Innocence Day

Happy Innocence Day!

Greetings from the city touted as City of Surprises!

Yes, I have spent Christmas in Pasto, amidst some family members' protest. I decided t stay a little bit longer with a plan in mind to visit close good friends in the neighboring countries (namely: Peru and Bolivia).

Christmas was great! I have spent it with my friend's family and surprisingly even though I'm the only outsider I never felt out-of-place. They even made me sing in the tune of 'O come all ye Faithful' and one Filipino song. But one surprising thing is that I even received two gifts during the close in family Christmas Party! Hooboy...

Anyways, I'm supposed to write about Innocence Day. They came up with their own version of it :Dia del Agua...in which I still have to research how and why...

At first, nobody wanted to go outside for the fear of getting wet. And when I decided to bravely go out, all I heard was the BUENA SUERTES from them. Few minutes later I came back unharmed, safe and sound, and dry. At 9, the whole household decided to bring me to the streets to see how is it like outside. We were like thieves sneaking inside the car, vigilantly looking for possible water-thrower that were hiding behind bushes. We did get in safe, thanks God!

After successfully making the vuelta, we dicided to go home for a quick lunch. At the gate entrance we saw young people havig fun with water. The big barrel of water did escape my sight. As we were drawing near the parking lot, about 10 guys were also fast approaching. Julieta, Diana, Armando and I decided to stay inside the car for a while until the guys slowly disappeared out of sight. As I was in a hurry to get back home (tenia chichi) I opened the cardoor and slowly went out. And then the unexpected thing happened. All those guys suddenly appeared and snatched us (me and Diana) and forcibly dipped us in the barrel of water. Just imagine how wet I did get. Yet, surprisingly, I never felt a bit annoyed. Hell, that was fun!

And the fun didn't end there! In the afternoon we decided to join in PIAYO, which is like a dumptruck. It was loaded with ballons filled with water. In the streets were many people throwing each other water. I've never seen such chaotic yet very fun activity in my life!

Chiva 2007

I was so proud to be able to make it...After Spanish class I was only left with few minutes to change from comfy clothing to decent CHIVA-like costume. I owe it to Steve for shouting and pressuring me while changing. Omar was amazed to see me running with belt still on hand...But I made it, that's what matters!!!

We did have a lot of fun. A lot of dancing which caused my feet to sore the next day. A lot of drinking for my other housemates which sent them to high productivity (being sarcastic here ;) the next two days...


with Faduoa

with Steve and Eli

with Taha and Patty

the evening's twist...CHIVA broke down, really didn't know the real reason, I heard a couple of versions like STEVE's: we hit a girl, TIFFANY's: Adam mysteriously made it stop (she looked serious when she told me this, might have been the effect of alcohol). on the pic: taha and I were fixing the car.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

During the two-day Lake Titicaca Tour I met interesting people composed of two Americans (artist, and Economist), and a Taiwanese who is currently studying M.A. in Stats in the U.S. Talking to them in English was a relief after days of talking in plain Spanish to almost everyone. All four of us agreed that the phrase STATISTICALLY SPEAKING is certainly a phrase we dreamed of saying should anyone dissent anything that we would say. Now, this is my statistic, and boy, don’t you dare throw me that phrase!
23 days of travelling
134 hours 45 minutes, my butt was rested on the bus seat
3 countries7 cities
19 churches
3 wonderful families
500+ photos
Hundreds of other foreigners
And a measly 600USD, we surely did make it!

H I G H L I G H T S

LIMA
Seeing again! As he said, we sort of expected this to happen. I had the chance to meet his uber-cool mom!
STARBUCKS, my obsession to Starbuck's mugs has been reinforced. Additional mug on the shelf right now.
AREQUIPA
The family who adopted us was such a darling. Beautiful churches, and our eyes were dancing upon seeing those cheap quality silver accessories.
CUZCO
Dizziness due to its altitude didn't hinder me from fully appreciating its beauty. I was enchanted by all that it has: churches and ruins...Nightlife was also great!
MACHU PICCHU
Undescribable!
PUNO
The Lake Titicaca tour, amidst inconveniences, I really enjoyed it. It opened my eyes in many ways than one.
BOLIVIA
La Paz, We stayed in a mansion-like house...Backpacks were loaded with beautifully designed stones.

(to be continued)

We Made It!

Finally, we're in Lima, Peru!

After so many alterations of plan, we finally made a decision to travel on New Year's Day! 48 hours of traveling by land, with a measly amount of money... I'm proud to say, I MADE IT!!!

A year back, I couldn't imagine myself traveling alone by bus even in my own country. Such gutsiness caused a bit of hysteria from my family members, and respect from friends...

To note, this is also my first time to travel with a Colombian which laxity almost drove me nuts. A couple of days before the travel, neither one of us had concrete step-by-step plan. When asked, Julieta would simply say 'Relax, everything will just be fine!´ I was doubtful and were crossing my fingers...but then again, she was right, everything turned out right!!!

(to be continued)

the 5 star 2 floor international bus, inside and out!

I wouldn't mind traveling for days in this kind of bus

reunited with Davo! the real tourists: Filipina and Colombian in Peru!

yey, Starbucks in Lima (because of Juan Valdez, Starbucks couldn't penetrate the Colombian Market, therefore such an excitement I felt upon seeing Starbucks after a year!)!

CHINATOWN

Central Plaza of Lima

More Photos: ECUADOR-PERU TRIP

Parque el Cafe

Miss you guys!!!

Medellin