I’m feeling a little better today. I haven’t cried too much. Just a few tears here and there, generally associated with emails. Haha. I unfortunately am still very sick. It’s not nice. Last night was hell. I was praying so hard that I would be able to sleep; all the while thinking ‘kill me kill me’. I had a temperature, and was getting chills, but at the same time felt way too hot in what I was sleeping in. My nose was blocked/running, my throat was dry and scratchy, my head was like lead, my eyes were hot and I was coughing and writhing and groaning and just not having the most pleasant night. On top of all that I was only able to ‘sleep’ for like 2 or 3 hours, just like being on a plane. I took some Panadeine at around 4am and was knocked out cold til 12noon. So good! -- But I didn’t like the sleeping til 12 part. I woke up and was like ahhh I can’t breathe! Ha.
I also woke up to these loud loud canon/gun sounding noises. There would be about 5 or 6 of them at a time. I probably heard them around 6 times…? I have no idea where they were coming from or even the purpose of them…so if anyone can shed any light on the situation that would be great! I thought they were gun shots at first and freaked out a bit. Very dramatic conclusion to draw I realise.
I was out the door by 1pm, only after making sure that everything was locked up and I had memorised EXACTLY how I’d left everything, so that I’d be able to tell if someone had been in my room when I returned. Paranoid! I decided that given the time and how fantastic I felt, I would just walk over to the Plaza de Armas and chill out there for a while. It’s the main Plaza in Cuzco. Very touristy also. Soooo I’m on my merry way, walking and taking in everything. The overcrowded taxis, little streets, colourful buildings, funny signs, little Peruvian people and the like. I consulted my map a few times and even though I couldn’t find any of the surrounding streets on there, I was like “it’s alright, I’ll just keep walking straight and everything will be cool”. Yeah. Ok. I stopped at the corner of a street and was like…I have to find where I am on the map! So that I at least have a small idea of where I’m going. (Insert a bit of Rebekah Lavauney.) Here I am, in my high socks, back pack on, camera around my neck, backpacking headband on, with my face stuck to this map trying to find where this street was! I caught the eye of a Peruvian woman who was approaching, with (presumably) her mother and daughter, and pointed to the Plaza de Armas on the map – asking how to get there. She points in the direction I just came from. Yeahhh I’d been walking in the wrong direction! Woo I’m the best! Haha. I had noticed that these streets weren’t looking very touristy…but didn’t think too much of it. Haha. Loser.
So I started walking in the right direction and asked a few more people along the way if I was going the right way. I didn’t want to be walking AWAY from my destination again. Ha. Everything started looking like it was more tailored for tourists ie: backpack and hiking shoe stores, internet cafes, bars, hotels, souvenir stores, etc.
I finally got the Plaza aaaaaand it’s pretty cool. There’s a fountain in the middle of it and these beautiful Spanish-influenced buildings around. I think one of them was a Cathedral. They were all so cool though. There are pictures, which I will have up on Facebook (because blogger takes forever to upload them ☹…I’ll keep trying though!). As always, I don’t feel as if any of the photos do any justice to the real things at all…but unless you are going to come over and see them for yourself, this is as good as it’s going to get…(yes, that is an invitation for someone to come and join me…)
I went and sat on a park bench in the middle for a bit and was just bombarded with little children trying to sell me things. It’s really sad. They try to sell you gum and little lollies; cute finger puppets and the like. Then there are the adults who try to sell their ‘original’ artwork, beenies, pastries, handicrafts. I feel bad saying no but I can’t buy anything from them. As one picture shows, you say you’ll buy from one and then they all attack you! It breaks you heart to have the kids come up and sit next to you and put, whatever it is they are selling, on your lap and look up at you waiting for you pay them. Ahhh! Then there were the young girls who are dressed in their traditional clothing and with one of the holding a baby goat they want you to take a picture of them, and then pay for the privilege. Later, I spied the older of this one group of girls go over to the fountain with an empty water bottle, fill it up and give it to one of the younger girls to drink. AHHH KILL ME, fo’ rizzle. As I mentioned previously, it’s really sad. My heart goes out to these children and adults. I pray for better lives for them. Man! I honestly wish everyone could see it; and I believe that doing this kind of charity work would benefit so many of my friends in wonderful ways. Honestly guys.
Back to the bench: this man came and sat down and started talking to me in very broken English. I couldn’t really understand a lot of what he said, but I did find out that he has a friend that lives in Sydney, his brother is a Dr. in Texas, he lives with his mother and father, he knows of the ‘Mormon’ church and marked on my map where the meetinghouse is. I’m thinking about taking a taxi over there tomorrow. I would LOVE to just ‘bump’ into some missionaries, but that’s a bit of a big ask hey. Haha. He was quite helpful, but I wasn’t really interested in finding shelter with him when it started to rain. I walked the other way, without turning back (because I’m rude like that) and lo and behold, what do I stumble across…why…a MCDONALD’S. Ahhh yeahhh boiiii (sorry Timmy, but it was definitely an ‘ahh yeahh boiii’ moment)! There’s something nice and familiar ☺ So I went in and bought a mini-snack wrap, mcflurry, small sprite for S/10.80…which equates to about USD$3. I’m pretty sure! Cool though hey. The restaurant had sweet little Peruvian touches around the place. (I’ve taken pictures and they should be up on Facebook). ‘Twas quite cool. Then, what should catch my eye but the ‘FREE WIFI’ sign. Yes! I was ever-so-grateful that I had brought my laptop with me. I spent a couple of hours using the Maccas free internet and plan on doing so tomorrow also. Haha. Thank you McDonald’s. Whilst I’m addicted to the internet, I should take advantage of not having to pay for it, where I can! I pretty much used it til my battery ran out. (I should point out that it was raining outside for the most part, so I wasn’t being a complete internet loser nerd). After a little while, one of the loveliest girls (who let me take a picture of her in the denim on denim uniform) came out with a dessert menu for me to choose something from. Cute! She’s the best.
When I finally left and was on my way back to the hostel, I was taking a picture of these two policemen, when this Peruvian freelance photographer started talking to me. We walked around the Plaza taking pictures and chatting for a good few hours. It was cool. But at the same time, when I wanted to go, he kept delaying and was like “tonight’s my last night in Cuzco, come out with me blah blah blah”. I was like “Seriously I’m really sick and my bones feel sore and achy and I’m shaking due to being and feeling so weak, like I really just want to go back”. My body was telling me to rest, far out! I can’t even remember the amount of times I asked him to call me a taxi so I could go, but he kept delaying. Fairly annoying. I finally got a taxi close to 8:30pm and he said that he’d pay for my fare…”but if you want to come out later tonight, just give me a call on my number and we can go to a disco! Ok?” Yeah right buddy. He also told me that when I come to Lima I should give him a call and we can hang out and he’ll take photos of me in a studio and ahhhh shut up. I’m not going to email you and I’m not going to add you on msn or facebook or get in contact with you again. Sure you take some good photos with your phat Canon, and you were ok to go around the plaza with, taking pictures, but I don’t really have any interest in continuing this ‘friendship’. You’re like 30. Gracias, pero non gracias (thanks, but no thanks). Yarrrrrr. I’m not very nice.
I do miss everyone a ridiculous amount still. Especially as it’s the weekend. I think it might have something to do with my complete lack of ‘commitment’ that is making so crazy and lonely. I can’t back out or use any excuse! Noooo!! Haha
I’m also thinking of postponing my trek, which is supposed to start on Sunday. I’m not a picture of health at the moment and this trek is one of the most difficult, and goes to one of the highest points accessible. So, the lack of fitness/health and the high altitude might not be a good idea, yeah? …I will do it! Just maybe not this weekend. Seriously, I’m getting puffed and sore after just spending the afternoon outside. I’m not sure I’d do overly well on a 4-day trek.
X -- for all.
So I started walking in the right direction and asked a few more people along the way if I was going the right way. I didn’t want to be walking AWAY from my destination again. Ha. Everything started looking like it was more tailored for tourists ie: backpack and hiking shoe stores, internet cafes, bars, hotels, souvenir stores, etc.
I finally got the Plaza aaaaaand it’s pretty cool. There’s a fountain in the middle of it and these beautiful Spanish-influenced buildings around. I think one of them was a Cathedral. They were all so cool though. There are pictures, which I will have up on Facebook (because blogger takes forever to upload them ☹…I’ll keep trying though!). As always, I don’t feel as if any of the photos do any justice to the real things at all…but unless you are going to come over and see them for yourself, this is as good as it’s going to get…(yes, that is an invitation for someone to come and join me…)
I went and sat on a park bench in the middle for a bit and was just bombarded with little children trying to sell me things. It’s really sad. They try to sell you gum and little lollies; cute finger puppets and the like. Then there are the adults who try to sell their ‘original’ artwork, beenies, pastries, handicrafts. I feel bad saying no but I can’t buy anything from them. As one picture shows, you say you’ll buy from one and then they all attack you! It breaks you heart to have the kids come up and sit next to you and put, whatever it is they are selling, on your lap and look up at you waiting for you pay them. Ahhh! Then there were the young girls who are dressed in their traditional clothing and with one of the holding a baby goat they want you to take a picture of them, and then pay for the privilege. Later, I spied the older of this one group of girls go over to the fountain with an empty water bottle, fill it up and give it to one of the younger girls to drink. AHHH KILL ME, fo’ rizzle. As I mentioned previously, it’s really sad. My heart goes out to these children and adults. I pray for better lives for them. Man! I honestly wish everyone could see it; and I believe that doing this kind of charity work would benefit so many of my friends in wonderful ways. Honestly guys.
Back to the bench: this man came and sat down and started talking to me in very broken English. I couldn’t really understand a lot of what he said, but I did find out that he has a friend that lives in Sydney, his brother is a Dr. in Texas, he lives with his mother and father, he knows of the ‘Mormon’ church and marked on my map where the meetinghouse is. I’m thinking about taking a taxi over there tomorrow. I would LOVE to just ‘bump’ into some missionaries, but that’s a bit of a big ask hey. Haha. He was quite helpful, but I wasn’t really interested in finding shelter with him when it started to rain. I walked the other way, without turning back (because I’m rude like that) and lo and behold, what do I stumble across…why…a MCDONALD’S. Ahhh yeahhh boiiii (sorry Timmy, but it was definitely an ‘ahh yeahh boiii’ moment)! There’s something nice and familiar ☺ So I went in and bought a mini-snack wrap, mcflurry, small sprite for S/10.80…which equates to about USD$3. I’m pretty sure! Cool though hey. The restaurant had sweet little Peruvian touches around the place. (I’ve taken pictures and they should be up on Facebook). ‘Twas quite cool. Then, what should catch my eye but the ‘FREE WIFI’ sign. Yes! I was ever-so-grateful that I had brought my laptop with me. I spent a couple of hours using the Maccas free internet and plan on doing so tomorrow also. Haha. Thank you McDonald’s. Whilst I’m addicted to the internet, I should take advantage of not having to pay for it, where I can! I pretty much used it til my battery ran out. (I should point out that it was raining outside for the most part, so I wasn’t being a complete internet loser nerd). After a little while, one of the loveliest girls (who let me take a picture of her in the denim on denim uniform) came out with a dessert menu for me to choose something from. Cute! She’s the best.
When I finally left and was on my way back to the hostel, I was taking a picture of these two policemen, when this Peruvian freelance photographer started talking to me. We walked around the Plaza taking pictures and chatting for a good few hours. It was cool. But at the same time, when I wanted to go, he kept delaying and was like “tonight’s my last night in Cuzco, come out with me blah blah blah”. I was like “Seriously I’m really sick and my bones feel sore and achy and I’m shaking due to being and feeling so weak, like I really just want to go back”. My body was telling me to rest, far out! I can’t even remember the amount of times I asked him to call me a taxi so I could go, but he kept delaying. Fairly annoying. I finally got a taxi close to 8:30pm and he said that he’d pay for my fare…”but if you want to come out later tonight, just give me a call on my number and we can go to a disco! Ok?” Yeah right buddy. He also told me that when I come to Lima I should give him a call and we can hang out and he’ll take photos of me in a studio and ahhhh shut up. I’m not going to email you and I’m not going to add you on msn or facebook or get in contact with you again. Sure you take some good photos with your phat Canon, and you were ok to go around the plaza with, taking pictures, but I don’t really have any interest in continuing this ‘friendship’. You’re like 30. Gracias, pero non gracias (thanks, but no thanks). Yarrrrrr. I’m not very nice.
I do miss everyone a ridiculous amount still. Especially as it’s the weekend. I think it might have something to do with my complete lack of ‘commitment’ that is making so crazy and lonely. I can’t back out or use any excuse! Noooo!! Haha
I’m also thinking of postponing my trek, which is supposed to start on Sunday. I’m not a picture of health at the moment and this trek is one of the most difficult, and goes to one of the highest points accessible. So, the lack of fitness/health and the high altitude might not be a good idea, yeah? …I will do it! Just maybe not this weekend. Seriously, I’m getting puffed and sore after just spending the afternoon outside. I’m not sure I’d do overly well on a 4-day trek.
X -- for all.
haha i love it! you tell your stories so well :) haha. i loved how you memorised your room! soo funny. keep up the good blogging! i am living through youuuuu xx
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