Lost In Translation

Machu Picchu

We've all seen pictures, but there is something magical about seeing something like Machu Picchu in person. The area surrounding it is also quite spectacular and awe--inspiring. It was the highlight of the trip for certain.

The train ride to Machu Picchu was also a wonderful trip full of impressive and varied scenery. Thanks to my jet-lag I was able to stay awake for most of it as well. Unfortunately, with the speed and the windows it was difficult to get many decent photographs.

This is the view from the snack bar in the waiting area.

The rest of the shots will come from different points from the tour that we took.

I was told there were about 4000 people visiting the day I went. It is a very orderly process in which tickets are linked to trains and buses from the station to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Ticket holders are required to show their passport with their entrance ticket.

I was there.

Inside one of the 150 houses that sheltered the inhabitants.

Llamas brought in for us tourists.

Our intrepid guide Mario.

A folk devil performed on the train the back.

On the train back I met some interesting people: a couple from Argentina, three students from France studying in Lima, and a Brazilian Ph.D. candidate from UCLA on a research trip also staying in Lima.

Cuzco: First Day

Here's a shot of the Plaza de Arams in Cuzco taking in the awesome surroundings and clear blue sky with scattered clouds. It is a beautiful colonial style city that calls to mind those well preserved places that are timeless like Bruges. Unfortunately, with that comes some of the unpleasantness like commercial overkill and the constant hawking of goods and services.  

Here's one of the charming narrow side streets.

Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus.

Fountain in the square.

La Catherdral.

Iglesia de Jesus Maria.

Plazoleta Nazarenas.

Plazoleta Espinar fountain. 

The view from the outdoor restaurant near the  Plazoleta.

They served the "rocoto relleno" (stuffed spciy red peppers) differently here than in Lima, these were deep fried.

Cross on the hill (barely visable).

In the Norton Pub.

Rumi Punku: Cuzco

After staying in an acceptable hotel in Chiclayo, it's back to more stylish accomodations--Rumi Punku.

Here's the courtyard.

Here's the lounge where breakfast is served.

Cool stove in the lounge.

Inside the room.

Cafe 900s

"Jugo de Tuna Roja" (mixed fruit juice) and "Empanada 900," ham and cheese with green olives and slasa.

"Sopa a la Minuta," a spicy soup with chunks of beef and angel hair spaghetti pasta noodles.

Around Chiclayo

The ubiquitous Dae Woo yellow cabs-constantly honking and often in disrepair. There is an abundance of Korean and Japanese cars on the roads here.

Fruit at the central market.

A fried chicken stand near the market.

A ceviche counter in the market.

Peru has some of the most decadent desserts I've ever seen. These photos are from a bakery.

The King Kong is a local treat-a large cookie filled with sweet caramel cream made of milk and sugar.

Peru TESOL 2012: Chiclayo

The Peru TESOL 2012 is being held at the Universidad Ceasar Vellejo in Chiclayo.

On the first day at lunch some students performed some folk songs and dances for us.

Sopa De Gallina Criolla

I caught a bit of a cold in Lima, so I thought I would try a Peruvian soup, "Sopa De Gallina Criolla." This is a mildly spiced creamy chicken soup. It was garnished with a citrus-ey and tangy sauce and lime. And in the soup there was rice, a chicken bone, and a hard-boiled egg.

Chiclayo

Here is a picture of Chiclayo's Plaza de Armas at night with City Hall in the background. It has a much different feel from Lima. When I flew in at around five in the afternoon it was sunny and warmer than Lima. It seems less developed and more run down. The traffic is haphazard, it seems that this city of over 250,000 has less than a half dozen lighted intersections.

Here's the cathedral in Plaza de Armas in the daytime.

Here is the Chapel of Saint Veronica.

Nearby is the Basilica of Saint Anthony.

The view from the hotel in Chiclayo isn't as aspiring as the one I had in Lima.

A local cafe.

Here's a Chinese restaurant reflecting today's globalism.