The Epic - 30 Min Video of South America

So I mashed up all of my videos from South America to make just one for the entire trip. It lasts 30 minutes so I applaud you if you make it the whole way through and I apologize for its length.



Now to start looking toward Europe. The Jonnywalkeradventures will be heading East as early as January to check out new places. Wish me luck.

Cusco Peru - Video

Arequipa

I fled Cusco last night to keep myself from staying for months. I bought a last second bus ticket to Arequipa Peru en route to Santiago Chile. I had the pleasure of saving 3 dollars American and got to ride in the economy section of the bus. There might as well have been live chickens running around on the overnight 10 hour bus.

Now me and some friends from Essex England, but claiming to be from London are watching three consecutive football matches.

We checked into the hostel at 7 this morning and haven't left the tv room.


Jamie and James


The DVD wall that might be the plan.


We have also hatched a plan to catch another bus tonight. This would mean that my stay in Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru, lasted about 12 hours. Wish me luck.

Machu Picchu

Yesterday I hit up Machu Picchu for a day of trekking, train rides, overpriced tourism, and epic views. I am still a little tired from the trip so I will keep this entry short. The pictures are where it is at anyways.

Here is a view from above. I have loads of pictures, but the size of them all is too big to upload on South American connections.
Proof that I was there. Notice the jonnywalkeradventures.com tshirt.


I have not appreciation for history. Such a bad tourist.

Loki Cusco

Here are a few shots from inside Loki Hostel in Cusco. It is definitely different than the friendly confines of Loki Lima, but I can see how it grows on people. I am booking my train to Machu Picchu at the moment for 6am tomorrow. I really wish I had some form of alarm clock.

Back Garden
Blurry shot of the bar (this is how most people remember it)


Front Garden - my room is down the corridor that is cut off on the bottom right


Shared kitcken

Another view from the top

View of Cusco

It is an epic uphill walk to the Loki hostel in Cusco, but the view is worth it.



I have more to right, but I currently need a nap. With any luck I will be at Machu Picchu tomorrow... or the next day.

First Day in Cusco

I arrived in Cusco yesterday, but after a big send-off from Lima I took some time to sleep once I got in. Today I awoke refreshed and went out to see the city. Luckily for me it was a Sunday parade day here in Cusco so I got to see some local flavor. Of course being the horrible tourist that I am I was only focused on food and forgot my camera in the hostel. Luckily my new hostel friend Binita brought her camera along (her camera is also a lot nicer than mine).


This is a great action shot of some of the dancing that was going on in Plaza de Armas in the center of Cusco.


The costume were quite exotic and I will have to research a little to see what stories that they convey.


After the parade I finally got that food that I originally went out for and then slipped into a nice food coma.

FLIGHT BOOKED

I am all set to fly out now! I have purchased a plane ticket to Lima, Peru on August 17th. While in South America I plan to work my way around the continent for as long as I can. To save a little money on the flight I am hitching a ride with some relatives that are coming to visit back to Florida to catch my flight there.

I am flying Spirit Airlines
Out of the Fort Lauderdale airport
I will be spending the first part of my trip in Lima Peru

Then I will work my way to Cusco Peru
And from Cusco I will have access to Machu Picchu.

History Lesson: Machu Picchu was constructed around 1460, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned less than 100 years later. It is likely that most of its inhabitants were wiped out by smallpox before the Spanish conquistadors arrived.

From here the immediate plans are:

Santiago, Chile

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Montevideo, Uruguay