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Huancayo, Peru, in 1998
Huancayo, Peru, in 1998
Truk_mazzy2003-12-04 21:31:29
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10 Julio 1998 HUANCAYO! We made it here yesterday after a seven hour bus ride from Lima. The bus ride itself was rather uneventful (s/ 20 each), but the altitude is dizzying. Right now, we are at over 10,600 feet (3,200 meters) and we've already had a couple of pens explode from the lack of air pressure.
After writing on the 8th in Lima, Kath and I went to dinner at Restaurant Machu Picchu, about 80 meters from the hostel. The portions were huge; we got our first glimpse at our culinary future on this trip chicken, potatoes, rice. Every dish touches at least one of these ingredients, and many dishes have all three in them. Bisteak (beef) is also prevalent, but pollo (chicken) rules the roost, so to speak. We got up in time for the bus without an alarm, had some breakfast at the hostel, jumped in a cab for the bus station, and waited for the bus. While waiting, I had time to reflect on the overabundance of security all over the place in Lima (and elsewhere). I would guess that 10% of the employed males in this city work in some capacity within the security field (federal or city police or personal security). Most big businesses have a guy standing our front in a brown uniform with black boots and a night stick and what appears to be a fake bulletproof vest. The cops are way more professional than the security guards, which is probably a good thing, as they are armed with a .38 and a grimace. The guard in front of the bus station appeared to sign a log book every half-hour and spend the majority of his time conversing with the stallkeeper out front and opening doors for the buses and his bosses. I got the strange feeling I could "take him" without any problem, but who cares? He's just there for show anyway.
[on the bus to Huancayo] We waited for a half hour and then boarded the bus. At first, we were the only ones, save two others, but after a few stops, that changed. I took some Dramamine in preparation
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See photographs from:
Peru Gallery
