politics, ya mismo

I have been in Puno for the past three days...and in those three days it has become virtually impossible to travel to Cusco. I am among such protest. Recently, Alan Garcia and his government passed a law that enables private investment in native land and also the water of Peru. The Natives have been protesting in the jungle now for a while and it is only growing more intense. The protesting has really developed in the past week and especially in the last couple of days. The natives are fighting the privitization of water, land, and mining. Every road to Cusco had either been blockaded or burnt. Yesterday, I thought the conditions could some how find resolve...but seeing as they are only getting worse, my travels and desires will have to bend quite a bit. I cannot wait here in Puno much longer because on the 24th, Puno along with every other local town will be in protest. As of this moment, I think I will travel west to Arequipa and hike around for a few days in Colca Canyon. I doubt that I will have the opportunity to visit Cusco altogether. What a bummer. You know what though...I would be protesting too. Peru is a country blessed with such natural resources, however they are constantly being raped by foreign greed...and the people should not allow this. A la gente nativo...SUERTE.

Being that Cusco and the journey to Machu Picchu was to be the main experience of my time in Peru, I have had to find a positive spin for this change of tide. I now have a monumental reason to return and more time to experience Chile and Argentina. Okay mamma, I know I told you I´d have some sort of itinerary here, but I´m sure you can see I am in quite a predicament and nothing is certain. I will have more updates when the ground stops swirling beneath me. PEACE and LOVE.

hay siempre espera...

Lima, Paracas, Nazca...

People say that Peru is like a man sitting on a gold chair. He has sold and continues to sell his vast, finite resources only to be left with heavy machinery...but well, people also say that Peruians are impatient only because they are real men and eat lots of chilli peppers so what do these people know anyways?! haha I have learned so much while here in Peru and I didn´t expect any less. I feel the gods are at my side as every place I have reached has greeted me with and connected me to such tremendous people.

I began my adventures in Lima, the crazy capitol with a bad rep. I absolutely loved Lima...and I loved it for the people, the history, the streets, the parks, the monuments, the catedrals, THE FOOD, the vistas, the center...did I mention the PEOPLE? I was in Lima for a week staying with some friends in Baranco, which is located near to Miraflores. I will always remember Lima for its brilliant history and the magical time I spent with such beautiful people... And my newly discovered knowledge of street language, of course. Mostro, chevere, bacan...and the others are only for the streets yo. haha Katinka and Daniel, te amo muchomucho! y gracias por todos!

From Lima I travelled South to Paracas, also known to many as the poor mans Galapagos because it is home to Penguins, Flamingos, Boobies, Pelicans, Seals, Dolphins, and crazy rock structures that will blow your mind. I ran into two friends of mine that had also stayed in the Community Rhiannon near Quito, Ecuador! What a crazy surprise! Autumn and Jenny...I will see you two in Cusco for the Festival of the Sun! Buuuueno. I was about to leave Paracas when a crazy dog snuck up behind me and bit my hand. How rude. I showed him my bark and he realized who is boss. No broken skin gracias los dios.

...And on to Nazca, I skipped over Ica because I am tight for time which is lame, but well. Se la vi. The town of Nazca is so alive, but this night all I wanted to do was shower, get Chifa take-out, and watch tv. After three months of backpacking you crave these luxuries. CHIFA, by the way is Peruian chinese food which ¨they say¨ is the best kind of chinese food. I think they are right. Que rico! The next day I went to view the Lineas de Nazca by plane because it is the only way to see the actual phenomenon. What mystery! To this day, nobody really know why the Nazca lines were made...and furthermore, by whom. There are however, many theories including my favorite. ALIENS! haha I spent the night with a friend eating and discussing the lines...perfecto.

And now I am in Puno, along the shores of Lake Titicaca at 3812 meters. This is the highest navigatable lake in the world and is famous for its floating islands made of reeds where indigenous communities continue to live in their authentic ways. I will visit the islands in the morning. It is extrememly cold here and the locals are telling me is drops below freezing in the night. Ooofta. But the sky was a brilliant blue all day and the town of Puno is full of artisinians and surrounded by mountain peaks. The art here is very different than I have seen in other parts, and I fear I may lose all of my soles! On the bus on the way here an old man gave got up out of his seat, walked over to me, and handed me an apple and an orange. I wanted to give him a big hug because it was just so random and kind...I love Peru.

It is strange to think I will be home in one month. How fast the time does fly eh! Well, I miss you all like crazy and everywhere I go I think of how blessed I am to have such family back home. And I have never been a bigger fan of Seattle. I have everyone convinced that it is truly the best place on earth. Mucho amor.