Peru......an endless coastline, mountains, surf, desert, and an ancient culture.
Girls Gone Picchu!!
June 29th...I made it to Peru. Taking a wicked long bus ride from Ecuador. Spending the extra dime for VIP, totally worth it when your riding a 30+ hour bus. Arriving in Peru, heading straight for Miraflores where I was couch surfing for the next few days before I dipped back to the states. Landing a chill accommodation at Mana lima Hostel. For the next few days I roamed around the city, and surfed. The hostel is in a great location, only a couple minutes walk to the cliff side view that over looks the ocean, and only a couple minutes more your at the beach. FAST FORWARD August 2nd I return from my month in the states, landing a volunteer position at Mana Lima Hostel. Making the most of my time while I wait for my 3 dope girlfriends to arrive. Waking up early morning to work on writing, helping out with breakfast and preparing for a day of surf. Now I say day, but I really only mean a couple hours. The water in Miraflores,Peru is COLD. 17°c cold, and if you can't figure out the math, well I'm sorry but the metric system is how the rest of the world works, so do some learning. Surfing ...aww yes my new love. Setting out to hit the waves once a day. You can rent a board and wet-suit along the beach side. For me I am able to borrow a board from the hostel and carry my own wet-suit. The feeling I get from surfing is like no other. You are mentally and physically consumed. A great way to clear your head and start the day. I find my skill level increase everyday I have time to practice. Also taking up skateboarding to really work my hips and build up my foot work. Staying super active is key when I travel. Finding joy in physical activity daily. August 6th-9th, FRIENDS. Yea the first 2 of my friends were arriving. So excited to have people join me on this worldly adventure. Julie and Kili, both dope ass biatches with a heart for adventure and knowledge. They spent the first day riding bikes while I got my last session of surf in prior to Machu Picchu. The following day we set out to explore Lima, admiring the architecture of the old city and learning about the culture, dead bodies and stuff. No for real we went to Santo Domingo church to visit the catacombs. Dating back to the 1500s, the catacomb holds over 50,000 remains. So chill, highly recommend it if your in the area and have time to kill. That night my elementary school friend was arriving, setting out on her first ever backpacking adventure. This pleases me to no end,I love it when people say fuck it, buy a flight and join. Especially my girlfriends. Nothing better then 2 weeks full of not stop madness, HELL YEAA!! waking up at the crack of dawn to catch our flight to Cusco, we arrive late to the airport. Classic!! Luckily for us the airline personal was nice enough to let us check in, and make it through security with minutes to spare before boarding. Lima WE OUT!! Our first day in Cusco we went ham..as in booked everything, setting our timeline for the next 10 days. There are an endless number of tour companies out there, offering the same thing. You just need to feel them out, check price and what they include in each tour. I always try and feel out the vibe of a place. The vibe of a shop goes a long way, and I'm trying to stay on that positive, upbeat energy flow. We arranged the next 10 days, Inca Jungle trek, 5days and 4 nights. Hiking, biking, white water rafting, zip lining, and hot springs. Followed by Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca. August 10- 15th battle of the butts and MACHU PICCHU BEGINS!! Day 1 Biking and White Water Rafting The first day of our journey begins with a wicked down hill bike ride. Descending from 3,500m to 1,250m. Starting off up in the clouds. The air is wet and cold. The first 30 minutes down hill are brain numbing cold. You have to work to feel life in your fingers. All while your racing down hill in the rain and wind. Then the sky breaks and the sun warms your face. The view is incredible. Deep valleys, a river for days and steep cliffs that drop deep into the jungle. Once at the bottom, you are hustled into a van and taken to your hostel to store your bags, refuel (lunch), and prepare for an afternoon of white water rafting. You head out to the Urubamba river, literally a 5 min walk from your hostel. Splitting into groups of 5-6. The girls and I are joined by 2 brothers from Canada. Super chill dudes, they completed the group....bitches on boats. One hell of a ride, surfing through class 2-3 rapids. Of course I would be the ass hole to fly out. Not my first time rafting but definitely my first time falling out of the boat. Fun as hell, I'd be down to do it again. The water was cold but so refreshing. Ending our rafting adventure with a little tip touching. I mean what's better than celebrating with just the tip...Hehe. Our day of adventures came to a close around 6pm. A full day of non-stop action, lots of laughter, farts..., and activity. Going to bed mentally stimulated and physically exhausted. Day 2 HIKE DAY Ughh...if you know anything about me, you know I'm not to keen on cardio aka hiking, running or lots of walking. Our hike starts out in Santa Maria at 1,250m. The first half of the day with hike up to 1,700m. along the way stopping off to learn about the culture of the Incas, local fruits and plants grown in the area. Continuing on to lunch. Food by the river and a lil hammock chill session. From lunch we head off to the last part of our hike. Across a wicked old bridge only to come back across in an old school gondola, powered by man. Ending our day of trekking walking through a cold dark tunnel. Coming out on the other side of the mountain to hot springs!! Omg yes nothing better than a good soak. Spending a couple hours resting our bodies, relaxing and recharging for final trek to the hostel. If I only knew it was going to be as far as it was I wouldn't have showered. Working up another sweat on an all up hill climb to our place of rest. I couldn't be more excited to see a bed. Cleaning up quickly and then heading to dinner. I was to tired to hang in for the after party, so I head to bed early, only to wake up to 2 fools around 2:00 am. Julie and Alyssa, gotta love them. They come in hammered, laughing and talking so loud. I could only laugh, I love drunk people they are always ridiculous. Finally after telling the same 2 stories about 6 times they quiet down and head to bed. Day 3 Zip lining and the hike to Agua Caliente begins. Waking up at a decent hour for a fueling breakfast. Unfortunately on this morning I felt like something died inside me and need to get a wicked poop out. So a couple cups of coffee and cigarette later, SUCCESS. Nothing better than starting your day with a wicked poo. Off to zip lining we go. Julie and Alyssa definitely feeling it this morning, so to help fuel the fire everyone got in an extra kick. I mean what's better then flying HIGH. Not my first time zip lining, so I know what to expect. There's something about zipping across a valley, high in the sky that just makes you feel like a kid again. The course consists of 5 lines, the final one you superman. Hell yea, arms out, taking flight. The view is incredible and my adrenaline is pumping. For the final act, you must walk across a suspension bridge that is crazy wobbly, and scared the crap out of me. Especially because my friends think it's hilarious to shake the thing while your making your way across the hardest part. Sometimes I really dislike them...no never but I definitely freaked out. Walking back from the course we all chill out in the grass. And then there goes Alyssa on some random local's motorbike. We all shake our head, live your life man. Only for her to return 30 minutes later having crashed and bleeding, no not bad but really??!!! And then she proceeds to ride the bike to lunch. The rest of us are obligated to take the van. Getting to lunch and stuffing our face for the hike to Agua Caliente. 3 hours or so hiking along the train tracks to our resting place. The hike was long, and honestly not very exciting. You literally walk all the way around Machu Picchu. Kinda cool knowing one of the 7 wonders of the world is in your very sight, tempting your wandering mind. Arriving at our hostel, I couldn't be more happy to have a hot shower. Getting in a much needed shower then heading out to check out the town before dinner. Agua Caliente is cute town with a historic train that runs directly through it. The shops are full of souvenirs and tourist crap. All slightly over priced based on the location. I highly recommend buying stuff in Cusco at the local market, way cheaper. Anyways so we went out for coffee and happened to run into our Canadian brother friends in the square. Spending the next hour chilling before they head out and we head to dinner. Dinner is served at 7, typical local food, my favorite. Always some type of soup followed by meat of choice with rice and veg. Getting our fill in, for tomorrow was going to be a long day. Heading back to our hostel exhausted and excited for the following day. I just pray I get at least 6 hours of sleep. Day 4 MACHU PICCHU Waking up at a very early 2:30 am....I'm not even sure why, oh wait yes Kili loves to set an alarm for wicked hours. Getting everything together and running, yes literally running out the door at 3:15ish. Rushing to get to the gate in hopes we will be first in line. Running into our Holland friend along the way...and what to our surprise we are FIRST at the gate. Now only to wait for the next hour and half. We are ridiculous, but the butterflies start swirling and the anticipation to get to the top is growing. We pass the time chatting and playing with the local street dogs. Finally the time has come, security checks us in and off to the races we go. No seriously the people we are with start running, omg this is just to much for me. So keeping a steady pace I start climbing the 1,800+ stairs to the top...in the dark. Yes, of course I wouldn't have a light, so by the reflection of moon light off the steps I carefully make my way. I'm actually glad it's dark because then I can only focus on the few steps in front of me instead of imagining the hundreds ahead. I'm sweaty, hot and still not stopping. The climb becomes slower and all I can think is, don't stop, do this for my sister for my mom, keep going. Dedicating this climb soley to my sister, whom is going through life changes. Reaching the top FINALLY only to be jumped by a street dog, luckily nothing harmful occurred. We arrive at the entrance only to wait for the workers and security. Making it to the top 7th in line, pretty cool, also stupid. All I can think about is the view, the view without a soul on the mountain. We are checked in and then once again the race to the top begins. Tired as ever we make it. And the feeling that over comes you is something out of this world. Yes I've seen ruins before but this is indescribable. An empire build by hand on the top of the most breathe taking views you could ever imagine. The jungle is so green, the sharp peaks of the surrounding mountains, up in the clouds as they roll in and out, all making the center attraction of this Inca Empire so worldly. Machu picchu truly earns it's spot as one of the 7 wonders of the world. Ohhh Machu Picchu your are fabulous, and the day continues as Kili and I roam the ruins, taking more photos than I have ever in my life. What gets me the most is the view, stopping to admire mother nature at her finest. This is something I wish every human could experience. Kili and I sit for a while, bullshitting and growing as friends. I start to think about my family and how one day my dream is for them to join me here. My mom would definitely cry and my dad would know more facts than any tour guide. Ok enough of that before I start to cry. So we find the other have of our squad. We all continue on to see the Inca bridge and Sun gate. These are two other areas of Machu Picchu that most are not aware are there. Kili and I only have enough time to hike to the bridge. Super cool old bridge on the far side of the mountain. Crazy to imagine how the Incas traveled through these wicked steep mountains, just amazing. Heading down off Machu Picchu sparing enough time to finally poop, after holding it for over 6 hours, eat and sit for a couple of minutes before heading back down the train tracks. Alyssa and Julie squeezed in the Sun gate, leaving them no down time, rushing for food and grabbing their bags to hike. The hike back down is exhausting. By this time we have been on our feet since 2:30am, climbing all over Machu Picchu and your body hurts. My feet have never felt so much pain, I only pray some nice man will walk by and carry me back with him....lol, no seriously though. making it down to our bus in a record breaking time, due to Kili setting the most insane pace ever. Tired, sweaty and HANGRY! There is a lot of confusion with the buses. People everywhere...you basically fend for yourself to find your bus company and hope your on the list to leave next. Sitting in the bus, you immediately pass out, napping till you come to a quick stop. The best stop ever, because there are BURGERS. And you better get one of the those road side 2 dollar burgers, one hell of a mouth orgasm. Just enough to get you by till t reach your destination. The girls and I decide to stop off at Ollantaytambo. Taking about 4 hours to reach the town, we get out and pick the first hostel in sight. Too tired and smelly to really care at all about price, as long as there is a bed and hot shower we are in. Kili and I pair up in a room, going to dinner later than the other girls. No street food available so we settle on a local restaurant...not a fan of any restaurant. We eat chat and then head to bed. It has been one hell of a day, a day I will never forget. The chills still overcome my body when I think about it. Day 5 Ollantaytambo Waking up in Ollantaytambo, my body is feeling the past few days and I would prefer to sleep all day. Starting the day with a simple breakfast with my chicas and a stroll to the market for snacks. The market is small but perfect. I pick up bananas, oranges, nuts, raisins and granola bars. All for a hefty price of $5, maybe. One of the reasons I love the markets. Everything is so cheap, fresh and straight from local farmers. We spend the next hour deciding what the hell we're going to do. Finally coming to a compromise that we will, yet again, hike up the ruins that surround the city before heading out to hot springs. The ruins are literally out your door step. You hike up about 30 minutes to a view that over looks the city. I can honestly say Peru continues to blow my mind. Venturing around the ruins, climbing on rocks and taking all the pics. We head down and decide to take the local transportation to Calca. Cramming into a van full of people we head out, along the way I realized that we have an extra day prior to Rainbow Mountain. This is a relief, we can now take time to head to Lares and chill. Lares is a town high up in the mountains, about 4,400m high, north of Calca. Here we find more hot springs, really nice, nestled by a river in the valley of the mountains. There is accommodation available here so we set our stuff down, throw on our swimsuit and get to chillaxin. The hot spring are arranged from cold to hot, not a good idea to jump right into the hottest one. It actually hurts, so take your time and work your body up to the extreme heat. After a couple of hours soaking, swimming around and bonding be head out for food. There is literally only one place down the road for food. We show up just in time. Stuffing our faces and heading to bed early, especially me. I needed a lot of sleep on this night. My head hit the pillow, and lights out for this girl. Day 6 Waka Wasi Waking up after 10+ hours of sleep we head out early.... 8 am early for our next destination, Waka Wasi. The journey to no where begins, no seriously though we plan to hike to a lake..the location is not very certain. Sooo hitchhiking to Waka Wasi, the first car that passes I stick out my thumb and we're golden. The ride takes about an hour and the drivers are nice enough to point us in the right direction of the lake. Up the mountain we go again, I honestly was beat and hiking prior to Rainbow Mountain did not seem so ideal to me. The altitude hits you and your feet feel like a million pounds. We come across other hikers along the way and they inform us that the lake we are venturing to is about another 3 hours. We all come to a compromise, hike to the smaller lake then head back. We are on a time schedule in the middle of no where with no ride back to Cusco. So keeping it smart to hike to the smaller "lake" aka pond. The view though is surreal, we were up as high as the glaciers, and the hike was a challenge, I'll take it as preparation for Rainbow Mountain. On our way back down we tke our time, stopping to chill with the local woman selling stuff in the middle of no where. The girls buy beer and some local handmade goods. Bargain for everything, even in the middle of a mountain. We all make it to the bottom, yet again just in time to stop a car passing by. Grabbing a ride to Calca, and eventually the guy liked us enough to take us all the way back to Cusco. I felt bad for him, for my stomach was still on the fritz, and I was lighting it up. I was start feeling sick from the altitude, I'm just more susceptible than most people. After 3 hours or so we finally make it back to Cusco with one thing in mind FOOOODDD!! Yea sometimes we aren't the smartest and decide that snacks will cover breakfast and lunch. We split up and hit different food stands. All keeping in mind that we need to wake up 2:30am again we set out to get stuff done and be in bed by 8pm. Kili and I buy food to cook for dinner, while the other girls shop. I honestly wish I could spend more money on random crap because Cusco has some beautiful textiles. Night fall quick and before I know it, it's 8 pm and I head straight to bed. Tomorrow will be a challenge and I was definitely nervous about it. Day 7 Rainbow Mountain Just another 2:30am start to the day. Waking up to quickly make eggs, and get all the gainz prior to a 3 hour car ride. My plan is the sleep as much as I can, I just know it's going to be a tough day. The road to Rainbow Mountain is windy, the van weaves in and out of the cliff side roads just barely making the turns. We arrive and the glaciers are in sight, the air is cold and all I can think about is if I have enough clothes on. I packed on the layers preparing for the cold hard journey to the top. I know I'll be sweaty as hell but it's important to stay covered so I don't get sick. Getting out of the van I head to the bathroom, or what I would call a hole in the ground surround by shit...yes literally shit everywhere, with only 3 walls. Perfect I couldn't think of any other way to drop a morning deuce. Soo I did what I had to do and headed to the tent for breakfast. Huddling together we fuel up with coca tea and bread, yup bread that's it. Luck for me I brought snacks, protein bars and already ate. We are informed we are already behind the initial departure time, and I'm not even sure at this point what time it is or when that was suppose to be. We head out, the first hour or so is not so bad, a slow steady incline. Bathrooms...aka shacks along the way, cleaner then the first one. Then the challenge begins, all I can think is how I hate hiking and after this I've done enough hiking to last the rest of my life. FOR REAL! The pace slows and we take breaks along the way. Definitely worth a few minute stop every couple hundred feet. A chance to get water and breathe. The end is near, you can see the final ascent, you suck up everything you got, the last bit of energy and go for it. The climb to the top, and the emotions kick in, holding back tears, I reach the top and collapse. I've never been so happy to make it to the top of something in my life. Laying on the ground for a few minutes to recollect myself, finding my way to my feet. I stand to 360 degrees of peer AWESOMENESS. I can't believe my eyes, it's like a dream. An endless terrain of colors. Stripped minerals coloring the mountains for miles, colliding into sharp dark peaks covered in the brightest snow. The sky is so blue and clear, you just spin in amazement. The wind hits your face and you wake up...yup it's fucking cold and you only have a short period of time to get weird with your bitches and take some killer pictures. I could relive this moment again and again, never been so happy in my life. You finish taking your butt pictures and head down the mountain. The journey is slow, your head is in the clouds and your body feels all sorts of weird. Julie and I take our time going down, stopping off to take pictures in random places and laugh, on another level of high on life. The descent takes several hours, making down in time for lunch. For Julie and I though, feel are face down on the table. My head is pounding, I can't open my eyes and my stomach can't bare any food. I'm not sure if I passed out at the table or not but I couldn't get out of that tent quick enough. Altitude sickness is a killer and I'm over it. Heading back to our van I close my eyes and hope for the best. Eventually after a few pain killers later I start to come to. I start to feel more level headed and get myself together. We arrive in Cusco and yet again are on a timeline, only a few hours to shower get a day pack together and head to the bus station. The girls are only here for 2 weeks so to hit as much as we can we schedule night buses back to back to hit Lake Titicaca. Shout out to Pirwa Hostel in San Blas for being epic and allowing us to come and go. They really were awesome, we had breakfast every morning even at 3am, they let us use the showers, common area for naps, cook in the kitchen, and store our bags. Anyways we get everything together and head out for BURGERS, nothing like a good burger after a long day. Hitting a local burger joint for cheap but quality meat. Then quickly grabbing a taxi for the bus station. It's Alyssa and kili's first time on a night bus, and they are prepared for the experience. We are on the bus line Transzela, the seats are big and comfortable. I think I was awake for a few minutes and then lights out for this girl. I know bus ride can be difficult so I try my best to get as much sleep as possible. Day 8 Lake Titicaca....hehe 2 of my favorite things Arriving in Puno at a very early 5am, wishing the bus ride lasted just a few hours longer. Slowly collecting ourselves and making our way to the center of the station in hopes of finding our tour guide. FYI Lake Titicaca is a tourist trap. Any who, we find our guide and continue to wait for the rest of group. About an hour later we are hustled onto a double deck bus only to stop off at the agency ad sit in a room without any information for about an hour. Definitely a little weird but whatever it's South America and sometimes things don't make since. We are finally informed that transportation is being arranged and head out. Starting our tour at the harbor we separate out and find a boat. Our first stop is to see the floating man-made reed islands and learn about the Uro people. Your step off onto the island and it feels like your walking in a bouncy house. Each island is home to several families, all very warm welcoming and now their main source of income is tourism. Each island has a president whom greets you upon arrival. Our tour guide set us in a semi-circle and gave us a little presentation on the culture of the people and how each island is made. The process to construct the islands was very interesting and unique. We were then giving time to walk around, check out the homes and buy local goods. After you head out to Taquile, an island about 2.5 hours away by boat. This is a hilly island located east of Puno, which was used as a prison island during the Spanish colony. When you arrive you set out on another hike to the top to see the view that over looks the lake and into Bolivia. The lake truly is phenomenal. Sitting at the altitude of 3,812m, it is the highest navigable lake in the world. Small shops, restaurants and churches sit at the top center of the island, which make up the town. It is cute and quiet. Given sometime to walk around, take pictures and yet again buy stuff if you would like. Heading down the opposite side of the island for lunch at a local families home. We are given a little cultural updated on the local people and their dress. The people wear specific items to symbolize relationship status, very interesting. It would definitely be helpful in the states, shit it would be helpful in most places across the world actually. Anyways, lunch is served and I couldn't be happier to feed my face. Soup, bread, fish and tea.... I honestly could eat this food everyday no complaints. Back on the boat for our 2.5 hour journey my plan is to write and reflect. Getting in some writing I decide to stop and join my chicas on the top deck. I love these girls and an evening cruising through the lake, watching the sunset being weird with them is exactly what I needed. The fact that they leave soon is starting to set in. Day 9 Cusco and the treacherous 16 hour ride to Huacachina Arriving in Cusco, yet again, at a very early 5am we head back to our hostel. Spending the next few hours napping on the couch, showering, eating breakfast and preparing for the day. The goal.... get tattooed, buy tourist shit and head to the bus station to catch our ride to Huacachina. Alyssa and I are set on getting tattoos, so we stop at some shops along the way to the market to get prices and feel out the atmosphere. Not finding anything that we really like yet we head to the market. Along the way I'm not feeling so well, due to the lack of sleep. Stopping off to drink all the natural juices. Carrot juices, OJ and coffee for a pick me up. Taking in the vitamins, all for around $2. The street vendors are my favorite. Everything is so fresh and cheap, can't beat it. Finally arriving at the market to do a little shopping. I'm looking for something for my nephew and that's about it. Peru has the best textiles, good quality and cheap. I snag a sweater and some finger puppets for less than $10, WINNING! The rest of the girls could shop for days, buying random things for people back home and some personal items. Good for them, if I had the money I'd pick up so much stuff too. Alyssa and I finish and head back to the street to see about getting a tattoo. Running into some artists in the street we head to their shop. Clean and cozy, they know exactly what we're looking for and offer ad good price. Soo let the tattooing begin. I get a llama with a rainbow in the background, while Alyssa adds to her charm bracelet on her ankle. The process takes about an hour or so, I really enjoy the artist and his twist he adds to my tattoo. I'd have to say the best part of all of this is watching Alyssa squirming and her face of pain. Julie and Kili join us for a few minutes before disappearing to the streets for more souvenirs. We all plan to meet back at the hostel around 4pm. Packing up our things for the last time in Cusco we head to the bus station. We book with the Palomino bus line, our 16 hour bus ride costing us 90 soles, less than 30 USD. The bus departs around 5:30pm, and we have a long road head. I stay awake to watch a couple movies and then pass out, I'm definitely infamous for it. The bus ride is really windy, curving in and out of the mountain making it hard to sleep at some points, but overall I feel like I slept enough. At this point I feel we are all over sleeping on a bus night after night, this being our 3rd night bus in a row. Roughing it to make up for the very little time we have to travel. Day 10 Huacachina Dunes Huacachina WE MADE IT! I don't think we have been more excited to bake our bodies under the sun. Our hostel arranged for pick up from the bus station along with one night accommodation, breakfast and the dunes tour costs us $25 USD, another win. Arriving at our hostel the main focus is pool and party hard. It's our last day together so we start the day out right, drinks by the pool, well and juice for this girl. Spending the next couple of hours soaking up the sun and straight chilling. Our dunes tour starts around 4pm, I decide that getting food before this wicked event is a good idea, while the girls enjoy a liquid lunch. Can't blame them, I honestly enjoy people partying, live your life, have fun and do what makes you happy. 4pm arrives and we are later per-usual lol. I couldn't be more excited to go fast and only hope we roll this dune buggy. I take a seat in the back, Julie just in front of me, Alyssa and Kili take the front seats. There is a lot of screaming a yelling, WE WANT LOCO! The craziest dune ride you could ever imagine was about to go down, sand, sun, speed... what else could you ask for. Heading out of town the wheels spinning, wind whipping through our hair and sand pelting us in the face. We take off into the dunes, full speed and the horizon is incredible. Flying... yes flying over the dunes at full speed, we stop off for a quick pic session before heading out to ride our boards. The view is surreal, dunes for miles, the sun high in the sky and air full of laughter. the girls and I get weird, take butt pics, giving everyone a free show before heading back to the buggy. I swear I could ride or die in this thing forever. Getting to our point for boarding we are informed that we can stand or ride on our bellies. We ride the first one down on our bellies. I don't think I've ever ridden down something so fast in my life. The boards are not really meant for standing and need to be waxed prior to each ride down. We attempt to board down the next couple of hills, the sand is slow and sticks to the board making it difficult. After a few sessions standing up I say fuck it and take the plunge for the last ride. The dune is the steepest thing I've ever seen and before I know it Julie is whipping past me, going full speed. Kili and I jump onto the board, lifting our feet to take on the full adrenaline rush, and what a rush it is. My heart racing, face filling with sand and I'm not stopping. Ahead Kili takes an out of control spill, rolling and sand exploding everywhere. I yell in hopes to not hit her, for I can't slow down and at this point I wasn't going to attempt steering. Flying past her and the rest at the bottom, I MADE IT! Face and body intact, I stand up with the biggest smile on my face, damn that ride was DOOPPPPEE!! We walk back to the buggy for a quick ride before sunset. We cross bumps, bouncing my body out of the seat, flinging my hat into the air....bye-bye hat, just a little donation to the dunes. I really hope someone picks it up, littering is not my thing. The point for sunset is beautiful, and I'm in awe over Peru. I'm so happy, I love this life, my friends, the freedom, the world. Heading back to tow we stop off again to view the oasis that is Huacachina from the dunes. A place you imagine in your dreams, or see in a movie. This world, I never want to stop exploring this world. Getting back to the hostel after 6pm we head out for food. So hungry our minds are set on street burgers. It's actually kinda funny how many burgers we have eaten on this trip, true Americans. The party then continues, the best part is how we didn't stop to nap, nope we just kept on trucking. Dancing into the early hours of the morning. Our last evening altogether really, and I can't stop smiling. I love these girls, never been more proud or have I had so much weird random fun. The sand has messed up my throat, the exhaustion sets in, so I head to bed around 3am. Staying awake just long enough to have a bonding moment with my girl Julie. We remanence over the past, and set goals for the future. Every time I travel with friends we set goals, to work on ourselves. I reallylove this and love when others are all about it. we are continuously growing and changing, so what is better than a future goal. To challenge yourself, to learn, to travel, to face a fear. Do something to give back to the world, help make this life we live a better one. Day 11 Chill the end is near The morning comes to soon, waking to an empty stomach and too late for free breakfast. Our room is literally a disaster and so are we. Getting it together just enough to walk across the street for a quick breakfast at the Banana hostel. Only having about an hour to eat and then pack our bags before check out. I can only laugh at these girls and their packing, stuff is everywhere and they are so slow it's great. Storing our bags for the next couple of hours before, yet again, we head to the bus station. The goal of the day is relax by the pool. And so we do, lay under the sun, soak in the water and admire the view. Rolling out of our hostel around 5pm, we walk around the town one last time to fuel our bodies and say good-bye to our new french friends. Our taxi man drops us off at the cheap bus line, Lima is only a couple hours so we try to save a couple bucks. The 5-6 hour ride costs us around $10 USD and isn't that bad of a bus ride. The seats are comfy enough and we have all the snacks to make the most of our journey. I don't really sleep, staying wake to watch movies and listen to music. I really don't mind the bus rides, it gives me the chance to recollect myself and think about the next steps. A little alone time does everyone some good. Back in Miraflores around 10:30pm we are all tired but excited to be back at Mana Lima Hostel. Julie is the first to depart and leaves the next morning. The girls stay up for sometime to repack, so much packing is always happening, and I head to bed. The end is near, I am not sad but glad to have these girls in my life. Day 12 The Day we say Goodbye Julie comes into my dorm just in time, as I roll over to start the day. The girls want me to wrap their stones into necklaces and bracelets. I am more than happy to do so but know it will take sometime....it took about the whole day FYI. I have been making handmade hippie jewelry along the way to make a couple extra bucks, and it's a hobby to pass the time. It's relaxing and a gift to others. We chat around breakfast and head to the store for more snacks and food for the girls for the endless plane rides they are about to take. The time has come and Julie is first to go, god I love her. Getting in one last hug, I hold on tight. She is such a wonderful person in my life, even countries away I know we will always be there for each other. Alyssa wants to surf and so do I, but I'm an ass and cut my hands bad. Yess of course I would have an accident stocking beer for the hostel. Shit happens so I suck it up, bandage my hands and we head to the beach. I don't get in the water, just skateboard along the beach and watch Alyssa kill it at her surf lesson. Getting into the water with fresh cuts is just asking for staph infection. I walk the girls to the cliff side view that over looks the shoreline, it's one of my favorite places sit and clear my head. Nothing more calming then the sound of endless waves stretching for as far as the eye can see. Taking a few minutes to absorb our surroundings then head back to the hostel. In a few short hours it's Kili's turn to go. Chilling in the common area continuing to work on the handmade pieces we reflect and plan for the future. I've really gotten the chance to get to know Kili on this trip. She is a beautiful mess, reminding me of myself. She has a long road ahead of her, and she will find her way. One strong cookie she is, with a personality for days. This girl can truly take care of herself. We hug and I wish her the best of luck. She is interviewing for a flight attendant position, I hope this works out for her. Either way she needs to get out of Charleston SC, be a free bird. Only one remains, my Alyssa. A friend from elementary school. Haven't seen each other in years so this trip was a way to reconnect. It was so good seeing her, she is the same but even better. A little hippie, with her own dog grooming business now. We have always kept in touch over the years, but there is nothing better than time together. We spend the evening roaming through cat park catching up. Talking about boys, emotions and personal changes. I love this girl and this trip is exactly what we needed. New friends, old friends, all sharing one thing in common....love for the travel. Night falls quickly and Alyssa has an early morning taxi to catch. I ask her to wake me up to say see you soon. 5:30am comes quick, I'm all sorts of out of it when she wakes me. We hug and wish each other the best of luck. And then there was me, alone again....well not really. When you travel solo your never really alone. Just look around there are people everywhere just waiting to be your friend. And so I go back to sleep for a few more hours to wake to a day full of activity. I begin to write about our journey, what you have just read, in hopes to finish the start of my blog before I head back to Colombia. Filling your day with activity is key, writing, sports, random walks around town and chats with new faces. I have no real plans for the future...I have no clue what Colombia brings, just that I can't imagine living my life any other way right now. I'm a crazy beautiful mess of a girl, in love with this world.