A Christmas to remember!
Trip Start
Oct 23, 2008
1
18
33
Trip End
Mar 01, 2009
Cusco,
Peru
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
So the Christmas build up was a rather bizarre experience or to be more truthful lack of experience. The lack of consumerism aspect I admit was refreshing after walking into Selfridges this AUGUST and finding their whole Christmas section already set up and in motion! So that part was nice but the lack of Christmas feeling was somewhat disconcerting and the one day I was looking forward to - Christmas eve as a friend arrived from Quito the day before and there were huge Christmas markets set up. Unfortunately however it was not meant to be and having collapsed and been ill the night before I was consigned to my bed for the day! Or days!
In hindsight it was quite a funny experience given Iīm Irish, was in an Irish bar (first time since in Cusco Iīll have you know!) but was only drinking coke as wasnīt feeling too great anyway
A spot of Salsaing we went to last weekend
. So was meeting up with my friend Mathis who I know form Quito with Harriet and Victoria and after a succession of disappearing off to the bathroom and not being very well I decided it was a good idea to retreat home for the night when I started feeling really light headed. Didnīt quite make it back to the table and managed to quite spectacularly faint in the middle of the bar. Was picked up and put back together again by a familiar voice. Nice Dubliner. Before repeating the experience before making it back to the table. After some more rather unfortunate moments of illness this time not in the privacy of behind closed doors I picked myself up and decided to leave thew bar before drawing any more unwanted attention! I was told afterwards as I have gotten to know the barman form Donegal (Aiden) quite well since through other people here that as I passed out another Dubliner walked in and upon seeing me fall remarked that at least he knew he still īhad it!ī Bloody ego!!! It was also Aidenīs first idea to steer me towards the window so my dinner didnīt reappear all over the floor but in a second of wisdom he romembered the poor suckers walking under the window of the Irish bar and quickly abandoned that notion! I think it might have been quite funny! So I was assigned to bed for Christmas eve and most of Christmas day although did manage to drag myself out for a bit of Christmas dinner. Although seeing as I hadnīt eaten in two days now that something nice and plain would do the trick and so ended up getting Chicken curry followed by some lovely Bread and butter pudding with amazing custard
After the successful dinner party we hosted!
! So although a seemingly bad idea, it was AMAZING and did me alot of good Iīm sure!!! As it was still not feeling anyway Christmasssy still myself, Harriet and Matis headed up to the hostel where Jack and Aiden were staying for a bit of joviality and Christmas cheer. There was gluewein and hot toddies being passed around and made like there was no tomorrow - lots of other people around and the cheer almost made you forget about the leaky roof and drafts ready to blow the īroofī clean off! There was an Austrian couple there and a New Zealander and a few others poping in and out and we basically stayed up and chatted about shite all night! It was good! The New Zealander kept our brains active all evening with brain twisters and puzzles which almost resulted at various individuals throwing what what left of Jack and Aidens turkey at him but being in the Christmas spirit everyone kept the peace and there were no poultry related deaths in Hostel Andrea on Christmas night!
Had a quiet day after and then had the chore of moving out of our humble abode on Saturday with our volunteering officially over. Still feeling like death warmed up. It was such a shame to have my volunteering cut short by a few days due to my illness but it remaining unknown and rather disabiliating there wasnīt a whole load of choice I was left with. I do miss my kiddies though will never forget the time I spent with them
The costumes were incredible
. Partly due to the toughness and partly due to the rewards! It was an incredible month, I was privileged to work with some beautiful children and I hope they can make the most out of their lives and that the organisation gives them the opportunities they all deserve. It was certainly an unforgettable and once in a life time experience and I reckon anyone seriously considering having more than one kid ever should go work there for a month before taking any serious action! It certainly reduced Harriets plan of having 6 kids to 1 (if lucky)! What a month!!!Saturday and relocated and over the moon about being so close to the city centre was a good day although still just couldnt help feeling really worried about my health for the Inca trail. Sunday was a quiet day and all medical centres were closed so not much joy there. Monday, after a weekend of every time I walked up a set of stairs or did anything felt like it was going to take me an awful lot more than sheer determination to survive the assaults of 4 days on the Inca trial, so I toddled off to the hospital. After consultations and tests and returning in the afternoon I was told it was nothing notable and so is probably altitude related so am on medication for that. It would almost have been better to have been told yes this is whats wrong with you, take some of these any youīll be right as rain. So I left considerably poorer than when I went it. I was most definatley charges īGringo pricesī
Wasn´t inspired to join in though
! My mind still is not as rest than my month now of onslaught form all and every bug and cold going has been unrelated but after the medications over the last few days I am feeling a little more perky and being psyched up for a 5am start tomorrow and solid walking/climbing for 4 days with the combination of no showers (thought youīd like to know!) and freezing temperatures and unthinkable altitudes and all that has somehow made me feel a bit better and know I have no choice but to soldier on. This is an experience I have been looking forward to since deciding to come to South America and so no little illness or rain is going to keep me from it! Yes we have had torrential storms for 2 days now and it is the rainy season in Peru but what the hell - lets just make it an even more memorable 4 days! I went and invested in some sexy waterproof trousers and a rain poncho so at least you guys will have something to laugh about when the photos go up on Sunday! What a way to spend New Years hey!All set and ready to go now - relocated to a new hostel today after spending 3 days in the windy/rainy/pretty much candle lit Hostel Andrea where Jack and Aiden are living but itīs god at the same time - plenty of character and it sort of feels homely - not that our house is quite down to the same standards but in a relaxed sort of way you just feel at home there. Maybe because itīs because we knew the hostel before we moved in or knew the guys or something but itīs been a good few days
More something to be appreciated
. Our new hostel for today and Saturday for when we return weary and broken from the demands of the trial in this weather is really lovely despite the less than charming climb it takes to get here but itīs all training for tomorrow! Itīs a wonderfully alternative, New age place with all sorts of weird and wacky people and A HEATER! Itīs amazing! But I must stage I am so looking forward to an Argentenian summer with as much fresh steak and good red wine and then a Chilean summer with all the glories of the seafood and more Granny Smith Apples than even I could ever get through! The Andes however wonderful - 10 weeks on and Iīm cold and a little sick of the altitude! Litereally! But first Lake Titicaca, bit if the Amazon, a trip to the amazing salt flats of Bolivia before I descend from the clouds and hit Iguazu falls and on to Buenos Aires! Lifes tough. It really is going to be such a different experience form here on in as I now feel free and can do whatever I feel like or go where ever after 2 months of intensiveness and 1 of not feeling quite the top of my game. Itīs going to be good - so here comes the New Year and a new chapter in my travels! And thank you for the patience and dedication of my readers for the past two where Iīve waffled on and got distracted and rattled on about all sorts. Thank you all for your comments and emails and continued support and I hope everyone has an absolutely fantastic New Year and all my best wished for 2009. Iīll be thinking about you all from my tent!
Comments
Happy New Year ....!
Reading your blog is making me very nervous that your are now somewhere unknown in the Andes trying to reach Macchu Piccu. May all our prayers and love push you up those mountains and keep you warm in your tent ... I wonder if we can all literally push you up those hills and steps if you are feeling a wee bit weak at any stage? Keep strong - enjoy - and i want to hear from you THE MINUTE YOU ARE BACK IN CUSCO!!!
Love as always, Mum XXX
Hmm
Are you determined to faint in every country you visit?? Seriously I know some people have quirky things they do in different countries they go to but fainting a new one I think.
Also the poncho?! Is it sexy yellow?
Hope you survive the inca trail my dear, I don't think anything could stop you to be honest! x