Home again!
Trip Start
Feb 19, 2006
1
58
Trip End
Aug 17, 2006
Home!!!, United Kingdom
Thursday, August 17, 2006
And I thought that it would be easier for me to update the last few cities all in one entry, a kind of final task before reality really does set in!!
By the way, a quick note to say that my mobile phone is up and running again on the same number as before, anyone who's forgotten (!!!) feel free to email and I'll refresh your memory!!!
So, since I last wrote, I've spent time in Cusco (Peru), a charming city with some pretty hot night life too... There seemed to be a fair few inca type attractions there and in the surrounding area, but I think by that stage I was just ready to come home... Living out of a backpack and being unable to eat what you want etc just drags you down after a while! I spent much of these last three days in Cusco wandering around the centre and shopping areas, reading books and going for drinks and having meals out - I couldn't summon the energy to arrange to go and visit the Sacred Valley, which is a shame as looking back, it is something that probably would have been really nice to go and visit!
The nightlife was pretty buzzing though, and I found an Irish bar which I frequented a fair few times! There was also the famous Mama Africa club, where I danced my tired (and still slightly swollen) feet off! On the way home one night, I was grabbed from behind, a man who ran away as soon as I screamed and thus didn't have time to do any damage except to scare the s**t out of me!!! More than a little shaken up but I tried not to let it all bother me too much; he ran off so quickly, I wasn't even sure whether he had been going for my money or for me!
On the 12th, I got a bus from Cusco to La Paz - no toilets on board, but a quick word in the drivers ear would find the bus stopping at the side of the road to give you an opportunity to get off, go around the back of the bus, and have a pee!!!
I arrived on the morning of the 13th, to have my flight on the 14th cancelled and to find myself rebooked on an early morning flight on the 15th! I stayed near the bus station but within easy walking distance of the centre of La Paz, where I bought a few gifts for my Mum... The hostel had a DVD machine and lots of friendly backpackers, which ensured a lovely evening in watching films and eating takeaway pizza which had been delivered to the hostel!!! Hot showers, comfortable beds, and I slept beautifully!
Sao Paulo, and a much warmer day, 32degrees! I arrived late (LAB!), and then found that the metro was on strike so ended up having to taxi it all the way to hotel! I stayed in the Japanese distict; that evening, I tried to find an oriental restaurant but failing this, a rodizo churrascaria hit the spot nicely! Got talking to some people in the restaurant and shared a few beers, which has actually made me look back much more fondly on Sao Paulo than I otherwise would have done!
On the 16th, I flew back from Sao Paulo to London via Paris... The first flight was all fine, TVs in the back of the headrests so I spent a lot of time not sleeping and watching films and playing computer games! On arrival in Paris, I found that following all the terrorist stuff, I couldn't take any liquids, creams or gels back with me to the UK! Something I'd specifically asked about, and had no response about, in Sao Paulo airport! I asked one of the women in the airport how I could get my duty-free alcohol and perfume to the hold, to which she replied that it wasn't possible! Probably cursing a fair bit, I asked her what I was supposed to do with it all, and she told me to just leave it... But given how everyone is on security alerts anyway, I didn't really rate the idea of abandoning my bag of duty free in the airport, leaning against one of the walls or whatever!
To cut a long story short, the queue for security would have probably made me miss the flight anyway, so I changed my flight to the next one, two hours later, which also gave me an opportunity to put the perfume in the hold! I forgot about my make-up bag, half of which was then confiscated at security checks... Damn that potentially lethal lipstick!!!
When I landed at Heathrow, my Mum and Dad were waiting in arrivals, then further down, my best friend and Nan were also there as a surprise, holding balloons!! Mum and Dad had also put balloons and welcome home banners outside the house!!
Mixed feelings about being back, the experience in South America was such an overwhelmingly positive one, I'm finding myself missing the mountains and the huge open spaces of the Inca Trail. I'm missing the language! I'm missing being able to do what I want in a city, and when I'm bored, to pack up my things and leave that day! I'm having trouble remembering what I did before when I had nothing to do, how I spent my time!
I'm looking forward to visiting Brazil again next year!!
But I'm also enjoying English cups of tea, having my mobile again (and getting re-used to texting!), and seeing family and friends again is pretty cool too!!
Carina xxxxx
