The Browns Big Adventure, South America: octubre 2011

Nazca

Day 3 - We got up at 6.15am to have breakfast and leave for Nazca. When we got to the Cruz Del Sur bus station, our tickets had not been reserved. We managed to get on the coach, but were seperated. Leroy ended up in economy and I ended up in first class, happy accident, I think so.

After arriving at the Pirwa hostel we checked into our room, which turned out to be a six person room. We had it to ourselves so had plenty of room. We went into town for a beer; we sat and learnt some Spanish, Leroy is a great teacher. Once we finished some dinner we stumbled upon a gig. A traditional Peruvian band. we were the only gringos there. Leroy is blending in well, most people think he`s either Italian or Spanish, Crazy! I stick out like a sore thumb, but having the locals come and dance with me was great fun. Drinking, dancing, dancing, drinking.

Day 4 - We had a chilled out morning, (hangover, ouch) We went off into town in the afternoon to book some activities. By the afternoon we were on our way to go see the Nazca Lines. Our driver was Julio Cesar, but we don`t think he was the original !! To start we went round the Maria Reiche museum. She was the woman who dedicated her life to marking out, protecting and preserving the sacred lines. We got to see the original tapes and scaled ruler she used, and her house, which has also been preseved in its original state. We then went up the tower to see the lines. We saw the hands and the tree. Next stop, a natural hill to see more lines, the most important ones. The Nazca people divided the land so they could tell the seasons apart. It also allowed them to know when the Solstice and Equinox was happening.

Day 5 - Today we went to the Chauchilla Cementery. On our way we learnt more about the Nazca Lines; the whole area is 200km x 200km square. It was used as a temple, making it the biggest one in the world. They know it was used in this way by the Nazca people, from the cerimonial type of ceramics that were found in the graves, the way the people who were buried here were preseved, and how the lines co-inside with certain important days of the year. We also learnt that it only rains for two hours each year, making it the perfect spot to put Nazca Lines.

When we got to the cemetary, in the middle of the deserst, we went round the graves. They were so mysterious and amazing. The Nazca people beliveved that you should leave this life the way you came in, so all the bodies we saw were in the fetal position, sitting up. They are all so well preserved from the healthy diets they would have had in life, and also beacuse of the desert's conditions. They all faced the East so that the sunrise would greet them every morning, and so their soul could walk free into their new life.

We could also see lots of scattered bones across the desert floor, it was a bit distracting walking past someones hip bone whilst on the tour. This was because of the grave smugglers. The bodies would have been buried with treasures and tapesteries that were sold on the black market, the remains were seen as worthless so discarded. After the cemetary we went to the ceramic house to see how traditinal Aztec pottery was made. We got to hold an original that was over 2000 years old, dusty. the reason all the pottery is similar in colour is beacuse of the chioce of rocks they had. They used baby hair bound to a stick as there paint brush to colour and mark on fine detail. Before putting their pieces into the kiln they would polish them using black oxidised stone and the grease from their skin.

We finally went to the (Ore place??) and saw the process used to make gold. The mines in Nazca are full of minerals that are taken by hand and worked into a fine powder. The final minerals are mixed with mercury to produce the gold. They work so hard for such little results, but its enough to make a living from.

We met a lovely Aussie couple at our hostle, and a Germany guy. The Aussies have been traveling for over a year now, and work freelance on the road, very tempting! We´re all booked for our next stop, Arequipa.

Day 6 - We went for a picnic in the park and had a Spanish lesson. In town we saw two guys sharpening their knives on old school pedal rotisserie sharpeners. We went for a walk and I got chased by a yapping andrex puppy, I ran because I didn´t fancy the idea of getting rabies. Leroy just laughed at me, the puppy obviously didn´t like gingers !!! We got on the coach for Arequipa at 10.30pm, our "bed" for the night.

New best brand name, well done Leroy.

It begins, Heathrow, Terminal 1 to Brazil Sao Paulo

Hey guys, so we`ve landed and been having great fun over the last few days. Our plan for this blog is to write up each area as we go so you can travel with us, along the way of our great South American adventure.

After our very long flight to Brazil, we stopped off for a quick coffee then onto our next flight, hi Brazil, bye Brazil !!

Once we got into Lima we took a taxi to the lovely Pucllana Lodge. the staff here were great. everything was clean safe and very comfortable. The city is quite varied with its buildings and vehicles, from the very broken down to the very high class. The main theme of the city is: lots of beeping cabs, this is to get service, to say thank you, to warn other drivers of where they are on the road, to whistle at the ladies, to give way and anything else !! Peruvians love to beep.

Day 1 - Once settled we went for a meal, and a walk about town. Cristal is one of their main lager brands, mmmm. We went to the Inca market where we saw lots of groovy art, and al paca clothing. Mainly ponchos, jumpers, gloves and hats. After returning to the lodge, we made our first washing line. A little jet-lag then set in, so we went to bed at 7.30pm

Day 2 - Starting the day with a bread and jam breakfast, we soon found ourselves going round and round the Inca markets, ending up with some colourful dress up in preparation for colder climates. We befriended a cat in the park who just came and laid in our shade, and on our feet. We also met a Peruvian man on the market called Luis, a friendly face we kept bumping into. That afternoon, we stumbled upon a tattoo convention above a casino, weird! Once done with all the colour, hustle and bustle we went back to the lodge to book our coach and Hostel for Nazca.