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Trek Hunting
Entry 18 of 55 | show all | print this entry |
Before I book my trek, I've got to book my bus tickets. Make sure it all fits. I want to see Nazca before hitting Cusco and I must be in Cusco by Friday and I'm looking to do a three day trek. Today is Sunday. Turns out tomorrow is a national holiday--Battle of Angamos Day--and today there is a celebration of students, which apparently is held conjuctively with this other holiday and it involves a big parade with kids in traditional costume, bands, both marching and Andean and traditional dance (quite the luck, having also hit independence day in Chile). First there is a large gathering of the military and special student groups on the Plaza de Armas. Very cool. Then the parade. The lady at Colka Trek told me they would be open today but will the Cruz del Sur (bus) Agency be open?
[Cruz del Sur is reportedly the best bus service in Peru. It's pricier and has full-on security checks, including videoing all passengers before departure!]
Well, turns out there are a couple of Cruz del Sur agencies open (there are several). Not the agency I wanted but it'll do. I get the tickets I want. Arequipa to Nazca, leaving at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday following my 6:00 p.m. return from the three day Colca Canyon trek (I have yet to book) and Nazca to Cusco leaving 8:00 p.m. on Thursday after after a day in Nazca and having seen the lines some time during the day. (The agency happily books this trip for me as well, for a premium--at least I don't have to worry about dealing with it when I get there.)
Now it's off to Colka Trek to book my trek for tomorrow. What? It's not open when she said it would be open? Ah, my spanish ain't so good--maybe I got the time wrong. I'll check back. Okay, five check backs later with a couple of sightseeing walks mixed in and they're still not open. Four other agencies are recommended (note: there are probably 200 agencies within a three block radius of the plaza so a recommendation is a good idea.) Guess what? The other four are closed too! Many others are open but I'm leary and am not inclinde to choose one at random. I run into a Canadian girl, Tania, on the street (I meet her after having asked, 'How´s it goin' eh?'--no shit--and she answers in full-on New Brunswickian.). She tells me about Land Adventures which I practically trip over after we part. I go in and book the trek, for 70 soles less ($23) than Colka Trek quoted! It's now about 6 p.m. and I leave at 5:20 tomorrow morning.
Pollo con papas*, a couple of cervezas and off to bed.
*Cuarto pollo asado, papas fritas, ensalada mixta, sopa (pollo, ajo con arroz) y pan, 6 soles ($2.00)! I found a strip of this type of restaurant only frequented by locals about two blocks from the main plaza.
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