Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Welcome to Cusco

So yesterday I got to the airport the required THREE HOURS ahead of time. I paid my airport taxes and went to check in and the guy seemed really confused. He asked me if I had already checked in because the computer was saying something weird. I started to get a little concerned and then a woman came over and explained that my flight (originally set to go from San Jose to El Salvador, El Salvador to Lima, and then in the morning Lima to Cusco) was overbooked and they were looking for volunteers to take the direct to Lima flight that was leaving in 45 minutes. I quickly pondered the idea of 5 less hours on a plane and said, “Um, yes, I’d like to do that please!”

The nice woman rebooked me and called down to the plane to let them know I was coming. She handed me my ticket explaining that they would start boarding any minute, that I was at gate blahblah and “Oh, it looks like you’re in business class.” SCORE! I clear security in record time, stop to buy a coke and head to the gate. I settle into my large, cushy, ample leg room seat and immediately the flight attendant is asking if I would like something to drink. It just got better from there. Instead of a tiny bag of peanuts, I got assorted nuts that had been warmed and were served in a lovely ceramic bowl. I was given two options for my meal, which was served in real dishes with real silverware. And had a choice of desserts too!!! THAT is the way to travel.

I made it to Lima, changed some money and then found a pay to call the school’s travel office. Originally I had planned to hang in the Lima airport for the evening, but since I got there so much earlier, I had the school book me a room and caught a taxi to the hotel. The room was adorably tiny, but pretty perfect for what I needed for the night. Oh and the door used an actual key… not a key card!

I spent most my time in the restaurant where there was free wifi. I went out and walked around for a bit to kill some time. Decided to pop into a casino… I mean when the “penny” slots are actually 1 sole slots (about 1/3 of a cent) you gotta give it a shot! I came out up about 3 soles, BIG WINNER!

I headed back to the hotel, got some dinner, and stayed up too late skype-ing with some friends. My alarm went off at 3am and I stumbled into the shower and then headed to the airport. Did not have as good of luck with this flight. No window seats, which was tragic because what I could see around the 11ish year old boy (who thought the appropriate way to get in and out from his window seat was just to climb over me, rather than wait for me to move) sitting by the window was beautiful!

Landing in Cusco is something everyone should experience in their life. First of all, I’m pretty sure that the plane continues climbing for the entire hour flight from Lima to Cusco. Even when the pilot came on and said we were going to be landing soon, I’m pretty sure we were still going up! Eventually the pilot began taking a series of VERY sharp left turns (suddenly my view out of the window on the other side of the plane was awesome!!) We finally straighten out and I can feel the plane actually descending, though from what I can see we are completely surrounded by houses with nothing resembling an airport in sight (of course if that damn kid would sit still I would be able to see more!). We touch down and I swear come to stop within the distance of about a football (yes American football… haven’t been down here that long!) I make it off the plane (though the kid had to climb over me one more time, because it wasn’t good enough to just stand and wait in our row, he needed to move back one row with the rest of his family) and stood around for a while waiting to be picked up. I couldn’t find the guy (though apparently he was there) so eventually took a cab to the school.

They gave me a quick little tour and when the guy I couldn’t find at the airport got back to the school he brought me to the house. The house is about 5 minutes from the school by cab, or about a 20 minutes walk (I’m told). I think I’ve met everyone who is currently living in the house now. I think I’m the only one here for the TEFL course. Everyone else seems to be with the volunteer program (there are a few working in a orphanage, one teaching a class at a community center, and several volunteering at a medical clinic). Everyone else has been here about a week or longer, which is nice because they are kindly helping me out with important information – like how to get a hot shower! I have two roommates and am sleeping on a top bunk (awesome!). All together I think there are around 12 people living here, not including the staff (housekeepers and a cook – not sure if they live here or not).

We have wifi downstairs, a nice tv and a library of dvds. (One girl recently started watching Modern Family on DVD and because it’s a cloudy, rainy, chilly day most of the house joined in for at least portions of a short marathon). Everyone’s schedules are a little different because we aren’t all doing the same thing.

My orientation is tomorrow morning at 9am and then we have a city tour in the afternoon. There are two other “family houses” (hostel style) in town, so I’m assuming some of the other TEFL student are in those since they are not here. Though, some are probably doing home-stays as well, where they live with a local family.

My bed had a huge, thick, doubled over blanket that I’m pretty sure was made from llama or alpaca fur or something. Even with that and the big fluffy comforter it was kinda chilly when I took a nap after arriving. Obviously, I’ve survived many freezing winters back home, but there when it’s only 40-50 degrees we turn the heat on… no heater here! I’ve spent most of the day hanging out drinking lots of warm tea and coffee (though the coffee here is not as good as it is in Costa Rica).

House pics to come soon.

Labels: , ,

posted at 8:22 PM   ::   0 comments