dinsdag 28 augustus 2007
27-08-07
Woke up with a hang over, again! But this time I have to be sharp. My first spanish lesson is today.
Luckily my teacher David is a real cool guy. Who knows, after 6 weeks I might even speak some spanish.
26-08-07
Today I went to La Huaca de la Luna. A temple build by the Moche people some 2000 year B.C.
There's not much left of the place because it's build out of mud and clay. But it's still an impressive sight. I was hoping to see some wall art I could use in my work for FairMail. But most of it was damaged to much to really use.
To get to the Temple I had to go through Trujillo. The 3th largest city in Peru. What a dump! My god! Picture a poor city and you'll know what I mean.
Later this night I'll hang out with Luis and some other people in La Tribu.
25-08-07
Hhmmm.... my second morning in Huanchaco and already slightly hung over. I consider that a good thing. Yesterday was a nice evening. After dinner we went on to the beach ( like 30 meters from the front door ) where the kids from the shelter next door were making a camp fire. These were all ex- street kids ranging from age 10 to 14 and at first I thought they would be like sad little children who were angry at the world and grown up to fast for their own good. But it was quite the opposite. They were just like kids that age everywhere else in the world. Even more so. They were full of life and joy. Laughing, playing, jumping around and playing soccer. Maybe it was the sugar rush from the marsh mellows they we're roasting over the fire and the bubblegum lemonade but they we're like little lab-monkeys who just found the key to the candy store. It was a blast! The joy they got out of people just caring a little was heart warming. It was the little things that made them happy, like spinning them around and throwing them in the air a couple of times. Or showing them how to make drawings with a camera and a burning stick. It was so cool seeing the smiles on their faces when they discovered they could do that themselves. Kids that age in Holland would have been bored after 10 minutes and wonder where their Game Boy went. For me it was a culture shock in a good way.
After about a hour or two the kids went to bed and I went on further down the street to go and see a art exhibition in a bar called La Tribu. The local watering hole for the artistic and fun loving Peruvian. Initiator Luis is your typical free-spirited-seen-it-all-done-it-all-mellow-always-smiling, kind of guy. And quite the artist as well.
The artist of the hour was Paul. A painter about my age. A real talent. I was very tempted to buy some of his art, if only it was small enough to fit in my backpack.
Had some beer, had some coca tea, had some coca snacks, got drunk, went home. It was a good day.
That was yesterday, tonight Janneke ( of FairMail ) is having her birthday party at her home. A nice and cosy get together with some of her and Peters friends.
zaterdag 25 augustus 2007
24-08-07
I'm sitting on the terras of Otra Cosa. ( www.otracosa.info ) The vegetarian restaurant, literally one door away from were I spend my first night in Huanchaco, Peru.
Two seconds ago I could see the Pacific Ocean, which is about 30 meters away. Now my view obstructed by a garbage truck who's rear personal is ringing a bell like their the local ice cream guys. They sure don't look the part.
Their gone now and I can see the ocean again. Actually I can feel the vapour spray on my face as the waves crash down on the slightly brown shore.
Even thou the sky is grey, it's still a beautiful sight to wake up from. Especially when you feel as jet-lagged as me.
Not that my flight was bad. On the contrary, two thumbs up for KLM! Thanks for leaving a three seater free for me to sleep on! And thanks to the two sweet Israelian girls next to me for keeping me company and the good laughs. The same goes for the Norwegian dude on the the airport in Lima, who gave me the extension piece for Peru so I could charge my laptop. You're a life saver mate!
Other thanks goes out to the charming Jeanne from Germany who showed me all of her pictures from her trip around Peru. Now at least I have some idea about what I'm NOT gonna see of this beautiful country, cause I'm here for a job and won't have a lot of time to explore the rest of the riches Peru has to offer. No biggy, I'll be back! This I know for sure.
I think I'll order up my second coffee and after that maybe some pancakes for breakfast. After that I'll going to explore the town of Huanchaco ( pronounced “ One-chac-o” ).
T.B.C.
24-08-07
Well, I explored the town a little bit. Not much to see thou. On the beach side it's mostly touristic. People are trying to sell you souvenirs and stuff. And the rest is like a brick shadeytown. But if you get passed that and actually start to talk to these people ( for me only the ones who speak English of course) you'll find that most of them are really friendly and genially interested. I've already made some friends amongst the locals and the other volunteers here at Orta Cosa. But lets not get carried away. I mean I've only been here one day.
Hopefully the weather will clear up a bit tomorrow
