Last Day in Cuzco

So I can not believe that almost 2 months have passed by so quickly. I have had a chance to do so much here in Cuzco from the clinics, to living with 2 families to bartending, to all the tourist sites. One of the best feelings is that I have truly felt like a local here. I have walked around so much that I know the city like the back of my hand and have gotten to know people on more than just a tourist level. This is an incredible city and will definitely be returning.

So since my last post has been doing mostly tourist stuff. I went on a tour of the Sacred Valley which was SO pretty. The sites were cool but the hillsides and valley were incredible. Also went on another tour of Moray and the salt mines which were very cool. Also went to a Cienciano soccer game which was cool. Was not very exciting or good soccer but pretty fun. Crazy to think that the team was the best in South America, best in peru 3 years ago and now is at the bottom of the table. Still fun experience. Also had a chance to hang out with Rebekahs family (friend from spanish school) since they were in town. Super nice family from North Carolina and let me tell you, the accents were incredible. The last couple days were just spend saying goodbye to the people at the clinic and the bar. Really nice that I had a couple days to say goodbye to everyone without feeling rushed

Last thursday I left on the Salkantay Trek which lasted 5 days, the last day in Machu Picchu. It was a trek that took us 87 kilometers, which is about 54 miles, so lots of walking. We also climbed to 4620 meters, which is about 15,000 feet. Luckily most of us in the group had been in Peru for a little bit so the altitude wasnt to bad. Trek took us right under Salkantay Mountain and down to the Jungles in the valley. Crazy cool scenery and although each step hurt more and more, it was worth it in the end. Well worth the pain. Machu Picchu was also quite amazing as we luckily got to see it in the sun. In the morning were clouds but as they cleared, provided for some sweet pictures and views. I just hope they all turn out well. Also hiked Waynupicchu which is a hill that overlooks Machu Picchu. Tough to get up (if you have seen Lord of the Rings, kinda looks like the cliffs Frodo climbs) as the steps are only about 2 or 3 feet wide at some places and then at least a 200 or more foot drop. But it was well worth the views. All in all, well worth it. Also got the chance to meet some pretty cool people from all over. Out of 15 people, 9 countries and 8 languages were present but everyone besides the 2 Argentinians spoke english so great times at the campsite and on the hike. Got to know a med student from France who spoke better english than me really well so that was fun to talk with him. So all in all, the trip was totally worth it.

Got back last night and today is my last day. Just getting some final stuff done. Rest of the plan is to hit Puno for a day, Arequipa for 2, Ica for 2 and then Lima for 2. Crazy to think I head back to the states and real life in 1 week. Sorry i havent posted pictures but the computers here are super slow. When I get back to the states, I will upload and then send them to you

Hope all is well and cant wait to be back in the states

Everything here has been going really well. As things start to come to an end, I realize how much I have done yet I still have so much to do. Crazy that in three weeks I will be boarding a plane to return to the USA. Its been great but I am ready to finish up what I have scheduled and then get home.

The clinic has been great. I have been giving shots, cleaning wounds, taking vitals, and doing everything that I wanted to do here in a clinic. So I must say that I have been really lucky with that. The childrens clinic has also been great as I learn to appreciate what I have been given more and more. Bartending is going great. Although I get yelled at a lot cause I dont know much, I still have a great time and enjoy meeting people from all over the world. No better place to do it.

So if you havent heard, I got accepted to Adventures Cross-Country as a job for this summer. I will be leading two trips, both filled with 20 or so high school students and I will be taking them to Costa Rica. We will be learning spanish, working with the people, learning to surf and saving sea turtles. Pretty lucky to get the position and really excited about it.

This Sunday was probably one of the coolest experiences I have had thus far. I got invited by the host dad to play with his team in a small pueblo outside Cuzco. I thought it was just a regular club team but it was much more. It turned out that our team consisted of all ex-players of Cienciano, the club team here in Cuzco. They had been invited by the city as the main event for their city fair that they hold once a year. It was crazy that we showed up to a field on top of the hill (had to chase the ball when it went behind the goal) and over 100 people were watching. People were taking pictures of these guys and all sorts of stuff, just like celebrities. Its like the ex-mariners or ex-seahawks players came and played in a small town and we all got to watch and have autographs afterwards. It was super unreal. I got to play the entire time (although the altitude still makes it tough to run) so that was cool. Then we went into town and were treated to dinner and drinks. Had a really good time with all the guys and was really surprised about what it turned into. Felt like I used to play for the team.

So thats about it for now. Going to be doing some local tourist stuff this next week. Then on the 22nd I leave for a 5 day trek, last day arriving in Machu Picchu. Then leave the next day for Puno, Arequipa and finally Lima. Crazy to think that I have 3 weeks left yet so much to do. Hope all is well and cant wait to see everyone soon

2/3 Done!

Today marks my completion of two thirds of my trip. What a crazy trip it has been so far. From arriving in Buenos Aires at the end of January, I have not only been able to visit a lot of tourist spots in three different countries, I have been lucky enough to immerse myself in the cultures of two incredible cities and experienced so much. I know that by the end of this month and returning to the states on May 5th, I will be a much better person with a new found appreciation for the people of South America and how they enjoy life.

The work at the general clinic and the childrens clinic are both going well. I have been drawing blood, taking vital signs, giving injecctions and helping cleaning wounds at the general clinic so it has been great experience. I must say that it was smart to get that EMT certification before I left or else I probably would not be doing half the stuff I am now. The childrens clinic is still going well as I play with the kids and help out around the day care. Can not believe that I am already halfway through my volunteering. I have learned so much from both clinics but still feel there is so much to know, let alone becoming confident in medical spanish.

Bartending has been going really well. I have become good friends with the bartenders so its nice to have friends that only speak spanish cause it forces me to practice and learn. Although I have no idea whats going on sometimes, its all a learning experience. I am working both in the lounge bar learning complicated cocktails and then also at the discoteca learning speed. So its a great mix and a TON of fun.

Besides these things, just kinda kick it around the city whenever I have free time. I have explored the city and can pretty much tell you where anything is in Cuzco so thats pretty cool. Started looking to buy gifts and it is quite fun to try and bargain for gifts. its funny how they start out at like 40 soles for something and then after 5 minutes are down to 25 soles and can probably eventually get to 15 to 20 soles. I really enjoy bargaining but its kinda funny how you can argue over two or three soles. thats about a US dollar but its the principle so its quite fun.

Its semana santa here, a week long festival for easter. Lots of parades with all sorts of floats so kinda cool to see and experience that. Last Monday Plaza de Armas filled with people, something like 50,000, for the opening ceremony. It was pretty cool to watch from the bar I work at because it overlooks the plaza. The Cuzco Plaza de Armas is the 2nd largest plaza in the country and it was packed. The rest of the week has been kinda dead because most people take this week or at least a couple days off so most of the shops are closed.

Next 2 weeks I plan on doing the Boleto Turistico which is an entrance ticket to a bunch of tourist sites around Cuzco. After that I plan to take off to Machu Picchu on either a 4 or 5 day trek so that should be cool. Then I head to Puno, then Arequipa, then Lima and then I am home. Cant believe that I really dont have that much time left yet still so much to do. Going to be a crazy last couple weeks so I am really excited. Although I know I will miss being here, I cant wait to be home