Colca Canyon

Just got back from Colca Canyon this morning. It was an interesting/disappointing trip. We left Thursday night and took a 10 hour bus ride to Arequipa, the second biggest city in Peru. The bus was really nice-it had to be for a 10 hour ride! We arrived in Arequipa the next day and basically spent the day exploring the city. Arequipa had a much more urban feel then Cusco and a more European feel. It was really nice and beautiful. I took my first ride in a Peruvian bus-they are like these little rumbling vans and you hop on and everyone is standing up and they are really crowded. It was very rocky and probably not very safe, but a good experience. On Saturday morning we met up with our tour  group and drove 3 hours to Chivay. Along the way we stopped to look at llamas and snow. We stopped to look at snow! When the tour guide said we were getting out to look at it Heather and I just started laughing. We got to Chivay in the afternoon and basically just spent the afternoon doing nothing. For most of our meals we went to the grocery store and got picnic lunches. We did this because after being here for 3 months, Heather is pretty broke. I didn't really mind because it saved me money too. On Sunday we woke up pretty early and set off for Colca Canyon. The Canyon was beautiful and we got to see the flight of the condors which was pretty cool. We then headed back to Arequipa. The bus ride back was not so good. Heather and I both got sick and I threw up 3 times:( Throwing up and being sick sucks, but it especially sucks when your on a bus for 10 hours.
Overall the trip was definitely an adventure, just not worth $250. We realized we should have really done the Colca Canyon trek(hiking) which we would have enjoyed a lot more. Our house mother helped set up the trip for us and we really should have planned it on our own. We did however meet some interesting people. For instance this little old lady helped us find our way back from to the main plaza in Arequipa. Were pretty sure its a miss-communication, or she might have been crazy, but she told us she has a blue dog with feathers. We would not have found our way back to the plaza without her help, so we are grateful for that. Then there was the energetic waiter that we met for the one dinner we went out for. He basically invited himself to go dancing with us and tried to convince us to order the most expensive meal on the menu. Then there was the Dutch couple from our tour group who bought us drinks and the Canadian guy who we met in a little coffee shop.  It was interesting talking to both of them about their country's and about their experiences in Peru so far. The whole trip made is realize how much we love Cusco.
Today, Heather and I were sick and slept the whole morning. This afternoon we watched some movies and relaxed. Tonight we are having a little dinner for one of our other housemates birthday. We all made food from our countries. It just sucks because Heather and I probably wont be able to eat much since we are still a little sick. We made banana pudding-hopefully the others wont get sick!! I was sad that I had to miss going to the orphanage today-especially since I only have 3 more days with the girls:( Its hard to believe that I only have 4 days left in Peru(and one of them I will be spending most of the time at the airport).These last couple weeks have gone by so fast, and I cant believe Ive been here for almost 4 months.  I feel like there is still so much I want to do in Peru before I leave. I still want to improve my Spanish, and I want to spend more time with the girls at the orphanage. But I know that going home will be bitter sweet- I start preseason right away and I'm excited to see all of my family and friends. I'm also excited for the last three weeks of summer and to start senior year. I will however miss Peru a lot! I really do love it here, and I'm so glad I got to come and have this amazing experience. I decided that I want to backpack through South America doing volunteer work in each place I visit. I want to go to Argentina (Ive been told I look a little Argentinean!!), Chile, Ecuador, and Brazil!
I really want to just enjoy my last few days in Peru, so hopefully I will feel all better tomorrow. I will try to post one more time before I head back to the States!