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Neil's Round the World Trip!
I got up today and felt amazing; no headaches or shortness of breath. I had breakfast with a cup of mate de coca. Some people were watching the Arsenal match in the bar, I watched some of it. I then walked around in the bright, crisp sunshine. I checked out Spanish schools in an internet cafe and updated my journal.
An Irish guy next to me is down with the flu (who's not at the moment, jeez). I sat in the sunny courtyard and read my Lonely Planet (LP). A girl in my dorm has "Motorcycle Diaries" the book, I might try and swop her for my topical "Death in the Andes".
I took pictures of Plaza de Armas without being harassed for a change.I then walked around for a while just soaking up the atmosphere and checking out all the Incan buildings. I walked to the top of the San Blas area and got great views of the city. I ambled down the cobbled-streets and saw indigenous women with babies strapped to their backs. I went to the post office and sent some postcards (which were really expensive to post, so you lucky people that get them, appreciate my brief scribbles!!) I walked through a market selling alpaca woollen ponchos, hats, sticks, boots etc. I checked out the notorious "Gringo Alley" full of people trying to sell you stuff; "Amigo, only one sol". I chilled for a bit in a little cafe and had an espresso.
I walked back to my hostel up the exhausting hill (the only bad thing so far about my hostel). I had a power nap and then made my old student speciality (Jimbo wasn't the best!) Cheesy Rice. Hmm que rico! I spoke to a ginger-haired English girl who was cooking too called Claire. She wasn't proud of her hair and blamed it on her "Scottish grandfather". I finished off my sweet wine and then chatted to some Dutch lads who are cycling around South America (masochists and probably suicidal). I went back to my dorm and chatted to an English guy from Derby called Chris. He's quite similar to me in terms of his outlook, personality and enjoying a night out! We rounded up the sleepy Irish guy and Dan and made for the hostel bar. We had the Cuscan beer Cusqueña which is probabaly nice but the bottles we were given were 2 months out of date. We then went through to the bar which has magnificent views of Cusco all lit-up at night! Perfecto! We listened to a whole gang of Irish guys sing Irish songs and any you requested. They were steaming boats!! However they sang really well and could all play the guitar. They even did "Killing in the name of" a mosher classic with an acoustic guitar.
Myself and Chris headed out on the town. We firstly went to Mama Americas, got a free drink. Then we walked up to Mama Africas whic was really good. We had some strong vodka and cokes. We got chatting to two Peruvian girls called Vanessa and Milu. Vanessa owns a maize farm in the Sacred Valley and is a great laugh. Milu is an archaeologist and is working on a site just outside Cusco. Vanessa asked me and Chris if we wanted a tour round the city tomorrow and we happily agreed. A really nice personal guide round Cusco; fantastico! We danced until 5am, I was so tired and couldn't wait for my bed.
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