Fun Quotes from Peru

Es lo que Ella Dijo

Nelson Kelly and Co

Nelly Kelson

Was it Worth it

Pee-ness

"ohhh look --It's a chocolate dog bone…wait a minute…."

Ladies Free Massage Ma'am

Go and 'Wimon' Aryanne and Kelly

Cuanto Cuesta??

My girl! My My My girl is in Uruguay!!

"parrot running away from the men"

Hello, Hola, Forty, Can you break that!

"wanna joint---smoke"

100% Alpaca for you lady

Kelly, you're WRONG, Go back to bed

November 2,--Earl is convinced that I'm drunk

November 5—look who is drunk now

All of aryanne's creepers…

"My friend is China he eats everything!"

"Is it really from soccer…hehehe ;) "

Earl Dancing to Gangsters Paradise

Diez y Seis Minutos! ACCION!!!!

November 7^th & 8^th, 2008

Our last day in Cuzco we shopped most of the day away, walked down to the river and just chilled. We had an amazing buffet at a hotel and met a man from Buenos Aires and about 30 Japanese tourists. We then flew back to Lima that night/morning. We then had a fast food party. We went to Starbucks, KFC, Micky Ds, Burger King, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and Dunkin Donuts. As if that wasn't enough we then went to go see High School Musical 3 in SPANISH. I have to say it was totally worth it. I was shocked at how much I understood and no matter what language that movie would be in its hilarious. We laughed through the whole thing. We flew back that night to Montevideo arriving around 6 in the morning. I think the impact of this trip will stay with me forever.

Man that was hard…Es Lo Que Ella Dijo!!

November 6, 2008

Today we went up to Machu Pichu. It was absolutely amazing. It was almost surreal seeing and being where all the pictures were. The whole time I was just overwhelmed by Gods beauty and his being. We walked all the way up to the sun gate. It was probably the hardest hike I have ever done in my life. I think the primary reason was the altitude we were above all of the neighboring mountains. When I reached the top though I consumed with a sense of accomplishment that I can't even begin to describe, It was beyond AWESOME.

I kept thinking of the lyrics to the song Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin. We saw so many relics of their ancient religion and we walked through their temples. I saw how they placed their hope in what they could see, the sun, the moon, the stars, the water, the earth. Yet, they were blind to the truth found in God. Only by the amazing Grace of God was a told the story of Jesus Christ and by his mercy was able to see his truth through things I can see. I can see his love through creation rather than seeing the creation as the god. While we were in there the forecast everyday was supposed to be thunderstorms. I prayed that we would have good weather but didn't count on it considering the forecast was about an 80% chance of rain. We carried raincoats and umbrellas everywhere. Yet we had amazing weather the entire time and we always made is back to the hotel before it before it began to pour. The last verse seemed reminiscent of the ruins surrounding me. We can build huge civilizations and be so powerful that people thousands of years later look back in awe but it will all fade away. It will slowly go to waste. But God he will never fade his glory will never lose its radiance. "The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine, but God who called me here below, Will be forever mine." He is forever mine.

We then went to a Chinese restaurant for supper. The food was absolutely amazing. I have to say the Peruvians got Chinese down to an art they are PRO. Abilene needs to take a cooking lesson from them ;)





Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Look whose Drunk NOW!

November 5, 2008

Its funny how enjoyable museums are without adults making us read things, or write papers. We visited about 4 museums on our free pass card. They were all interesting and fun even though it was all in Spanish. We saw traditional art and contemporary art. Later that day Jade went Bungee jumping. It was pretty funny cause she couldn't walk straight afterward LOL. We took a taxi up there but we took a public bus back down the mountain with the local people. We were able to see another side of Peru that was not touched by the trade of tourism. The poverty was palpable and pulled at my heart.

We then ate lunch at Aldea Yanapay café and bar it promotes cultural exchange. I

t was very interesting had stuffed animals everywhere including Kermit the frog and lamb chop.

Later we went to hotel Earl and Jade hiked back up secsayhuman while I tried to answer all my email and tried to keep from laughing at the Ausies sharing the common area with me. I seriously thought they were speaking a foreign language for about an hour.

Later that evening we went shopping and I bought a few things we were harassed by the vendors on the street asking us to enter their restaurant or store. The funniest was a man who said Hola Lady Free Massage in a very creepy way. I probably said my favorite Spanish phrase a million times "Cuanto cuesta por favor?" much to Jade and Earls delight. Dad you taught me well. I was the bargain shopper of the group. China was a training lesson for great deals. Although I have to say you are still the master by far, everyone was still impressed with my skills. It's pretty funny because everything is 100% Alpaca or Cien Plata ( 1oo% silver) and by everything I mean EVERYTHING. I bought a duffle and they tried to sell it to me for $ 20 by saying it was 100% baby Alpaca…I ended up getting it for 7 -_- .

While were shopping we walked into this store that was playing Reggae music. We walked around a bit and saw a sign that said upstairs we could 'chill out'. The first thought that went through my mind was pot head. Sure enough we met the owner who happened to be a really nice guy with a parrot. He introduced us to his friend who was "China" and ate everything including Iguana. He then proceeded to tell his girl was in Uruguay and once we had confessed we had no plans that night begged us to smoke some "pot some joint" with him. We of course declined but were amused at how open they were. One man followed earl around the store and asked about him about 5 times. This was not the first time we were propositioned. Earlier a man asked us if we wanted Mexican we said no then he asked if we wanted mushrooms upstairs, when we said no again he followed us continuing to act out what mushrooms were in case we were confused.

Earl was the star of the day with about 23 come-ons. ( Yes we kept count, it was fun ) Jade had 5 negative china comments and 3 kind ones including "chinita". I had about 7 long inquisitive/negative stares, 2 interested ones, and one man from an alley saw me and thrust his arms forward as if he was going to embrace me and started singing, "Hola! Muy Bonita, Morena Linda."

Later that night Earl got Cuy ( Guinea pig) and Jade, Kelly, and I got a 4 course meal for $5.00. I ordered Alpaca and it was alright yet nothing special. Our day was crazy fun.

Climbing Sexy Woman

November 4, 2008

We flew in to Cuzco and had a city tour. We were able to see many of the Catholic churches in the area as well as several ruins surrounding the area. In the churches we were able to see some of the indigenous art in the area. There were several aspects of the art that stood out to me. One was the fact the indigenous artists painted the figures with darker skin, and related the virgin mary to the Moon goddess. They did this by showing three levels in the art, heaven earth and hell. This is was done to allow the people to accept the catholic religion. Another interesting fact is that the church was built on the foundation of the Incan temples keeping several of the walls intact. This was a psychological punishment to show the defeat and eradication of the incan temple and beliefs. The most controversial painting in the church was that of the last supper. However, instead of the typical bread and wine they placed Cuy (guinea pig) the native dish of Peru and Chicha the purple drink I mentioned before on the table. They also painted the face of Judas in the likeness of the first conquistador to conquer the area. We visited Secsayhuman pronounced "Sexy Woman" much to everyone's amusement. It was part of the Incan ruins near Cuzco.

Throughout the day we all suffered from altitude sickness. They gave us some Coca Tea which is made from coca leaves which is the same thing cocaine is made from ;) No its not drug or addicting..but you can only bring 10 leaves back with you LOL. Earl was constantly stalked by little 12 year old girls who constantly wanted his picture. We called him the Jonas Brother.

You’re Drunk!

November 3, 2008

Today we went on the city tour. We got on a bus around 9 that Jade thought said Peru Invasion and was thrilled to find everyone on the bus looked like foreigners

. We have discovered that here ironically Jade and I blend in much more than Kelly a

nd Earl. Unlike in Uruguay ,Argentina and even Brazil almost all of the native Peruvians are mestizo which means they are mixed with a little of everything making them all caramel. We were in the park today and Earl was standing by a bench and had man came by and looked at him and then simply stated in a very loud voice "gringo" then continued on.

The first thing we visited on the tour was the Plaza San Martín. It was Inaugurated in 1921, at its center is a large monument to the South American liberator, José de San Martín. NOT JOSE ARTIGAS, although ironically he was from Argentina and was later exiled. We then walked to Lima's grand Plaza de Armas (also called the Plaza Mayor, or Main Square), the original center of the city and the site where Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535, The disastrous 1746 earthquake that initiated the city's decline leveled most of the 16th- and 17th-century buildings in the old center. The plaza has witnessed everything from bullfights to Inquisition-related executions. The oldest surviving element of the square is the central bronze fountain, which dates from 1651.

The major palaces and cathedral are a pale yellow stained from the smog and dust. On the north side of the square is the early-20th-century Palacio del Gobierno (Presidential Palace), where a changing of the guard takes place daily at noon. We were able to see part of the process begin around 11:20. They had about 5 horsemen ride by playing a tune on the trumpet. We saw La Catedral rebuilt after the earthquake, making it by far the oldest building on the square, and, next to the cathedral, the Palacio Episcopal (Archbishop's Palace), which had an extraordinary wooden balcony in the Spanish style. Its not typically what I would think of as a balcony it looks like a giant wooden box sticking out from the window with amazing and intricate designs. After that we went about a block north of the Plaza de Armas, behind the Presidential Palace, to the Río Rímac and a 17th-century Roman-style bridge, the Puente de Piedra (literally, "stone bridge").

It leads to the once-fashionable Rímac district. Above the district you can see a mountain with colorful houses which reminded me a lot of La Boca in Argentina; unfortunately it is one of the most destitute areas. At the top of the mountain was a cross and the Peruvian flag.

We also visited several churches. This was one of the most interesting parts of the entire tour. The churches were more elaborate than anything I could imagine. We visited several different branches of the Catholic Church. The Franciscan Monastery was by far the most interesting. Below the Monastery were bones from over 25,000 people. These catacombs are still being catalogued.

We also visited a Dominican Church where its patron was the first black saint St. Martin. He is incredibly popular throughout Latin America and Peru. It is also notable to mention that the only people of African descent I had seen thus far were at the church and most were nuns or priest.

We then made our small nostalgic trek back to America by hitting up Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts.

Later that night we went and got some Mexican food at a restaurant called Si Senor's. The food was average but the atmosphere was fun and lively. The highlight of the night was when Earl danced to Gangster's Paradise.

Notable Mentions:

Jade was negatively called "Cheena" ( there pronunciation of Chinese) several times

Kelly got a butt rub and several cat calls

Earl got several stares

I had a man begin clapping when he saw me and then begged me to be the color in his life and then despaired when I refused to speak…calling me his love…he was about 50…yep Good Times

PS. No one was drunk it's an inside joke (mom and dad)

Lima, Peru and Chinatown!!?

November 2, 2008

Finally after a plane ride that took forever long we arrived in Lima Peru. Getting off the pory. It was not until wlane was awesome after being cramped for so long. We went through customs which was a breeze after we went back to get more paperwork. Twice. Then " Kelly Nelson and Company" ( as we were so kindly named by the travel agency) were off the hotel. We arrived and after taking a quick nap ( much to Earl's dismay) we set off towards the Nazarene Cathedral which was the site of a historical event in Peru's history

On the plane we realized that we would be arriving on All Saints Day. As we walked towards the cathedral we were crowded by throngs of people all singing songs of praise. Flags hung from the rooftops and vendors were everywhere selling relics of the saints. It felt like something out of a movie. The devotion of hundreds and hundreds of people so resolute, so blind, and so honest was beautiful, yet unsettling.

We walked into a cathedral and it was even more disturbing. There were statues of saints larger than human beings and people were kneeling before them in tears, prostrate, and perhaps the most disturbing image of all was a statue of the Virgin Mary raised above the rest almost as high as the loft sitting on the alter light illuminating from her being. There was a small photo of Jesus below but the focal point by far was the virgin.

After experiencing that important part of the Peruvians culture we went to China town. Yes, China town, there are over 200,000 Chinese in Lima alone. They make up almost 12% of the population. Before we got to china town we saw over 10 Chinese restaurants just situated along the roads. It bore some similarities to the great China town in San Francisco but reminded me more of the one in Japan. I got some hot buns and an eggroll and some Buble tea. ALL were AMAZING. Later for dinner we went to the same restaurant and ordered dinner. It was pretty good. The food had a little bit of twist but not much.

We had a purple drink called Chicha morada The drink is made from dark corn that is allowed to soak with the peelings of a large pineapple. Peruvians will use the 'meat' of the pineapple for a dish then save all the exterior cuttings as well as the core to use in this drink. Although the drink includes sugar, the pineapple adds a sweet zing to the drink that really sets it apart. It's like the national beverage of Peru besides the Pisco sour which is an alcoholic beverage given for free in almost every restaurant. Later we also walked around Playa de Mayo. This is the center for Museums, the palace, and several cathedrals. It is 9:13 and feels like midnight. So I will end this post. Goodnight.

the Peruvian kiss