Posting on a Whim

I am currently sitting in Arica, Chile eating a late hostel provided breakfast and slowly memories of posting to this blog started coming back to me.  I just finished 2 weeks in Lima, Peru of general chaos and now I am on my way to see a lady in Vina del Mar, Chile once again.

(ARICA is all the way on the top of the shaded in yellow.)

If you look back to my trip last year it should note that I rode for over 60 hours on a bus; this trip is being broken up.  A 20 hour bus from Lima to Tacna Peru, climbing into a group taxi for 5 dollars and crossing the border with strangers, and now staying overnight in the border town of Arica (I have been here before) before flying out at 3PM today for Santiago Chile to avoid another 40 hours on a bus.

I have photos of Peru I should post as well and should get back to that once I get to my new apartment and "procure" internet.  

(Here are some shots inside the hostel.  I would post pictures of my "gourmet" breakfast of a bologna-like sandwich but being as how I am a bit southern I used the sandwich maker to fry my bologna so it was delicious and long gone.)

Gringo Burning in the South American Sun

In an attempt to return to the states tan (the return info will be in the next few days on here), I have hit the beach here in Vina.  The other day though I will admit to turning a nice state of painless red for a day or so afterward.

Being as how it is the Pacific Ocean down here the water is not something you want to stay in for a very long time unless you are strapped to a surfboards so I just get in to cool off a bit and then back to the beach.  Maybe next time I will roll over instead of napping on my back.  One side tan.... the other side white.

Sibaritico for Completos in Vina del Mar

In a recent post I linked to the video of Anthony Bourdain during his time in Chile.  I live just a few blocks from the site of his "Completo" consumption here in Vina del Mar so the other night (after a few of the necessary liquid appetizers) I rallied some ladies to go partake in some Hot Dog overkill.

If you have not watched the Anthony Bourdain video (a few blog posts back at MY BLOG) a completo is a footlong hotdog with Saurkraut, mashed avocado,  tomatoes, and artery clogging of mayonnaise, that I like to top with ketchup.

Needless to say it was a good night and the next morning I woke up a little rough.  I am still not sure whether it was the appetizers or the completo but I would definitely repeat the process.

Peru Summary

Peru was a quality month of my life spent with great friends and some small sense of party mixed in.  I have now made my way down to Chile and will be settling into my new apartment down here tomorrow.  I have made contact with a school down here and have and interview coming up that still hasn't been scheduled.  If you want all the pics from Peru you can find me Jonny Walker on facebook.

Sadly I can't post them all on here.

While in Peru this time I did get the chance to try Cuy (AKA Guinea Pig) it was sort of like rabbit but not much meat.

I also got to spend some time outside of Lima with some ladies

and attend some great clubs/events

Watch Bob show off how Americans dance.

and then say goodbye as he left me as the only gringo still in Peru... I made sure that some of the TGIFridays sign was in the background seeing as how and American Flag could not be found.

Now after close to 60 hours on buses I am in Chile and getting ready to move.

The apartment in Lima

Here in Lima I have been staying in the area of Miraflores for the past 10 days now.  To make this time more enjoyable 4 of us rented and apartment.  The accomodations weren't amazing by any standard and the elevator was a bit on the slow side which made the 12 story stair run a daunting task, but for these past few days the place has been home.

Only now that we are leaving the place to travel a bit around Peru do I look around the 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment and try and remember it for posterity. 

If you count very short term apartment rentals I have now had a places in Peru, Argentina and England aside from my time in the USA.

 Regardless of the amount of time spent, each of these places has felt like home while I was there.  I enjoy staying in hostels but there is something calming about knowing that at the end of the night the people you are sharing a space with is not randomly assigned.

 As an added bonus to the 12th floor height was a view that is rarely seen in Lima due to the normally gray conditions.  You can actually see the water in this shot.  Well I am going to go pack for the trip that lie ahead tomorrow.... wish me luck.

Livin It Up Down in Lima

Having rented an apartment here in Lima has kept me from taking up work in a hostel so I have had more to see the city.  Of course that has translated to sitting in the apartment a lot of the time and enjoying a few beverages but it has been fun. 

It is always odd to travel and not stay in hostels but I am considering this adventure a move so I guess I can change it up.

 Here is a picture of Bob on top of Sofia's house after a great meal with her family.  I only wish I could have ate more. (Sadly, the aforementioned beverages from the night before slowed me down a bit).

Lucky for me I checked facebook the other night and found out that a friend of mine that I had worked with in the Loki Hostel here in Lima over 2 years ago was celebrating his birthday so I got to go enjoy a drink with him to celebrate his birthday.  He never expected to see me again and especially not to celebrate his birthday.

In a recent development Bob and I decided that they need to make the show Jersey Shore here in Lima so we broke out our "Stunner" poses at a concert the other day.  Let's just say our Gringo essence was noticeable. 

Dixonstock

 THE BLOG

I just realized that I had only posted about work but somewhere over the past month or so I have actually managed to take at least one break.  The Dixon's farm is a staple for Memorial Day fun and also the site in which a few beverages are "partook" (responsibly of course).

Some time honored traditions of games were practiced

 

and this year we went down to the river to hit up the rope swing... or in my case recover in the cool water...

As always it was a great weekend and also served as the last time we will see Bob for a little bit.  He flew off to Peru the day after the weekend.  With any luck I will be seeing him there in a month.

Working Toward My Escape

I am currently in the process of looking for the cheapest method of getting myself to Chile.  I have decided that I will be moving there (if all goes according to plan) as early as this July.

 

 (with any luck this will be my plane)

Of course I have been to Chile before.... that is how I got to make the flight to Easter Island to see these guys.

 

Right now it appears that the best (most fun and cheap combo) is for me to fly from Washington DC to Lima Peru, Where my friend Bob will be for the next 2 months and staying with him for a while and ultimately renting and apartment in Vina Del Mar, Chile starting in August.

Where am I getting the money for this trip you might ask?  OK so I still haven't got that ironed out yet, but I am working on it.  I have taken up 4 jobs or so that have been going on for over a month now and with another month or so to go I figure I will at least have a start.  I am also certified to teach English as a Foreign language so maybe that will pan out down there.  If not the plan is live cheap and try to make ends meet.  Wish me luck.

Why work?

So I am entering the workforce again after my 2 year vacation... this sucks. I am not sure any other words can fully encapsulate it better than that. Of course, as I do with all things in life, I am not just getting one job but technically 4. I know what you are thinking (He is crazy) but I figure that if I work 4 jobs I can get back to my vacationing 4 times faster.


The jobs are as follows.... I am doing lawn work (mowing 3 lawns, mulching, painting doors, weed eating, trimming hedges), Working at the local GNC, Working for the US Census as a census taker, and picking up some hours acting (as a patient for the medical school so they can practice). I have been mowing for a few weeks now but the others all start in the next week. Speaking of which, I am due to start at GNC in 10 minutes and I am not ready.... hope they don't mind it if I am late for my first day. Gotta run....

Driveway terrain

Now that rain has set in here on the mountain I can post this video for the other week when we didn't even need the slopes to pass the time. 3 guys, a driveway, and some shovels.

I Played at the Park... now I'm going home

Helsinki, Finland appears to be my last new stop on the EuroTour for now. I have booke my flight back to London for tomorrow and will be in England for 1 week before my triumphant return to the states. It will have been right at 7 months since I was on US soil and I think it is about time for me to take a little time off (wait I haven't actually worked in a long time).

That said I have tried to make Helsinki interesting and today while sightseeing some new friends and I found a park that wasn't being appreciated.

Couch Surfing - Wroclaw Poland

My CS experience in Wroclaw was odd to say the least but ultimately a great time. I had planned on meeting up with my host Jo when I arrived but little did I know that she had attempted to cancel on me due to a family gathering. (I was traveling overnight during this time).


Luckily she sent a friend in her stead and I ended up here.

The apartment was great but this room was taken so the first of 3 nights I would be sleeping at another apartment 3 mins away. I told them if it was easier I would just get a hostel but they assured me it would work out.

The town itself was great and I can only imagine how busy it in when school is in.


This is one of my gracious hosts.... so humble in fact he could not even show his face.


The first night was spent at a great concert venue that one of the roommates was working so I got to slip in with the others for free which saved even more money than just the cost of my room for the night.


My time in Wroclaw was great and I hope to come back someday. 3 nights were fun but I am guessing that 4 nights come Autumn would be great.

Couch Surfing

I have been a member of the CouchSurfing website for a few year now and I am utilizing this trip to really test it out. For those unfamiliar with the concept let me explain... The site functions similarly to popular social networking sites (myspace, facebook, etc.) but instead focuses on generous travelers.

An individual creates a profile and can search for a couch in the city that he/she plans to travel to. Currently I am staying in Wroclaw, Poland completely for free with some local students. The concept is generally be hosted and then return the favor. The site also focuses on safety with user submitted reviews and vouching so that individuals can read about past experiences had through the site.

Currently I have places to stay lined up in Berlin and Riga, Latvia in the near future and will only have to buy a round or two of drinks while trying to be a gracious guest. If you are not currently a member I recommend checking out CouchSufing.com and signing up.

Chincoteague Invitational Pong Tourney

Here is a vid of the Tourney from the other day.

The other beach

I am now at Chincoteague beach or something like that... just north of Viginia Beach. Bob brought me along for some fun.

Here is a vid of us gettin here and what is going on.

Camping (outside the back yard)

So the other night I went camping with some friends... like 15 people or so. We got there while it was still daylight so I helped Bob set up his tent.

Here are some shots from around the campfire

Tyler Dean muggin for the camera

There was even "a" girl there. If you look closely you can see a can of Schlitz in the picture as well... high rollin.

To start the night properly Josh decided that it was his time to show his appreciation for Michigan. (If you don't know WVU sports you just don't understand). If you want to search Google for "Coach" "WVU" "Michigan". It is a start

Watch it burn.

Looks evil because it is...

After the demonstration Josh was OK, but I think Mr. Myers was suspect of him.

Bob and Aaron were happy as well.

To end the night we wrapped Mr. Myers in a large piece of aluminum foil and put him in the fire so he could keep warm during the night.

This guy opted for the nicer/dryer car sleeping. I just put up the tent to show that I could do it.

Parents Day

Before my birthday I managed to trick my parents into a day here at the shoe. The conditions were epic and my padre broke in his new skis with the $1100+ price tag. All in all, a great day. I love these people.

Padre


My mother in action

Francis working...... haha

Breakin in the new skis

I think they had a good time