My mom and sister are set to arrive any minute now and I wanted to post a blog prior to our adventure to Machu Picchu! I am beyond excited to spend the next 11 days with my mom and sister, hiking through the Peruvian jungle, and checking out one of the Modern Seven Wonders of the World!
Things here in Lima are starting to take form with teaching and I am starting to get the hang of the culture. One of the biggest issues for foreigners living in a new city is often getting the hang of the public transportation system; you can rank Peru at the top of that list. Though they recently developed a Metro/Bus with its’ own lane on the freeway, it provides access to very limited parts of the city, and is not very convenient. So with no subway, train, or city bus system in place, how do people get around? The answer: Combi’s. This picture is of the most commonly used Combi’s there are some busses which are a bit bigger and more spacious, though far from comfortable. Anyways, the hard part is not finding the Combi’s, it is knowing where they are going. The main drags are constantly lined with them, and their 4-5 main destinations painted on the side. Along with the painted destinations, there are two individuals who work the “buses”. First, of course, is the driver, and second, the “cobrador” or collector. The cobrador not only collects your money, but it is also his job to usher as many possible passengers onto his Combi. As there are constantly Combi’s coming and going, it is truly a competition of who is louder, more persuasive and for me, simply someone who yells a street name I recognize. I have grown to really enjoy the bus rides, watching the cobrador work is free entertainment, and I enjoy trying to guess the street name he/she is shouting out. Furthermore, if you speak Spanish, you can just tell them where you want to go and they will tell you if they pass that way…but don’t count on this, as they of course work on commission and will tell you anything for a buck (or a Sole here in Peru). Anyways, at this point I have been relatively successful with my Combi experiences and definitely plan to continue their use, due to economic reasons of course. Oh right, of course no one would use this crazy form of transportation if it weren’t ridiculously cheap: a short ride about 10-15blocks, .50 Soles (.15 cents), a longer ride between 1 and 1.5 Soles and I am yet to pay anything more than that, so unsure of how far you have to ride to pay more, though it is available!
I’ve picked up quite a few teaching gigs and upon my return from Machu Picchu should be teaching about 20 hours per week. It is pretty tough to get much more than this due to the scheduling of the classes, but I am going to continue to try. Two of the ruggers I am playing with run their respective English Institutes and I expect to find some more work with them. In fact, I met with one of them just this past week and it looks as if through their Institute I am going to have an opportunity to work and teach kids as well which I am very excited about! Some bad news, I’ve heard from multiple sources that one of the Institutes I am working for is VERY unreliable. They pay their employees late, and sometimes not at all. I think I will be quitting prior to my departure for Machu Picchu, as I currently have opportunities to teach at somewhere between six and eight different institutes right now, and have no desire to deal with such issues. Suggestions are welcome on how to politely tell them I hear they are a poorly run company and do not want to deal with the hazards that come from working with them! Thanks ahead of time.
At this point, I have been to three rugby practices! I received great news today that my health insurance back in the States covers any emergency injuries while I am traveling (yes I probably should have looked into this earlier). So upon my return from Machu Picchu I will be ready to get out and bang heads with some of the guys. Unfortunately, this weekend is the most exciting beach tournament of the season, and I will be missing it to visit Cuzco/Machu Picchu, but hey, can’t do everything! It seems to be a quality club and I am going to have to work my ass off to prove I deserve a spot on the A-Side roster. I look forward to the challenge and will keep you posted…still unsure of what position I am going to play.
I know, I know, nothing too exciting to report, but just wanted to update before Machu Picchu! I expect it will be a lengthy blog entry filled with stunning pictures, so just be patient!!! One last note, I am looking to change the name of my blog, seeing as how I am no longer living the dream in Buenos Aires. Suggestions are welcomed, wanted and desired…so please get at me with any you find appropriate.
…Well except when the end of the journey culminates with the breath-taking site of Machu Picchu!
See you all on the other side!
No comments:
Post a Comment