Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo

Hello everyone! So, it's been a little over a week, and we've been a couple places so far... We left off in Huanchaco. Our hostel was amazing, as Andrew explained, and the weather was amazing every day we were there. We cooked all our meals in the outdoor kitchen in the upper area where you had the option to camp. We had some great dinners with beautiful sunsets up there. Andrew did get sick from undercooked meat, most likely, but recovered quickly and was back on his feet to make our way over to Pacasmayo. We took a bus ride that lasted a couple of hours and found our way to El Duke Hostel. The beaches weren’t much to rave about here— not much of a place for me to lay out in the sun, and the area that Andrew would surf was mostly all cliffs… trash covered cliffs. It’s sad that a lot of these beautiful areas (especially the beaches) are destroyed by the carelessness of where trash goes. Plus it smells horrible. Andrew said he did catch some really nice waves out at the point, though. We had the best burgers of our lives just a block from our hostel and ate there twice in less than 24 hours!!Their fries were very similar to In-n-Out’s but they were thicker and had a great seasoning on them. Weird to come all this way and say that a burger and fries has been one of our best meals yet, haha. Next, we grabbed another bus to Piura (which was a very clean, and put together city, though not as big as Miraflores) and stayed for just the night and then made our way to Lobitos on the 24th. You wouldn’t believe this place if you saw it. As we pulled up in our little moto-taxi, Andrew pointed to the right and said, “That’s us!” with a big smile. I looked around trying to find an actual building but failed and came to realize that the old abandoned warehouse I’m looking at is where we are staying. I tried not to question Andrew because I knew he had a great time when he was here before my arrival and sort of ‘sucked it up’. Once we entered I saw that the entire first floor of the warehouse was completely empty. Then to my left were stairs, which lead to the main dining and living areas—if you can believe it, haha. Once I got to the top of the stairs I understood exactly why Andrew had been raving to me about this place, Los Muelles Surf Camp. There are no floor-to-ceiling walls. The entire west facing side of the building is just the studs and framing—which makes for a 360 view of the coast. Our tent faces this way, making this the first thing we see when we wake up. It is amazing! There is paint sitting out for anyone to use anywhere on the entire building, wine bottles hang from the ceiling, hammocks make for a lounge area. We were provided a tent with a mattress and three meals a day for $10 a day. So crazy! There is very limited running water (think about it: toilets, sinks, showers, etc.). Electricity only comes on after it is pitch dark and there are only three lamps, so you do have to use a flashlight otherwise. The girl’s ‘toilet’ is downstairs at the other side of what has to be a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse. At night, it’s not very fun to visit. The people we are with, the beautiful beach at our fingertips, and the atmosphere make it more than worth it. We were worried we would have an uneventful Christmas, but were happy to find that the 15 others staying here wanted to celebrate as well. Christmas Day we had the feast of our lives: BBQ turkey (8.5 kgs!), roasted potatoes, bell peppers, onions, eggplant, corn, salad and a very rich chocolate cake to wash it all down. Basically I had to be rolled into my tent I was so full, haha. It was amazing (did I say that already??) I can tell that it will be hard to leave this place, it resembles what one might think is paradise. We will be here in Lobitos until the 29th, then off to Mancora for New Year’s Eve.

We hope everyone’s Christmas was merry! You all were missed!




The warehouse itself.


The entrance to Los Muelles Surf Camp.


Andrew hanging out on one of the many hammocks.


There are a bunch of these military helmets that are yours to paint whatever you´d like, if you choose.


A shot of the entire camping area.


The family that runs this place lives on the other side of those windows.


The bathrooms are somewhere down there...


The stairs that lead up to the camp.


What we wake up to each morning :)


Andrew helping with the Christmas turkey... what a great feast we had!


Making some Christmas cookies with the girls.


The boys off to a surf session.


Andrew surfing at Piscinas in Lobtios.


Christmas Day :)


The whole gang.

We're going places!!

After a very confusing week with regards to my job and our ability to get out of Lima and kick off our travels, we finally booked it out of town last night and took the bus up to Trujillo. The week wasn't all bad, we were able to go to a small mountain town, Chosica, about an hour and some out of Lima.The bus rides there were pretty interesting because the championship soccer game was going on that afternoon and the riot police were out in full effect. Actually, we were supposed to get tickets to the game from a friend, but luckily it fell through. I say luckily because after watching the aftermath of the game on TV, being some distance away made us feel a little better. Although, I guess it would have been fun lighting flares, starting fires, and throwing anything and everything onto the field, then charging it after the game :)

We were able to make it down to Punta Hermosa on Tuesday though and I had some good waves while Hillary laid out on the beach. To me, it felt like the first, opening-day of summer. The sun was out completely and the heat was up. Lima is typically a grey city (something to do with the water and being so close to the Andes mountains makes for some weird weather)



Although we were supposed to come up to Huanchaco (Trujillo's beach city) on Wednesday, I had to finish some chaotic last minute work problems. The teaching aspect was fine and actually quite enjoyable, however it might have had something to do with the hour and a half each way commute to some of these places that deterred me from becoming truly passionate about the work.




Hillary and I left by bus from Lima last night and arrived in Trujillo this morning. Hillary was like a six-year-old on Christmas morning. She literally touched every knob and twist in her immediate surroundings and was asking about three questions for every five seconds haha. We took a cab for the 15 minute ride to Huanchaco and checked-in to our hostal, "Naylamp." The place is pretty damn amazing. There are beautiful gardens, huge common areas with hammocks, tables, and chairs, and even a campground in the back up on a hill with ocean views! There are also two little tourtouises' that hang out in the common area. I surfed a few times today while Hillary got out of the sun (she was burnt pretty badly after laying out for a few days already.) The surf was amwesome and I met some cool local guys out in the water that were pretty funny. It felt pretty good to get into some nice warm water without a wetsuit and soak up the hot sun. Although the waves in California have been the best so far this decade (or so I'm told) nothing can compare to this trip.

We plan on not having much of a plan at all! Hillary and I secured a job in Mancora (Peru's wild beach town) and will be working at a Yoga resort. Check this place out: www.samanachakra.com . I've always said I wanted to be more flexible!! We won't start until January 25th so that gives us around five weeks to explore the North Coast of Peru, some of the most desolate and empty but beautiful areas of the world. We will probably head into Ecuador too... I mean...since we'll be up there and all. Por que no??

We love you all and wish everyone a great and safe week with last minute Christmas shopping!! One thing is for sure, we are definitely not missing the Christmas carols being played everywhere we go!

A night out + Pachacamac

What is today, Saturday? haha. I haven't even been here a week, but it seems like it's been so long already! We've moved hostels. The one we were in before was a little too far away from all the action downtown and too quiet, but was really nice! So, we are now downtown on Lacomar (Basically Miraflores' downtown). Last night we went out to a local pizza place (nothing like you can get at home, perro bien (but good)), had some pisco sours and beer. Went to the mercado (grocery store) and grabbed a bottle of wine-- which they happily opened for us and gave us plastic cups to drink from. We heard some good music from a local hostel that has a bar with some pool tables, so we went up and I got to meet a bunch of people that Andrew has befriended since his stay here... some locals, some touristas.Andrew's friends from Australia were given this car, and they have anyone they meet sign it! It's a pretty sweet piece of junk! haha. It was a good night.

Today, we saw the ruins of Pachacamac. To get there we had to take these little vans, they call buses.They are jam packed with as many seats that will fit. Instead of marquees with the destination, there are people that swing open the door and yell out where they are going, then anyone and everyone squeezes onto the 'bus'. Andrew takes these to and from work. Next to walking, it is probably the cheapest way to get around- 1 sole, about 33 cents. The area seemed as though it was completely deserted. Though there were towns on either side of the ruins, when you're walking around, all you can see it desert and it almost seems erie. At the top of the Temple del Sol, there was a great view of de Oceano Pacifico. You could see Punta Hermosa, which is a surf spot Andrew visits on the weekends with friends. It wasn't very clear out, but you could still see most of the coast. So, we've decided that we are going to make our way up to Northern Peru! We're leaving on Thursday and we have no idea when we'll be back to Lima. It will most likely be a couple of months. We'll take a real bus, similar to a tour bus, up to Trujillo initially, then make our way to Mancora for vispera de ano nuevo (New Year's Eve).Andrew's friend's family lives up there, and we know a lot of people that are going for 2010! From there, most likely we'll make our way to Ecuador and back down to Mancora. I have a possibility of a job opportunity there for about a month, and we're looking into taking that! After Mancora will be Iquitos, which is in the Amazon, then on to Huaraz, the snowy mountains :) There are so many types of climates that are in close proximity, it really is amazing! Now this is a rough idea of our itinerary, but we want to make sure we hit all these points. We will see...


Andrew says hello :)

Miraflores, Day 1... for Hillary

I think that was the easiest flight ever! My flight from LAX to Panama City was said to be full, but I had a row all to myself :) Good thing I brought my sleeping bag with me on the plane(thanks dad!). I curled up and passed out immediately, next thing I know, the steward is waking me up because we've landed! Panama was hot, but I only had an hour layover.
My friend CC gave me this gnome she traveled with throughout Australia and New Zealand. You'll probably be seeing him a lot :) There he is at Panama City Airport... By the way CC, what's his name ??

So, next thing I knew I had to get back onto the plane. I also slept through that flight. Getting through customs and immigration was simple, grabbed my bag and Andrew was waiting for me :) What a sight for sore eyes! We caught a cab to Miraflores, (which was about 30 mins from the airport) dropped our things at the hostel and went looking for dinner! After walking for what seemed like forever (everything was closed; yesterday just happened to be a holiday, similar to our Labor Day) we found Chifa Hing Loy, which is Chinese but they do serve some Peruvian food.
We got ALL of this for 16 soles, which is about $5.50!! The chicken was alright, but the pescado de frito (fried fish) was amazing!
Later I went and saw where Andrew had been staying the last month, and then made our way to get some pisco sours, which is grape brandy, lime juice, sugar, ice and egg white, blended. They're good but a little too sweet to have more than one or two. Midnight we finally hit the sack.

Andrew worked this morning around 7am, meaning he had to leave around 530am to catch the bus-- yes, it takes him that long to get there! He enjoys getting out of Miraflores though. It really is a big city and pretty dang dirty! The fumes from the exhaust are pretty gross... Today, we walked around the cliffs and parks, which have some pretty funky art, it's great. Then stumbled upon a great meal-- my first real Peruvian meal :) Andrew was right about the food, muy rico!! (very delicious)


Andrew knows his way around and has picked up on the language so quickly! His Spanish amazes me!! He has been my translator all day. He says that soon he'll make me do the communicating so I can get to where he is. He's at work right now and will be back around 10pm. I went and got some groceries for some dinner, simple veggie sandwiches. Fresh bread, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce and bottled water for 14 soles.. so, about $3 total!

All in all, I think today only confirmed that this trip is going to be more than either of us asked for. We can't wait to experience this wonderful country together! Here's where we're staying the next couple nights, pretty nice...

Goodnight, we'll write soon :)

test post

Hi all! So, this is a test post to make sure this thing is up and running...

I am more than excited to start this experience of a lifetime, especially with Andrew! Literally, I have been counting down the weeks, days and now, hours (37 hours 28 mins, to be exact) til my little feet will touch down on Peruvian soil!

Clearly, I am packed and ready to go :)

Who would have thought I could fit what will be the next 7 months of my life into two little backpacks?



My flight is at 1AM on Tuesday morning and I will be landing in Lima about 3PM on Tuesday (so, 12PM california time). I have been waiting for this moment for a long time and am happy to say tomorrow is the beginning of our South American Adventures!


<3 hillary