Arequipa

Why hello! After quite the hiatus, I am back. Here's what happened since last time:

-I changed continents
With Kristen and Ashley, I flew from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Quito Ecudaor.

-Traveled around Ecuador
We spent about 2 weeks in Ecudaor, hanging out in beautiful and crazy Quito, visiting our friend Heather on the farm she had been working at for a few months, flying in a little car over the cloud rainforest, straddling the southern and northern hemispheres on the equator, amongst other beautiful and fascinating activities.

a good friday processional in Cuenca

At Mitad del Mundo, the equator

-Arrived in Peru for the second time in my life, three years later
After Ecudaor, five of us ladies (we adopted Heather and Elin from the farm) took a long long bus ride to the beach in northern Peru. It was nice to lay around in the sun for a while before we took off for Lima. After Lima, we embarked on our longest but most luxurious bus ride yet, a 20-hour journey to Cusco. We did what all travelers do in Cusco, which is mostly party until the sun rises. We didnt really have the option not to, anyway, because everyone in our gigantic hostel was doing the same. I said a tearful goodbye to Kristen and Ashley, my travel partners for the last 3 months, who were heading off to Argentina from Cusco. Heather and I headed to Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. (still not sure what that means...)

I wrote my initials in the sidewalk in Lima 3 years ago. they're still there!

Inca ruins, Saqsaywaman (say it out loud, phonetically)

-Traveled around Peru with Heather
Heather and I spent 3 weeks together in Peru, doing all kinds of things.

A boat tour on Lake Titicaca, which included the interesting and beautiful - but painfully comercial - floating reed islands

Visited Arequipa, the ''White City,'' second largest city in Peru

A hiking trip in the Colca Canyon (second-deepest in the world)

A pisco and wine tour in Ica

Sandboarding in Huacachina

A beautiful four-day hiking trip in the Cordillera Blanca

-Decided to stay in South America longer than originally planned
My friend Linnea has been living in Bogota, Colombia, since last year. She invited me to move in with her in August until she goes home in October. After a bit of consideration, I decided that I couldn't pass up that opportunity. So instead of coming home in August after visiting Bolivia and Colombia, I'll come home in October. Which gives all of YOU more time to come visit. :)

-Started working at a hostel in Arequipa
Because of my extended trip, I have to kill some time (about 6 weeks) while spending the least amount of money. (I'm running out a little bit, as you can probably imagine...) I met the owner of Bothy Hostel (www.bothyhostel.com if you're curious) last time I was in Arequipa, who invited me to come work at his hostel in exchange for room and board. Sounded good to me! So here I am. I work about 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. It keeps me busy, which in turn keeps me from spending money frivilously. My weakness now is buying pirated dvds of tv shows for about $4 a season. oops.

So there you have it, all the updates. I posted pretty much all of my pictures so far on picasa. I'll write more soon about my time in Arequipa.

I miss you all dearly and hope to hear from you soon!