Friday, March 21, 2008

Rolling with the Punches

I have learned a lot over the last month or so, both in the States and Peru.

* Everyone should do a full clean-out of their fridge and freezer at least once a month.
* Never think that you can move out of a house on your own (little brothers with big muscles are amazing).
* A good cup of coffee is something that should be treasured.
* Life will test your flexibility.
* No matter how organized you are, plans change.

Brian and I are in Huaraz right now. In the Cordillera Blanca. It is absolutely breath taking.

So Plan A (as of last Monday, officially) was to say our goodbyes to the great folks in Trujillo, to spend a long weekend in Huaraz, and then to move to Cuzco. We were really excited for the upcoming challenges as directors of the Cuzco project. Wednesday came, however, and we were forced to create Plan B. The plug was pulled on our move to Cuzco and now... well... we´re figuring out how flexible we really are.

For now, Brian and I have truly been treating ourselves. This beautiful little town has delicious coffee, amazing chocolate cake, bagels with cream cheese, and all the outdoor adventures you could want. We only wish we had a bit more time here. Acclamizing to the altitude (we´re at 10,000 ft.) has been a very new experience for me. It´s like suffering from a hangover that you certainly do not deserve.

Wednesday was rediculously busy - trying to cancel our flight to Cuzco, teaching classes, saying goodbye to friends, checking out of Bruce Peru (to maybe go right back on Tuesday). Then that evening was our 8 hour overnight bus ride where we could have sworn the driver was trying to roast us for dinner it was so hot. After such a day, well, Huaraz is practically heaven on earth - even with the headache.

Our plans for tonight are to play a ton of ping-pong (yes, we found a ping-pong table!), and then get a good night sleep for a day trek we are taking tomorrow at 6 am. Life is pretty good.

Oh!

* Brian and I got locked inside our hostel for half and hour. It was us and a French couple on one side - unscrewing the door handle and wiggling a knife in between the door jam - and the Peruvians on the otherside - wiggling the key back and forth and offering futher solutions. Other than that, it´s been a great place to stay.

The view of Huaraz and the peak of Huascaran poking out of the clouds. We took this picture from the top of our hostal on the morning we arrived.

7 comments:

AA said...

Glad to hear you guys made the move and made a good decision, now I it sounds like you will need to be "flexibile" .... some more!
I agree it's important to savor those beautiful moments. I will be enjoying my cup of coffee and admiring the view in Mexico this week!!
Wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday Brian!! Love you, AA

AA said...

So, you made a decision to go and now what!? I'll be interested to hear more about your travels and flexibility while enjoying my cup of coffee and the beaches of Mexico. I'll be back reading your blog in a week!
Happy Birthday to you Brian!!!
Love you,
AA

U. Jim said...

Brian and Kim, Sounds like you are having quite an expirence so far. From the bug you both had (sound like Peruvian revenge) to moving from village to village, remember it takes a village. Enjoy all of it! Life is too short so, I agree, savor all of those moments and lock them in your mind to be re-counted at a future date... Perhaps over a good cup of coffe. Anway can you tell that AA is having tech diffacuties???? She posted once (or so she thought ) only to find it didn't work, got me out of bed in my undies (there a sight to go to sleep by) to help her "re-log in" and post her thoughts only to find when she had finshed, her first posting did actually work so the same thoughts are posted twice. Oh well, we are both new to this thing called Blogging... Who invented that name anyway? Barron Von Blogmiester? U.J.

U. Jim said...

By the way, I had that same bug 3 weeks ago in Brazil, only it was projectile vomiting while out in the jungle fishing. I was up a river, with a paddle and a guide, named the Jufari (pronounced Jew-far-ee) A friend was with me and he kept saying things like "I'm goning to take pictures", or "Was that an egg"... "hey look even the ants wont eat that", anyway it sucked, no other way to put plain and simple. I did finsh the day fishing then went to bed at 5 pm slept until 5 am and did it all over again, except this time without the projectile. Much better day!!!! I also had lots of liquid and stayed with bread, rice and water for dinner. Take care of each other!!! U.J.

Anonymous said...

Kimberly: you look great at 15,000 feet. Mt. Adams will be a piece of cake. Dad

Weisman said...

You shall be flexible like Gogi the Yoga Master. In tights.

Love to you both!

btracy said...

John, funny you mentioned Mt. Adams. We went on another hike today and were talking about doing Mt. Adams this summer. I'm in!

Brian