Conscious-Movement

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Peru part 1, the Indigenous peoples of Lake Titikaka

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:39:00 +0000

We entered Tacna, Peru from Chile without incident. At first it looked like the transportation strike we had heard about was still in effect, but after waiting and searching for alternative route northward we found a ride to Puno on Lake Titikaka.

It was our worst bus ride to date with many checkpoints and rain leaking in throughout the night. Upon arrival in Puno (3,890 meters) the next morning, Amani and I were feeling the effects of the altitude pretty accutely; cerebral pressure, nausea and exhaustion.
After a day or two of rest we were feeling better and embarked on a day tour of Lake Titikaka. First we headed to the Uros (floating reed islands) where we met the local poeple living more or less as their ancestors had, building there islands, boats, and houses all from the reeds that grew in the lake. The women where dressed very colorfully making everything by hand and the men built large canoes that could hold 25 people, and were responsible for the fishing and hunting.

Next we visited a traditional dirt and rock island called Tequile. It was a three hour boat ride but already we found the locals spoke a different language, Quechua. They also lived very traditional lives (except for the tourism) with terraced fertile land dating from Incan times.

We ate a trout lunch and enjoyed a traditional dance by our hosts, and then hiked to the other side of the island.

As our boat approached the mainland again we headed right into a strong thunderstorm. A storm that later we would realize had devastating effects for many people in Peru.

-- Expanding Experience through every Step...

Location:Cusco, Peru

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Mendoza, Argentina to Valpo, Chile

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:18:00 +0000

So it's been A few weeks and we are moving faster and faster now as our return date creeps up on us(feb 7).
Gonna make this short and sweet with as many pictures as I can post before my iPhone crashes.
We found a dance party in Bariloche for new years featuring a San Francisco based dj who definitely had us workin up a sweat;)- Dj Qzen
We then took a night bus to Mendoza where we did alot of adventure excursions; guided sunset horseback tour with bottomless wine And asado,Ymmm!!

The next day we jumped of a 1500m mountain and did some paragliding (w/ a guide of course;) beautiful view with great thermals to rise upon. The way down got a bit queasy for us both though, but no mess in the helmet at least;)
Then we crossed the Andes into Chile and stayed with an old friend from MA in a beautiful house fully equiped with citrus garden, pool, and a ping pong table(tournament included-Alec made it to the semis but got knocked out by the host before he was beat by the mean Norwegian.
Then onto Valparaiso (Valpo for short) where, in the spirit of this San Francisco of Latin America we happened upon a beautiful gay hostal where we stayed for a night. Everything there reminded us of our favorite city, although of course not quite as good;)-- the hills, the colored houses, the little artsy alleyways, great murals, great wine, shady parts of town(we were warned numerous times not to walk the way we were heading because of "bad people."

-- Expanding Experience through every Step...

The Traveler

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:19:00 +0000

It's not only about the amazing sights you see along the way, the locals you meet that give each place its uniqueness, or the incredible experiences you have everywhere you go, but it's also about the travelers.

The traveler is a unique being. Whether backpacking, driving, flying, kayaking, biking, walking, thinking, however one decides to drift (here's to you Amira - www.sundaydrifting.com) through the planet...we are all travelers. Creating our own experiences from the comfort of our own homes, cars, bikes, or backpacks. We all decide to experience the world around us in our own way.

Alec and I decided to travel by backpack

, opening opportunity to travel by any means, and allowing for us to drift in and out of the lives of so many other travelers. This blog is dedicated to all those we have met along the way!

A traveler knows what it is to be out of their comfort zone; in a strange land with a strange language trying to find their next destination. In this way we identify with our fellow traveler, knowing that a smile or a generous gesture can go a long way toward bringing a sense of global community to a sometimes lonely journey. With this common understanding we have been greeted and treated by so many (Argentinians and Extranjeros) with an overwhelming generosity. It has been almost hard to believe how trusting, generous, accomodating and friendly these people have been.

Somewhere along the way, as a North American, all the paranoia and jaded talk of negativity gets to you. The news has you believing their fear mongering, and your world becomes smaller. Before we departed on this trip people continually warned us about our safety. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming to us, and repeated stories of crime and sickness painted us a picture of a land of ill and scary people.

It is obvious that anywhere you are, anywhere you go, and anything you do in life you must take proper care of yourself. Alec and I are so happy that we threw ourselves into an unknown land, and opened our eyes, and allowed ourselves to listen and learn. It is not like what people told us. We are happy to say, as backpack drifters of the world, that people we have met have warmly shared their food, water, home, and life with us.

One thing that we have learned time and time again on our travels is the power of a traveler. A traveler not only experiences the land of another, but also brings the experiences of their land to others. They become the voice of their people. People know that a government, its politicians, and media are not the voice of its people(except for the guy who sold us our bus tickets in El Chalten:) So they turn to the traveler.

What do we think of Bush, Obama, the war, health care, and the education system are common questions that we encounter daily? Alec and I play a powerful role as representatives of our country. And the other travelers become the represantion of their land. We all know that a couple of travelers don't represent the beliefs of a country, but somehow, each traveler becomes a voice for its people. How you decide to be as a traveler can make a world of difference! And as for us, this land is only the beginning of our representation and exploration of the world that surrounds us.

P.S. To all those we met along the way that we didn't get pictures of you are not forgotton-you know who you are so send us a pic please and we'll add it;-)
Although we wrote this a while ago, it is now new years eve(and a blue moon, and a partial lunar eclipse too;)
So we wish you all a happy and healthy new year!! Amani and I will be thinking of how happy we are to have met and know you all...

-- Expanding Experience through every Step...

Location:Bariloche, Argentina