Aprovechadores vs. Those in Need
Alternate Title: Readers Attack – ‘Dumb american’ doesn’t care about ‘those in need’!
SUMMARY: I respond to my first hate comment in a rambling post about Latinos who take advantage of gringos, “those in need” in Colombia, and info and links about Colombia’s victims of internal displacement.
I don’t know what took so long, but below is my first hate comment.
Mike de Arequipa:
You really seem to care about those in need. I like how you handled the situation in the run down hostal in Cusco. It seemed to me that they were in need of a little cash but you were unwilling to forfeit a 150$ train ticket Aguas Calientes. You managed to frighten them, do more damage then the damage you had already done, and then flee the scene to blog about it in a jokingly manner. Bien Hecho! Do you have a name for this type of helping the poor. You are making a mess from city to city in your redneck fashion. Thanks for helping the generalizations about dumb Americans, you represent well! Can’t wait to hear more about your generosity.
You HAVE TO See Machu Picchu!
SUMMARY: I finally go to Machu Picchu. You must put Machu Picchu on your life’s to-do list. Pictures at the end.
So the ladies from the tourist agency were able to save my Machu Picchu trip after The Cusco Incident. Thank God because Machu Picchu was the most spectacular scenery I’ve seen in my life. The view above Rio de Janeiro from Christ the Redeemer previously held the title, but was dethroned by Machu Picchu. … Read more
The Cusco Incident
SUMMARY: I go to Cusco and get in trouble. The police may be looking for me. Long but interesting story with pictures.
EXCERPT: I think I need to try another run at sobriety. I feel that, one of these days, I’m not going to come out on top… Read more
Contributed Story: Pooping and Machu Picchu
SUMMARY: Stephen Loase, lead singer of Lonely Mattress Salesman, goes to Machu Picchu and poops his brains out. With pics.
Special undies
Before the trip, I went to REI for camping equipment. I bought a fleece, backpack, and a very special item: a $25 pair of special underwear you can wear for 4-5 days that doesn’t absorb odor/moisture. Happiness Level: A+
Cocoa Tea
We arrive in Peru. Upon arrival I notice the slight elevation sickness that everyone talks about so I drink the forbidden Cocoa Tea (made from pre-Cocaine leaves), which is supposed to dull the pain. Instead of the euphoric, drug-leaf-ridden tizzy I was hoping it would put me in, it made my stomach do jumping jacks while my upper intestine fell asleep with the door shut. Happiness Level: A- … Read more
Cusco
SUMMARY: I take a trip with Carlos to Cusco to hang out with his girl’s family. Great little, calm weekend. Pictures.
Carlos invited me to Cusco for Maca’s baby shower. She’s from Cusco and all her family is there and had already been there for a week. We left at 8pm Friday night and arrived at 6am Saturday morning. Carlos had a joint that we smoked before we got to the bus terminal.
After loading our luggage on the bus, we raided the food stands in the terminal. We lost track of time and the bus was leaving when we got back. We barely stopped the bus in time at the gate. We laughed at how much trouble he’d have been in if we missed that bus and he wasn’t at the baby shower. I was sick when we left so I wasn’t anticipating a wild weekend. … Read more
