YES! I’m a goin ‘ to Peru!! At this point, this isn’t news, persay. I’ve had my ticket for a few weeks now, and have been telling anyone who cares to listen about my travel plans. However, for most of the people of the planet, and anyone that may be reading these words, my trip probably does come as news.
Why Peru?, you might ask. Many answers come to mind but, before I share them, let me back up just a bit. It all starts with my year anniversary on the job. I’ve been working at StopWaste.Org for nearly 14 months now(!) and have yet to take a “real” vacation. I’ve been to LA and NYC/NJ and Seattle, but only for weekend trips, family visits or weddings. They were great trips, but they didn’t feel like a true holiday, as the Europeans are fond of saying. So, I decided that, come the end of the busy Spring season for the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening program, I would take advantage of the downtime — albeit it brief — and get the hell out of dodge.
Once I had decided that I was going to take a trip, the only question that remained was that of destination. I kicked around Europe, the Netherlands in particular. Still haven’t been across the Atlantic, and I am itching to go. However, I still haven’t been to South America, and have long considered Macchu Picchu a “must-see”. But South America and Peru offer so much more. A chance for me to immerse myself again in the Spanish language and, hopefully, get some motivation to practice more here at home. Exposure to the amazing Leftist revolution underfoot down south that has embraced the rural plight of peasants and eschewed the pandering hands of globilization. And, somewhat sheepishly I admit, a thicker wallet when I return.
And so, I plan and prepare. I’ll be spending the weekend gathering my gear and making final lists. I’m trying to cram as much Espanol as I can and have been watching all the Spanish-language movies I can. Background reading on culture, history and archaeology of the region is underway. And, best of all, I’ve got a pretty solid itinerary for my 11 days in Peru. Subject to change, of course, but here it is:
May 4 to 14: Oakland -> Peru -> Oakland
4 Overnight Flight from Oakland (20hrs)
5 Arrive in Lima
6 Bus to Pisco (4hrs) – Tambo Colorado?
7 Tour of reserve and islas
Overnight bus to Arequipa (12 hrs)
8 Arequipa
9 Flight to Cusco (1hr)
10 Cusco
11 Train to Agua Calientes (4hrs)
Tour Macchu Picchu – > Agua Calientes
12 Tour Macchu Picchu AGAIN
Train to Cusco (4hrs)
13 Cusco: – Sacsayhuaman?
14 Flight to Lima — > Flight to Oakland
Eleven short days, but 11 days in Peru, nonetheless. More to come as I prepare for my departure.
Filed under: Latin America, Peru
