Aletta, 18 mei 2009
Peru , Lima

Surfgirl or beachbabe?!

HI Everyone!!

Thanks for all the messages during my trip!! I really enjoy reading them, so keep doing that!

Right now I´m in a nice hostel in Lima where there is a better internet connection than I had all the time in the US. (Isn´t that something?!)

So the other time I wrote on this blog I was in San Fransisco, I had a great time there and I really like that city. It has such nice neighbourhoods to hang out, like Haight, Mission and Castro. But also beautiful parks and of course the beach with a lovely sunset (see the pictures!!). Yes San Fransisco is a place I recommend everyone to go, because there is always something you like about this city!
On Sunday Ben, Krista and I went for breakfast (owh those pancakes were good!!) and than took the ferry to Alcatraz. The view from the island is beautiful, the roundtrip in the jail takes way too long and was boring I would say. After the Alcatraz trip we went to an awesome place to eat Sparky! Go there whenever you´re in SF!!

After San Fransisco it was time for Santa Cruz, here I met Cody and stayed at his mom´s and his place. Both are great people! Cody took me for a nice long hike the next day in the redwoods close to Santa Cruz. We hiked about 8 miles in total and half way we saw the waterfall. When we got back I was allowed to drive in his truck (you can imagine my smile on my face, because it was a 1971 Chevy!!) Whoohaa!! Maybe my smile was as big as the first time I drove the Zamboni??

When we got home Cody got us 2 bikes and we drove around in Santa Cruz, to the boardwalk (which was closed), than to the beach where the surfers are (supposed to be) when there are waves! And stood on a cliff, saw the pelican birds diving for their fish and just had a great time there with all these beautiful things to see! Thanks Cody for taking me there!! Then he took me to a bar where they have 99 different beers (that was great, only tried 3 though). Unfortunatly, there was karaoke that night, and as being obviously the stranger, I had to sing a song...Like a prayer...I´m so sorry Madonna that I messed up your song...

The next day I had a ride with Cody´s mom to San Jose, where I took the 4 hour delayed train to Santa Barbara. In Santa Barbara Noah picked me up and I could stay at him and his wife´s place for 2 nights. Unfortunately the Amtrak messed up my luggages, which ended in San Luis Obispo. Last time I checked my bag with them! It was fun hanging out at his place and the next day I could use his bike to explore Santa Barbara. When I got home, he got home and we went to go surfing!! It was so much fun! But it´s hard to stand up, I managed to go with the waves myself and sit on my knees. After 2 hours it got dark so I went out of the water. Man do I like being in the water!

The next day I decided to leave, but had no idea to where. I ended up going to Los Angeles, with the train and from there I took the bus to Hermose Beach. It was nice out there, only the hostel was a bit stinky and noisy at night time. I decided there that I wanted to go to Peru earlier than planned (only 2 days though). But I still had one day to spend in Hemrosa beach, so rented a surfboard and went into the water. The stream was way stronger than in Santa Barbara and the waves much quicker, so I had a really hard time and after 2 hours I was totally done! Next time, better luck?!

The 16th of May I arrived in Lima, in the middle of the night and my nights before were awefull sleeps, so I decided to take a cab to miraflora in Lima and take a cheap(er) hotel for this night. It was nice to have my own room and own bathroom for a night. Too bad that the travelling made me tired but not sleepy, so I ended up sleeping for only 5 hours again... Maybe I can catch up with it tonight? I´m now at a low budget hostel with a lot of nice people that travel around South America as well. I really have to adjust to the way people drive here (yes they don´t stop if you cross the street! Have no signals, except for their horn to ask you if you need a cab ride somewhere. It is crazy here, but I´ll get used to it I guess!) My Spanish is not as bad as I thought, I can manage to do basics in Spanish. And understand most conversations (if they speak slowly though). So I´ll be fine, what a relieve!

This time I´ve pictures so look at them!!

Hasta la vista!

Verras Aletta in Peru met een belletje via HalloBuitenland.nl