Tag: blog

Day 16. Family and toilets

 
I just spent 6 days in Trujillo.  I went off the path because my plans were altered in Lima.  My friend, Jimmy, whom I was stationed with in 29 Palms, had in-laws in Trujillo.  I spoke about my trip a lot at work during my final months in the Navy.  He told me  if I was in Trujillo to look them up.  With the unexpected change of plans in Lima I decided to see another city instead of just the two main cities of Peru.

Jimmy’s brother-in-law, Yhon, showed me around.  He grew up in Norwalk, Ca he is  fluent in English and Spanis. I don’t know how express the amount of hospitality his family displayed toward me. It’s overwhelming because of the language barrier.  My Spanish/ Castellano was embarrassing.  I could speak to them but I couldn’t understand 80% of what they said. They cooked for me, took me out to eat, showed my Chan Chan, and gave me a place to stay. I am forever grateful to Yhon and his family. Many thoughts came over me from visiting his family.  Family is a big part of Peruvian culture.  It honestly made me homesick for my family.


At first the culture of toilets didn’t bother me in Lima.  A couple of things to highlight about toilets on my trip. You have to bring your own TP everywhere you go.  I was used to this in Lima because I had a backpack full of everything I needed. But when I was in Trujillo, I felt awkuard to bring my backpack everywhere since my hosts didn’t carry a bag everywhere.  I first discovered then read that not everywhere will have TP or hand soap.  It wouldn’t be that big a deal but I had travel diarrhea. I had to go the toilet constantly. I had travel diarrhea in Lima but it seems like it’s getting worst.

I’m currently taking a bunch of medication. Ibuprofen, for the body aches and headaches. Sulfamethoxole, for the stomach issues. Paracetamol, for the pain and headaches.  Traveling and being sick is a bad combination.  It is fine at home because usually you have people to take care of you.  I’m glad I had Yhon and his family to care for me. I think I still have some sort of stomach flu.

This following post was enlightening. Peruvian Toilets.

Recently the north of Peru was hit with a lot of rain.  Yhon said it hasn’t rained this hard in about 20 years.  The basement garage of the apartment we were staying in was flooded, almost 4ft / 1,2 meters. They pushing the cars that out that were in there overnight. By the time we came back to the apartment that night, they had already started pumping the water out. I was worried about my trip to Cuzco.  A selfish thought when thousands of people were displaced because of the flooding and the “huaicos” mudslide.


No Jiu Jitsu in Trujillo because of time constraints and weather.  Team Mamut was huge recommendation by many BJJ Globetrotters.

Some updates. I will be doing the Camino  again from Porto, Portugal.  I am applying to volunteer at the campgrounds for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I started reading The Portrait of Dorian Grey because I left Lolita for Koffi in Lima. Pictures will be updated

 

Resolutions/Goals

2016 Post 1

Many people make resolutions but not many people keep them.  I am one of those people that will keep them.  Thats the only way to become a better person.  I am not trying to be a someone else.  I want to be a better version of myself.  Which means all the things that I am good at I want to be better.  All the things that I feel are my short comings I wish to make those stronger.

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  1. Live in Barcelona, España in 2017.  This has been a goal of mine for a long time.  It will take a lot of planning and action for this to become a reality.  There’s really nothing thats going to stop me.  It will take money, visa approval, school acceptance, a grasp of the spanish language, which I am at a basic level now.Screen Shot 2016-01-10 at 20.32.03
  2. Finish the Camino de Santiago. I left the Camino in Santander, Spain.  I will continue this summer from Santander to Santiago de Compostela.  My goal is to finish during my 30 days work holiday. My maximum amount of time is 25 days.  5 days for travel.  It will take money, logistics, more Spanish language practice, training, and a guide book.  Summer 2016.
  3. Blog every week.  I want to be a better writer. I want to be a travel writer/ journalist.  So I have to practice and experience life.  Starting now. 52 posts.
  4. Visit New York. This goal is fairly easy. It’s about $1,300 trip that number can probably go lower.  It’s figuring out what to do.293332_10150426212890325_1231698224_n
  5. Ragnar Relay. SoCal and Norcal. I need a team, training schedule, logistics. Easy. I’ve done this before but being the captain takes a lot of extra work that most people don’t want to do.  It’s the most fun I have ever had when I was running a race.
  6.  Work on portfolio.  I decided I’m going back to art school to finish my degree. I’ve done it before I can do it again.12043146_10153548463900325_7655327725303296813_n
  7. Jiu Jitsu. I just made purple belt and I have to keep going.  There may be a time I may need to defend myself and my family I will need to keep training just in case.
  8. Keel Boat certification. ASA 106. Money, time, scheduling.  I love sailing and want to learn more.479747_10151341944775325_1020947952_n
  9. Scuba Diver Certifications. I want to learn more about diving.
  10. Last but not least. Courage. I need to put myself out there.  There’s feeling that you get when you’re so nervous you feel it in your stomach. It may be asking a girl out, doing something adventurous or just being out of your comfort zone. I haven’t had that feeling in a while.