Peru: My Fulfilled Dream VII.

At first, we wished to buy air-tickets. Nevertheless, we found that, except standard price for return air-ticket (USD 120 for section Lima-Cuzco, Arequipa-Lima), we would to pay - as foreigners the increased price, amounting to USD 290, we decided for bus transfer variant (however, lasting for 24 hours), which cost Sols 80 only. So, we spent in Huaraz one day more tasting local meals (such as mixed soup, containing hens´ claws, or „cuy“ guinea-pig, with a bit of meat on many bones). Finally, we set out the bus in direction to Lima.

We arrived there early morning. Our baggage were left in station of Cial company (we bought our tickets in Huaraz by means of this company) and continued our trip towards Miraflores Quarter, Pacific Coast.

So, we found ourselves in completely different world, which we saw in Huaraz. We passed luxurious buildings, shipping centres with very expensive boutiques and restaurants, where local millionairs dealt their business during breakfast time. When we looked at menu, we recognized immediately that this restaurant served for really sophisticated society. This was really enormous contrast, making comparison to yesterday´s meeting with poor begging children.

We chose pebbled beach, where we lay down and relaxed. Afterthat, we took a bath, in Pacific Ocean, for the first time. The wells were rather high that the boys were very surprised and spent there all the time. When the reserved time priod was over, we transferred back to bus station and continued our journey ahead to Cuzco, in luxury but nearly empty bus. Anyway, before we got into a bus, we had to impress our fingers into a book, situated at the door, and let to be filmed by video-camera. A prudence must be kept at any moment!

Till sunset, the way led throughout desert and dry countryside.Nevertheless, when we woke up in the morning, we found that the country was completely changed in the meantime. We passed attractive green hills, around chocolate brown river of Apurimac.

We arrived to Cuzco before noon. Just at the bus station, some lady „attacked“ us, offering hostel accommodation for 20 sols. This unit price in Cuzco (which is famous tourist centre) seemed to be for us quite advantageous. So, we went by taxi to have a look at it, and the hostel was found as O.K. We had available two double rooms, including complete WC and bath. The land-lady prepared for us coca-tea, which had a taste as a tea made from nettles. So, we had a brush-up and went out towards city centre. Cuzco had effect on me, in contrast to Huaraz, with quite different impression. You can follow that this town is placed close to Machu Picchu and is visited with big number of tourists each year. The Indian women walk throughout the streets, offering their goods, such as, for instance, sweaters, decorative ornaments, pendants, etc. You can also meet there street sellers of pictures.

Anyway, there was a priority for us, to get some information regarding our next trek, known as Salcantay Trek (according to the mountain of the same name) or Mollepata Trek (according to a small town, where this trek starts). Finally, we obtained necessary information, such as. the prices, way of transfer, etc. Milan leased trek sticks in local shop (for unit price amounting to Sols 8 per a day, and  he left there Sols 200 as advanced money). Afterthat, we visited local buffet. Land-lady prepared a food directly in dining room. Pepa and Milan ordered chicharon (grilled pork ribs with corn and potatoes), whereas Vojta, Zuzka and Markéta ate grilled trout (tricha fritta) and me, chicken fillet (steak). To tell the truth, the meal was really perfect and delicious and all portions big enough. However, it was a pity that Zuzka could not enjoy her trout, as he poured our the meal on her kneels, when she tried to give a plate to Pepa for tasting. Nevertheless, after the dinner, we had to pack our belongings as early getting up waited for us next morning.

Text/photo: Kristýna Bartůňková

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš