http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150195171811170.329554.763086169&l=dd54bd6415
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150195134521170.329536.763086169&l=e7c7000e7a
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150195127326170.329531.763086169&l=27822053ce
Chaparri - Chiclayo
vrijdag 20 mei 2011
vrijdag 6 mei 2011
Tour on the Bolivian Altiplano
May sixth,
My days in Bolivia pass by so fast. It is already may! Only a few days left (17!!) before I head to New York… My last few days were a bit intensive. I went on a three days tour around Uyuni (south Bolivia). We were with a nice group of 6 people representing Canada, Chile, Austria, Holland (yeah I know, what are the chances!!) and ofcourse Belgium. 6 of us with a driver all seated in a big 4 by 4 to to explore all the nature that surrounds Uyuni, beginning with the biggest salt flat in the world!
A bit more info about the Salar:
Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers. It is elevated 3,656 meters above the mean sea level. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar. The crust serves as a source of salt and covers a pool of brine, which is exceptionally rich in lithium. It contains 50 to 70% of the world's lithium reserves,which is in the process of being extracted. The Salar serves as the major transport route across the Bolivian Altiplano and is a major breeding ground for several species of pink flamingos.
One major tourist attraction is an antique train cemetery. It is 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) outside Uyuni and is connected to it by the old train tracks. The town served in the past as a distribution hub for the trains carrying minerals enroute to Pacific Ocean ports. The rail lines were built by British engineers arriving near the end of the 19th century and formed a sizeable community in Uyuni. The trains were mostly used by the mining companies. In the 1940s, the mining industry collapsed, partly because of mineral depletion. Many trains were abandoned, producing the train cemetery. There are proposals to build a museum from the cemetery.
The first night we slept at this lodge runned by a family. It was cold but nothing compared to what we had to deal with the next night (how little did we know…). Also, we had enough alcohol to resist the first wave of freezing tempetures before going into bed. The following morging began really early and some of us were dealing with the sideeffects of having a really warm night (due to several shots of ‘miners’whiskey … but the stunning scenery of the Bolivian Altiplano that surrounded us made it all good! I can’t describe how it looks like, just look at the pictures.
There were several highlights during this three day trip but a think that I was the most amazed by the field of geysers. It was like walking in this prehistoric field of destruction. The only thing that was missing were the dinosaurs skeletons. The air was filled with a penetrating smell of all sorts of gasses, and they didn’t smell particularly good. You really don’t want to fall in these ‘pools’ of bubbling ‘’volcano fluids’’.
Another highlight was during the last day. We had to get out of bed at 4.30 am (!!!). It was freezing cold and everybody thought that we would never get warm that day. Untill we stopped at this hot waterpool (due to volcanic activity). I had goosebumps from my little toes all the way up to my eyebrowns; it felt so good! Laying there in a hot spring with a B E A Utiful view and surrounded by ‘gringos’ who were experiencing exact the same. Amazing! When I got out , eventually, my whole body looked like these giant geyser itself, so much damp! You have to drive yourself quickly because it s still like 2 or 3 degrees… .
When we came back in Uyuni –after a last day drive of 7 hours- we were all exhausted and longing for a shower. We had our last meal together and then said goodbye. The Canadian couple already left us at the Chilean border this morning, Anna (Holland) and Manuela (Austria) were heading for Oruro on the midnight train and Andres and I had or bus at 6.00 a.m. the next morning, destination Tupiza!
Hey marlijke, jammer dat het ook overnachting is als ik mee op zeeklassen ben. Helaas… ik ben er zeker van dat het spannende verhaal ook lukt zonder meester Benjamin ;) (iets over piraten en een schat doet het em altijd! )
My days in Bolivia pass by so fast. It is already may! Only a few days left (17!!) before I head to New York… My last few days were a bit intensive. I went on a three days tour around Uyuni (south Bolivia). We were with a nice group of 6 people representing Canada, Chile, Austria, Holland (yeah I know, what are the chances!!) and ofcourse Belgium. 6 of us with a driver all seated in a big 4 by 4 to to explore all the nature that surrounds Uyuni, beginning with the biggest salt flat in the world!
A bit more info about the Salar:
Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers. It is elevated 3,656 meters above the mean sea level. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar. The crust serves as a source of salt and covers a pool of brine, which is exceptionally rich in lithium. It contains 50 to 70% of the world's lithium reserves,which is in the process of being extracted. The Salar serves as the major transport route across the Bolivian Altiplano and is a major breeding ground for several species of pink flamingos.
One major tourist attraction is an antique train cemetery. It is 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) outside Uyuni and is connected to it by the old train tracks. The town served in the past as a distribution hub for the trains carrying minerals enroute to Pacific Ocean ports. The rail lines were built by British engineers arriving near the end of the 19th century and formed a sizeable community in Uyuni. The trains were mostly used by the mining companies. In the 1940s, the mining industry collapsed, partly because of mineral depletion. Many trains were abandoned, producing the train cemetery. There are proposals to build a museum from the cemetery.
The first night we slept at this lodge runned by a family. It was cold but nothing compared to what we had to deal with the next night (how little did we know…). Also, we had enough alcohol to resist the first wave of freezing tempetures before going into bed. The following morging began really early and some of us were dealing with the sideeffects of having a really warm night (due to several shots of ‘miners’whiskey … but the stunning scenery of the Bolivian Altiplano that surrounded us made it all good! I can’t describe how it looks like, just look at the pictures.
There were several highlights during this three day trip but a think that I was the most amazed by the field of geysers. It was like walking in this prehistoric field of destruction. The only thing that was missing were the dinosaurs skeletons. The air was filled with a penetrating smell of all sorts of gasses, and they didn’t smell particularly good. You really don’t want to fall in these ‘pools’ of bubbling ‘’volcano fluids’’.
Another highlight was during the last day. We had to get out of bed at 4.30 am (!!!). It was freezing cold and everybody thought that we would never get warm that day. Untill we stopped at this hot waterpool (due to volcanic activity). I had goosebumps from my little toes all the way up to my eyebrowns; it felt so good! Laying there in a hot spring with a B E A Utiful view and surrounded by ‘gringos’ who were experiencing exact the same. Amazing! When I got out , eventually, my whole body looked like these giant geyser itself, so much damp! You have to drive yourself quickly because it s still like 2 or 3 degrees… .
When we came back in Uyuni –after a last day drive of 7 hours- we were all exhausted and longing for a shower. We had our last meal together and then said goodbye. The Canadian couple already left us at the Chilean border this morning, Anna (Holland) and Manuela (Austria) were heading for Oruro on the midnight train and Andres and I had or bus at 6.00 a.m. the next morning, destination Tupiza!
Hey marlijke, jammer dat het ook overnachting is als ik mee op zeeklassen ben. Helaas… ik ben er zeker van dat het spannende verhaal ook lukt zonder meester Benjamin ;) (iets over piraten en een schat doet het em altijd! )
maandag 25 april 2011
Out of Peru
Hey everybody, its been a while since I ve written something on the blog but you know how it goes (or you dont)... since a few days I ve left Peru behind and making my way through Bolivia. 14 Days ago I was still in Iquitos (jungle of Peru) and after 2 days of flying and taking buses I found myself staring down worlds deepest canyon , Cañon de Colca. I ve met a German couple and we explored Cabanaconde (the town where we were logged) together. We stayed at the backpackers hostel 'Pachamama', that is owned by a Peruvian-Belgian couple ( funny thing: I studied with her five years ago and was looking forward to see her again but unfortunately she s back in Belgium for the time being). But the hostal was really great: nice accommodation, delicious pizzas, book exchange, a lot of dvd's and a great atmosphere!
I went on a 2day hike through the Cañon and enjoyed every view. it was really amazing! at night At the first stop I ve met Hannah and Martin again (the german couple) and we went on together. at around 4.30 in the evening we reached the hostal in a little village on the other side of the cañon. Afer a fine dinner (look at the pic of the kitchen surround by cuyes (=hamsters) ) and lots of great conversations with other travellers we went to bed at around 9 =) ! Yeah, wen you live by the rithm of the sun you go to bed real early and get up at around 6 or 7 in the morning, like the next morning. After a quick wash outside I was ready to go back up to Cabanaconde. First we had to reach the bridge and at around 11 we were standing at the bottom of a steep climb back to Cabanaconde. With a left knee that probably has to be changed when I back in Belgium I did the climb in 2h and 18 minuts (Lonely Planet says that ou should take 3.5 to 4.5 hours) BUT i was in a hurry because it was the Copa del Rey and the bolivians told me that it went on air at 1 o clock in the afternoon. I think I ve overcome my mental and physical limits like 10 times during that climb, man I was soooo exhausted when I reached the 'highway'. Ohyeah, I wanna thank God for giving me a lift from that point because thanks to the kind roadworkers who took me the last km to town I was right in time: 13h and no minute later! I stormed into the sportsbar and there I so an empty stadion on television.... ?! "Hola señor, estas aca por el partido?!" Claro que si, le dige. "empieza a las dos y quarenta y cinco" ......*******....... Antwerpse vloek!
Bon, after a hot shower a was ready to see Barcelona prevail.... second disappointment of the day ... o well, they will win the champion league ;) !
After Arequipa (district of canon de colca) I made my way to La Paz. And that didnt went without a lot of tranportation problems which I will not bother you with. the only thing you have to know is that in South America you always have to triple check everything you buy. Make sure that the following things on your ticket or just: date, seat, price, number of passengers, name of the agency,... . We eventually made it to La Paz but with a lot of waiting and in the end a 3.5 hour busride sitting next to the drivers because there were not enough seats... but great views in Bolivia so no complaining ;). arriving in La Paz is hard to describe... you have to experience the awesomeness of it. The city is so big and completely surrounded by mountains of whom some are with snow. its an almighty sight. Martin his camera was better then mine (with wide angle) so he took most pictures. When I ll get them i ll put them to on FB.
Okay, the next links or some pics of the last two weeks.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150173519436170.321850.763086169&l=b07bc484fe
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150167403316170.309662.763086169&l=47d475ce4c
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150173546191170.321902.763086169&l=30c0f1eb64
Greets!
I went on a 2day hike through the Cañon and enjoyed every view. it was really amazing! at night At the first stop I ve met Hannah and Martin again (the german couple) and we went on together. at around 4.30 in the evening we reached the hostal in a little village on the other side of the cañon. Afer a fine dinner (look at the pic of the kitchen surround by cuyes (=hamsters) ) and lots of great conversations with other travellers we went to bed at around 9 =) ! Yeah, wen you live by the rithm of the sun you go to bed real early and get up at around 6 or 7 in the morning, like the next morning. After a quick wash outside I was ready to go back up to Cabanaconde. First we had to reach the bridge and at around 11 we were standing at the bottom of a steep climb back to Cabanaconde. With a left knee that probably has to be changed when I back in Belgium I did the climb in 2h and 18 minuts (Lonely Planet says that ou should take 3.5 to 4.5 hours) BUT i was in a hurry because it was the Copa del Rey and the bolivians told me that it went on air at 1 o clock in the afternoon. I think I ve overcome my mental and physical limits like 10 times during that climb, man I was soooo exhausted when I reached the 'highway'. Ohyeah, I wanna thank God for giving me a lift from that point because thanks to the kind roadworkers who took me the last km to town I was right in time: 13h and no minute later! I stormed into the sportsbar and there I so an empty stadion on television.... ?! "Hola señor, estas aca por el partido?!" Claro que si, le dige. "empieza a las dos y quarenta y cinco" ......*******....... Antwerpse vloek!
Bon, after a hot shower a was ready to see Barcelona prevail.... second disappointment of the day ... o well, they will win the champion league ;) !
After Arequipa (district of canon de colca) I made my way to La Paz. And that didnt went without a lot of tranportation problems which I will not bother you with. the only thing you have to know is that in South America you always have to triple check everything you buy. Make sure that the following things on your ticket or just: date, seat, price, number of passengers, name of the agency,... . We eventually made it to La Paz but with a lot of waiting and in the end a 3.5 hour busride sitting next to the drivers because there were not enough seats... but great views in Bolivia so no complaining ;). arriving in La Paz is hard to describe... you have to experience the awesomeness of it. The city is so big and completely surrounded by mountains of whom some are with snow. its an almighty sight. Martin his camera was better then mine (with wide angle) so he took most pictures. When I ll get them i ll put them to on FB.
Okay, the next links or some pics of the last two weeks.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150173519436170.321850.763086169&l=b07bc484fe
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150167403316170.309662.763086169&l=47d475ce4c
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150173546191170.321902.763086169&l=30c0f1eb64
Greets!
zondag 3 april 2011
Dagboekfragment
Project in Patapo, febrero
´s Morgens vroeg afgesproken op het hoofdkwartier, gepakt en gezakt met alle kadootjes die we de avond ervoor gezamelijk ingepakt hadden. Een totaal van 160 paar schoenen, 160 shirts en shorts! Wat was dat een werkje. Een lijst met 150 namen, elk met hun taille en schoenmaat… we zijn er even zoet mee geweest. Een tweetal weken ervoor waren we voor de eerste keer samengekomen. Mijn groep van extranjeros (buitenlanders) en een lokale groep van jonge vrijwilligers die elk jaar een sociaal project doen. Dit jaar konden we onze krachten dus bundelen. Onze harde Westerse valuta en hun ervaring, succes gegarandeerd! Na een wat chaotische start splitsten we ons op in verschillende groepjes om activiteiten te verzinnen voor de kinderen( per leeftijdscategorie dus).
Rond 6u30 vertrokken we met een custer (grotere combi of kleinere bus) naar Patapo, een ´dorpje´ in ruraal gebied op een uurtje rijden van Chiclayo. Alles op het dak van de bus en wij, gringos met locals, op weg naar wat hopelijk een memorable dag zou worden. Daar aangekomen werden we begroet door het hoofd van de gemeenschap en hij gaf ons een ruimte ter beschikking (waarschijnlijk was het zijn eigen living) waar we onze spullen konden opbergen en onze cadeautjes konden uitspreiden. Na een halfuurtje van ballonnen opblazen en het afdakje buiten wat te versieren, konden we aan de slag. Het plan om per leeftijdscategorie spelletjes te spelen werd al snel afgevoerd omdat er een 50tal kinderen tussen de 3 en 6 jaar klaarstonden. Dus werd er beslist om voor alle kinderen en aanwezige volwassenen een jongleershow te geven. 2 Clowns gingen de uitdaging aan en voor ik het wist stonden we het publiek op te warmen met een paar danspasjes en improvisatie van het laatste uur. Hierna werd de show gestolen door een zeer begeesterd jongleeroptreden =) Jongens, respect voor al de artiesten die dit als kostgewinning doen. Met een publiek voor je is het allesbehalve simpel, zeker als je –zoals mij- maar een amateur bent. Nu waren de kinderen wel enthousiast en de sfeer zat erin! Ideaal moment dus om de groepen op te delen en om per leeftijd een activiteit te doen. Zo kreeg ik even de tijd om op adem te komen en foto´s te trekken (zweten dat ik deed, niet normaal). Na een uurtje hoogspringen en voetbal voor de de oudsten, tekenen en kleuren voor de middenmoot en puzzelen voor de kleinsten was het zover: cadeautjestijd!
Nog nooit, ik herhaal, NOOIT, heb een ik bende vrouwen zo snel zien rechtspringen en naar een deuropening zien lopen. Misschien moet ik wat meer gaan winkelen tijdens de soldenperiode maar Dios mio, wat was dat. Iedereen had nochtans een bonnetje met daarop geschreven waar ze recht op hadden, maar herhalen dat er genoeg was voor iedereen hielp blijkbaar niet. Daar stonden ze dan, duwend, roepend, zwaaiend met hun bestelbon in de ene hand en een baby in de andere. 2 tevergeefse pogingen van mezelf en talloze van Peruviaanse vrijwilligers zelf om een rij te vormen, bleven onbeantwoord. Gelukkig werd het wat kalmer wanneer een paar van ons zich mengden en ze doorkregen dat er weldegelijk voor iedereen een geschenkje was. Na ongeveer 2 hectiche uren was alles uitgedeeld en zag je her en der kinderen rondlopen met hun nieuwe tandenborstel of in nieuwe kleren. Geweldig! Enkele ouders zijn ons ook komen bedanken en herkenden ons nog van enkele weken geleden toen we langskwamen om alle maten van de kinderen te vragen.
Jaja, het was een geslaagde voormiddag en we hebben veel blije gezichten mogen zien. Nogmaals dank aan alle mensen die hier direct of indirect hun steentje aan hebben bijgedragen. Het project was een succes en onlangs hebben we beslist dat we met het geld dat overblijft een speeltuin gaan vernieuwen van een plaatselijke Aldea “Virgen de la Paz”, een opvangtehuis voor kinderen van 6 tot 12 jaar. Helaas das wel zonder mij want ik zit dan terug in belgenlandje…
dinsdag 22 maart 2011
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