeQ1QdiJdjYNq6GJymmYCDiGIQeNcHe8sNSdCo9qemhtEWe7AVuplI_w7anbu7z0qnt1idhoafPRdDEyTE/s1600-h/IMGP6903.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oXSoisnasxpOQr4YLWAqeOtT5geS1tVQHYKUbo7Qkx9p4vf4ADMc50ibeFeQ1QdiJdjYNq6GJymmYCDiGIQeNcHe8sNSdCo9qemhtEWe7AVuplI_w7anbu7z0qnt1idhoafPRdDEyTE/s800/IMGP6903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379986038137925522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin' fortunes better than they do</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">For me this boardwalk life is through baby<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">You ought to quit this scene too</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoUfThKVkOQXLU-39xrr7GZvgCU3jJt6TFcsWhJ5KFcHrgT1XribLpD1I5nHRk4BeJUL3Z94DM3NpOaNv9nKM0xRERFFenGyBrVjWByWJDHCsXerKOFWCOWDugU5BII6Zvds4je65pEE/s1600-h/IMGP6924.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoUfThKVkOQXLU-39xrr7GZvgCU3jJt6TFcsWhJ5KFcHrgT1XribLpD1I5nHRk4BeJUL3Z94DM3NpOaNv9nKM0xRERFFenGyBrVjWByWJDHCsXerKOFWCOWDugU5BII6Zvds4je65pEE/s800/IMGP6924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379986022194075522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32X3zNtxg7BpDCZ_yOpZArAQ9Wwx25WPzkzpW7Sd3YbEezRhYPNZ7joct4Pean2B1nly3pdhXA_YooiJwH6yQ9ar8CGRXRCW5YwLQeZX4b0J24FpDNmXmR3XZqWmk5QcFxo9kMOAFq8c/s1600-h/IMGP6794.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32X3zNtxg7BpDCZ_yOpZArAQ9Wwx25WPzkzpW7Sd3YbEezRhYPNZ7joct4Pean2B1nly3pdhXA_YooiJwH6yQ9ar8CGRXRCW5YwLQeZX4b0J24FpDNmXmR3XZqWmk5QcFxo9kMOAFq8c/s800/IMGP6794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363246224529837842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GEYdvpeaLsafn7EX0GRNnPScriFZfaySbLMnorn2Mdn7ku6Xn4F8dsD1FwHF1oKrgLRA5HIgQfHOS5UaIrS7SiW-dWVf4WDaIiJt2wedp8YG2625tPqfh65jUAgRoSky3gucEWKK0Ww/s1600-h/IMGP6786.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GEYdvpeaLsafn7EX0GRNnPScriFZfaySbLMnorn2Mdn7ku6Xn4F8dsD1FwHF1oKrgLRA5HIgQfHOS5UaIrS7SiW-dWVf4WDaIiJt2wedp8YG2625tPqfh65jUAgRoSky3gucEWKK0Ww/s800/IMGP6786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363245311111552338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO1Ix70n9JdqxPWHBS621JwenByOgsmm9c4G5G6PPrincQYR-aW8cJdgsKmMhh9TAo2OPbxZwvUIV0U3AgcLVTlWxfi29Q7ECv6c0SsQwZPMi0BJtMRxAWhUEpz3GEMWYdNdrZIvfedU/s1600-h/IMGP6788.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 505px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO1Ix70n9JdqxPWHBS621JwenByOgsmm9c4G5G6PPrincQYR-aW8cJdgsKmMhh9TAo2OPbxZwvUIV0U3AgcLVTlWxfi29Q7ECv6c0SsQwZPMi0BJtMRxAWhUEpz3GEMWYdNdrZIvfedU/s800/IMGP6788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380000792918309714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This pier lights our carnival life forever</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >-Bruce Springsteen</span><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-47908685273903522072009-07-31T16:04:00.001-04:002009-08-04T00:36:19.800-04:00Calca MarketThere is no secret that I love markets. I honestly don't think there is a better, more public way of seeing a culture, all the food and customs out for display, the people gathered and slowly chatting and doing their day's work. Of course the fact that I'm surrounded by all sorts of food doesn't hurt either.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrJM5dB1uieOTwpTPCN8b6DbMhSS9ZmXzoXjvz7CmAhOYviarsBKl2x-8hFls401X5xXRmO46POrm0J97r0qREXYe8Px0Wqlrbkro1JsMxX0nbuVQp9fz92fFLa4m4JPkCHc0-sGu8m8/s1600-h/DSC00234.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 564px; height: 417px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrJM5dB1uieOTwpTPCN8b6DbMhSS9ZmXzoXjvz7CmAhOYviarsBKl2x-8hFls401X5xXRmO46POrm0J97r0qREXYe8Px0Wqlrbkro1JsMxX0nbuVQp9fz92fFLa4m4JPkCHc0-sGu8m8/s800/DSC00234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364688534867717410" border="0" /></a><br />Before we started off our trek towards Machu Picchu, our tour guide picked us up bright and early, and was a little upset that we had him waiting 10 minutes while we lugged out our belongings sleepily and slowly to the car. It took us about an hour to get to Calca, my memory fails me with the exact specifics. Calca is a small town in the Calca province. We stopped to get some food and drinks and to orient ourselves before we began. We didn't see much of the town besides the market, that despite the early hour was pretty busy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCm7E1lOMlS_PXxUdeu2kxxA4_wHplLnMwvPhtdUbWW1BavFDuw_lAjHvkfuXF4NhxIGYFiQOh1AqW600Q8OwmEjUs3gZsvWTO41IAoBp-TyIVAQM6HQRzFYybe62XrARHWKrOrmfINkc/s1600-h/DSC00248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 561px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCm7E1lOMlS_PXxUdeu2kxxA4_wHplLnMwvPhtdUbWW1BavFDuw_lAjHvkfuXF4NhxIGYFiQOh1AqW600Q8OwmEjUs3gZsvWTO41IAoBp-TyIVAQM6HQRzFYybe62XrARHWKrOrmfINkc/s800/DSC00248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364702923609837250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFeSbpspeHllnEh0dspebGYXXaqJhHsvvXlfvaPijTvzQYswLGn36w6zYslbKQd8eSKzHnKLGW2MxCYqVK8JEGp8hxwdbjBx3rTeWfzla0VYQH7Wt96qywVHQKrcb-wPQtvos9DIcD5M/s1600-h/DSC00251.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 561px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFeSbpspeHllnEh0dspebGYXXaqJhHsvvXlfvaPijTvzQYswLGn36w6zYslbKQd8eSKzHnKLGW2MxCYqVK8JEGp8hxwdbjBx3rTeWfzla0VYQH7Wt96qywVHQKrcb-wPQtvos9DIcD5M/s800/DSC00251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364716493397285922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aNFRU_L3P7cVQXm6PjXvYWNDKfH26MhdCPyw1AgJ5lh-EhlJn71wUXk5VU9k-GEJPuU2ynpxOYKDS85DhPRKdQs9f39Fmd_o6QzunRnHhg1Popm_Q35E04DPeCooQloaARfIThIYlLo/s1600-h/DSC00244+copy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 563px; height: 803px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aNFRU_L3P7cVQXm6PjXvYWNDKfH26MhdCPyw1AgJ5lh-EhlJn71wUXk5VU9k-GEJPuU2ynpxOYKDS85DhPRKdQs9f39Fmd_o6QzunRnHhg1Popm_Q35E04DPeCooQloaARfIThIYlLo/s800/DSC00244+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364725866039832034" border="0" /></a><br />Growing up in a Spanish household, as well as my frequent visits to Galicia, have made me pretty accustomed to seeing fish with the head still attached, dead chickens with some sparing feathers, pigs feet, intestines, and most others animal parts and nasty bits that are meant to be consumed. It may not have phased me, but I could tell some of my companions were not feeling as at ease. It is important to pay attention, even if it makes you uneasy, because the items found in each market reflect the customs of a culture. It is really a question of resources. You use what is available for you.<span class="fullpost"><br />A poor family will undoubtedly make sure to use all parts of whatever animals are available. It would be extremely wasteful to throw out anything if there was a chance to keep your family well fed. The traditions have held on throughout the years, hence why many cultures continue to cook with the same ingredients people have used for hundreds of years. Of course other factors, such as religion and wealth, also have a lot of influence in everyday cuisine. A vegetarian from Gujurat will have a much different diet than a Catholic from Kerala, for example. Nevertheless if you want an overall idea make your way over to the nearest, local market and you will see.<br />Warning, nasty bits are below. Scroll with caution.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf0PTpnRX3H4LTV0GN9OzOf80VClTjliqxX1IlOmPRQ-XofFNJhUKjH5zkRxdnvbsMWNPs24gOznem9wupDJEQz_SlJMKUhj0DB-AHkov7qWLIs4kekmtTumrPP-HzCnWv0CvHggxago/s1600-h/DSC00225.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 559px; height: 405px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf0PTpnRX3H4LTV0GN9OzOf80VClTjliqxX1IlOmPRQ-XofFNJhUKjH5zkRxdnvbsMWNPs24gOznem9wupDJEQz_SlJMKUhj0DB-AHkov7qWLIs4kekmtTumrPP-HzCnWv0CvHggxago/s800/DSC00225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364687382342655202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1m_-CGExCyF1hSHyEgFB6tRCjrso-RWltMCRtpJxSRKZlpaC1xY0V_mrNVE2y4Wdg9mMTW6pB4HFDdpQaFt0MKPzicen2JygqYFODhQ9_BxkRz_EqYf1bet5vJExkweFL93yIogsUOc/s1600-h/DSC00247.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 559px; height: 743px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1m_-CGExCyF1hSHyEgFB6tRCjrso-RWltMCRtpJxSRKZlpaC1xY0V_mrNVE2y4Wdg9mMTW6pB4HFDdpQaFt0MKPzicen2JygqYFODhQ9_BxkRz_EqYf1bet5vJExkweFL93yIogsUOc/s800/DSC00247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364698813622391986" border="0" /></a><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-39724454645730606902009-07-28T13:01:00.007-04:002009-07-28T13:38:53.898-04:00Vote For Mexico No Hay Dos at Photography Book Now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs1XyXY40Bh6j7o0bPjcFGuCRZQs_ZCKOVzXzFGXozJobiPeVzHoz8cFh40Vx1QZQNANRApBFXJlWxAsCX9QwfnkryHhEOyrRcJ6ER6fXaA7hh6EgDrJosu2K5PLVkZa53uRf9gRJU9k/s1600-h/IMGP1411-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs1XyXY40Bh6j7o0bPjcFGuCRZQs_ZCKOVzXzFGXozJobiPeVzHoz8cFh40Vx1QZQNANRApBFXJlWxAsCX9QwfnkryHhEOyrRcJ6ER6fXaA7hh6EgDrJosu2K5PLVkZa53uRf9gRJU9k/s800/IMGP1411-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363558775166674850" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/771646" title="Vote for my Book in the Photography.Book.Now competition."><img src="http://www.blurb.com/images/badge/badge_pbn.gif" alt="Vote for my Book in the Photography.Book.Now competition." width="98" border="0" height="132" /></a><br />I recently entered a <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/771646">photo book</a> contest at <a href="http://pbn.blurb.com/">Photography Book Now</a>. The book I entered is a compilation of photographs I took while traveling throughout Mexico. Winners will be awarded in the categories of Fine Art, Editorial, and Commercial. Along with the judges categories there is also a <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/771646">People's Choice Award</a>. Please take a look at my photo book and if you like what you see, vote for it! Just press on the orange ribbon above. It was a lot of fun to create the book, and as always it was a lot of fun to travel and take pictures.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-77471734751083803862009-07-27T16:58:00.010-04:002009-07-27T19:57:32.823-04:00Making Conversation in Barrio San BlasIn order to reach the San Blas neighborhood you need to climb up the somewhat steep (or maybe it's just the altitude) San Blas hill. After passing lots of shops and artfully avoiding the cobblestone street, while balancing on the mini sidewalk made of stone, you will eventually reach a plaza. This my friends, is the San Blas neighborhood. The neighborhood offers spectacular views of the city, as well as its signature red tiled roofs, white washed houses, and blue doors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81WbLBTS7zI2x7d5s7ub5YPwge4khirFx6gWhCR-68vVQTnMfUpRrcvoejEVHLk3tBy651OvUix6QleiQGjk53og9r6ubhfPXhuuQWMSzKB8f0HZfcAXNi-kBTZw-uNDfS4M4dYlamCI/s1600-h/IMGP4855.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 564px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81WbLBTS7zI2x7d5s7ub5YPwge4khirFx6gWhCR-68vVQTnMfUpRrcvoejEVHLk3tBy651OvUix6QleiQGjk53og9r6ubhfPXhuuQWMSzKB8f0HZfcAXNi-kBTZw-uNDfS4M4dYlamCI/s800/IMGP4855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363277389866344610" border="0" /></a><br />In the plaza there are a few art galleries featuring Peruvian artists. The artwork is incredible, as well as incredibly priced. I would suggest buying a few pieces if you are able to bring them back with you.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fr_FDhE9K2GqwAykn-PPt3Hbup6vEsko0M9TgmQE-Xe-K9WNZkwZfTqS39zxCjM5FbZxZ0z7W1xZ80plMfkM1r3G_Od5pioeBbYKACDqFPmeYO9au8kI2bBTWWjOapQbedD2mIWq6wA/s1600-h/IMGP4867+%282%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 563px; height: 846px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fr_FDhE9K2GqwAykn-PPt3Hbup6vEsko0M9TgmQE-Xe-K9WNZkwZfTqS39zxCjM5FbZxZ0z7W1xZ80plMfkM1r3G_Od5pioeBbYKACDqFPmeYO9au8kI2bBTWWjOapQbedD2mIWq6wA/s800/IMGP4867+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363284324283849202" border="0" /></a><br />On your way up to the plaza there are also tons of tourists shops where you can shop for some souvenirs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-zWhBGXl_ZLd_VnDss_y357jB_w_atUq5_Poavoq8K1TZysoXcakT_tuawAs3SMKQV_zO16f1XoC9FlU9akHg5AusXOMgAuc_BdMNQKR4jmy0W6Y0LrI9iq2i3cZan6CzvkNLe7lGAk/s1600-h/IMGP4861.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 568px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-zWhBGXl_ZLd_VnDss_y357jB_w_atUq5_Poavoq8K1TZysoXcakT_tuawAs3SMKQV_zO16f1XoC9FlU9akHg5AusXOMgAuc_BdMNQKR4jmy0W6Y0LrI9iq2i3cZan6CzvkNLe7lGAk/s800/IMGP4861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363285108054924482" border="0" /></a><br />San Blas is traditionally where many artists lived and like most neighborhoods of its kind, it is quickly becoming a trendy area of Cusco, undoubtedly attracting travelers who are more interested in this bohemian enclave. Expect less crowds than in the Plaza de Armas but there are more and more restaurants and cafes popping up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRHkWMfyo3RTumF9mlbj6Q7RkQt6qdQbFcT20RIy3d1NqZSKVi3ApkGZY7-gQCfY6MwiW-Ru4anIN3oys8lw7_KamqlccsqLcA13PUPGO6vR_dJ9tyuNDkgRq0jKKQpxbbsaUn06rbFU/s1600-h/IMGP4850.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 566px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRHkWMfyo3RTumF9mlbj6Q7RkQt6qdQbFcT20RIy3d1NqZSKVi3ApkGZY7-gQCfY6MwiW-Ru4anIN3oys8lw7_KamqlccsqLcA13PUPGO6vR_dJ9tyuNDkgRq0jKKQpxbbsaUn06rbFU/s800/IMGP4850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363257230088423250" border="0" /></a><br />The Church of San Blas is also in the plaza. There will most likely be people sitting at the steps as well as vendors outside trying to sell you some handicrafts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZN9X-Nhp7FBfa1N48P2-UG96UGJ9fGdDwnCEa9SGUl5Ht8QP8Wg67rAg211KiBOPfYjj9JtbZyJkx0YvF-ADkTQJ1XQ82-B7ErD7sCDtYEfT46pAmrBUTMbruX4pdCot-DKU6ZTWd5U/s1600-h/IMGP4851.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 573px; height: 861px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZN9X-Nhp7FBfa1N48P2-UG96UGJ9fGdDwnCEa9SGUl5Ht8QP8Wg67rAg211KiBOPfYjj9JtbZyJkx0YvF-ADkTQJ1XQ82-B7ErD7sCDtYEfT46pAmrBUTMbruX4pdCot-DKU6ZTWd5U/s800/IMGP4851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363256954207157106" border="0" /></a><br />San Blas is known for having these brilliant bright blue doors and windows.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdwXzJQqpk7LEWtA95GksxDis6XRB3vEE-ozM42svXphAhvpnPnyyclYbFiEsyx1aeFcqniZlMcEA_yIzRSDFVMLuzyt2IzsuACF2sWERvS3yU1INL5bisXbxPkV18R4KoIhyJ-JMEJ4/s1600-h/IMGP4848.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 575px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdwXzJQqpk7LEWtA95GksxDis6XRB3vEE-ozM42svXphAhvpnPnyyclYbFiEsyx1aeFcqniZlMcEA_yIzRSDFVMLuzyt2IzsuACF2sWERvS3yU1INL5bisXbxPkV18R4KoIhyJ-JMEJ4/s800/IMGP4848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363256615466586466" border="0" /></a><br />It is surprising how the conversation can flow so naturally with complete strangers, in particular while traveling, where I have had the good fortune of encountering many interesting and congenial people. While snapping pictures in the plaza, and completely engrossed in my surroundings, I didn't notice that I had grabbed the attention of two men selling bracelets and other handicrafts along a white fence. Luis and his friend (whose name has slipped my mind at the moment) introduced themselves and in a matter of minutes it seemed like Luis had really warmed up to me. He told me about his family and his child and his love for his country but also his desire to move away. Soon the conversation led to what I missed most about home; without any hesitation I told him my dog Nico. He smirked and asked if I was talking about a boyfriend. His cacophony of laughter proved that he was making a machista joke about men liking the company of many women or something similar. Latin men never cease to amaze me and make me laugh, especially since he clearly was getting such amusement from it all. I assured him that my dog was in fact of the canine persuasion. Luis made me promise I would send him this picture (his friend was a bit camera shy). Si estas leyendo esto Luis, espero que estes bien!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLtGZH_IbhBXI1kxc1XmYQe9B6jnBQ1vn_sa6QcX1LJp-zavODEFds3VWaidnefnNzAALGTDRsTWhqYvJ0Tp4gt9J7erMUGosYOF4JIMMfoS2xjR6WjpEC_60FDreY0kFN44FUgtfsYo/s1600-h/IMGP4868+%282%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 566px; height: 851px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLtGZH_IbhBXI1kxc1XmYQe9B6jnBQ1vn_sa6QcX1LJp-zavODEFds3VWaidnefnNzAALGTDRsTWhqYvJ0Tp4gt9J7erMUGosYOF4JIMMfoS2xjR6WjpEC_60FDreY0kFN44FUgtfsYo/s800/IMGP4868+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363257974176301282" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-25073036274559291902009-07-13T19:22:00.004-04:002009-07-14T01:05:14.143-04:00Just another Monday morning in CuscoDuring the week Cusco is a completely different city than on the weekend where you will find mostly tourists roaming the streets looking for alpaca duds and pisco sours. What used to be bare streets were now packed with Peruvians following their daily routine of going to work, waiting for the bus, walking their kids to school, or snatching a part of the sidewalk where they will sell some food or handicrafts to strolling pedestrians. It was a nice change to not only be surrounded by tourists like myself, but rather a group of people who live in this city. They aren't stopping at every corner to bask at the sites, but rather they pass by the Plaza de Armas giving a cursory glance of recognition. After all they see it everyday. By being around locals you may perhaps be given a glimpse of how people really live their lives; if you're lucky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6cyZL-ErOqtlcfsvSh1vDwFZMBnE7GXuK_C-vdwNVASEfirBmGHMR56OQOmOHrrzItgvE1wveDjqV-hlsAT5NwX6RLTtW83qNhBSjjlLm029b0wRapSSvTUMZveC_7WVCkEjBEItge8/s1600-h/IMGP4958.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 607px; height: 403px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6cyZL-ErOqtlcfsvSh1vDwFZMBnE7GXuK_C-vdwNVASEfirBmGHMR56OQOmOHrrzItgvE1wveDjqV-hlsAT5NwX6RLTtW83qNhBSjjlLm029b0wRapSSvTUMZveC_7WVCkEjBEItge8/s800/IMGP4958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358056835523343426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Shoe shiners in Cusco</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfeWo4AAZ0gLU6EY_B6L4WXWQYOhpJudfQ97-pVxuMFm-z7IKyT2lRr8x1BEeYRMUCgVS3MlC0fxExR28Fg4BrodI969bNHXddTGlZfRrwQP-lARjCwEt34rHhEprVHVBaL0-Y7ppFz0/s1600-h/IMGP4938.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 606px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfeWo4AAZ0gLU6EY_B6L4WXWQYOhpJudfQ97-pVxuMFm-z7IKyT2lRr8x1BEeYRMUCgVS3MlC0fxExR28Fg4BrodI969bNHXddTGlZfRrwQP-lARjCwEt34rHhEprVHVBaL0-Y7ppFz0/s800/IMGP4938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358050577198833746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >People waiting for the bus<br /><br /></span>Cusco is small and easy to manage, especially if you compare it to the capital Lima. The Plaza de Armas is the most distinctive image of Cusco city. Most travel paraphernalia plasters pictures of the plaza and the cathedral througout many of its pages. My second day in Cusco I was considerably less winded from the lack of oxygen in the air and made use of some time to myself to stroll the Plaza and sit at the steps of the Cathedral. My visit thus far had been filled with colonial influenced buildings and Catholic tradition. The Plaza de Armas was no different, however I knew that in a few days I would be looking out at a completely different marvel, one that had nothing to do with colonial influence. Machu Picchu, the lost civilization, would not have domed bell towers, ornate balconies, or elaborate Gothic paintings of the Resurrection. There would be no carved crosses or images of the Virgin Mary. Both cultures so different yet an indelible part of Peruvian culture.<br /><br />Below is a map of the main sites in Cusco as well as some photos of what you should be looking for.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIAAfpVWJ8GCqtoW-eM82SnmoBfhXp_om-e-SaLjEQHJbW7ViC_elj5OcGfXPNqdEcsNFVOgqBLWb8sTG0L06FQ71jzBbtsNAOAMd_8DveuV44SR0ok1NlivnHBp5TLxr-XXZlYka0V8/s1600-h/Frommers+Map+of+Cusco.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 567px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIAAfpVWJ8GCqtoW-eM82SnmoBfhXp_om-e-SaLjEQHJbW7ViC_elj5OcGfXPNqdEcsNFVOgqBLWb8sTG0L06FQ71jzBbtsNAOAMd_8DveuV44SR0ok1NlivnHBp5TLxr-XXZlYka0V8/s800/Frommers+Map+of+Cusco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358063956064451762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Map of sites in Cusco provided by <a href="http://www.frommers.com/">Frommers</a>.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUi_1WjPTzftdbOKIZOYiv260mIX1g7nTS7eBpzcU-skppOokYTyFJEf_LH__4hPXBacViQiT2twt7jQ-tSptw0OJnOrpIIKTZahE7WMOMpU0hGUMHLS725xdBgu5Zpq8h-bUgRcOOqs/s1600-h/IMGP4909CUT.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUi_1WjPTzftdbOKIZOYiv260mIX1g7nTS7eBpzcU-skppOokYTyFJEf_LH__4hPXBacViQiT2twt7jQ-tSptw0OJnOrpIIKTZahE7WMOMpU0hGUMHLS725xdBgu5Zpq8h-bUgRcOOqs/s800/IMGP4909CUT.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358070317618283234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Iglesia de la Compa</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >ñ</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ia de Jesus</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NF193c1dlHPrI9uCjJ9d8BSxEiIJvpd1x0MdiD9emNGrmQthNNz8tbBmB-EdAwGc2kqXIINbgtJEJGgprQQS3GCgYGft2U-JRLqowJeACi-lnZhHKdWun9bqTYsWmabW5LsGWh91-KM/s1600-h/IMGP4886CUT.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NF193c1dlHPrI9uCjJ9d8BSxEiIJvpd1x0MdiD9emNGrmQthNNz8tbBmB-EdAwGc2kqXIINbgtJEJGgprQQS3GCgYGft2U-JRLqowJeACi-lnZhHKdWun9bqTYsWmabW5LsGWh91-KM/s800/IMGP4886CUT.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358069611242669986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cathedral</span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNJcplaL8NvFZBm7t2eanwd-DRJnPp4cmWMuxtdt_K_EXKYMBTKCFk9yDnWts1hj6NlkATbFKbVVvWNVy_Y_tpwi_8vpMSPCPw1pRhcl1oeWCutia_o_vu7B58gnuHwYOaHrnGdmtq-8/s1600-h/IMGP4944.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNJcplaL8NvFZBm7t2eanwd-DRJnPp4cmWMuxtdt_K_EXKYMBTKCFk9yDnWts1hj6NlkATbFKbVVvWNVy_Y_tpwi_8vpMSPCPw1pRhcl1oeWCutia_o_vu7B58gnuHwYOaHrnGdmtq-8/s800/IMGP4944.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358065595823878962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Convento de la Merced</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYEWK9PudnOXpHRpwODN4BbRdNiUEQOTTuPHmhNeq6wUGtVUX4NWdWrxPieOGx-hqqaSE1vbDFCkMdzUFdiqM4M09K0EDrZwUHTE4mobYj8KDl6hlcuilQWxpsHFXwWyeHZEt6dPCd6o/s1600-h/IMGP4853.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYEWK9PudnOXpHRpwODN4BbRdNiUEQOTTuPHmhNeq6wUGtVUX4NWdWrxPieOGx-hqqaSE1vbDFCkMdzUFdiqM4M09K0EDrZwUHTE4mobYj8KDl6hlcuilQWxpsHFXwWyeHZEt6dPCd6o/s400/IMGP4853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358072205950828274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Iglesia de San Blas</span></span></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-36905833829800149562009-07-13T00:14:00.005-04:002009-07-13T13:11:26.673-04:00Bourdain is back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xEr0wJgWZJ-MXt_ldT1C8YP3P8dvj7zkTtQ2VCSrWQLLUoP5c9AEnBue5QUk-T7eqcSdjvXbSQny_dH-8OYTZOwLWnEiRgMuAhwyouPGrdbRkJPJbmBP32SXl9ye8R0kyphRolLwbyE/s1600-h/Bourdain+in+Chile.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xEr0wJgWZJ-MXt_ldT1C8YP3P8dvj7zkTtQ2VCSrWQLLUoP5c9AEnBue5QUk-T7eqcSdjvXbSQny_dH-8OYTZOwLWnEiRgMuAhwyouPGrdbRkJPJbmBP32SXl9ye8R0kyphRolLwbyE/s800/Bourdain+in+Chile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357991461336384946" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain?idLink=abc6513412eb7110VgnVCM100000698b3a0a____">No Reservations</a> is back! The excitement started to build when I saw the episode guide on the Anthony Bourdain website. Looks like he will be traveling to many interesting places for the second part of this season, including Chile, Australia, the Rockies, and Buffalo New York. Yesterday the Travel Network offered a No Reservations marathon. While I've seen most of the episodes, I still welcome the opportunity to watch them all day on a lazy afternoon. Anthony writes on his <a href="http://anthony-bourdain-blog.travelchannel.com/">blog</a> that he may or may not have gone to Kerala India, which is where a very close friend of mine is from, so naturally I have a lot to look forward to this season, and so does everyone else! Tonight Bourdain will be in Chile which means there will most likely be endless supplies of meat, fresh seafood and beautiful footage of Patagonia. Another episodethis season is dedicated to the outer boroughs of New York City, which are often forgotten by tourists, but happen to have some of the yummiest dishes and ethnic food that NYC has to offer.<br />Can't wait for tonight!!Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-85978105681090276452009-07-07T14:42:00.019-04:002009-07-12T15:50:04.507-04:00Plaza de Armas, Cusco Photo Journal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjTbosUZM8-bk-v5c3Pcj459IVQbd5c-lK_p5u89UA0f7bG0Vhp0ce5uTkyR7DjmdpIOa9ww8tXQoY26dEJHwicWYZQxQy3bvVXdgot2Y_JtfbPs3lM31IylaO3fMWA08qXseF3UOxN8/s1600-h/IMGP4917.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 587px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjTbosUZM8-bk-v5c3Pcj459IVQbd5c-lK_p5u89UA0f7bG0Vhp0ce5uTkyR7DjmdpIOa9ww8tXQoY26dEJHwicWYZQxQy3bvVXdgot2Y_JtfbPs3lM31IylaO3fMWA08qXseF3UOxN8/s800/IMGP4917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355798173793722226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxB4B9y2Pbp312WqQhDP8i5fQmjiRAClu4IB3IFRdP-_YaX9f33oI91ZfKkqde2ORhI3POR_iV9kWCeR0nUC_0igzGNjKayaKynu_y9csFNSbAD-N2momlgbq1tkXdemzxJni6_zVi0g/s1600-h/IMGP4890.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 587px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxB4B9y2Pbp312WqQhDP8i5fQmjiRAClu4IB3IFRdP-_YaX9f33oI91ZfKkqde2ORhI3POR_iV9kWCeR0nUC_0igzGNjKayaKynu_y9csFNSbAD-N2momlgbq1tkXdemzxJni6_zVi0g/s800/IMGP4890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355790828772458322" border="0" /></a><span class="fullpost"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5DTQvA89q1gdsbyGtej-bieeGd8c03bd0n-H3pzn5kfzNCk0gZADioB8QrJuoNiO2vAX-YDJZKH_vshZ2kokwl7uum2SUkFXj2v08e6YASlc58KIWglG1iSZBwNQyGlZdtE_Mh1Sa_8/s1600-h/IMGP4894.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 586px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5DTQvA89q1gdsbyGtej-bieeGd8c03bd0n-H3pzn5kfzNCk0gZADioB8QrJuoNiO2vAX-YDJZKH_vshZ2kokwl7uum2SUkFXj2v08e6YASlc58KIWglG1iSZBwNQyGlZdtE_Mh1Sa_8/s800/IMGP4894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355794703298034930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAaa6RN1MGzw1V7qRoJiamHgW7Du8MHkqmDM0pDf9xYrSPZ9g-QwvUKuPr1CiKZ544VK7Mzh5vCSJghIg_EltN0Am94l69X8_6RnV1Ca3TnuS9cMxJ06HBc8ejqaeoqyrE5CZIYHhUHo/s1600-h/IMGP4893+%282%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 586px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAaa6RN1MGzw1V7qRoJiamHgW7Du8MHkqmDM0pDf9xYrSPZ9g-QwvUKuPr1CiKZ544VK7Mzh5vCSJghIg_EltN0Am94l69X8_6RnV1Ca3TnuS9cMxJ06HBc8ejqaeoqyrE5CZIYHhUHo/s800/IMGP4893+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355799291748133538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hg_GHb-ZsVRd2xnQiurHbOIbEh3tEezPSprM6wytemvTkAInRsv9avU7-crgem85H2yGoMDDbnvS-F9k4Rqwu3ixn8CMFLrDJYZasifjmlMVDzVBmi8G1CA8nOrdbl6uBEcTI2X8rkg/s1600-h/IMGP4928.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 585px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hg_GHb-ZsVRd2xnQiurHbOIbEh3tEezPSprM6wytemvTkAInRsv9avU7-crgem85H2yGoMDDbnvS-F9k4Rqwu3ixn8CMFLrDJYZasifjmlMVDzVBmi8G1CA8nOrdbl6uBEcTI2X8rkg/s800/IMGP4928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355796453912873250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uh5DtUapn0s0gCAcBTSLN032YeWi7trys2_2JQOPjgrptGaG8k1k7MlIL2OlggLykNqQrBSCUpmBPWZEJb51ndgslBuIz2fswsOag7DPK1BP8qlrobCOZhEDNeD42v-FVjWY9-g5_oc/s1600-h/IMGP4929.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 586px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uh5DtUapn0s0gCAcBTSLN032YeWi7trys2_2JQOPjgrptGaG8k1k7MlIL2OlggLykNqQrBSCUpmBPWZEJb51ndgslBuIz2fswsOag7DPK1BP8qlrobCOZhEDNeD42v-FVjWY9-g5_oc/s800/IMGP4929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355799723763746642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoonvY3Yo5FObMUI8cGxjhg3q4t6t1aNgnPbKxDIQB9wHkmiXP-5XYY7PzGqXrKB3s_7tSiuVnHAfHLInXEfiCaDs2xpbRzkId0P7m8KqXMtgZ4fj4X2ijRJJnBxvQqzL4mdAv4DA8t4/s1600-h/IMGP4892.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 585px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoonvY3Yo5FObMUI8cGxjhg3q4t6t1aNgnPbKxDIQB9wHkmiXP-5XYY7PzGqXrKB3s_7tSiuVnHAfHLInXEfiCaDs2xpbRzkId0P7m8KqXMtgZ4fj4X2ijRJJnBxvQqzL4mdAv4DA8t4/s800/IMGP4892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355792714169921938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XY_DpjR_uo-cWa7Yc3m8SretW8q5XVm4c3xHDJl8B5SLs-KVxeFVhtNYZ7X-INKjJx8bnvRdONx15ET0I9PJZHorLo918GXBZy4nGQRSuZ1B3xek5kmRQkZRJsaeB0jF-dbqdX_3GKM/s1600-h/IMGP4889.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 587px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XY_DpjR_uo-cWa7Yc3m8SretW8q5XVm4c3xHDJl8B5SLs-KVxeFVhtNYZ7X-INKjJx8bnvRdONx15ET0I9PJZHorLo918GXBZy4nGQRSuZ1B3xek5kmRQkZRJsaeB0jF-dbqdX_3GKM/s800/IMGP4889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355792044253130562" border="0" /></a></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-10081052156390889232009-07-06T11:55:00.015-04:002009-07-12T16:47:33.840-04:00New York City and PetanqueOne of the reasons New York City is so unique is because of the conspicuous happenstances you come across everyday. You can see a businessman in heels chasing down a bus, a naked cowboy with a guitar in Times Square, the 6 mile expanse of green smack dab in the middle of a high rising metropolis, or a juggler performing on the side of the FDR Drive and merely chalk it up the the fact that anything, and I mean anything, can happen in New York City.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xqcDnP68ySAOUVu2csrHLdC0PbUIr3yrheDO1vMaj5YDFb7XkkJYo0_zS8W_e8LyVrQnaqgL2cOA8z3OrjVDLWDMuuFav_QRSlNVOwemSb2RZKgr6uiXW-y5PnTApV_6xLG6lowCMTE/s1600-h/IMGP4303.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 593px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xqcDnP68ySAOUVu2csrHLdC0PbUIr3yrheDO1vMaj5YDFb7XkkJYo0_zS8W_e8LyVrQnaqgL2cOA8z3OrjVDLWDMuuFav_QRSlNVOwemSb2RZKgr6uiXW-y5PnTApV_6xLG6lowCMTE/s800/IMGP4303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355384246840455442" border="0" /></a><br />This past spring I was walking around and taking pictures with a friend of mine. I never got a chance to post them and I wanted to because I think they are so quintessential NYC. Not necessarily momentous, but rather a mundane and casual afternoon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt8VscWj_oW5AlghgcFVuT3BzWDfLttDRfmo4BNN9f7DN8OFlodg6Oz2BCiZEZVCPaqUiD37wHxj8uj07px5pDo3NrEuu-g0gdYX4XtReA5mjOV7oz8oVdeMoTBjLM0-ak-7grCm8bKg/s1600-h/IMGP4308.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 593px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt8VscWj_oW5AlghgcFVuT3BzWDfLttDRfmo4BNN9f7DN8OFlodg6Oz2BCiZEZVCPaqUiD37wHxj8uj07px5pDo3NrEuu-g0gdYX4XtReA5mjOV7oz8oVdeMoTBjLM0-ak-7grCm8bKg/s800/IMGP4308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355380220722800322" border="0" /></a><br />Washington Square Park finally is opened to the public. All the other times I visited in the past 2 years I had the misfortune to see uninviting gates and fence surrounding the area where I used to roam instead of attending classes. This spring day the park returned to what I remember most about New York City, the way people come together to use the public space, in particular the parks that are always bustling with people playing games, catching some rays, walking their dogs, or going for a stroll.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidimx9zPrPWbhvNqCNQYX00RLwFgvWODuW6epfjcmjbEFop-_SgswxufZlHmpnonNYbauC-bpL9E-EKBBO_KgILqH7CyzMwT4UF_H0NdZzO88hJ22CihEdGHa4q9HTqvZ71iU6LopNd5g/s1600-h/IMGP4302.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 603px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidimx9zPrPWbhvNqCNQYX00RLwFgvWODuW6epfjcmjbEFop-_SgswxufZlHmpnonNYbauC-bpL9E-EKBBO_KgILqH7CyzMwT4UF_H0NdZzO88hJ22CihEdGHa4q9HTqvZ71iU6LopNd5g/s800/IMGP4302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355391088248485810" border="0" /></a><br />In the park you will often find a group of men throwing around a metal ball. We decided to ask them the name of the game we had seen many times before but didn't really understand. One of the guys told us it was a French game named petanque (similar to Italian bocce or English bowls).<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RXcWX9Al-VKFXgogeAEHGtKdqZratkYYGp2F56nSHOo5qyin9iUtjkTht_44oVAfAc2-ZVFM8uYMFnl-gxnqQ7KTPGXxJXOMeY-dNjDOJ_mRmfVhKC5255ZyOkVrbfGeTYtJAGq12Sk/s1600-h/IMGP4309.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 598px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RXcWX9Al-VKFXgogeAEHGtKdqZratkYYGp2F56nSHOo5qyin9iUtjkTht_44oVAfAc2-ZVFM8uYMFnl-gxnqQ7KTPGXxJXOMeY-dNjDOJ_mRmfVhKC5255ZyOkVrbfGeTYtJAGq12Sk/s800/IMGP4309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355379784105452658" border="0" /></a><br />The purpose of petanque, played by millions of French in the summer months, is to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a wooden ball called the cochonnet. It is often played on a dirt surface which I would imagine provides an appropriate cushion for the metal balls being thrown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7P3PcyqU-DTqncWyHRT7JOIF5xJ3meW75IZA4jvtqhvTcvc9nWRLFADq3GtNrWgrRClk4by-d4C0yCwFKrThwqqPAhyP0au31-OI6aQEsNrlg2aIrgK9klzYWP3QSJ9-u8_bQ74sR8c/s1600-h/IMGP4311.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 598px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7P3PcyqU-DTqncWyHRT7JOIF5xJ3meW75IZA4jvtqhvTcvc9nWRLFADq3GtNrWgrRClk4by-d4C0yCwFKrThwqqPAhyP0au31-OI6aQEsNrlg2aIrgK9klzYWP3QSJ9-u8_bQ74sR8c/s800/IMGP4311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355386285804015202" border="0" /></a><br />You throw the ball with somewhat of an arc as you can see with the guy below. I thought the cigar in his mouth was an authentic touch, because in my mind I imagine lots of men coming together to play, smoke cigars, talk about sports, and enjoy the good weather and company. But that is my interpretation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbhrWq772_EacXznmGCVzUeFnKhznamEAmlz8gbRfRwPr6oRxgF2Y3l-MPkPJU8LztLtpAi7wnKqAfn0AGgnjeQpg8bnjDmdLXTc4jHngHKu8vo31oOpxeEdCef1f23vuyP0EMKRRIb0/s1600-h/IMGP4312.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 598px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbhrWq772_EacXznmGCVzUeFnKhznamEAmlz8gbRfRwPr6oRxgF2Y3l-MPkPJU8LztLtpAi7wnKqAfn0AGgnjeQpg8bnjDmdLXTc4jHngHKu8vo31oOpxeEdCef1f23vuyP0EMKRRIb0/s800/IMGP4312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355378973964141986" border="0" /></a><br />The origin of the games petanque, bocce, and bowls, is said to derive from Ancient Greece and Rome. For a full set of rules on how to play petanque check it out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A9tanque">here</a>.</span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-50096953199621798412009-06-29T12:30:00.018-04:002009-07-12T16:44:17.513-04:00Pollo Chilindrón<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pollo al Chilindrón</span><br /><br />Whenever I don't know what to make for dinner, rest assured I usually end up cooking with some sort of peppers. Like a good Spanish girl, I'm a huge pepper fan. I make variations of Pollo al Chilindrón pretty frequently, since its not all that difficult. Expect it to take around 2 hours (it is a stew after all) because it requires one hour of simmering. But trust me it is very yummy once it's time to eat it.<br /><br />Pollo al Chilindrón is from the Aragón region in Spain, which is comprised of the provinces Zaragoza, Huesca, and Teruel in the northeast section of Spain, but it is eaten throughout the country.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire3_wdwJWVlzxDJ1Ww6T5LuRMvwm7VmW6oR79ae81vMVTlNXyr2uxg7ZdMDuS-cZYbm48mdQzvUpGyqvVqbYbrryYeiOwJqozTycjIoyt9hWDUezsKs8DvI1HWd0IfmltwxVXTCP875Q/s1600-h/DSC00850.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 531px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire3_wdwJWVlzxDJ1Ww6T5LuRMvwm7VmW6oR79ae81vMVTlNXyr2uxg7ZdMDuS-cZYbm48mdQzvUpGyqvVqbYbrryYeiOwJqozTycjIoyt9hWDUezsKs8DvI1HWd0IfmltwxVXTCP875Q/s800/DSC00850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796194749812562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br />4 chicken breasts (legs, thigh depending on preference)<br />Sea salt freshly ground black pepper<br />Rosemary<br />1/4 cup olive oil<br />1 medium onion (chopped)<br />1 large red bell pepper (sliced into thin strips or chopped)<br />1 large green bell pepper (sliced into thin strips or chopped)<br />4 medium sized tomatoes (peeled, seeded, and chopped) or 1 1/2 cup tomato sauce<br />1 cup jamón Serrano (Spanish cured ham)<br />1 cup of white wine<br />Minced garlic<br />1 teaspoon sweet pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika (<span style="font-style: italic;">piment</span><i>ó</i><span style="font-style: italic;">n</span>)<br />1 bay leaf<br />1 cup of water<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEWDNKex7KvIN8rxeq9Wx3ZCshJKjHmegNzPHcr-V3WHpSZ2fYeJtPrKutpnnSLdReXZJsvn3rIuWpuUTyel1Zv5hBtfjpZHvkDeo8DAOBUFnG38Oglb6IkHInJoe2rfa6LmNJUFODac/s1600-h/DSC00845.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEWDNKex7KvIN8rxeq9Wx3ZCshJKjHmegNzPHcr-V3WHpSZ2fYeJtPrKutpnnSLdReXZJsvn3rIuWpuUTyel1Zv5hBtfjpZHvkDeo8DAOBUFnG38Oglb6IkHInJoe2rfa6LmNJUFODac/s800/DSC00845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352795744080970130" border="0" /></a><br />Cut chicken breasts into smaller pieces and season with salt, black pepper, and rosemary. Heat a spoonful of olive oil in a large frying pan and cook chicken, working in batches, until the chicken is brown on both sides. Remove the chicken and set aside. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to the pan and after heating, add the onions and peppers. Cook on a low heat for about 25 minutes until the vegetables start to brown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfm-ul6Q6oLEu_yuY3d9XZPKH2lYPJwX1L_UAravtuB8SPkG15WeLcYU9qh2901xCi9Z0Uduw1FjqCTwQoGdkPj_ATrrZX1cgE5lMkkwjthP-IKB9N8-ONYhro_J1NL85pnvlZKGcCpw/s1600-h/DSC00858.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfm-ul6Q6oLEu_yuY3d9XZPKH2lYPJwX1L_UAravtuB8SPkG15WeLcYU9qh2901xCi9Z0Uduw1FjqCTwQoGdkPj_ATrrZX1cgE5lMkkwjthP-IKB9N8-ONYhro_J1NL85pnvlZKGcCpw/s800/DSC00858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352798028058145362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUo42q1LMf6xzYdWPvLN429nVX10199RSHZaQr2p7s0Hvddo9YNpXb33exCTc-DK-6a0YiGnv9ziF2-uvv38QS8fP6Pm4ganYztxIWETMp_q2re8-Spj0Uha2hhSpbDI4RAV737Ox3z0/s1600-h/DSC00861.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUo42q1LMf6xzYdWPvLN429nVX10199RSHZaQr2p7s0Hvddo9YNpXb33exCTc-DK-6a0YiGnv9ziF2-uvv38QS8fP6Pm4ganYztxIWETMp_q2re8-Spj0Uha2hhSpbDI4RAV737Ox3z0/s800/DSC00861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352860546761438866" border="0" /></a><br />If the vegetables are getting dry make sure to add a tablespoon of water so they do not burn. Once they are finished cooking add the garlic and cook for another 5 minutes. Now add the white wine and cook until it evaporates which should be another 5 minutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF-Si-v8GbYSjJ5BSrID_59iTvtI3r41Np5FVNpsFO95FZv8a-22Eg1FzbRUFs8Hx2b14SDGqHnA2cGueflX1-p5eWnu4In3Ea7dzZH3ABY-F7gzurx67OAvZiZhl7UhkjcQKk-Ac7HE/s1600-h/DSC00862.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF-Si-v8GbYSjJ5BSrID_59iTvtI3r41Np5FVNpsFO95FZv8a-22Eg1FzbRUFs8Hx2b14SDGqHnA2cGueflX1-p5eWnu4In3Ea7dzZH3ABY-F7gzurx67OAvZiZhl7UhkjcQKk-Ac7HE/s800/DSC00862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352798954695207250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVhh47-R_aoVGLybeaG2Q5AtbZFwctgXZ5XiWWAD_Sr16LI20Wt_Mlz-k_qqheJEgLP8N_IDTU9kMlQAx9wx3ZdnP48JB4ymxYYmZL_wd1bHikQi6BLFaf-guC5Qyy80r4Muk-3Mq8lw/s1600-h/DSC00865.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVhh47-R_aoVGLybeaG2Q5AtbZFwctgXZ5XiWWAD_Sr16LI20Wt_Mlz-k_qqheJEgLP8N_IDTU9kMlQAx9wx3ZdnP48JB4ymxYYmZL_wd1bHikQi6BLFaf-guC5Qyy80r4Muk-3Mq8lw/s800/DSC00865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352863442539315362" border="0" /></a><br />Add the jamón Serrano and chicken pieces and stir. Make sure to keep any juices that have collected from the chicken and add to the mix as well. Cook for 5 minutes before adding the tomatoes (or tomato sauce), pimentón, 1 cup of water, and the bay leaf. Cook for 1 hour until the chicken is nice and tender or coming off the bone (for the legs and thighs). Season with salt and pepper to your taste.<br /><br />Buen provecho!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZPI1uzJ_T3_rvYD6Kv7xHIpzy6MFi0HOpGAW_M4OezH73e3AtolFML6GH6BqhsNLpcGLB7HXGu9C5QB5kCKOvZN4tsWJK4LS2m4rwfl5Xh9LYvXgM_e9r7oIBbuCQUNHWlOJ1nYtyDc/s1600-h/Pollo+al+Chilindr%C3%B3n.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 547px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZPI1uzJ_T3_rvYD6Kv7xHIpzy6MFi0HOpGAW_M4OezH73e3AtolFML6GH6BqhsNLpcGLB7HXGu9C5QB5kCKOvZN4tsWJK4LS2m4rwfl5Xh9LYvXgM_e9r7oIBbuCQUNHWlOJ1nYtyDc/s800/Pollo+al+Chilindr%C3%B3n.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352862621564526610" border="0" /></a><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-36093442715845062182009-06-28T18:10:00.014-04:002009-07-12T16:50:11.439-04:00Bright Pink SkyFriday night there was a weird light coming through the windows of my house. My brother and I went outside and saw that the sky was bright pink. Not just the sky in fact, but everything. The light was reflecting off of the street, cars, houses and yards. It was a little bizarre just how bright it was, looking somewhat like a sci-fi movie, I half expected to see aliens buzzing around. There had been several thunderstorms throughout the day which left the sky looking pretty damn cool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43pz_IoL2lxRoPsinVPDQNp7EuYc-m90hLRE5ju10hgC2jZYIq4fR0pONibNuO9FnOar2ymoWkAdhYX76v_5tm7MJ1sWGtS6HeKRi9SF6wVpSRMFJcizQbuu2PkZJArJleDQQYNZqOH0/s1600-h/DSC00894.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 463px; height: 610px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43pz_IoL2lxRoPsinVPDQNp7EuYc-m90hLRE5ju10hgC2jZYIq4fR0pONibNuO9FnOar2ymoWkAdhYX76v_5tm7MJ1sWGtS6HeKRi9SF6wVpSRMFJcizQbuu2PkZJArJleDQQYNZqOH0/s800/DSC00894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352504538506443986" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-73763228386663636532009-06-28T14:22:00.006-04:002009-07-12T16:45:39.037-04:00The Fog In LimaThe typical tourist route in Peru is to head to Cusco after visiting Lima. Since we only had a little over a week in Peru we decided to do just that. We would spend a few days adjusting to the altitude, as well as enjoying the city. Every guidebook suggests staying a few days in Cusco before doing the trails to Machu Picchu. Please take there warnings seriously. I had an interesting bout of altitude sickness on the trail (more about that later).<br /><br />Our flight to Cusco was delayed because of a dense fog that descended upon Lima. From what I know about Lima, and what I experienced on most days, is that it is common in the winter for Lima to be covered in fog, especially the closer you get to the water. As usual I'm not exactly looking forward to the flight and a delay just makes the anxiety of waiting that much worse. One of my friends caught me taking a quick nap at the airport.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zvNdKPIEwE_ROcR_1qVt0C4OhsrDE4qrAmCJ20nqNHGLGqeKNz4MEKHirDhlsvmZwPgvMXYLOfUly2nIxxNl7wbZzv0nlmsbvyU3zJgqHAcQz1BliPoguR4XiFGN1ZMwj1NwN6GepHw/s1600-h/DSC00156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 590px; height: 441px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zvNdKPIEwE_ROcR_1qVt0C4OhsrDE4qrAmCJ20nqNHGLGqeKNz4MEKHirDhlsvmZwPgvMXYLOfUly2nIxxNl7wbZzv0nlmsbvyU3zJgqHAcQz1BliPoguR4XiFGN1ZMwj1NwN6GepHw/s800/DSC00156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351704365180137426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The flight into Cusco was beautiful. Since Cusco is in the midst of a bunch of mountain ranges, on our descent we passed a few snow capped mountain.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7VuEc6xuFVbLP27Cp42hhTueQl7lhCbOA-O0d8sAuZTkutjphAWphICddi5n7julvivrwgmYGmkeh_HsAKsQL6sLwROXHN4kMFHwuDhVSP8QWdq5VIY9aGxw5jIzlylwDh_FmjP52zA/s1600-h/DSC00177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 433px; height: 577px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7VuEc6xuFVbLP27Cp42hhTueQl7lhCbOA-O0d8sAuZTkutjphAWphICddi5n7julvivrwgmYGmkeh_HsAKsQL6sLwROXHN4kMFHwuDhVSP8QWdq5VIY9aGxw5jIzlylwDh_FmjP52zA/s800/DSC00177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352508990253292018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh5k1OelK21acrOkFEOLhJuMMjxHSkiW5VsP2kGL-x2kfCKvtCcH0czowHqjaJi2ojt4hjh33wDBsc2nW0iuzr510kG7y82xNfhq1LtLndzEask45gmM76frIf4l4v9Jy1ZXz5f7nCTw/s1600-h/DSC00184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 578px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh5k1OelK21acrOkFEOLhJuMMjxHSkiW5VsP2kGL-x2kfCKvtCcH0czowHqjaJi2ojt4hjh33wDBsc2nW0iuzr510kG7y82xNfhq1LtLndzEask45gmM76frIf4l4v9Jy1ZXz5f7nCTw/s800/DSC00184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352509104055587746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We saw a bunch of advertisements in the airport for oxishot, basically oxygen in a bottle. There was also an oxishot vendor on premises. We decided against buying the oxygen, thinking it was unnecessary, probably a little presumptuous of us. Actually in Cusco it pretty much was unnecessary, since we all didn't feel too many symptoms from the altitude, however on the Lares Trail I would have been a lot happier if I had one of these bad boys.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA45qs9naCuD8OV5Jgghbt_UdD0zUmsCN0aXgTecfitSTGBEuKePPdLXqe2W0IvhpuaeLEomEeqTHKUm6mSIfDosSkJxWGEXS-l305uwSufJcCO-25s6MciF1kr4HGAu_3qBKSdtyNqFw/s1600-h/DSC00190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA45qs9naCuD8OV5Jgghbt_UdD0zUmsCN0aXgTecfitSTGBEuKePPdLXqe2W0IvhpuaeLEomEeqTHKUm6mSIfDosSkJxWGEXS-l305uwSufJcCO-25s6MciF1kr4HGAu_3qBKSdtyNqFw/s400/DSC00190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352513369190797570" border="0" /></a><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-73718240434705217002009-06-25T14:29:00.009-04:002009-07-12T16:49:21.727-04:00I Am In Love With An AssassinBefore I get any phone calls from worried relatives, I want to state that I am not personally in love with an assassin, but rather I read an article about a British Journalist who fell in love with one. Phew, now that that's settled.<br /><br />In this month's July issue of Marie Claire, journalist Jason P. Howe describes his pretty 'normal' relationship with a woman who was involved in a completely atypical situation. Below are Howe and his girlfriend Marylin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvzWiw9MYmm2ZLUeYsGBZegV0MylqUD6UniL5oH0sdF_pWPSQcRqWTx6ExXW8jQh9GApIdyKSQZadHvD_Hsg1qw74GlJsaCFScAyLryX1oV7T-KGGcCZMxfB-S1A3RWYHRwRP9BimQcs/s1600-h/Jason+P.+Howe+and+GF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 621px; height: 413px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvzWiw9MYmm2ZLUeYsGBZegV0MylqUD6UniL5oH0sdF_pWPSQcRqWTx6ExXW8jQh9GApIdyKSQZadHvD_Hsg1qw74GlJsaCFScAyLryX1oV7T-KGGcCZMxfB-S1A3RWYHRwRP9BimQcs/s800/Jason+P.+Howe+and+GF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351335987660742418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love Marie Claire, precisely because the magazine offers so much more than the typical women's magazine articles, you know the type, 'how to please your guy with just your pinky finger,' or 'the one day secret diet to loosing 10 pounds.' Marie Claire, along with the fluff pieces, offers stories about issues that concern people, especially women, from across the globe. One of the stories that really intrigued me a couple months ago, was regarding a group of women in India who were fed up with rapists, abusers, and corrupt officials getting away with their crimes, so naturally they took justice in their own hands and formed the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/the%20Gulabi%20Gang">Gulabi Gang</a>, a group of crime fighting women. Talk about Batman with a twist.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Jason P. Howe's story is also pretty incredible. He was on assignment in Colombia and met Marylin. She invited him over to her house, where she lived with her parents and daughter. Soon they feel in love, not unlike many of us have experienced before. We have all kept secrets from our significant others at some point or another for fear of them judging us, however Marylin had a secret that would be hard for anyone to guess. She was an assassin for the paramilitary groups of her country. She killed on a regular basis, often brutally and with the intention to strike fear in others, which means that the bodies are often grotesquely displayed. Talk about a shocker for poor Jason. The article is intriguing however as Jason tries to grasp how the person he loves could kill with such disinterest and nonchalance. Click <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/international/female-assassin-colombia?click=main_sr">here</a> to read the whole article.</span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-77103095649813935672009-06-24T00:59:00.008-04:002009-06-28T21:38:00.236-04:00Baaaaahh.... Playing With Animals In CuscoCusco, Peru<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjCWaEyVpUZP5Inm-f_PvhMFTVSdkRxx6LK2tivIHf2hlyj2k4OgnXgCbDfYe5kaLWKOUvatqEKQfj_KOwy1BjS3fqiJO9DEOeRr1Ct2GTjxWaVx8CpnzhZXEfFDVNHZ7AL48V71qjvk/s1600-h/IMGP4932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 582px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjCWaEyVpUZP5Inm-f_PvhMFTVSdkRxx6LK2tivIHf2hlyj2k4OgnXgCbDfYe5kaLWKOUvatqEKQfj_KOwy1BjS3fqiJO9DEOeRr1Ct2GTjxWaVx8CpnzhZXEfFDVNHZ7AL48V71qjvk/s800/IMGP4932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351330666632579426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yup that's me with a lamb!<br />My doctor told me to stay away from animals on my trip, you know the usual precautions, rabies, infection etc... But he was just so cute.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-qJq-0kcA3ujeTrIrymEb3SLuJTQyQup5catHi0-3FuSYbQkKdqOOEduRF-l_S3o9s9VlAM58qrTcPzJS6T-b1-ot3i-HCsJS5cx4HhiNkjLmE3MQrdahvMuiBElJRSp7rzYQcA0j3o/s1600-h/IMGP4911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 511px; height: 862px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-qJq-0kcA3ujeTrIrymEb3SLuJTQyQup5catHi0-3FuSYbQkKdqOOEduRF-l_S3o9s9VlAM58qrTcPzJS6T-b1-ot3i-HCsJS5cx4HhiNkjLmE3MQrdahvMuiBElJRSp7rzYQcA0j3o/s800/IMGP4911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351331102633845506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEwTwxvkIIn2SOp3ImBKLli0uxOh0nd1ABDIEDgHu242kxHUFbUIIgk0qtwEbMcGTf5J4Qx3Bzq9x9NPW_fHs8gcKmUyRSr37rpK7n8HXdNxqqzBMxmAjX9fc3h2s0gJlkS_5pe7P4nY/s1600-h/IMGP4911.JPG"><br /></a>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-78471742435162269322009-06-20T20:50:00.017-04:002009-07-12T16:54:40.966-04:00Taxi and Huayno Peruano<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt4ETPCQTiiMOOXNbtPdahvve9MPVugDVrfoXwmPmW6qLCpBaxrRYoTKNjYD_YjeKuKcVa9fE1Zy15AS9IFQphNGzUpyebLc3zQxC0QIhluJLKc324gU1mdYGkKJcfxMYrlfU_j-Pkow/s1600-h/Taxi+in+Lima.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 538px; height: 403px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt4ETPCQTiiMOOXNbtPdahvve9MPVugDVrfoXwmPmW6qLCpBaxrRYoTKNjYD_YjeKuKcVa9fE1Zy15AS9IFQphNGzUpyebLc3zQxC0QIhluJLKc324gU1mdYGkKJcfxMYrlfU_j-Pkow/s800/Taxi+in+Lima.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351497641732510930" border="0" /></a><br />Finally it was time to leave Lima and frankly I was a little sad. There is never enough time to see a whole city, however only a few days seemed like bad planning.<br /><br />But alas we had to depart, so we hailed a cab and made our way to the airport, in order to catch our flight to Cusco. This taxi was the most high tech taxi we had seen in all of Lima. Whereas most cabs were old and shabby looking, this driver looked like he was trying out for MTV's Pimp My Taxi.<br /><br />This innovative driver had a television screen with a connecting dvd player in his car. Don't overestimate however, it was nothing like the touchscreens now seen in NYC cabs, where you can play around in the back seat, although it did make for some interesting entertainment. The best part of the car was the telephone the driver pulled out from somewhere in the front seat. It wasn't a car phone no no, (that would be too obvious), it wasn't a cell phone (again obvious), but rather a land line telephone that he somehow got to work inside the cab. He explained it to us but I'm not one for technology chats.<br /><br />He had DVDs for us to choose from, most of them music DVDs. He suggested we choose traditional Peruvian music, music he called huayno. Little did we know that this would be our first taste of the music we would soon be hearing all over. Huayno is very distinguishable and especially for those hearing it for the first time, it is most definitely an acquired taste. The vocals are extremely high pitched and accompanied by flute, harp, panpipe, guitar, charango, and mandolin. Below is a song by Stalim Manrique.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a_2hiClxsnc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a_2hiClxsnc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QZT3o6AC37bLbfF4uZgiZMA3G6GtagnsU2aILy4yIsrNoaW1NUW_9wp6j417KxMAXmbgYAgLGn7z9NSWOfSC3bXiHV0sGrefzvntjSbh_4gbQb6fXquPzpFok6y7vSCPmj3Ph1EETmM/s1600-h/Huay%C3%B1o+Peruano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 579px; height: 432px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QZT3o6AC37bLbfF4uZgiZMA3G6GtagnsU2aILy4yIsrNoaW1NUW_9wp6j417KxMAXmbgYAgLGn7z9NSWOfSC3bXiHV0sGrefzvntjSbh_4gbQb6fXquPzpFok6y7vSCPmj3Ph1EETmM/s800/Huay%C3%B1o+Peruano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351498127436113346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Huayno Dancers<br />Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/otravezmehicemujer/2237484376/">Otra vez me hice Mujer</a><br /><br />Huayno is very popular in Andean culture. You can hear it in the mountains of Peru, often transmitted by radio, since many of the people living there do not have televisions. The music may seem a little strange to travelers when they hear it, since the sound is very unique. After all the singing is high pitched and can seem a little off key, but the tradition has lasted for a very long time, since pre-Hispanic Peru. No doubt there is lots of emotion, often about love, love lost, unrequited love, you get the idea. One of the songs I heard in the cab was about a man whose lover drove him so crazy he resorted to alcohol. The lyrics were funny and although I don't remember them exactly they were something like "I love you so much that I must drink." I understand the sentiment but for me it usually involves Ben & Jerry's rather than Johnnie Walker.<br /><br />In huayno, often times you will hear people in the background, children speaking, or people cheering the singer on.<br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Que sigue bailando</span>" Keep dancing.<br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Ay mi corazoncito</span>" Oh my heart.<br />I admit I don't listen to huayno much in the privacy of my own home, but take a look for yourself and experience the music from a very rich culture.<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-61967450476662027492009-06-09T17:28:00.001-04:002009-07-12T16:51:09.188-04:00Inka Lounge Hostel Lima<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHRuGJ8ueVBP6Z2vx-l_CdUF6c6t3M7dg9eOEicF9bExrCXoZXhu2qaKBJmdGOqj2bKSvZ_f_jkuci5BW_VMY7X88BOvJY6uY3Hr0YhO9iYSHkE_OGB53NX1goZbSc7xoFXi-Z2UC9qo/s1600-h/Inka+Lodge+Lima+Bedroom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHRuGJ8ueVBP6Z2vx-l_CdUF6c6t3M7dg9eOEicF9bExrCXoZXhu2qaKBJmdGOqj2bKSvZ_f_jkuci5BW_VMY7X88BOvJY6uY3Hr0YhO9iYSHkE_OGB53NX1goZbSc7xoFXi-Z2UC9qo/s320/Inka+Lodge+Lima+Bedroom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345448786978069202" border="0" /></a>For my first night in Lima I stayed at <a href="http://www.theinkalounge.com/">Inka Lounge Hostel</a> in Miraflores. The hostel arranged for someone to pick me up at the airport for $15, which is a very reasonable price for the 30 minute cab ride from the airport to Miraflores. In Lima it is customary to negotiate the price of the cab ride before you enter, since there are no meters in the cabs. Do not forget to handle that beforehand if you want to avoid headaches later on. My driver was holding up a sign with my name on it amongst what seemed like hundreds of people waiting in the crowd for their prospective customers. He was very friendly and chatty, especially with all his swine flu questions. Suddenly I was an authority on the matter because of my American passport (note to self - start using the Spanish one).<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />When we arrived, I was tired and frankly a bit delirious from the flight. I didn't have any soles to give the cab driver a tip, but later I felt less guilty when I found out that taxi drivers in Peru don't expect tips. Although my cab driver seemed a bit hesitant to say goodbye, so I'm assuming many Americans give tips anyhow. When I arrived there was a group of people sitting in the common area of the hostel watching a movie. If I wasn't so very much looking forward to the feeling of my face hitting something resembling a mattress I would have tried to meet some new people, but I decided to check in as quick as possible and make my way to my room. Clearly sleep trumps socializing when fighting the effects of a sleeping pill.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyRlHllTBtA0PlAKtgTx9F-r4kVgXiUXwh848Rrr763E5phRF4-PUwmcw1UtI_vFRmTFWiMoHfYH9JX0Jepvw5aRda87-eEVEnEbLbmJPVg0zaiTpe33IKxayd4fHZyqDB0mrQJokGBM/s1600-h/Inka+Lodge+Lima+Luggage.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyRlHllTBtA0PlAKtgTx9F-r4kVgXiUXwh848Rrr763E5phRF4-PUwmcw1UtI_vFRmTFWiMoHfYH9JX0Jepvw5aRda87-eEVEnEbLbmJPVg0zaiTpe33IKxayd4fHZyqDB0mrQJokGBM/s320/Inka+Lodge+Lima+Luggage.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345448857069951138" border="0" /></a>The guy at the front desk Edgar was extremely helpful, and if I do say so myself, rather good looking. Still the sleeping pill won over the urge to keep talking to a handsome stranger. When I got to my room it was clean and had two beds. Finally the moment I've been waiting for.<br /><br />The Inka Lounge Hostel is located in Miraflores. As hostels are concerned it is pretty standard although I would recommend it to anyone. I stayed in the single room and it was quiet and comfortable and cheap, a perfect combination after a long flight.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theinkalounge.com/">The Inka Lounge Hostel Website</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rates</span><br />Shared Rooms $7 US<br />Single Room $12 US<br />Double Room $10.50 US<br /><br />All rooms share bathrooms<br />All rooms are per person<br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-70595131494734892212009-05-29T11:35:00.004-04:002009-07-12T16:36:56.133-04:00El Centro de Lima Photo Journal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNl_8nlqlZJ0PKRLVvQCYA-O7W6fgoBdwyU8ounQtHAjs0R0OVnLp29V-lHQFQJHfkZIYljP9j9uY5wcV8SMtIzaV7xf7hnIeSopYSRLAK02DrYlGOobF3NEIgJfivNF3pjdAE9qjpX8/s1600-h/IMGP4641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNl_8nlqlZJ0PKRLVvQCYA-O7W6fgoBdwyU8ounQtHAjs0R0OVnLp29V-lHQFQJHfkZIYljP9j9uY5wcV8SMtIzaV7xf7hnIeSopYSRLAK02DrYlGOobF3NEIgJfivNF3pjdAE9qjpX8/s800/IMGP4641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352265191668139010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rC_NTnfRNtNnLp6mNlU2zyVtRzNVaW7TF8bvg9Ekpx2wKqZMPS9JA-5mZ0lnwjV2mRwJWeTMW5LQfAbmHb7kGgs2ZJ_yAhUJOjLrucZRrp-aXkxOu4DB8rIAXnEzd6n17ZHsrXa_Syo/s1600-h/IMGP4637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rC_NTnfRNtNnLp6mNlU2zyVtRzNVaW7TF8bvg9Ekpx2wKqZMPS9JA-5mZ0lnwjV2mRwJWeTMW5LQfAbmHb7kGgs2ZJ_yAhUJOjLrucZRrp-aXkxOu4DB8rIAXnEzd6n17ZHsrXa_Syo/s800/IMGP4637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352269966723008466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5afkvTL8qb4-0vi9DoH7j4-djDmgGTFotXPMgKBsxp9oou_vnDd_OmLpKIXrVwV81T5ZG0O261sk2l1I26bbxGc-RpMWowguxtZCszcsjDDHFFfXTPJertG2cqFUhWj19rdXiaS7ePY/s1600-h/IMGP4698.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 613px; height: 407px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5afkvTL8qb4-0vi9DoH7j4-djDmgGTFotXPMgKBsxp9oou_vnDd_OmLpKIXrVwV81T5ZG0O261sk2l1I26bbxGc-RpMWowguxtZCszcsjDDHFFfXTPJertG2cqFUhWj19rdXiaS7ePY/s800/IMGP4698.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352269226940602546" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuYCn89gefrCZrkS1dkPiDTxq0qfRTdUZKedZ2wtCHF2-4mEoYOlJOLwfWyyPwBQC8r1X0WeCZ5A4G33-HvDIHAGlVSsWB_MdfT5X4RwI-Um6yhS05a4my_WEIe4PgJwyS4pOy6QQcLI/s1600-h/IMGP4631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuYCn89gefrCZrkS1dkPiDTxq0qfRTdUZKedZ2wtCHF2-4mEoYOlJOLwfWyyPwBQC8r1X0WeCZ5A4G33-HvDIHAGlVSsWB_MdfT5X4RwI-Um6yhS05a4my_WEIe4PgJwyS4pOy6QQcLI/s800/IMGP4631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352269673980834706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb5PpDMTrev15h2NJYeU6ZjXKgYuH4NFgmsLB7_WiE_ioyumrG3g4NkfbI9i5hlRluYcxi1i2Mj6oNwOHqXW268bUR6lImyyG1AWTuGKKx4ODhx55RcSe-uQRSzyKW7s-y-ngQqUy-h0/s1600-h/IMGP4678.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 502px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb5PpDMTrev15h2NJYeU6ZjXKgYuH4NFgmsLB7_WiE_ioyumrG3g4NkfbI9i5hlRluYcxi1i2Mj6oNwOHqXW268bUR6lImyyG1AWTuGKKx4ODhx55RcSe-uQRSzyKW7s-y-ngQqUy-h0/s800/IMGP4678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352264979034579522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgGtEc3Uhx08FYeogSzy4I8-lg4IGoIZY83v2xE_1VK51Udo2jGLxFCdlW8FaF7iqJ9M2EDNL_xcvUfa2ofohswYZW7PrgQ89Ub6PIuWrryh1JEgexdYYWsL5RBsrRJ2fBevz2rDKKdU/s1600-h/IMGP4689.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgGtEc3Uhx08FYeogSzy4I8-lg4IGoIZY83v2xE_1VK51Udo2jGLxFCdlW8FaF7iqJ9M2EDNL_xcvUfa2ofohswYZW7PrgQ89Ub6PIuWrryh1JEgexdYYWsL5RBsrRJ2fBevz2rDKKdU/s800/IMGP4689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352268963468200034" border="0" /></a><div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu6WdTwHWbizklT_UfWMUYBWsUKdESex4RPLtVSc5GMc0dK7Ro3R-TsTck0aKfyu80FFU6tss6Jcm4-J_nXub4V6WGliE7_R8b81S2n-60sQpPh1VNtuh_d_a1iE1rr0OrQ2AFGwZT_o/s1600-h/IMGP4694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu6WdTwHWbizklT_UfWMUYBWsUKdESex4RPLtVSc5GMc0dK7Ro3R-TsTck0aKfyu80FFU6tss6Jcm4-J_nXub4V6WGliE7_R8b81S2n-60sQpPh1VNtuh_d_a1iE1rr0OrQ2AFGwZT_o/s800/IMGP4694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352261624748841506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1nPM0ahvaNBb33wJL0KdoRtQrg3y4vUCojRtXG85B1CLM3n6IoQdJDM4iXQu3g9jiUBYeY5afDoqGMc6lq6NM0_PLIXZQiUbf0oGlfieHj2HRN5NGp87r-7MbbppHknWmjbtxu6oje0/s1600-h/IMGP4692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 529px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1nPM0ahvaNBb33wJL0KdoRtQrg3y4vUCojRtXG85B1CLM3n6IoQdJDM4iXQu3g9jiUBYeY5afDoqGMc6lq6NM0_PLIXZQiUbf0oGlfieHj2HRN5NGp87r-7MbbppHknWmjbtxu6oje0/s800/IMGP4692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352261315827871474" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-83400428231788236352009-05-21T18:53:00.016-04:002009-07-12T16:38:56.222-04:00Miraflores Photo JournalMiraflores was one of my favorite neighborhoods in Lima, primarily because of the vibrant colors of the buildings. Part of my travel experience is wandering around streets and neighborhoods and Miraflores makes it easy to appreciate. The flâneur will feel at home walking the quiet residential streets as well as the busy squares and center.<br /><br />Lima proved to be a great city to start off my South America tour. I felt comfortable walking around on my own (during the day) and with friends at night. Miraflores is a safe neighborhood in Lima, therefore you should be cautious and avoid other neighborhoods at night (and even during the day). At my hostel one of the employees highlighted on a map which area I should avoid. You can ask your hostel or hotel to do the same. Below are some pictures of the Miraflores neighborhood.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GxWwrZ42UzK5xOljJmTrCaGkIsCvABnh3XAgbIKBmzmml_fUcuJO6s0CM95ww7EkoP4DAnXfbC2A98SNZJhe9z1nxUomKo67JOov25spoARcuLS1KO1MYuO18XQsKGNEYKIfyLqzkp4/s1600-h/IMGP4490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GxWwrZ42UzK5xOljJmTrCaGkIsCvABnh3XAgbIKBmzmml_fUcuJO6s0CM95ww7EkoP4DAnXfbC2A98SNZJhe9z1nxUomKo67JOov25spoARcuLS1KO1MYuO18XQsKGNEYKIfyLqzkp4/s800/IMGP4490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352047235818526450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQIuEAF9ehxhe4EqVzss11bK4aeuzlDNiUBaVkIWP5KWUvTmiiZk46VOqCmiRjjJgC7i-z__QpE7gIUFyBNkOx2lYrD01o3QjXe8klcQOlrvWmopXQoBeQSL1IsMKryj3ZTqZKOzriPE/s1600-h/IMGP4567.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQIuEAF9ehxhe4EqVzss11bK4aeuzlDNiUBaVkIWP5KWUvTmiiZk46VOqCmiRjjJgC7i-z__QpE7gIUFyBNkOx2lYrD01o3QjXe8klcQOlrvWmopXQoBeQSL1IsMKryj3ZTqZKOzriPE/s800/IMGP4567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352046805799698450" border="0" /></a><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlfnBPx-rlxl0eONrAYEDvrCEBFJvmKr1ikRkmbnSSlmWqcOh_7IYvePNJ35J5_7qwLYrm7BmNpzjouPRepjpQELAi70kJkQx7daxjj4JWuW3MFz7qzm8aQWsvihevlmbnJconKVrcCU/s1600-h/IMGP4560.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 407px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlfnBPx-rlxl0eONrAYEDvrCEBFJvmKr1ikRkmbnSSlmWqcOh_7IYvePNJ35J5_7qwLYrm7BmNpzjouPRepjpQELAi70kJkQx7daxjj4JWuW3MFz7qzm8aQWsvihevlmbnJconKVrcCU/s800/IMGP4560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352046489517585762" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMrhQ9TTFP0D4CEF1ogaJsiF_SFBybrUtDv8Zn_lwEoY2EmdDgo1lDmm0e-w8-pqXfalLxbEIa6tDJrivkRNWO6iTrYJaeFS4uTY8Z2AurrusbKuD4MJE0MfOEqP1S8u8qTpnHKdgbvQ/s1600-h/IMGP4554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 611px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMrhQ9TTFP0D4CEF1ogaJsiF_SFBybrUtDv8Zn_lwEoY2EmdDgo1lDmm0e-w8-pqXfalLxbEIa6tDJrivkRNWO6iTrYJaeFS4uTY8Z2AurrusbKuD4MJE0MfOEqP1S8u8qTpnHKdgbvQ/s800/IMGP4554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352048898782136546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FRIn15aZQl3_8oELmUXvGBlFMS26MTiF8JA-ahUAisdMJFSlozvPbLZtQoWj34ch6MTqQwyqkBdCSFrdOfAAAjUykuwu3tOJJ0EvyobZMnD1HDV0mHdA-EMH5C5dmCUYLuda2p2sUxI/s1600-h/IMGP4569.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FRIn15aZQl3_8oELmUXvGBlFMS26MTiF8JA-ahUAisdMJFSlozvPbLZtQoWj34ch6MTqQwyqkBdCSFrdOfAAAjUykuwu3tOJJ0EvyobZMnD1HDV0mHdA-EMH5C5dmCUYLuda2p2sUxI/s800/IMGP4569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352047759742735346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSLBrHLSxI59tWcKvRDFPJ-q2clnv4Prpr-JCzppTCFpiK2Mr1FByVXRizEa5oPXxJUqaw6I0QWEyURVbIuGxz7aZCUl7Y29SXvBpWao7SOQ12-H2hl6XzzkOmOH7gn6MEAHTRrDpcE8/s1600-h/IMGP4578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSLBrHLSxI59tWcKvRDFPJ-q2clnv4Prpr-JCzppTCFpiK2Mr1FByVXRizEa5oPXxJUqaw6I0QWEyURVbIuGxz7aZCUl7Y29SXvBpWao7SOQ12-H2hl6XzzkOmOH7gn6MEAHTRrDpcE8/s800/IMGP4578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352048157910839426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OGn1rAQimtYl8O2xGIe2_GjPuRXKkm3LYjOFPreGiV8je6fecCsTrpYoR4PUV52gO83B2EajQhDuvqNEIgwoqIIEAyv33813unERKsbP-tcf1UVWmVpMMCBrJqm4LYKVeCFaDNNKjZo/s1600-h/IMGP4564.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OGn1rAQimtYl8O2xGIe2_GjPuRXKkm3LYjOFPreGiV8je6fecCsTrpYoR4PUV52gO83B2EajQhDuvqNEIgwoqIIEAyv33813unERKsbP-tcf1UVWmVpMMCBrJqm4LYKVeCFaDNNKjZo/s800/IMGP4564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352047499196583378" border="0" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio53j_3NxOSf8goMMEqfusLxgEDiYlyJzCYROFDi_chTWKzdjcMjjambTzCnyfzssDl41CThkXoSj8TfFlJrqv5bgqbrJDqgqVgp71nHsmCc-kbzhkeRBRoj4zC6bIXllg6KaZnJkx5fc/s1600-h/IMGP4563.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio53j_3NxOSf8goMMEqfusLxgEDiYlyJzCYROFDi_chTWKzdjcMjjambTzCnyfzssDl41CThkXoSj8TfFlJrqv5bgqbrJDqgqVgp71nHsmCc-kbzhkeRBRoj4zC6bIXllg6KaZnJkx5fc/s800/IMGP4563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352046257203785138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0t3XEEcwezKYje9zYfDAncc54nuVygaSOvutH94gOKTnTqraaGzS45mVLkGFQVXxdPWsrEMf2o7tAqyX98idYd8Q0NHoXYcRDeVBDgu6lPphEkVmhgCj9DbxVpnLrChawafLagE3Fh0/s1600-h/IMGP4549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0t3XEEcwezKYje9zYfDAncc54nuVygaSOvutH94gOKTnTqraaGzS45mVLkGFQVXxdPWsrEMf2o7tAqyX98idYd8Q0NHoXYcRDeVBDgu6lPphEkVmhgCj9DbxVpnLrChawafLagE3Fh0/s800/IMGP4549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352047042757975842" border="0" /></a><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG-vmOqaslCom68V2-UnzC42BWHbxorgdkZyBL8NNS7DGv5oM1HXDC5len4rOJDsNF38AyMhDu5MySH7059U13wpYiqaTO1OfqHOotFshPtZJSudjtVLcyvHoWTDwZAIBAB44pU9Mah0/s1600-h/IMGP4579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG-vmOqaslCom68V2-UnzC42BWHbxorgdkZyBL8NNS7DGv5oM1HXDC5len4rOJDsNF38AyMhDu5MySH7059U13wpYiqaTO1OfqHOotFshPtZJSudjtVLcyvHoWTDwZAIBAB44pU9Mah0/s800/IMGP4579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352045527537673714" border="0" /></a><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj8iJefGAkXZKHb98-oV0mLsm3d5Qzuq1R2mvmU9RqrYbxycczIegTPF56xWPbdQuqaVNy31LCSljKykN_FsiVPSY9fJbvIiAIZrzvHTYMmh-P6pvQyZDea5-97kpeVWpTr0Q9zgkGhQ/s1600-h/IMGP4583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 611px; height: 405px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj8iJefGAkXZKHb98-oV0mLsm3d5Qzuq1R2mvmU9RqrYbxycczIegTPF56xWPbdQuqaVNy31LCSljKykN_FsiVPSY9fJbvIiAIZrzvHTYMmh-P6pvQyZDea5-97kpeVWpTr0Q9zgkGhQ/s800/IMGP4583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352045158889222546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RWw3tiPELIeFLC9C5by1mGtOizTLfKvQWCK39rqxSiQPWObepCqPPdW9zH8a1q6GhRTFgBBHYtJb7ZHWjljkANYrSHY426mHxFA-6JGJ3Ao7fxZ6kw99L_LUP50WMvHMHtW24M1QB_0/s1600-h/IMGP4603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 612px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RWw3tiPELIeFLC9C5by1mGtOizTLfKvQWCK39rqxSiQPWObepCqPPdW9zH8a1q6GhRTFgBBHYtJb7ZHWjljkANYrSHY426mHxFA-6JGJ3Ao7fxZ6kw99L_LUP50WMvHMHtW24M1QB_0/s800/IMGP4603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351719139074222242" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-27701694139214225332009-05-19T11:59:00.001-04:002009-07-12T16:40:34.722-04:00Larcomar in MirafloresLarcomar<br />One of the popular places to go out in Lima is Larcomar. Larcomar is a small mall in the Miraflores neighborhood. It is nice because it is right on the cliff overlooking the ocean. At night you can hardly see the water, but you can smell the salt in the air and feel the breeze that blows in from the ocean. It´s nice to step outside for a breath of fresh air, especially because some of the clubs allow smoking.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWjkQwfqBiN200BkZLBR0Aty9u7RHgIINufJJ0TT6Z_4Bj6cyfqa5zSKxpKwEjeoMTJK-3AFSwySCjhXQZJ9Aiwwg3Aj1gEgkwhysoIeZxY0v9pxYaRhabppai5PcBPOmJafctEiItVY/s1600-h/DSC00006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337569409133911138" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWjkQwfqBiN200BkZLBR0Aty9u7RHgIINufJJ0TT6Z_4Bj6cyfqa5zSKxpKwEjeoMTJK-3AFSwySCjhXQZJ9Aiwwg3Aj1gEgkwhysoIeZxY0v9pxYaRhabppai5PcBPOmJafctEiItVY/s400/DSC00006.JPG" border="0" /></a>I was a bit surprised to see this restaurant in Lima. Apparently Hooters translates into Spanish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL6KHvefXhcM8NKIbTPmjqk26ELY3RrkocAFXo09D35YcPLKZpNgwo1ZpxPWa7CL8USxSY1zqHZmLE2YSrbTl-LMY4hFr4_Apu7HyE7ndF3PjNCwYn572avwOa0YDgo6qxx2PIUw_dp8/s1600-h/DSC00008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337566956644513602" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 330px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL6KHvefXhcM8NKIbTPmjqk26ELY3RrkocAFXo09D35YcPLKZpNgwo1ZpxPWa7CL8USxSY1zqHZmLE2YSrbTl-LMY4hFr4_Apu7HyE7ndF3PjNCwYn572avwOa0YDgo6qxx2PIUw_dp8/s400/DSC00008.JPG" border="0" /></a>Fountain at Larcomar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTWxkMm8HJsm_sgUeYRtboyoksvvx4LsXCGyseBMkmB5Ybibz3zskY5Ha6X9QBEuykZyizu5GYiOvPPmyMvagRt7Oofc4NEib1A_vx6Oy7oqZCaxVN14qhQWcMp8ItObrkamGZUV5Qg0/s1600-h/IMGP4546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337575779256074978" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTWxkMm8HJsm_sgUeYRtboyoksvvx4LsXCGyseBMkmB5Ybibz3zskY5Ha6X9QBEuykZyizu5GYiOvPPmyMvagRt7Oofc4NEib1A_vx6Oy7oqZCaxVN14qhQWcMp8ItObrkamGZUV5Qg0/s400/IMGP4546.JPG" border="0" /></a>Larcomar at night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyd-TbH_Jvpmo9ta2diuWTUlJa6sJ3Gi3QXg1JUOKudxG-LbY8hf5vt2vo5eFvg6FbJVM0GXelQrRoDJzGPSSIkRmvyYTf2e5MUoFLNzZCviofGnVftO2jsy80a5G15RvJXIKwvndEko/s1600-h/DSC00071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337577054760995346" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyd-TbH_Jvpmo9ta2diuWTUlJa6sJ3Gi3QXg1JUOKudxG-LbY8hf5vt2vo5eFvg6FbJVM0GXelQrRoDJzGPSSIkRmvyYTf2e5MUoFLNzZCviofGnVftO2jsy80a5G15RvJXIKwvndEko/s400/DSC00071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="http://www.mamabatataperu.com/">Mama Batata</a> is one of the bar/clubs in Larcomar. The sign suggests the bar is open from 8pm until whenever you choose to leave, however don´t let it fool you. The bars in Lima close around 4am.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce-1eaCim55qVApDVhNWU2n4Y3vwrhE48SQaCqtqVRylSXWm71m0EGM-UgIfxy_kE9QaUak8cm52DaWTmMkOKxOPj0KEKsQyM8jZGrQ8B7bqGmj4u9Ckhb-rTf1e4ux_LADAjv6BHTiU/s1600-h/DSC00078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337569532060336850" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce-1eaCim55qVApDVhNWU2n4Y3vwrhE48SQaCqtqVRylSXWm71m0EGM-UgIfxy_kE9QaUak8cm52DaWTmMkOKxOPj0KEKsQyM8jZGrQ8B7bqGmj4u9Ckhb-rTf1e4ux_LADAjv6BHTiU/s400/DSC00078.JPG" border="0" /></a>There were a bunch of baskets hanging from the ceiling. Don´t know why but it made for an interesting atmosphere. There were much more tourists here than other bars we had gone too, however there is also a local crowd.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB4pAYvSj73ZcKF4amibPTSH84JytDrU2oSvH1-iIoE1dt1WGgmbm7PJ901wiQQoxwW1s568uy28rElo_SwQ9RswlTEpQ6jNA_uvGXrVNm-tVvgBJg9pUnrAyQ1Utwb8SMD9rJsUEiiw/s1600-h/DSC00079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337571027149513474" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB4pAYvSj73ZcKF4amibPTSH84JytDrU2oSvH1-iIoE1dt1WGgmbm7PJ901wiQQoxwW1s568uy28rElo_SwQ9RswlTEpQ6jNA_uvGXrVNm-tVvgBJg9pUnrAyQ1Utwb8SMD9rJsUEiiw/s400/DSC00079.JPG" border="0" /></a>Don´t believe the sign. The beer is not free!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf16-njAmnZlaSBOtI4M9OjbML6-2Dw118eLmAO-s4pc-GrcmIvFZaxaQtWi4WIug6nn3dufSLsWc2GWjEp0pND4UaZ6TrOFOiOxc2EDDHnYS7kLKfVq-1q0z6ZZnKpNyb0JhBmdg7QT0/s1600-h/DSC00092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337571341669009538" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf16-njAmnZlaSBOtI4M9OjbML6-2Dw118eLmAO-s4pc-GrcmIvFZaxaQtWi4WIug6nn3dufSLsWc2GWjEp0pND4UaZ6TrOFOiOxc2EDDHnYS7kLKfVq-1q0z6ZZnKpNyb0JhBmdg7QT0/s400/DSC00092.JPG" border="0" /></a>For more information about the restaurants, clubs, and stores at Larcomar you can check out the<a href="http://www.larcomar.com/en/conocenos.aspx"> Larcomar Website</a>.<br /><br /><a class="tituloCategoria"><b>Bars and Discos</b></a> <table id="myTable2" width="330" align="center" border="0"><tbody><tr class="" origcl=""><td width="330" height="10"><img src="http://www.larcomar.com/en/graficos/vineta.gif" border="0" /> <a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(18);"><b>Aura</b></a><br /><a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(18);">Food Court</a></td></tr><tr class="" origcl=""><td width="330" height="10"><img src="http://www.larcomar.com/en/graficos/vineta.gif" border="0" /> <a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(20);"><b>BARTINI</b></a><br /><a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(20);">Plaza Gourmet</a></td></tr><tr class="" origcl=""><td width="330" height="10"><img src="http://www.larcomar.com/en/graficos/vineta.gif" border="0" /> <a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(58);"><b>Gótica</b></a><br /><a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(58);">Deck Food Court</a></td></tr><tr class="" origcl=""><td width="330" height="10"><img src="http://www.larcomar.com/en/graficos/vineta.gif" border="0" /> <a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(84);"><b>Mamá Batáta</b></a><br /><a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(84);">Mezannine Plaza Gourmet </a></td></tr><tr class="" origcl=""><td width="330" height="10"><img src="http://www.larcomar.com/en/graficos/vineta.gif" border="0" /> <a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(161);"><b>XCESS BAR</b></a><br /><a class="texto-azul" href="javascript:AbrirPopup(161);">Sótano de la Plaza Gourmet Tda. 302</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-68656690405403073212009-05-12T20:41:00.000-04:002009-05-12T18:06:28.911-04:00Central LimaIt took us about half an hour to get to Central Lima from Miraflores. Lima is a lot bigger than I had anticipated. In fact it is the 5th largest city in Latin America, behind Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro.<br /><br /><strong>Plaza de Armas</strong><br /><br /><strong></strong>Around the Plaza de Armas, many of the colonial buildings are still standing, however earthquakes in 1687 and 1746 left many buildings damaged.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335060847117737138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJByW9LXafyCWuQiDyMwEdBalIHTtNl0Mby4ouK-dajkJcPReyTOY_yoEroUQglRnSInGdNmaPgDOgUdPs5hfzPYDcKSHAnd1sMd0cYkMQ-vIO0oAYEaMXHjHp92OrZJvN1NQ9Q9A1dl8/s400/IMGP4657.JPG" border="0" /> <p>Decorative balconies are a feature of the colonial legacy of Lima. Around the city, in particular the city center, you will notice these ostentatious balconies. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331392189898211730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0myp1Jutms_KWpgkYgv4bvl7ZkZQ5tUUv9UZ9nIN2pPmd-OR3RQ6sR-YoS4k0kLWzW745d0tzswcb4VwstWFHqQDl-OjcOxuyT0afJUm5DUlBMI5zD4NPsVEsa54DA6tfUMUjRMUlx20/s400/IMGP4669.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335053905033602498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mOZtLRxc4AgPLQEsgkKKModa7UGfAI8CX6iJRbz8j8MwwYK0t9JO7BQCncD052DmAFU9qW208FReKGvcaBrVNpKbwMvGBW3iXEqjOcS7vhzMaB3CFz0-9VhN2sF6Uhbz5MANnrBkCXQ/s400/IMGP4655.JPG" border="0" />There were lots of school groups in Central Lima. All of them were wearing some sort of uniform. Must say I´m glad my Catholic school days are over.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331391995958090402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iRETfhEQ6uSGjD822B3hOtw9ZZsxpSBqA1lnQRIgwq08ot-CjOlFveVLEeEBlj5jD-DuDWajOJtwEvyBs5kbpiSBD2zSY1bscQ8Zp33_sU9W6FKQs0tb9BNnddTBAy86Bfm__fd_j9M/s400/IMGP4667.JPG" border="0" /> <div>One of the most interesting sites we saw in Central Lima were the catacombs in the Museo del Convento de San Francisco. You aren´t supposed to take pictures inside the catacombs, but I tried my bestto provide one. As you can see by the quality of the photo I didn´t do such a great job. I was scared of the tour guide! Not to mention all the possible curses from the skeletons buried in there. Definitely not taking any chances.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335058740629786962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhVPJea31D8l_RfklURxnpyMyC4xE0MA4IHSziG_q9DeHrMHqZ2OduP_knkQEKzKZx6bltJBw_Rsbmxibae_-gi5CkvJRQb-dWTuaNeACukV0Dbox1LunhvhuKMOOzFo02OliPORshcg/s400/DSC00133.JPG" border="0" />Just outside the catacombs there was a group of kids were playing a game. Basically they surrounded one another in a circle and two people were in the middle. One of the kids struggles to take a cloth from the other kids while everyone else cheers on. Then if they end up getting the cloth another contender comes into the circle to compete.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvvxPGO3RV-qd9r06RlQg3oKkBoBhzarArS2paertnR3P7VXMIXYcj6jbuJZtu0pt9-KERE-MZUeZMXg6kYZ2lzZiyMa9Cm8f5al5nsxmsFI8TWmMXCklr-EKNu8CuZ5WiyJh5i4nI0g/s1600-h/IMGP4677.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331392439273206482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJaTGlO2bStqJvFDX0sXu7vsyKcy-XSVCdOi0WZ9nAPVQ-ib6LQZN1yF0drhJmE0WFAI3liKSx56o1-Wrw6SKzlBxAWSf8eB02bnxkl3sQFQ8Mp1J9N1TKbFbh5nk4z-PTxiTsWb0uCM/s400/IMGP4715.JPG" border="0" /><strong>Plaza San Martin</strong><br /><div>When you look around the Plaza San Martin, it seems almost as if you are in Europe. The buildings have a French style and lack the color of other plazas in Lima.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335059082088553794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzs3GPCYO_LNeSzPgXF2u0LdM7hHCRwFpi5rDCxiNjndpsBGFjdPaA0RtZb3KmpiymAAe3vd_K40Og-g7wZfYRb0U0aEJhiN-auB4RlNP-9HtUjXXSOaKd6ASGpLAU2Ctbm3TdHEYDDw/s400/IMGP4616.JPG" border="0" />The Gran Hotel Bolivar is the oldest hotel in all of Lima. Today it certainly doesn´t have the splendor of its past, however it is typical to get a pisco sour within the hotel or tea. As soon as we entered we were offered pisco sours by a couple of hotel employees, however their upfrontness turned us off and we decided to get our piscos somewhere else.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335060039207106498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDUCVgagd8hTKxeP1rpaXMXg221jBoXfkfXngIZTv0NUNWJL6hR72B7YssSeXlIILfYC-Nvs1yq4QqtBF_HLDXMTFYh2-cG1GZLJH3IayjzzxHmIvPjH1L8h29uAEvOMfWJHTB6HM-Gs/s400/IMGP4626.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-70908046116095774692009-05-10T21:58:00.002-04:002009-07-06T21:00:20.158-04:00What Lima does best: Ceviche and Pisco SoursPeruvian food is famous throughout the world, and if you go to Lima you will see why. It is one of the most diverse cuisines and has currently become a popular cuisine to study by top chefs. Since Peru has such a diverse culture and multicultural background that includes, pre-Inca, Spanish, French, and Japanese to name a few, the food combines a variety of flavors. Not to mention the homegrown local ingredients that make the cuisine very unique. One of the highlights of my trip has been the soups we have eaten, where even a typically boring chicken soup (which they call diet soup) is just so good.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6DIiyZbHqeoOZL5JpMtYq3daN6rMXqa6NrHreeuCkYmjz3ukyjB2M04XEV3LwlJXbyJtpEiew-clGBYj-yo0sIlw4Edxpq34_FG5u5CcuZi4riRTHJzQYYTXehdB4z_1z68p734GfAY/s1600-h/DSC00123.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 605px; height: 453px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6DIiyZbHqeoOZL5JpMtYq3daN6rMXqa6NrHreeuCkYmjz3ukyjB2M04XEV3LwlJXbyJtpEiew-clGBYj-yo0sIlw4Edxpq34_FG5u5CcuZi4riRTHJzQYYTXehdB4z_1z68p734GfAY/s800/DSC00123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355516618798993954" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>It seems like no matter where you go in Lima the ceviche is incredible. We ate some ceviche at a small restaurant in downtown Lima. The fish is fresh, as it should be considering how close you are to the ocean. If you look closely at the picture above you can see some Peruvian corn, or as I like to affectionately call it ´giant´corn. It is much larger than I´ve ever seen and has a softer texture.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJTtagGbUGrjhLvZE2osOqDuxA4NW-mbHCUy1irQ4XY7BPV6UdNHJWl0LZeceW9Qn76I7TUaYX2JpB13OibBMm20x2Og6hHtS75TptemZWIyb5hFoLAiftmSLM813GWk6EWjt8xZ-KwE/s1600-h/DSC00041.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 595px; height: 446px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJTtagGbUGrjhLvZE2osOqDuxA4NW-mbHCUy1irQ4XY7BPV6UdNHJWl0LZeceW9Qn76I7TUaYX2JpB13OibBMm20x2Og6hHtS75TptemZWIyb5hFoLAiftmSLM813GWk6EWjt8xZ-KwE/s800/DSC00041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355516410479926130" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><p>The Pisco Sour is Peru´s national drink. It is pretty yummy, and made from Pisco, brandy made from grapes. Our bartender made a few Pisco Sour for us and showed us the process on how to make one.</p><p><strong>Recipe:</strong><br /></p><p>3 parts Peruvian Pisco<br />1 part lime juice<br />1 part sugar syrup (jarabe de goma)<br />1 egg white<br />a drop of Angostura bitter</p><p><a href="http://www.astridygaston.com/">Astrid y Gastón</a> is a popular restaurant in Lima and always written about in the guidebooks, however I can assure you that the food is incredible. Seriously I want the chef Gastón Acurio to be a part of my family so I can have his dishes whenever my little heart desires. He was born in Lima and has helped make Peruvian food a popular cuisine around the world, not to mention make little tourists such as myself smile with glee.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE1836bfkuoUjFO6apyy5tzQMrvvY904AWAlTEeaR3DqUk9CG-7ni_wJS4ISP94I4l60RTtEMU16HWgf5xyZALR7Wlq-tOzO4sQR24I-8Id1IehtS0GIRzWByO7mpJqtHUTC7xDaRJYo/s1600-h/DSC00062.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 610px; height: 457px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE1836bfkuoUjFO6apyy5tzQMrvvY904AWAlTEeaR3DqUk9CG-7ni_wJS4ISP94I4l60RTtEMU16HWgf5xyZALR7Wlq-tOzO4sQR24I-8Id1IehtS0GIRzWByO7mpJqtHUTC7xDaRJYo/s800/DSC00062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355516142815883170" border="0" /></a><br />Of course we had to try the ceviche at Astrid y Gaston´s and so far it has been the best I have ever tasted. We tried the ´travieso´ceviche which was a mix of the catch of the day. I cannot reiterate how goooood the ceviche tasted.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-23303165289211820692009-05-02T20:17:00.003-04:002009-07-12T16:42:29.311-04:00Love In Lima<strong>El Parque Del Amor</strong><br /><br /><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331387064869697202" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5CQWz3mQTPgjuNce3T0aCovGHdu3O7QX5GwrNs-lg-qJ68qFnN3ad6ptLPyi0J_tGhFBQFQgT4DWClYoWUlc_epIZCNUpBJPvLeW_cPTg1WUHhin4BBua_zdadNxd0hAtn20c9q0Pk8/s400/IMGP4516.JPG" border="0" /><em>El Parque del Amor</em> (Love Park) is along the Malecon. Guidebooks lead you to believe that the colorful ceramic, design is very similar to Park Guell in Barcelona, and it is, but on a much smaller scale. Couples sit on the walls as if no one is watching them. It´s a little voyeuristic. My gringa sensibilities make me a little uncomfortable to show that emotion in front of a bunch of picture taking tourists, but these guys seem to ok with displaying their amor in public.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331741564293365570" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrhgpfa0tFlJnx2NR_n-kxOVfEEfjJgrg30Cq_EgfbAIDDwQ9TNXsXe0sMxjaLxTkkB1UOrUZpXrz5y0F5EcGjTD1xumvWIAroBTx1LkR3aMFeHbHbCyDiX2NuQ4KCKDNWcloXZGx0qU/s400/IMGP4765.JPG" border="0" />On Valentine´s Day people go to the park and compete in a contest for the longest kiss. Not really sure what the winners get as a prize, but you can use your imagination.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331385571116746610" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyr8xbcNbt87gpNicj7YkZKeQ91U-3am2eKMwFM33xeThlErYkHRxLlj8U2bYG1zjoJx4qx36Aw4pq4k4AxVA1yz0GcmjMJ8Xer00MULgCrPTEr49extdKKqEx31p0yRY-QoahaF94-og/s400/IMGP4518.JPG" border="0" /> </div>There are quotes written into the walls of the murals.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331390074185951490" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMCT_iTAbHMxScqiv8UxfOHVaoVyjlBWNZHsJ7azH_seDQGi9L4r4xBtm186fsffaZzO69e1VngHofrh64KwLbqvmsrxdp9rwTG6lw7ZVjFg7K7C5ldKK-68DkRp9rIXj3a7HaINGlgA/s400/IMGP4513.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><em>Mi sangre esta alcanzando a las estrellas</em> (My blood is reaching the stars) - <strong>Jose Maria Arguedas</strong></div><div><br /></div><div>Some othe quotes found in the park:</div><div> </div><div><em>Te desvisto como quien pela una fruta</em> </div><div>(I undress you like someone peels a piece of fruit)- <strong>Jorge Diaz Herrera</strong></div><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div><em>A ti como la luz del mundo a las ventanas</em></div><div>(To you like the light of the world in the windows)- <strong>Juan Gonzalo Rose</strong></div><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div><em>Somos un poco la sombra de lo que fuimos</em></div><div>(We are a bit like the shade of what we used to be)- <strong>Oscar Valdivia</strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331389448632923570" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxhhyphenhyphenO0-i7_Jrs3oVNBxMX1v7fjqFk-cG5hYmA9XpE7zAv8Gk5KA9H2ms5usjeoVH-MktatgaP-fm2v6ci5Boku7txqTtc6c6kjOvC2XX7TJtc5bdW6W2QA0Y6pmAgGZlfxNPSwZKMjg/s400/IMGP4525.JPG" border="0" />In the center of the park is a statue of a couple fully embracing, seemingly pre-coital. It stirred up some contreversy since Peru is a fairly conservative country. The creator of the stautue is Peruvian artist Victor Delfin.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331385408881394354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8h5fA7YGUVZKEmcxR1Qdtz3cpze6l1fcB0k4okOA1ZJFN8c7GuDmJJxB4jzwzPA6z2QcgS27gri7kU3TeR8Fp_TSKsBmIAnNSPNnqebpxrQ1dXmd0DHpUd2agscw5FibmDNz-6s_9LE/s400/IMGP4504.JPG" border="0" />Someone wrote this quote on the ledge of the wall along the Malecon.<br />(The views of a lighthouse are distant. Just like love, it seems far to never return).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ3iPnRONmhID8GYSeoAUOlJ-9Fe7CCsguy9mKIldTwb51-vtjJx8FknyBzeiqBtl0xfsJ29-bGKayT5AbgWvDFYu9s30I0YTyqisUegReqDKXx1GOYdsG1v697Hi7LghvVg74tYN7NM/s1600-h/IMGP4787.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331388034912578514" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvyVyGKXy6rXNAYHPlLRVwOb81ky8DqOOhmzZur-FXmsx4qvfofn1pPftDQqoyxGwuvJAslc_1QHLYPlNPjaGMPIYVghB3MwCja1wN1_Ih29msuSnn7ghuTaAwx0eUvwC9JUSFlqEWqM/s400/IMGP4787.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-77783351873914090142009-05-02T12:44:00.002-04:002009-07-12T16:43:23.375-04:00Strolling Along El Malecon<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331274091789084850" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BUa-_SrpTurwQnF168KoWFgecQgD8ZhAZ7xPqX1LvH3WxzgYjr_zTgSD3Gtg_K5wHRjbYqtOdpQizA_CNFYm75J42DnZEev1YIeP6q_84Plz7FrYXrRujtQ1FOoCUW_10cEx8Q032PA/s400/IMGP4491.JPG" border="0" />It was 8am on el dia del trabajo (day of work) and the streets were dead. El dia del trabajo is basically a Peruvian Labor Day. One particularity of Lima is the cloud of fog that creeps up from the shore, especially in the early morning.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331274872718594818" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgcHd3qRXZM0QDIZoaY4SnGoWmmosgZ_Epf9MWQkwdrm90gYbLGNWr3Kjf9Qe7mp_Dzdwt2PuSbgmoi5LIUec2Pv3EBimZwMrmzMYeCGeIF_9H9l8e3fCacRQcWGHDjG8BrMpxdVc40M/s400/IMGP4493.JPG" border="0" />The Malecon de Miraflores is a park that runs along the Pacific Ocean. I was extremely excited to see the ocean, but as you can see from the picture above, the fog was so thick you couldn´t see anything. It was a strange feeling not being able to see what was right in front of you.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331384211954537618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWqQvHrOzcD2xpBWe4ljMPzxWH43viCD7F3PlbmbcuObREBjqRl8fKNb4Ykp5CcmumeoyoEgxx0hILU-B1oGei9eRVV1z0ZfT-WCTcma_d2j2H_an-QGHAYTVizsLEqzQptmuoHRWdDI/s400/IMGP4497.JPG" border="0" /> There were tons of people jogging and working out along the Malecon. Everyone was very friendly and stop to smile and say hello. A few people saw me fidgeting with a map and asked if I needed help.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQKTk6iNpRzZNyoqGB-bVRLlxG04qogCOz3XLBgcuCeUr9Wqf1deKpIyph8C3cQZhpBole-ce6b_JXt7N-fGathTYSYziWzeND9YLGkgFRNDyCSn59aHlBkpIAdS4K3iATHbKn-XM0eY/s1600-h/IMGP4501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331382391650037250" style="width: 266px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQKTk6iNpRzZNyoqGB-bVRLlxG04qogCOz3XLBgcuCeUr9Wqf1deKpIyph8C3cQZhpBole-ce6b_JXt7N-fGathTYSYziWzeND9YLGkgFRNDyCSn59aHlBkpIAdS4K3iATHbKn-XM0eY/s400/IMGP4501.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw3J0OEaxwXLh2TOXf-7GFhBDUXWjnzHHXGw7XDvJWOSrYKT7tminKAORw86as5lFwTEwh065N9R4f0Xq2zPeN7PrcLv2qgFlwc2-Ol6Y_3Pqfwapa9mVvC80Jufr9obcPiIcA6LClZo/s1600-h/IMGP4496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331382184457801218" style="width: 266px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw3J0OEaxwXLh2TOXf-7GFhBDUXWjnzHHXGw7XDvJWOSrYKT7tminKAORw86as5lFwTEwh065N9R4f0Xq2zPeN7PrcLv2qgFlwc2-Ol6Y_3Pqfwapa9mVvC80Jufr9obcPiIcA6LClZo/s400/IMGP4496.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The <em>faro</em> (lighthouse) is small. Not sure how ships were able to see the lighthouse with the constant fog.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331382924856019170" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0yONKZx2DPpCcWcXoa8LMyYhSMKdvWI6_NwxBadDiVYvNejY1AI6FUHV5XlpFLtbxZJf7tGDbebe_BKI_5w9FVqESHrGn6v20gE8VN0rScMGC-IXpJ30qMP4i8xGulnAiJZQI9h5Ri0/s400/IMGP4494.JPG" border="0" />The Malecon is on top of a cliff overlooking the beach.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331383683755299586" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq6uN6drK_lP6L9srq5JMGDTk-FAzP7Xahjix5d56xigGEuACeSvwA8n1D8c2nvjkw_7_d1Azikn4sUyQemT9_coXSTn8u99Gu2HEn_dEeSyPEFuy5_CQQwiTT1NLmgOw-p-8zzYaDp4/s400/IMGP4535.JPG" border="0" />If you look closely you can see some surfers swimming below. </div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></span>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-33231732387069091842009-05-01T09:59:00.002-04:002009-06-28T19:04:48.742-04:00Lima Smells Like SaltwaterFinally I set foot on South America! There was so much fog coming into Lima that we could hardly tell when we were about to land. As much as all of us couldn´t wait to get off the plane after sitting still in uncomfortable seats for six hours we were forced to wait before Peruvian doctors (donned in white coats and white medical masks) came aboard and made sure none of us were carrying the swine flu virus. Not sure what they were looking for exactly. I mean I have successfully faked sickness throughout middle and high school. I´m assuming it may be possible to feign health right? As we disembarked we passed by many airport employees each wearing this mask. Ok now I was starting to feel a little insecure. There were literally hundreds of people waiting outside to pick up customers. I look through the crowd until I finally see my guy holding up my name. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330913139889545250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs474u4ippUoF2kSVZQaxA9eCMNqIUZo0qWYETfKGjfYiN3ALfXxZfzh6EBaC8QhlotlNsLDZOfqPxY4y7RVObz1LSzu7K5Tb9zl4iB1Gz5BcjsDjjBzbnvrthLMcEYq8aePToOstf64o/s320/DSC09999.JPG" border="0" />In Lima the air smells like sea, salty a little musky and just a bit humid. The airport is near the biggest port in Peru, which may be why there is a slight scent of industry in the air. Fog covers the streets. The cab driver decides to drive along the beach in order to avoid the traffic lights. All we could see was endless darkness. Can´t wait to see it in daylight.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216966605164996619.post-52837119311796523212009-05-01T09:43:00.001-04:002009-05-01T14:04:43.753-04:00Two Men Spotted In Tutus At Newark Airport - Swine Flu Masks EverywhereAs per usual I was rushing to the airport, but as luck would have it, they tell me to cut everyone on the line. What can I say, sometimes it pays to be late. While sitting at the terminal, bored and anxiously awaiting to board the plane, I notice two grown men wearing pink, Disney princess dresses. Why you might ask? Good question but it is one I cannot answer at the moment. Both dresses were frilly with poofy sleeves and lace trim. The dress pinched at the waist and flared out underneath. Let´s just say I´m almost positive one was a man, but the other princess clad individual was a bit more questionable. He had more delicate features and a daintier voice, although I´ve been fooled before. A good guess is that they are in their 50s. Ah yes and how can I forget the pictures of the Disney Princesses on the bottom. Two thumbs up for these guys. I hesitate to leave the house without concealer and these guys can do just about anything, it seems. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330904838650200722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkOb-1NDjyVXwvE-Z0-JDYatFnPOFIFqFZQ3vsw1KbYpiLj7cXUKu3l-72qqV4lO9mojqRInLZv2xoP6m2uDZmg4Kdm24_kP-RwqsqNn6hqvkftBTM-bUKRAtXExILEwUG3b1Vm581FA/s320/DSC00881.JPG" border="0" />I really wanted to ask them why they were wearing the dress of littl girls´ dreams, however I was too tired, anxious, and sleep deprived to attempt normal conversation. (If you can call talking to a grown man wearing a princess dress <em>normal</em>). It was too early in the trip for absurb encounters. I was still in Newark, New Jersey for crying out loud. Not to mention the pill my friend had ever so politely given me was starting to kick in. Take that fear of flying! Soon I entered my pill induced stupor.<br /><br />In Newark there were some people wearing masks because of the fear of swine flu, but for the most part everyone seemed calm. Only a few people on my flight had the mask on however the guy next to me would not stop sneezing or coughing. Each plegm filled cough made me more and more nervous. The antibacterial gel came in handy, as I applied it every half hour and held a tissue to my face. All politeness went out the window as I turned completely away from him and avoided eye contact. It`s pig flu for crying out loud. Not taking any chances. At the Houston airport a good majority of people were wearing masks which didn`t help with my anxiety. Damnit for not thinking ahead and subscribing to mass hysteria.<br /><br />Endless wandering around the airport as well as an impromptu call to a friend caused me to loose track of time. All of a sudden I hear my name over the loud speaker. I run to the terminal and apologize. While entering the plane I received lots of dirty looks from perturbed passengers. I could feel their disdain behind those blue medical masks. Their eyes were throwing tiny daggers.<br />Time for the other half of my plane fear pill.... mmm nice calm.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790001888961631762noreply@blogger.com0