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.

Let's Celebrate Life

…and the real story unfolds…

This all began many years ago, when yours truly was still a brat, little girl. As the only girl-child in the house, I seemed to have all the power to do anything I wanted to. And due to lack of playmates, then workers at the house were the poor recipient of my pernicious tricks, and since I was their boss’ daughter they couldn’t touch me. I was that horrible, I know!!! ...and then, one unusual revenge came in an unexpected manner … (her name was) Perla, who must’ve been fed up with all my seemingly innocent yet destructive at times acts, mapped out a plan to bring me down…for life. She claimed to be a fortune teller who could predict the future by merely looking on the birthdates and examining the lines of the palm. Her claim was matched with my eagerness to peep a little hole of my future, unaware of her sneaky intention. As a pre act she tried to predict my brothers’ futures which turned out something really good. I was really excited for mine but then it turned out that mine wasn’t as good as my brothers. Her poignant words, ¨You will not live long, you’ll die young¨ have taunted me ever since. Fear deterred me from sharing this burden to anyone. It had become a great paranoia when I reached teenage years. Any miniscule pain was always translated to cancer…In my mind I had experience all kinds of cancer and when I reached 20, was I happy!!! Every year since then was a big celebration. Of course I kept it all to myself…not until now.

The idea of having a short life has pushed me to my limits. There are bad things but good things can be fairly attributed as well. I couldn’t take it away from my mind, and somehow, I expect one of these days I would be out in this game… but then I fairly play the game. It led me to my aversion to anything risky, yet it made me risk for more (baffling??? I couldn’t explain it further). Age is just numbers… It doesn’t make you old or young… We should count all the things we’ve done and stop counting the years. I still believe I’m still young. Perla forgot to define what age is ‘young’ and 50 could still be young for all I know. I really should thank her for showing me that every tick of the clock counts, every relationship matters, and every person is worth caring for. For this I would like to toast a bottle of aguardiente: Happy 25th birthday to me!!!

*This will be my second birthday in Colombia. Last year was great; I had my first passed-out experience. To my friends back home, join me in my celebration… For…over the years and years to come!!! CHEERS!!!

To my mother, happy 59th birthday!

And Perla, wherever you are, Thank You!

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