Well we have finally made it to cusco, and are only a short night's sleep from catching the train to machu picchu. It was an adventure to get our train tickets to say the least but everything seems to be in order. We realized as we looked at our blog that it is alot of what we are doing, so in an attempt to explain what life is like we thought we would write a blog on the south american experience.

It is incredibly difficult to explain what you see when you look out your window here. Although things change from the mountain villages to the coast there is one thing that remains is balagan. This is a hebrew word taught to us by some israeli's we were travelling with and it means chaos, or mess in every sense of the word. From the constant blarring music, honking taxis and busses in overcrowded streets, street vendors, colorful signs, unfinished buildings, stray dogs, and and so much more it is very much so balagan for all the senses. However when you are in it for a bit things seem to have a rthym to them and it is quite enjoyable.

The buildings here are made almost without exception from concrete or brick(both cynder block and mud brick) with a finish of bright pastel colors. In the more arrid climates the roofs are flat with clothes lines hanging on everwhere, and rebar sticking out for future building potential. In the mountains the houses all have a type of spanish tile, which gives the cities a unique feel. The cities themselves boast a strong colonial feel. There are loads and loads of immaculate churches and state buildings encircled by cobblestone streets. Every city has a plaza de armas which includes some sort of fountain, some trees, a massive church or two, and these beautiful state buildings. The streets are a constant hum of taxis and wild buses with employees leaning out the winow trying to get more people crammed onto their already full bus. Lining the streets are all kinds of small restaraunts and artisan shops(especially in places like cusco). These artisan shops boast loads and loads of alpaca sweaters, toques, mits, tourist shirts and hats, woodworking, blankets and weavings, clay mouldings and other trinkets, once again the word balagan comes to mind.
We have talked alot about the nature in our blogs, this is a truly diverse land with humid jungle, intense mountain scenery, desolate deserts, and beautiful coastal cities. However one thing seems to be for sure, when you think you are in the most remote place in the world you will find a small adobe hut with cows roaming around, kind of funny to see.
The people here are great and generally quite friendly with a fun loving way about them. They love their country, their soccer, and their catholic church. Here in the mountains the people have a very different look with all kinds of brightly woven alpaca shalls, skirts, pants and socks. And of course there is the funny bowler style hat that is extremely popular.
The food here is great. Peru and ecuador are quite similar however we are still waiting to see the other countries different foods. At lunch time we ussually hunt out the ever popular menu. This is a set group of choices including a starter, a main course and a drink(sometimes a dessert). Liana and I can ussually get away for about $5 for the two of us although it is not uncommon to be less than $3. Supper is a bit more expensive usually ranging from about 5to10 dollars for the two of us. There is a lot or rice, beef, chicken, noodles, as well as lots of vegetables like avacadoes and tomatoes. We have really enjoyed the food although it is safe to say that we are missing one of grandma's home cooked meals.
Our hostels have been on average pretty fair. They range in price from $10 to $20 for the two of us and for the most part have at least a little hot water and sometimes a tv. Usually its best not to look too closely and we have often slept inside our sleepingbags on the beds.
Other than this we are safe and sound. A few rough fights with some foreign bugs but nothing too bad. The sun is shining and we are enjoying ourselves. Liana has been busy buying more souviners and not sure how we will carry it all with us!