From an Internet Cafe in the Andes

We´ve been out of Lima for ten days now, and falling in love with more of Peru. Last Monday we overnight-bused 10 hours up the coast to a beach town called Huanchaco. Originally the plan was to stay 2, maybe 3 days, but the sunny beach and laid-back feel held us down for a week there. I can´t complain. Travelers, and a LOT of surfers, from all over the world head to Huanchaco to relax, catch some waves, and see the sites. The town is famous for its 20-ft long reed boats which line the beach, and you can even paddle one out on the ocean if you want. Jen and I didn´t try it because you apparently have to have “mucha fuerza”, a lot of strength, to do it. We did rent some surf boards though, and had fun getting tossed around by the ocean. The beach is divided by a long fishing dock: one side with waves for the pros, one side with waves beginners can handle. Fortunately, the beginner´s side is loaded with people who have never tried to surf in their lives, so Jenna and I could hold our own over there. We´re gettin it down. Slowly, but surely.

The best thing about the town was the collection of tourists it brought in that week. We met surfers and non-surfers from Germany, Poland, Bolivia, England… everywhere. Our best friends for the week included a 45-yr-old Australian on vacay, and some Israeli backpackers trekking South and Central America. The Israelis had just finished 5 years of mandatory army duty and were taking the year, as is common now, to travel the world. It was mind-blowing to hear about life as a 23-yr-old kid, being a military leader in charge of a platoon of men, fighting terrorism, and making decisions on million-dollar government projects. Just a little different than the life I´ve known…

At the end of the week, everyone had to continue on their journeys. Most to Brazil for the World Cup (SO jealous) and for us, deeper into Peru. We took another night bus 14 hours east, in towards the Andes. I slept all of an hour, maybe 2, as the bus turned around sharp mountain roads all night. We´ve bused the Andes quite a few times now, but the horror stories of Peruvian buses crashing down the mountainside kept me up for some reason… But, we didn´t crash to our deaths. Thanks, God. We made it 5,500 ft up to Chachapoyas. We scouted out an Alaskan-looking mountain lodge, and planned out how to make the most of the last few days in the Andes. The town itself is a site to see: loud and friendly people, crazy mumbled Spanish, and gorgeous views from every angle. The main draw of the town is that it’s a central drop-point to visit some of Peru´s less-tromped caverns, hikes, and archaeological sites. Yesterday, Jenna and I spent 6 hours hiking to the world´s 5^th tallest waterfall, Catarata Gocta. The hike was tough, but worth it. 

Well, I think we´ll be here in Chachapoyas another 2 days, see some more sites, and then bust into the jungle, should be an awesome way to end the trip.

It is SO starting to set in how close to the end we are...

19 days,

Renae