My holiday in Peru began like everyone else my vacation ..... long flight. But let's not forget all I had to have vaccinations and quotes before you go. Vaccination against yellow fever, malaria pills, and various other drugs I took with me just in case. OK once a nurse always a nurse. I flew from Chicago to Miami, then to Lima, Peru. A little 'rough, but landed in one piece. I waited at the airport in Lima for my friends Maria and Kathy to come in on their flight. From the airport we went to a bed and breakfast in Lima. The next morning we started our adventure in Peru. Peru is a land of forgotten temples entangled in jungle vines, cobwebs imperial tombs baking in the sun of the desert and ancient treasures beyond reckoning. The rivers that rage around Cuzco, pumas that roam in the night, and shaman rituals that are centuries old. Even the Inca warriors and Spanish conquistadors had no lasting peace in this savage land. No one could fully appreciate the ground, among the dozens of peaks over 5000m including Machu Picchu, to the vast coastal deserts and the warm, steamy rainforests of the Amazon basin. Peru impresses with its diversity, its many indigenous peoples, languages and traditions for its rainbow variety of wildlife. Travel wherever and however the spirit moves - a luxury lodge in the Amazon, economic ceviche in a bar on the beach or scenic train through the Andes - it is all surprisingly affordable. Peru was once the home to some of the greatest civilizations of the Andes, the Incas with the most remarkable. The Incas built temples, incredible mountain surprising, palaces and other buildings, all without mortar, have built nearly 10,000 kilometers of roads, bridges functional, and built aqueducts to carry water. At the peak of influence of the Incas in 1532, the Spanish conquistadors arrived in their quest for gold and other riches, but performed the indigenous Indians and their leader, they captured the city in a short period of time, this innovative and powerful culture was spread the wind and nearly destroyed. For nearly 300 years Peru has worked as a Spanish colony, but discontent in the early 19th century native and settler revolts led calls for independence, local revolts, and then, the civil war in 1821, with the Spanish finally conquered in 1824. Over the next century or so, Peru suffered from many wars, some with the neighbors, brutal dictatorship, military coups and the consequent political upheaval that comes with the territory. After staying one night in Lima to Pisco we started. We took a bus and then transferred to a "collective". What is a collective? It is small minivan that you stick in 7 people with their luggage and, oh yeah a bicycle. I was in the back of the "van" and had baggage on top of me. Luckily it was a short run. Because we have made friends with others in the van because of close contact Maria picked up her first stray. We met a guy from England, who was cycling his way through South America. Since we said that we were seeing sites in Pisco and had a B & B we stayed at that thought it would be fun to tag along. We arrived at our hotel and we had our rooms downstairs and met for a few drinks. We were introduced to a Pisco Sour. It was like a Tom Collins, but with a punch. We had a few drinks discussed our plans for the next day and decided it was time to go to bed. The next day we toured the coastline to see some of the sites. We were going to a beach where it rarely rains. Our guide said that he does not remember the rain never in his life. This place never seemed to rain. It is not a plant in sight. I do not remember even seen all the animals. Even if the sea was there it seemed that the moon, desolate, lifeless. The desert and the sea merge in a spectacular way to Paracas in the department of Ica, a few hours south from Lima. The rocks that fringe the beaches are teeming with life: millions of birds that live here all year, and thousands of others that fly from the northern hemisphere and further south, ranging from bird guano Humboldt penguins. Next we were going to see a reserve. From there we took a boat to see the hunting on the island. This was Guano Island. Yes, I said guano. This is the nesting birds, and using the island as a toilet. Paracas National Reserve is a haven for seals, Humboldt penguins, flamingos and many other birds. You can visit many different attractions in natural and archaeological reserves. One of them is the El Candelabra, a geoglyphs of more than 120 meters / 394 feet in length, best appreciated from the sea. The pejerrey Punta, where you can watch the whole hill-like shape of the candlestick Candlestick, dug in the sand with a similar technique to the Nazca Lines, although perhaps of different origin: a scoring field theories pirate treasure cache in which soldiers fighting for independence in Latin America from Spain. Ballestas Islands are located outside the reserve. They are the habitat for a wide variety of birds and sea lions, which can be reached by motor boat. This trip is one of the most regular of Paracas. The site later we were planning to see it in Nazca. How do you view the coastal mountains that stretch across the barren flats of Nazca, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this desolate pampa holds little interest. This expanse of sun-bleached been largely ignored by the outside world until 1939, when the North American scientist Paul Kosok flew across the desert and I noticed a large number of lines and figures etched in a row, he initially took to be an elaborate pre-Inca irrigation system. What he had stumbled across was one of the most impressive and enigmatic ancient in Peru's famous Nazca lines. From a viewpoint 12/39 meter walk, one can observe some forms of hand and the tree. However, to fully appreciate the drawings, it is recommended to fly over the area in a small airplane. I did see the lines from the sky. The plane was a small prop plane. And, for a total of 4. This was an exciting journey. I slipped in the back seat behind the pilot. It 'been a good fit. I was very nervous. While sitting in the back seat I noticed that the pilot had oxygen tubing and mask his reach. I remarked to my friends and I wondered why he was the only one with oxygen and we do not need. He got on the plane, after a quick check of the plan. When we started on the runway I wondered if we would go ashore, which of course we did. My stomach was a bit 'nervous and it was a good thing I took Dramamine before going on flat ground. Every time the pilot dipped the plane's side to have a better appearance to the line I grabbed the seat as I was about to fall out of the plane. All I could say was "yes I can fly right now." He points to the side rather than an alarm goes off in the plan. I kept saying that the pilot had to do that I could see. All he would do was say, "Okay .... Watch "Do not stop me from grabbing the seat in front of me, that was the pilot. It was my first time in a small plane (and not the last). It 'was an experience. Today the small town of Nazca is constantly inundated by travelers who shows up to wonder and scratch their heads over the purpose of these mysterious lines, which were designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Nazca Lines is a vast network of lines and drawings of animals and plants credited to the Nasca culture covering an area of 350 km2 / 135 km. Some of the best figures drawn are the hummingbird, dog, monkey, and the long-tailed thrush. German, Maria Reiche, has dedicated 50 years of his life to studying and researching the area and have concluded that it was an astronomical calendar. Theories abound about these mysterious carvings, ranging from landing strips for aliens of a giant seismograph. The most likely theory is that of Maria Reiche, a German researcher who dedicated his life to studying the lines. Ms Reiche believed the lines were part of a vast astronomic calendar whose figures marked different solar phases. Ms Reiche, affectionately nicknamed the Angel of the Plains by the locals, was the first to discover the ancient technique of digging into the floor hard and dry desert and along the track with stones brought from distant sites. The component of natural gypsum exists in the area has helped to preserve for thousands of years the designs: the hummingbird, the spider, the condor and the monkey, from the over 30 figures carved in the valley. The Nazca Lines are the most extraordinary legacy left by a culture that flourished in 300 BC. The Nazca culture is not believed to have been capable of manned flight. But the question remains, how the drawings, what technology they used and for what purpose the lines served. Arequipa has been shaken by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions almost every century since the Spanish arrived in 1540, the second largest city of Peru, is not lacking for drama. Arequipa has been called the White City. Its distinctive stone thanks to the majestic Plaza de Armas, along with many beautiful colonial churches, monasteries and palaces scattered throughout the city. What makes the second largest city in Peru, so irresistible, it is clear the taste with which citizens enjoy all the good things in life, especially spicy food in the region, shops and nightlife. The pulse of city life is optimistic. The streets are full of vendors pushing, bankers, artists, students and nuns. There is no better place in the south to rejuvenate your tired bones, especially in waiting a few days to acclimatize before climbing the highest shares of Cuzco. One of the sites I was allowed to Colca Canyon. Colca Canyon is a beautiful part of Peru offering stunning scenery and one of the best opportunities to see condors in the wild. Of course we took a bus to get there. We had to get up at 1:00 to catch the bus. It 'was a local bus. The bus had windows open and was backed up with people and chickens. I said I was a local bus. We were driving on narrow mountain passes and the bus was going fast and you could feel the lean when turning corners. I just tried to sleep so I would forget the steps. Finally got to the canyon and we got off the bus. There was no one there. Dawn was just beginning to break. There were only a few people on this site. E 'was below freezing and we were not prepared for this time. Before our bus has left open the luggage compartment under the bus. When it opened, people started to come out with knitwear for sale. I have a wicked place. Once the sun is the condor came out. These are beautiful birds. It 'was a site to see and worth the adventure to get there. On the way to our destination near Cuzco, I had to take a bus. The race was going to be four or five hours ..... so I thought. I got to the bus station and our bus was late so I waited. I waited two hours. I always asked the man at the counter of the ticket if the bus was coming and he said, "Yes, do not worry." It seems that in many counties no other means of transport is on time and no one is bothered by it. "We Americans" worry too much ... "Relax." Finally, the bus reached the terminal. I took the bus and looked forwarded a relaxing trip. About half way through the journey the bus broke down. It broke out in a small town that had, fortunately, a wine cellar where you could get something to eat and drink. I had to wait for a replacement bus because the driver, after trying to solve the bus for an hour, could not fix the bus. The replacement bus was coming from the store that is two hours away. Now he had to stay in the cellar for hours without running water for bathing ... I do not want to know what to use as a toilet, and we had no food left. E 'was about 40 degrees F and no heat for the building in open air. I waited and waited. I started having conversations with some of the locals and one family wanted me to take their son was in his 20's home with me in America. The replacement bus arrived at the store at 3 am. I hoped on the bus and hope for a peaceful end to my road trip. I checked into our hotel a day late, but the room was still there for me. The Andean city of Cuzco is the bearer of hardship, many credits. It was once the most important city of the Inca Empire, and is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the oldest inhabited city on the continent. Few travelers visiting Peru will miss this premier to South America, which is also the gateway to Machu Picchu. When I arrived I was short of breath because of the change in altitude. My thoughts were fuzzy. Even though I was talking to my friend Mary is English I thought it was in Spanish. After some Coca Tea we were good. Although Cuzco was long ruled by an Inca (king) or a Spanish conquistador, there is no question of who rules the roost in the 21st century: the life of the city is almost entirely at the whim of international tourists. These days almost all the buildings surrounding the historic Plaza de Armas seems to be a tourist hotel, restaurant, shop, travel agency or an internet café busy. As the heart of the once mighty Inca empire, the city of Cuzco magnetic heads the list of many a traveler's itinerary. Each year it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists for its cobbled streets, attracted by the unique combination of the city of colonial splendor and religious built on the foundations of heavy rock of the Incas. And lying within easy reach of the city-hopping is the largest paper in the country to attract all the 'lost' city of the Incas, Machu Picchu and the Inca citadel perched high atop an isolated mountain. The department of Cuzco has a long list of festivals and carnivals flaming when the nation is proud collides with solemn pagan past colorful chaos of modern Catholics and Latin America. And nowhere else in Peru you can get out of breath ¬ taking altitudes of the Andes mountains down through the cloud forests of rare orchids painted with lush plains of the Amazon jungle so quickly. Corpus Christi is a festival from May to June in the region of Cusco. This festival is a celebration of the saints. Fifteen saints and virgins from various districts of Cusco to arrive at the cathedral in procession to greet the body of Christ in the form of consecrated hosts kept fabulous mass of 26 kg of gold. During the night vigil, typical dishes, such as chiriuchu (guinea pig and pepper), and chicha corn bread, are served. As soon as the sun rises, the parade starts around the main square, and then the images enter the cathedral to greet one another. Finally, the delegations return to their churches in the middle of songs and prayers. The celebration lasted a week. For many visitors to Peru and even South America, visiting the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu is the sweet cherry on top of their journey. With its spectacular location, is the most famous archaeological site of the continent. This awe-inspiring ancient city has never been revealed to the Spanish conquest and was virtually forgotten until the early part of the 20th century. In the high season from late May until early September, the maximum limit of 2,500 people arriving every day. Despite this great influx of tourists, the site can maintain its air of grandeur and mystery, and is a must for all visitors to Peru. Because of the higher elevation was out of breath again. It took me a little 'getting used to this. Once you've seen the sight you've forgotten everything else. Really impressive. This is not a place not to be missed. A vast region of tropical vegetation in the basin of the Amazon, home to Peru's largest nature reserves. The vast Peruvian jungle, which surrounds the wide and winding Amazon river, is divided into two different zones: rainforest, which has a subtropical climate, with some rain between November and March, and sunny days from April in October, and the jungle lowlands, where the dry season runs from April to October and is ideal for tourism, with sunshine and high temperatures often topping 35 ° C. I spent 4 days in the Amazon jungle. To get there, it was time for another plane, but it was a plane seat this time 8. We flew into the jungle and landed in a small camp in the trees. After we landed we met our guide and canoed on the river to our camp. We had with huts and part-time plumbing and electricity from the generator. We woke up early every morning to go on our walking tour. We were told to make sure we had our first fly hidden in well-we went to bed. I did not want any uninvited guests to bed so I made my bed in the daylight. He also told me that when I woke up in the morning I should touch the piece first then take the flash light and scanning the area around the bed, my shoes then get out of bed. Only when a snake decided to visit. On the night we slept outside on a bridge along the river to observe the animals at night. We had sleeping bags and the "bathroom" was the path along the river, but we had to look for animals, jaguars. I stopped drinking fluids when I heard. I do not see much .... to dark. We saw many animals and it was fantastic. The jungle features high humidity throughout the year. In the jungle of the south, there are sometimes cold spells known locally as friajes or surazos, cold fronts which drift up from the far south of the continent between May and August, where temperatures can drop low at night. During this season, the river levels dip and roads are easy to drive. The rainy season, meanwhile, which runs from November to March, features frequent rain showers which can damage roads in the area. I met some wonderful people in the Amazon and will never forget my experience. Inca Kola National Soft Drink of Peru is a yellowish color and taste of chewing gum. This was my favorite drink when I was there. Peruvians are proud of their national soft drink and wait to enjoy when he returns to Peru from abroad. What is that strange yellow beverage everyone is drinking? It 's the first question a Peruvian food newbie asks when confronted with Peru's ubiquitous soda: Inca Kola. It's a drink people either love or hate, but personal preferences aside, has an interesting history in the annals of the global world of carbonated beverages. It 'really the story of the little cola that could. What many do not know is that the extremely sweet, bright yellow, very bright, soda is one of only a handful of locally produced colas in the world that has never been able to be beaten by world number one beverage Drinks: Coca-Cola. Despite years of trying to dominate the Peruvian market, Coca-Cola finally gave up and decided it had to buy a share of Inca Kola, because they simply could not outsell. Inca Kola, there is only one, unlike any other. Peruvians love their Inca Kola. There is a sense of pride that a soda in a small, poor country was not able to be passed by the world's largest beverage company. fast-food restaurants like the Peruvian company Bembo went from Coke to Inca Kola, and even McDonald's, yes, I had my Inca Cola to McDonald's, had come to an exclusive agreement with Coca-Cola to allow both beverages will be sold in its restaurants, something unheard of in the field of fast-food restaurant. Inca Kola was like the persistent lover that had come into the marriage between McDonald's and Coca-Cola. In Peru, Big Macs are eaten with Inca Kola, Coca-Cola.
