Life is more than a downhill journey...

This is what our new German friend told me when I mentioned biking down the Chachani Volano. It was definately more than just down-hill. While Andy and Carmen were trekking up Mount Misti, I decided to venture down the volcano with a mountain bike and 2 friends from the hostel (one girl who just finished a year stint as a volunteer teacher in Region 1 of Guyana - I've stopped questioning the conincidences). It was intense and I have a couple great bruises to show for it (about 4 wipe outs in all, and just one over the handle bars ;)).

(Mount Mist- as seen from the top of Chachani)


Last night was my first real day solo. I managed to get the last seat on an overnight bus to Ica, Peru. After sitting on the floor for my last bus trip, this one was at the luxurious extreme. There were fully reclining chairs (with a recliner for your feet even!), dinner included, a movie, bathrooms, drinks, pillows, and a fleece blanket. It did not feel like I was backpacking at all. I made friends with the man next to me (until he fell asleep and sprawled out all over my chair that is grr). We had good times speaking in his broken English and my attempt at Spanish. The movie was "The Bucket List" and I had a hell of a time trying to explain that "Kick the Bucket" is an expression for when you die and the bucket list is a list of things you want to do beforehand. The spanish translation was literally "Before you pass on".

My last few days in Arequipa were pretty relaxed. We decided to skip the tour to Colca Canyon in favour of taking it easy and seeing a few sights. We celebrated Peru's independence day with a crew from the hostel, went white water rafting, and had our last meal with Carmen and Ariana (below).



This morning I took a dune-buggy up to the sand dunes and had my first experience sand boarding. It was very similar to snowboarding, but much faster. My guidebook told me not to be lulled into a false sense of secuirty however, so I was cautious. The dune-buggy's alone were worth the trip, it was pretty much like being in a roller coaster that could at any moment go in any direction.


After the sand-boarding, my car (3 Isrealies guys and 2 Danish girls) decided to hit the poolside and relax. This has been the first time since Guyana that I was able to wear my tropical clothes and enjoy some sun. It's a very nice way to end the trip. Tonight we are heading over to a BBQ for one hour of all you can eat/drink. Should be a nice night to end off the travels. Tomorrow I am headed back to Lima and then fly to Toronto at 1:30 am!







I am sad to head home but excitied to see some familiar faces :-).

Oh and for any Guyana volunteers that might be reading this.... guess who I ran into at the top of a sand-dune in Ica, Peru??? John (friend of Em, the missionary, who was visiting when we were there... small world!!).

See you in the Northern Hemisphere!

~AH