UNTIL Peru in July, I haven’t been to South America.
Buenos Aires, Havana, Rio de Janeiro have always sounded so exotic.
I wanted to visit them before I die.
But because of the bad rep—petty crimes, language difficulties, rough terrains outside the cities, it wasn’t just a priority for me.
Europe was more for my taste.
Or so I thought.
***
After visiting an island-nation like Iceland that was never in my bucket list, I thought, Why not Peru?
I’ve always wanted to see the Machu Picchu.
And so, I booked a tour for $2,500.
It’s a little pricey for my usual travel, but this one got hotels instead of my preferred hostels.
And I have tour guides, instead of exploring things on my own.
I took the guided tours bait because, well, with the bad rep of South America, why risk it?
***
I cannot understand where the bad rep comes from.
There will always be sketchy and rough neighborhoods everywhere.
As for language barriers, my Spanish served me well enough—
Taught me where the bathroom was.
Informed me what I was eating.
Gave me discounts and bargains for my souvenirs.
Got me laid!
***
Yep, on my first night in the capital city Lima, I hooked up with a guy from Grindr.
He turned out to be a Peruvian dancer/choreographer.
When we finally exchanged Instagram info (after the sexy deed!), I realized he’s a TV mainstay.
Think of Dancing with the Stars – Peru edition.
He teaches dance like bachata and salsa, and looks so alpha male.
His Grindr keywords: beard, discreet, jock, dating, hung, bi, beach, fashion.
That ‘fashion’ should have clued me in.
***
Day 2 in Peru was a city tour of the colonial and modern Lima.
From Plaza de Armas to the Cathedral, to the Santo Domingo Convent that houses the tombs of the Saints Martin de Porres and the Rose of Lima.
You have to understand that their saintly heads are in the Cathedral of Lima.
But some parts of their body, some bones are in their tombs in Santo Domingo!
The Rose of Lima is in a crypt, while St. Martin de Porres’s tomb was more on the ground level.
***
We passed by some Inca ruins. (And there would be many Inca ruins on this trip!)
But these ruins were discovered only lately. Like the 1980s.
Apparently, people didn’t understand them while they were building the city and the streets.
Then, they finally recognized the adobe pattern in the 80s, dated it, et cetera, et cetera.
***
We ended the tour at the Love Park, or Parque del Amor.
It reminded me of Antonio Gaudi’s mosaic works in Barcelona.
And in fact, the artsy park was influenced, or was inspired, by Gaudi.
I think I am inspired to do something like this.
That’s my three degree of separation. Barcelona-Lima-Iloilo.
If I am to leave a park as a legacy, it will be an erotic park with Gaudi (of Guell Park in Barcelona), Rodma (of Watts Towers in Los Angeles), Delfin (of Parque del Amor in Miraflores, Lima), and others as inspiration.
I mean, why did I travel around the world seeing art if I couldn’t use them for inspiration?
***
Day 3 was all travel by plane to Cusco, the better to adjust to high altitudes as we approached Machu Picchu.
Airport check in, travel time, delays, transfers, all the crap.
I’m just glad they gave us a stop at a native textile weaving community.
I took lots of photos of Peruvian textile art, museum artifacts, copies, modern works, et cetera.
I went to feed the llamas and alpacas.
***
My day for the Machu Picchu (Day 4) started early because I upgraded to the 360-view train.
When I booked the trip, I thought I was to go through a forest. (Or maybe that was a forest!)
The 360 View promised spectacular vistas, up-close views of Andean flora and fauna.
Saw some snow-capped Andean mountains, saw some Inca trails, saw some cacti, and other local flora.
My verdict: not worth it.
But when I discussed it with the other people in my tour group, they said they couldn’t see anything in their trains. (To be continued as “Visiting Machu Picchu”)/PN
