Posted in Peru on Sep 18th, 2008
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Nazca Desert
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Desolate lands – Dutch lieutenant – Peace Keepers – Destiny – Freedom
On the way to Nasca we traveled with a Dutch couple from the eastern part of the Netherlands. We traversed some of the most desolate lands in Peru. This arid region sees very little rainfall and is home to some of the strangest monuments on earth. Fantastical creatures are etched in the pampa and a huge candelabra has been drawn in a mountainside that is best seen from the sea. The landscape of mystery and the desolation provides a great stage for conversation and debate.
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Posted in Peru on Sep 12th, 2008
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Llamacorral
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The paradigm of the “normal” – Defeated by the “normal” – Lessons learned – Dick Wurm – The Santa Cruz trek
“Normal.”Usual”. “Average”. I do not like these words. They imply conformity, exerting a gentle pressure on those of us that do not (or cannot) conform. It is epitomized by the “American Dream” – Normally, people of our age have a five bedroom house with three cars and two kids. And everyone’s dream is to surpass the “normal”.
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Posted in Peru on Sep 8th, 2008
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Glacier, Cerro Pisco
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Not an old friend – Large Seracs – Tough hike – Supine form – Dangerous in many ways
I have a very different relationship with the mountains than I do with the ocean(link). Having spent much more time in the mountains I have seen first hand their various moods and I am much more respectful of them than the ocean. I would never call a mountain a comfortable old friend – it is far too tempestuous and moody. Mountains are far more beautiful than the ocean, but more deadly. Maybe it is because I became familiar with the ocean as a child, while I was already a sceptical adult when I got to know the mountains. A child finds fascination and wonder in everything while the adult opinion is tempered by the fear of downside risk.
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Posted in Peru on Sep 3rd, 2008
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Hostal Colonial,
Trujillo
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First impressions – Peruvian paradise – Peruvian hell – Peruvian aesthetic
Strictly speaking, these are not our first impressions of Peru. We visited the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Nazca in 2005 and we loved it. It is hard not to like Peru, it seems to have the best of everything. The rich rainforests of Manu for the birdwatchers and insect lovers, spectacular Inca ruins, with Machu Picchu being the crowning jewel, the jagged peaks of the Cordillera Blanca for the trekkers and climbers and the amazing Nazca lines for, well, everyone.
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