Valle Nevado - Outside of Santiago Chile

With a still healing leg I decided that snowboarding was simply too important... I did however decide that teaching would keep me out of too much trouble. James had skied but never been on a board and Jamie had done neither. One of the other guys from the hostel named Ricardo was from Brazil and had never even seen snow so he decided to get in on some free lessons.

The views were epic and there were no trees so I couldn't break my other leg.


This is simply the bottom third of the mountain


An action shot of Jamie


James and Ricardo made a friend on the lift.


For having never seen snow, Ricardo picked up the sport faster than anyone I have ever seen. He even followed me off the beaten path and into one of the bowls. Completely fearless. Too bad he lives in Brazil and will only do this sparingly.



At the end of the day all three of them had picked up up quite nicely and my knee was still in one piece. Even having some car trouble couldn't ruin the trip.

The travel with Jamie and James

So it is late for this update but I will do it anyway. Jamie, James, and I st out from Arequipa to Tacna by bus. As a "gringo" from the US it costs me an extra hundred to fly into Chile, but by land it is nothing. The bus ride was about 6 hours long and then from Tacna we spent over an hour in a taxi and going through customs at the border. After that we were in Arica Chile. Sadly, on Sundays everything closes including travel agencies.


We then rallied in Arica to get to the airport. After finding it relatively abandoned we pushed on and found a sales rep for Lan Airlines that got us onto the 8:15 flight to Santiago. The 2 hours plus flight beat the possible 28 hours by bus.


Being in the jetset is the only way to be. South American airlines don't charge extra for anything. Other airlines should learn from them.

In Santiago... pics to come

today and yesterday were a complete travel whirlwind. Somehow we made it from Arequipa, Peru to Santiago chile in about 18 hours. By bus, taxi, taxi, plane, taxi... the day was crazy but Jamie, James and I suceeded. Now for a Sunday night in Santiago. Pics to come

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.

Last Night in Lima

It was my last night in Lima so I had to do it up big. With a flight at 2pm the next day I aforded myself the chance to go out and see more of Lima.

This is my idea of a good picture. The club was on the beach and if you sat out back the ocean almost touch the retaining wall. On the other side were the massive cliffs that separate the beach from the city. I do however realize that I need to learn how to dance down here. If South Americans aren't dancing they are not living.


When I made it back to Loki Hostel my "friends" decided to reopen the bar for one last hurrah. I hate/love them for it. I will always remember working there.

Proper Cuisine

After living for 2+ weeks on bar food and the menu economico at all the local restaurants (2 to 3 dollars american for two courses and a drink) I decided it was time for a proper meal. The english menus down here can be quite funny.

I had to order the earth and sea from the birds and meats section.


Suhail and Helen joined me.


I also ordered an appetizer of eggplant wrapped around mozzarella with dried tomato topping.


Here is what the spread looked like.


Despite its fancy appearance, the food was not amazing and I now have challenged myself to find a better meal for under 3 dollars American as I travel... wish me luck