When the Lights Go Out

I know, its been quite awhile since I have posted anything...but you know I dont like to post unless I have something with enough substance to write about and honestly, nothing has really happened in the past while.

I work a lot, its´still fun but I do get sick of people sometimes, and with not drinking as much the humor of drunkeness looses it´s humor after many nights sober.

My classes finished as it´s summer holidays and most people go to the beach so other than the hostel I don´t have a (paying) job at the moment.

The charity is going well...we have raised enough money for the girls to have bathing suits for the summer and I have been a few times to hang out, play cards and read them stories.

To be honest I have gotten kind of stuck inside the hostel...I dont leave much.  I have been reading a lot and have been really tired as its rainy season.

Like I said...not really anything interesting to write about...in fact, it just shows that my life isn´t always as adventurous as you make think.

However, with my life being pretty...normal...at the moment, one of the most laid-back chilled out things was probably one of the best I have had in awhile.

Last Tuesday we had a power outage - very common - at around 7:30 pm.   ¨Great, this means the bar closes.¨

We lit candles and put them in empty beer bottles which gave the bar a nice relaxed atmosphere, but a bar just isnt the same without music.

Lucky for us we had some musically inclined guests.   With a tamborine, table tops, stools, our condiment buckets and metal napkin holders the Brazilians played and sang for almost 4 hours non-stop.  It was awesome.  People were happy, clapping, cheering and for once talking as they couldnt use their phones.  They saved the night.  It just goes to show that really, we can survive - if only for a little bit - without todays technology and actually socialize.


I took a video, you can´t see much but neither could we, it´s more about the music.  Hope you enjoy.

                                                                                                     






                                                                                                                - My Beautiful Life -

For the Children

With being events manager I get to plan a lot of fun things and one of them was this years Christmas Charity.  I was super stoked to set it up as I had the perfect one.

Casa Hogar, is an orphanage for girls between the ages of 3 and 18.  They need everything from clothing, toys and school supplies.  We set up a box - decorated Christmas style - in the reception where everyone could leave their donations.

Two days before Christmas Sam, Kiki and Chantal - my two friend that are working here - and I took the donations to Casa Hogar.

It is  45 minute combie ride from the hostel.  A combie is the local transportation here.  Small cramped buses - some the size of a mini van some oversized tool vans - with no air conditioning, sometimes the windows dont open and you are lucky if you can get a seat.  Sometimes it is so packed thatyour feet barely touch the ground and their are too many hands holding on to the rails so you hope the shoulder to shoulder I timacy of strangers will keep you verticle. Other times you have to stand down on the step and hang out the door.

We were luckyd the combie wasnt full when we got on considering it was a smaller one and the roof barley reaches 5' 3" high - Im tall here.  However the more people that got on the more cramped it got, and the more cramped .it got the hotter it got, and the hotter it got the more my pores opened and I began to profusely sweat ....there were no windows.  I had slept in so didnt have time to shower before we left so I still had remnants of spilled beer and alcohol on me with a lingering musk of cigarette smoke, and I just kept sweating.  My feet were bei g stepped on, I had butts in my face, crotches and more people just kept getting on.  I felt so vyle, so I just put my head against the window - which wasnt even at a goodenough temperature to cool my face down - and counted down the minutes.  Honestly though it was so worth it, besides things like combies are a cultural experience so I take them in with a smile.

The girls are incredible.  They literally attached themselves to us immediately.  They didnt seem to care why we were there, they were just happy that we were there and they took advantage of our presence till the moment we left.

The design workof Casa Hogar is like a castle.  The  girls are told they are princes in a tower.  Their rooms are huge with lots of windows that let in the sunshine and fresh air and a view bei g the back drop of Chacchani and Misti.

Sam speaks no Spanish so I had to translate- no one their speaks English. It makes me smile that I have the ability to do that now plus I do t practice my  Spanish a lot because there is so much English here so I was more than happy to use my bad Spanish skills.  When I had trouble I popped out my mini dictionary which always helps plus Chantal was the only other one out of the four of us who has Spanish so between the both of us we got on fine.

Kiki looked at me with a look of sadness "they are so happy."  "Of course they are.  Here they are loved, are well taken care of and have eachother."  Sometimes I feel thats all we need.  Get rid of all our luxuries which we have come to feel are necessities and give us the basics in life...food, shelter, love and eachother.  I said the same thing when I volunteered at Casa Chapi....these kids just love you forno reason, its just because you are there and it makes you see that you dont need much to have happiness.

The girls were really touched when we left, a little emotional iternally.

We got on the (empty) combie and talked about our experience.  This experience made us realize we dont just want this to be a Christmas Charity "I think we should redecorate the box and have it as an on going charity," said Chantal.  "I agree." Said Kiki.
"Wow, im stoked you girls want to keep this going. Maybe ai can set it upso we can take the donations over every week."

Casa Hogar is our new charity.  The hostel manager said absolutely and we just have to make sure we can go every week.  I am so excited!  I really hope to get the girls what they need and to keep seeing those beautful smiles on their faces.

If you would like to donate please leave a comment or send me an email.

What you receive in return when giving is better than any gift you could ever get.


                                                                         -My Beautiful Life -

The Fun Police

¨I hate you!¨ ¨This place is great, but you are evil!¨ ¨I really don´t want to speak to you today.¨ Sometimes it´s death stares or a middle finger.   These are all things I see and hear regularly from the guests at the hostel.  Why?  Well because they are always extremely hungover with an expensive tab.  Why is this my fault?  Well, I am events manager also known as, the Fun Police.  I am their favourite person during the parties and the most hated the next day when they are feeling lingering intoxication and the after affects of jagerbombs, happy hours and free shots.

Honestly!!!  It´s fantasitc!!!   I am in charge of promotions and making the parties/events happen.   They are the same events we have always had I just make sure they happen and that the guests are having fun.   I go from room to room with free shots, getting people to sign up for the nights fiestas or the next days outing.

It´s a lot of fun but extremely exhausting.   Happy, sad, sick, hungover I always have to have a smile on my face and be with guests.  They know my name and I know theirs...I know when they are doing a trek,  I know if they are sick and make sure they are feeling okay, I make sure to constantly be communating with them whether it´s to let them know whats going on or making them drink free shots while getting them dressed up in our theme of the night.  I don´t take no for an answer when it comes to participation in activities or drinking  ¨This is WILD Rover not MILD Rover!¨ Then I tell them they can claim their free skirts at reception when they check out. I torpedo them from the top floor with water balloons while they are sunbathing around the pool,  I wake them up in the morning and sign them up for things when I know they are hungover,  I wake them up with free shots during happy hour, I pour free shots on them while they are taking a shower....you can probably see why I am the most loved yet hated at the same time.  However they still do all these things because they know that I dont take no for an answer and that at some point in the night they will have no choice so they do what I say.

Like I said it is a lot of fun but extremely exhausting.  When I go to bed at night all I here are thousands of voices saying ¨Emmie!¨¨Emmie!¨ ¨Emmie!¨ I want to yell SHUT UP but know that wont do anything...I now understand why my mum used to tell me she was changing her name from Mommy to something else.  But, I love it, it has really changed my time here.   I am not wrapped up just with the staff in my own little world...I am having fun or more like making the fun with the guests who I have had the please of getting to know and it has been great.   It is a lot of work, and I only have one day off a week as I am a manager so on my days off I try and stay away from people as much as possible .... I love people but want my space and some solitude which usually ends up with me down at the bar drinking with them anyways.

Christmas is just a few days away and we have some big events planned....I can here them now ¨I hate you.¨ ¨You are the worst!¨ Oh, how much they love me.

                                                                                                - My Beautiful Life -

Questioning my Decision

I'm not gonna lie; coming back to Arequipa was wierd...a lot weirder then I expected.  Weird enough to make me question if coming back had been the right decision.

I figured I was ready to come back...it had been gone three months,  three incredible months of fresh air, fresh people and fresh thoughts. Me and a couple of guys even headed to Mancora for some beach time.

Leo was pretty funny.  I pretty much have everything you could need, considering my backpack is the size of a house. "Max,  Emmie is our mum, she has everything." So when we crossed the border and were filing out our forms all these backpackers needed pens - I have like 7 in my bag - so I handed them out. Leo's response "Get your own mum!"  Haha too cute.

I was like a kid at Christmas, I was so excited to be back at the beach.  I jumped in the pool first thing and then ran to the beach to play in the waves. It felt so good, the water the sunshine...perdect way to spend a morning.

I randomly met a guy who had just finished working at the hostel in Arequipa.  "You look familiar but we have met."  It took us acouple minutes to realize we hadmutual friends on Facebook.  Another friend from the hostel was working at a hostel a 10 mi ute walk up the beach so we all headed to see him.  That was the begining of the end for me.  The next thing I know its 4 am and we are taking a swim in the waves and then I wake up in a hammock at 6 am...the guys were still partying waiting to watch the sunrise.

The next day I was suppossed to head down to Mancora...but the furthest I could make it was to the hqmmock area where I spent my day curled up - in my brand new hammock.  I didnt see the guys till early evening.  I dont think I have ever had a hangover that bad, I literally couldnt function.  The next dayI booked a bus and headed off on a 40 hour bus trip down to Arequipa.

It was my first solo bus ride, Max and Leo were heading out the next dayand planned to meet up in Arequipa in a couple weeks. I was a little hesitant to go solo, I guess Im a bit paranoid after being robbed twice so I  spent the extra money and went with a high end bus company and I figured 40 hours Imight as wellbe comfortable.  Wifi, movies, two meals, full cama, leg room for days and a litrle woman beside me who gave me gum. PERFCT.  My first 20 hours were going to be great and I slept like a baby until the little woman kept tapping me to turn off her tv screen or talk to me in Spanish at full speed.

I arrivedin Lima 20hours later only to grab another 17 hour bus.  I was feeling horrible at this point, one crazy night and I end up with a throat infection and I had nothing for the pain, though I met two lovely bqckpackers whos mum had stocked her up on medication and sorted me out.

At this point Ijust wanted to get to Arequipa, even with all the luxuries it still is long and on my second bus the wifi didnt work and trustme 40 hours you want it, though I figured the next 17 I could watch the movies even thoughthey were the same as the previous bus.

I had a front row seat so I looked out the window a lot - the buses are two floors - which was great, but I swear at night when theyknow everyone is sleeping they speed up and cut corners a lot closer.  I woke up at one point and didnt see any road and then felt a sharp tur,, I knew we were high up and that we were driving close to cliffs.  I closed my eyes and begged myself to fall back asleep, its less painful if I sleep and we go over.

I got to the hostel at 730am, I was tired and my throat was so soar.

Like I said, it was weird to be back, in one second of being there it felt as though the past three months were a dream and that I had never left.  The volunteer staff was difderent but everything else was the same, the overtired play list in the bar still played, the clinking of the dice rings theough the walls of the bar and it smelled the same.  You know how your house has a smell - not a bad one of course - well so does the hostel and I noticed it as soon as I walked into the staff dorm - and I dont mean the stench that is gone - and thats when it all hit me.  Everything came pouring back, like a damn had been lifted,.  All the feelings that had drowned me before flooded my mind and my heart.  Oh no, Maybe I had come back too soon?   I thought I was ready, I was so excited, but maybe I had misjudged my how I was feeling and hadnt given myself enough time to come back to a place thay held so many memories. But I gave it a couple days and everything settled perfectly.

Its just as crazy as ever here, maybe crazier?  It could be that Im not used to working in a party hostel anymore...but its good.  Im running the events here which have been a blast and my outlook on things are different.  Working at the Secret Garden I worked really closely with the guests which has helped me ease my way back into things here.  Instead of getting myself wrapped up in a world only with the staff here I have really been merging myself with the guests which has been really important running the events.

I know coming back was the right decision, I am happy, I love being back behind the bar, Im with my Peruvian family and this is where I need to be right now,  plus...I got a teaching job which I am super stoked about!  Infact, I start today so I will leave you with that.

Wish me luck!

                                                                           - My Beautiful Life -

Beach Life...

Two weeks of surf, sand and sun.  It's been amazing!!!  I really really needed two weeks like this.  Sunshine really does make everything better.  After having a rough patch in Arequipa, leaving my life there and then getting robbed, two weeks in Mancora was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Sunshine and swimming in the sea every morning really make such a difference to your day.  Lesina and I get up every morning head down to the surf school, grab boards and head out into the waves.  Our first two days we had lessons.  I was nervous at first as I am not keen on open water, but after I got up on the board a few times without falling off, my confidence grew, even though I cut my hand on a rock I was still determined to stay out...besides, I was proud to say I had a surf injury.

We took lessons for two days and on the third day we decided to go out on our own.

Let me tell you, it's not all about getting up on your board, it's about paddling; and then paddling fast enough to catch a wave.   We were pooped after an hour, and we didn't even catch a wave but we definitely worked on our paddling.

Every morning we have been going out...it's a good way to kill a hangover and a great way to start the day.   We suck pretty bad though lol, we cant even catch a wave properly but we have been building our abs and arms with all the paddling we do.  We get frustrated and lie on our boards watching the other surfers who make it look so easy "we so suck"  Lesina said after we watched our mate Peter get every single wave.  "Your telling me."  

We have met some local surfers who are always willing to help, or help Lesina at least.  Next to her I am chop liver.  Im paddling into waves and there is some random pushing Lesina's board from behind to get her out further and then helping her into a wave and yelling "Ariba, ariba" when it is time for her to get up.   One morning, one of the instructors that we know - we have become friends with the local surfers - saw that I was struggling while giving our friend Sarah a lesson.  He yelled at his friend and pointed to me "he will come over to help you."  Perfect I thought as I was getting tired because it was a bit rough on the water that morning, help would be awesome.  Oh wait, yup wrong person....and over to Lesina he goes completely ignoring me struggling in the water.  This wasn't the first or last time this happened...the boys love Lesina, which is why we know the local surfers.  "Hi Emmie, donde esta Lesina?"  Gee I'm fine, thanks for asking, lol.  It was a bit of a rough day for me;  a swell was begining to come in so the waves were a bit bigger than usual.  Catching a wave wasn't my issue it was staying afloat on my board that was more of an issue.  Every time a wave came I held on to my board white knuckled hoping I wouldn't fall off.  I see another wave off in the distance and I began to paddle the same way as the rest of the surfers.  As it got closer it got bigger and bigger,  I was pretty much staring up at it by the time it got to me.   Fuck  I knew it was going to kick my ass, in fact, it actually said that as it looked down at me "Emmie, I am going to kick your ass."  I held on for dear life so I wouldn't fall off my board while going over the top of the way - though the proper way is to dive into it with your board but I couldn't move myself fast enough up on my board. At least say I can ride a wave upside down on my stomach.  I had enough after that...I wasnt having fun anymore and I couldnt see the girls on the water.

The next day the waves were full force and I could barely get in the water with my board without getting pushed over.  " Emmie!"  I hear from the shore.  One of my instructors was calling me back to shore.  "Jaime, I will pay you to come out with my,  Im not confident enough to go out in those waves by myself."   So out both Lesina and I go with Jaime.   The waves were huge and I was a bit scared.  Every time a wave came at us I screamed.   It was nice in between sets as I could breath and try to relax, but when they came it seemed like they never stopped we kept paddling over them as they brought schools of fish past us.  "Oh jesus" I heard Jaime say as a huge wave came towards us.  Great I thought, that sounds reassuring.  It was a big one and I screamed,  Lesina got caught in it and fell off her board,  before she could get back on another one came and pulled her under.  She started yelling for help and thankfully someone swam over to help her.   Five minutes later Jaime and I went back in.

We havent been back on a board since.  We wanted to take a day off...Lesina was shaken up a little bit and to be honest I was scared to get back in with the swell at full force.   Im not good with open water so I was freaked out. Plus I hurt my toe playing volleyball in the pool and then Peter stepped on it that night when we were working so surfing has been crossed off my list.

we went to see the turtles one day.  I was really excited to go as we knew we could swim with them.  However, it wasnt as great as I was expecting.  They were huge! Like really huge so when you were in the water it was scary, it didnt help that the water was dirty feom the boats and turtle poo so you couldnt see a thing.  All you had was the guidance from people on the dock telling you where they were which I tjink just made it worse because hearing "there is one behind you" or "there is one swimming towards you" just made everyone scream including the guys.  One guy even got bit....no joke....thank god I was out of the water before that happened.  The best part of the trip was the mototaxi.  Man when they speed up they vibrate....and when I say vibrate your whole entire body is vibrating everywhere....EVERYWHERE.  I couldnt even sit with my but down on the seat, i had to adjust but then that position sent my legs vibraring all the way up so thay didnt help as well.  My buddy had is legs up and was holdinghimself because the vibration was too much and my other friend was sitring silently biting her lip. I couldnt stop laughing...I was laughing so hard I was crying.  Imlooked at both of them with tears in my eyes and they started laughing too....well i hope it was laughter and not something else.

Most of our days are spent pool side, or playing volleyball in the pool, drinking slushies.  I have a daily nap in one of the amazing hammocks.  Ive been jet skiing with Peter which was an absolute blast.  We were pretty far out when the jet ski decided to go retarded on us and we couldnt accelerate and the waves were still pretty big.  We were both a little worried to get stuck out there and didnt want to turn it off incase it didnt turn back on.  We slowly made it back to shore.  Peter jumped off but I stayed on and me and the jet ski almost got thrown into a wall on the shore of the beach.   In the end we just had to restart it.   We flew across those waves so fast, we even caught some good air....what a great way to start my day.

Now however, my time and Loki has come to an end.  In fact, my time in Peru has come to an end.  Lesina, me and two of the guys we have met here are off to Ecuador tonight.  Im stoked, but a bit nervous.   I have been in Peru for 4 months and it is almost like leaving home, plus I am a little sad to be leaving Loki.   The past two weeks were an absolute blast and exactly what I needed.   Everyone here has been so great co-workers and guests.  It is such an easy hostel to meet people and the people I have met here have been absolutely amazing and am sad to say goodbye to all of them.  From the moment I wake up to the minute I go to bed, I can not complain about anything.  Every shift was a blast, every morning in the sea,  4 am swims in the sea, late nights in the sand pit,  beach parties, slushies, hammock sleeps, slip and slide, blood bombs, pirate parties,karaoke with Peter, "basically" meetings with Michael, Pierro is Lesina awake?....so much has happened in the past two weeks.

I am so going to miss morning chats.   All of us in our staff dorm have been like a family and every morning we wake up the top bunkers will curl up with the bottom bunkers and we rehash what happened the night before and then all head down for breakfast together.   I could not have asked for a better crew of people to work with the past two weeks.

It is time to say hasta luego Peru.  Muchos Grazias.  To everyone in my life the past 4 months thank you for everything but this feather is still on her gust and is floating to new boarders with some new feathers.   See you at Christmas.

Hello Ecuador!

                                                                                                  - My Beautiful Life -

 (for those of you reading this for the first time please go to my Ecuador blog)

A Highway Robbery and a Beachy Life

It was hard leaving Arequipa...I didnt want to...well I did but I didnt. First my students reason was my students.   They were the best I have had. On their exams one wrote at the bottom ...thank ou miss for teaching me...other ones kissing me after they wrote their exams telling me " it was a pleasure."   All of my students had over 80 % as their final marks.  I was so proud.  After my last day with them I started  queatinoneing if quitting was the right decision. I didnt want to leave them with someone that wouldnt be good.  Im not the greatet teachert but  I did so much with them in a month that I knew I had done the best that I could and it really showed in their acceptance of me and their final marks.   I held my tears back during their exams, I will  truly miss that class. I would've stayed for them.

Of course it was tough leaving Wild Rover as well.   I panicked a bit on my last day, it felt really weird and strange, I just wanted to get back behind the bar and start work.   Billy literally had to carry me out so I would leave.

Off to Hucachina!

Huacachina is a little oasis town surrounded by mountainous sand dunes.  We arrived at 7am in the sweltering sun.  We dropped our stuff off at the hostel and wandered around the lagoon looking at shops and restaurants for a little while.  I spent the day lounging around the pool while Billy slept and Jamie went to the sister hostel to watch the soccer game - I worked with Billy at the hostel and Jamie had been staying there for two weeks.

We ended up drinking ourselves silly that night - what else is new -  I did however get the street food and I believe I found a better burger then the chicken burgers I love so much ...I apologize to my Arequipa chicken ladies, I believe you have been beaten with taste.

The next day we went sandboarding and on a dunebuggy - the main reason to go to Huacachina.  What a crazy couple hours that was...I freaked on the dune buggy, they go fast up and down steep dunes and my vertigo nightmares were literally happening...at one point my whole body just started shaking that I couldnt move, it was so much fun though.  I wasnt impressed with the sandboarding though, they were boards you could stand up on but the boards were to big so I couldnt strap my feet in. "Do you have a smaller board, my feet dont feet"  "your shoes are too small, you need bigger ones"  Seriously!!!  Just like the guy who told me the bottled water was expensive because the lid was sealed. Sometimes I wonder...

I had sand everywhere, even in places you don't know that exist.  To top it off, when we got back to the hostel there was no water, not even cold.  The boys weren't fussed about taking a bar of soap in the pool and scrubbing down.  Not my idea of a bath and I have a bit of an infection on my knee so I had forgoe the clean feeling...I couldnt get a hot shower till the next day which was good because we were taking a five hour bus ride to Lima.

As per  usual Billy slept.  I was reading my kindle and Jamie was watching the dubbed spanish movie that was playing.  Two hours into our ride I went to put my ipod back in my bag.  It was empty. I     thought I had left it unzipped and everything fell out so I looked under my seat and I saw one of my cords on the floor a few seats back.  My bag was  empty...I had been robbed!!! Billy shot out of his seat, looked at the compartment above our seat, his whole bag was gone!!! Jamie did the same, his bag was there but they had managed to get his passport out of it!  It was a day bus!!! 

All i did was cry...everything was gone!!  Laptop, tablet, iphone, presecription glasses, electrical cords EVERYTHING!!!

We told the woman on the bus  what had happened and she said its not their responsibility!   Gee thanks!

We made a police report...they didnt care!!!  We are nobody but gringos here. The tourist police didnt even speak English...that was fun and to top it off  we  had to pay for it!!! 

The next day , Jamie went to get his passport at the British Embassy.   There were three guys there  that we knew from Wild Rover (Arequipa) ... they hade the same thing happen to them...same bus company..same time...same  stuff.  The cops don't care and the bus company obviously knows what goes on...ITS A SCAM.  PLEASE... ALL TRAVÑERS OR ANYTONE THAT KNOWS TRAVELERS DOING THE SAME ROUTE.  SHARE THIS BLOG.   THE COMPANY IS CALLED  SOUYUS   AND THEY NEED  TO BE STOPPED.  THE  COPS KNOW AND DONT DO ANYTHING...THE TOURIST COPS IN LIMA DONT EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH.   I DONT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE...SHARE THIS WITH FRIENDS FAMILY FELLOW TRAVLERS.  GET THIS OUT!!! SHARE IT!  BLAST IT! LET PEOPLE KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A TRAVEL BLOG OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES, PLEASE  INFORM THEM SO WE CAN HOPEFULLY  STOP IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS!!!

This put a bit of a damper on our trip.   As much as it is all materialistic things, when you travel those   materialistic things are pretty much   the only things you have (plus clothing).  I was really mad at myself...how could I be so stupid,,,and just put my bag under my seat.  I went over and over it in my head but there was no point as it was all done and over with.

We made the best out of Lima.  Sophie (a friend who had worked with us at  Wild Rover) met up with us.   We did a city tour which was shit lol...but had fun wandering the streets and taking pictures. The weather was grim and overcast which made it a bit depressing but at least I can say I have been there.

Our next stop was Mancora, a beach town  20 hours (by bus)  north of Lima. Unfortunately Jaime didnt go with us...he couldnt get on our bus so he booked a bus to Arequipa instead.  Billy and I were a little gutted as it was such a quick decision, but us feathers always float in the direction our gusts take us and unfortunately Jaime's was going the other way.   We slept holding our bags in our arms that night...even though we had nothing left to steal...we were a  bit paranoid, but we arrived safe and sound the next morning and so did our stuff so we were happy.

After we checked into our rooms we headed to the beach. You barely have to leave the hostel to get to the beach.  You just walk down a flight of stairs at the back and there it is, beach, bars and surf schools.  "I could stay here"  I thought as we basked in the morning sun enjoying a beer...so I did.   The hostel was looking for bar staff and now here I am.  I was a little sad to part ways with Billy but being here is what I need right now.  I need the relaxation and sunshine for a little bit...and I have no regrets staying.

The hostel is like a resort.  It has a huge pool with a volleyball net, a good sized bar outside, hammocks, music, heaps of sun chairs, good food and it's on the beach.  I spend everyday outside either reading in a hammock, hanging out by the pool or getting involved in daily activities.  The staff here is absolutely amazing and I feel like part of the family already.  

A friend of mine who I met in Arequipa was working at this hostel chain in   Lima and is now working here which is great.  It is always nice to have someone around after parting ways with others as Sophie  headed up to Equador the day after Billy.  

I cant complain much about life right now...things are fantastic.  Yesterday we played on the slip and slide...it was like being a kid.  However being at a hostel our slip and slide where to huge strips of plastic that we hosed down and covered in soap.   We had to soap ourselves down as well so we could just glide across it.  "Perfect"  I said "it's shower day anyways !"

Well I must sign off now.  I have a surf lesson in 15 minutes...yup...I am surfing.  It's actually the main reason I stayed out here.  I have never surfed and really want to learn.  Lesina and I had our first lesson yesterday.   I was a little nervous as I am not crazy about the water and its quite rocky and shallow here.     

The instructors are with you the whole time, holding onto your board and telling you when to get up.  "Paddle, paddle, paddle!"  Man did  I paddle, as hard as I could, I'm surprised my arms didnt fall off.  "Get up"  ya right, Im going to fall flat on my face.  "Up, up."    Alright I thought...and I got up and I didnt fall.  Seven waves I caught and seven times I got up and didn't fall ..."I was made for this!"  I said to my instructor.  The more waves I caught the more I wanted to surf.  "There are no waves!"  I said Jaime (pronounced HiMe) my instructor.   "Relax its ok, they will come."  They came, and I surfed...what a great morning.  Lesina and I are going to go out every morning.   We have our second lesson today and then after that - because we work at the hostel - we dont have to pay to rent surf boards we can just grab one when ever we want.  The surf school is attached to the hostel.   We walk down the stairs to the beach and its right there.  Honestly,  I living in paradise right now.  What a life.

Off to surf.

                                                                                                         - My Beautiful Life -

  

Mi Familia de Rover's

 

 All good things must come to an end and Im afraid its that time for my Arequipa adventure.  Im sad for many reasons;  one being I was so excited to move here and am disappointed that the job didn’t turn out as I had hoped and second of course saying goodbye to the incredible friends I have made while living in this great White City.

Goodbyes are tough after you have settled for awhile, and to be honest getting back on the road is s bit of a scary thing.  It is weird to be on an unknown road after spending so much time in a place that you now consider home.  But, it is time for this feather to jump on that gust and be carried away,so with a saddened heart, a swollen cheek, bloody knee, a few extra kilos in my body, paint stained clothing and the echo of dice in my ears I would like to say thank you.

Thank you so much for the incredible memories of UV nights, toga parties, drag parties, bar dancing, drunk topless backpackers,   Circus, Déjà vu, extremely late nights at Peace and Love, BARRACHAS, the stench of the staff room, smurf nights, Teo always managing to get people naked especially my goodbye party, free shots, smart shots, brass monkeys, rock star status, late night strip shows at circus only to wake jp with business cards in hour pants, infections, street dogs, chicken sandwiches,Arturo’s picnic, sushi nights, civiche lunch’s, my favourite bar in the world, and a family.  I have never had so much love from a group of people, you opened up your hearts, your arms and lives and gave me everything for no reason at all.  There are no words to express my love for you guys.  You are truly my family and I miss you guys so much already, even those of you who have already floated away.

It’s weird to think I am not going to see you guys everyday.  Sandra for being there to greet me every morning. Teo with your swagger and the only Peruvian I know who speaks better English than the gringos, and somehow you have a creepy psycho way of knowing everything, I will miss your ass slaps however my ass needs a rest your hand has left an imprint, don’t find another dance partner while I’m gone.  Jen, the love of my life, so much has happened since you left, it seems like just yesterday that you left, hurry and come back to me please.  Loquito for your bad drunken spelling and always making sure I got home. Claire it was only a short time but I still

miss you, our straw dresses, missions and girls night I love you.  Will, I have worked in many bars over many years and you are by far one of the best managers I have had, you are so laid back and always let me get away with everything.  You have done so much for me and I will miss your smile and hour carefree attitude, you are like my brother and took me in when I crashed after the guys left, thank you for making me apart of your family.  Arturo, thanks for giving me a job and changing the schedule I will not forget your kind heart  when I was at a low point estas mi amor.   Monica estas mi pequena barrachas.  Carlo, dont cry I will be back mi ermano, te amo.  To the little women on the street corners that sell the chicken burgers, I never told you but I love you, your burgers make me happy and fill my tummy , whenever I need food you are there, except one time you were sold out, but you are forgiven, thank you for filing my tummy and giving me a few extra kilos that I am taking with me, I would love to take you but didn’t think it would be appropriate, I will miss you. Titi, you have the biggest heart I know, you are always there and doing things for people around you and never asking for anything in return, I promise to come back to you so don’t worry.  Claudia, what can I say here, estas mi ermana, I love you so much girl, you became one of my best friends after the guys left, you were always there when I needed a hug, a glass of wine or just a girl talk (about penis’ lol), follow me when you can.   Eric, you could always make me smile, just seeing you made my heart light up, thanks for being your crazy Irish self even if it means Phil and I carrying you home, I love you brother and will see you soon. Too my Germans who came when I really needed people like them in my life, thanks for the smiles the laughs, talks

with Tobi and Lea being my drinking partner, especially when it came to 18 rounds of dice.  Ceyhan, you have no idea how much everyone has missed you and can not wait for you to return.  I miss your crazy ways, your barefeet behind the bar, teachers nights, your clapping, “come on guys”, your hugs, our talks and well I really just miss you so hurry up and get back here.  Phil, I changed after you left, my focus and what I want to do and where I want to be all changed when you got in that cab.  Its not a bad thing, sometimes we need to be awakened mentally even if it hurts like crazy. You have inspired me more than you know and it has really helped me get back on my gust. Thank you for the moments and the memories.  And last but not least….Freddie, you are by far one of the most incredible people I have had the pleasure of meeting.  My love for you is strong and I am extremely gutted I had to say goodbye.  We were always close but we got even closer after Ceyhan and Phil left, it was almost like a safety thing, like we both felt safest when the other one was there.   You always put me first and would drop whatever it was you were doing when you saw I was in need of a friend.  I will miss our talks and late night conversations in the staff room. To being the only two people working, peace and love, after hour rum in the room, all the times we kicked you out for nap time and being the only person to (still) see my tears.  You are my brother, and I will miss you till the end, please go home and take your course, I don’t need to worry about you.  Please take care of you as Im not there anymore to wake you up for work or make sure you are home ok.  Just remember you are the last one standing.

Well with tears in my eyes and a wave of my hand I am on my way to begin a new adventure. This feather has finally found her gust and is ready to float along with two new feathers.

Ciao for now mi familia de rovers, te amo.

3 2 1 Wild Rover

Barrachas!!!