Hola mi amigos y amigas. I hope you are all well upon reading this message. Below is a photo of my friends from the gym. The guy in the green t shirt is the guy who wanted me to practice with him. The phrase came on like a lion and went out like a lamb comes to mind . We trained today just doing some cardio stuff on the sparring mitts. he was in tatters after a minute. Really nice guy and looked like it he was totally up for it, however those of us who do train, understand it is imperative you have fuel in the tank for this type of activity.

Next week Monday i fly to Cuzco and prepare myself for climbing the mountains of Macchu Picchu. I wish you all a very Prosperous New Year but above that good health.

Laters

The gym crew

The drink up

Hi every one i hope you are all well as you are reading my latest entry. I was invited to a reunion, which is what we call a drink up last night, i found it very amusing, in particular there was an individual there who believed they were the font of all knowledge. Look at the pictures below and see if you can Identify the individual i am referring to.

The Individual who:
Talks over someone as they are speaking
Kept kiss their partner in between mouthfuls of crisp
Been everywhere in the world
Doesn't really work but knows everything about everyone else's profession
Arrived empty handed but drank champagne.

Lets see which one of you can identify the individual in the photo's.

I am moving on to a place called Cuzco to go and see then climb the mountains of Macchu Pichu. It has been great starting with the family, they have all been really nice to me but now it's time to travel.

I will be keen to see who can identify the individual i am referring to, take your time and look at each person.

The drink up

Christmas with the family in Peru

Hello everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Christmas here is different, the celebrations start at 00.00 on Christmas eve into Christmas Day. I have had my Christmas dinner already with a shed load of wine, so this message will be short. The family here have really made me feel comfortable at this time of year, they even bought me presents.

Have a great day everyone and we shall speak soon.

Your man in South America

Christmas with the family in Peru

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone i hope you are reading this message in good health. It is still Christmas eve here in Peru. The family i am living with are cooking a lovely turkey which will be served at Midnight , thats when we have the first meal and celebrate Christmas. we have another meal later in the day with other family members.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people for their help and support. I will start with my Family, thank you to mum & dad for installing in all their children the strength to follow your dreams what ever they might be, that's why i am here now. Thank you to Wayne, Marvin and Debs for supporting my dreams and helping me in what ever way they can to be here today.

Thank you to the Anderson family, my extended parents, brother & sister. Thank you Aunty Mary for helping set up my blog, thank you Uncle Earl for your words of wisdom, thank you Shani for you technical support and Khary thank you for at last marrying Marian. Thanks for your support.

Tanty Olive(to those who don't know Tanty mean Aunty) thank you for your support over the years.

Mark and Dennis my training partners thank you for being the listening ears during my times of trials and tribulation.

The knights of the round table, thank you for your prayers and support

The Peckham Mafia. To date the time we spent together has been the best time i have had in the police thus far, those times only happen once in your service. Thank you for those times and all of your support.

Rupert Hines thank you for all your help and support.

This list could go on and on. I just want everyone to know i have not forgotten you and even if i have not mentioned you by name in this entry, you are in my thoughts.

I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Thank you

Your man in South America.

xxxx(Kisses are for the women, don't get things twisted ok)

The Boxing Match

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e mail. I have found myself in a bit of an interesting situation regarding the title of this entry. I was in the gym as usual doing a work out. I always wear my ipod when i train it helps(those of us who train know what i mean). I had a conversation with the owner of the gym some time ago about what sport i train for. I told him i was not training for any sport however i liked boxing( at least thats what i thought i said). Yesterday there was a guy in the gym who i had seen before, he was talking with the owner for some time. I never took much notice because i was training.

The next thing i know i was tapped on the shoulder and asked if i wanted to practice with the guy i saw talking with the owner. At this point the whole gym was looking at me, just standing there starring at me, we are talking about 25 geezers just looking at me. I knoded and everyone but me was smiling and rubbing there hands together. Now i have to be honest i know i said i would be happy to train with this guy, there was no break down in communication on that point, however by the looks on everyone faces, it was as if Don King had just brokered another deal like the Thriller in Manila and the Rumble in the Jungle.

Standby on this one training starts in January.

The Boxing Match

Details to follow people. You will love this one.

The God Fathers

Hi everyone i hope all is well as you read this message. The family had an impromptu garden party yesterday. The 3 elderly men you see in the photos are the elders( I call them the godfathers because they sit at a different table from the women).

I was in my room on the computer when i was summoned to the garden by the man with the pony tail(that's Alexis i will talk about him in a short while). H e wanted me to come out and meet the family.

I walked out to the garden and was met by the three gentlemen sitting at a table, all with their arms folded just looking at me. I was invited to sit at the table, where they were sat, they just looked at me. Not wanting to let them intimidate me in any way, I introduced myself and shock each ones hand firmly. I think that worked because afterwards the drinks did not stop flowing.

Alexis is the man with the ponytail. What a character and a massive drinker. A very knowledgeable and well traveled man. He knows people all over South America and says he will help me out when i move onto other countries.

A good day shared with the family, If i e mailed anyone last night i apologize if i did not make sense i was a bit worse for wear, if you know what i mean.

I plan to go to a place called Cuzco at the end of December for a week to go and climb some mountains. I will keep you updated on that one.

Your man in South America

Laters

The God Fathers

Thank god for Doctors

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. The title is quite fitting for this episode of my travels. Well it started the day before after i had eaten in a sea food restaurant. I had prawn soup which also had corn, fried egg and rice in it. It went down a treat, i went for a long walk and even had an afternoon snooze to digest my meal.

The next day i awoke with a strange feeling in my stomach. We all know that feeling of (oh no) something is not right then shortly after that thought you make haste to the bathroom., as you are sitting comfortably with your head in your hands, (thoughts of oh my god i hope this does'nt continue all day) go through your mind. Judging by the amount of toilet paper i used i knew i was in for a bad day. I have been here 3 weeks without any problems but finally it got me.

I decided nil by mouth was the best approach. I went to the gym as usual and was busy looking good as i skipped in front of the mirror(doing my impression of Sugar Ray Leonard) then all of a sudden i could feel my bowl regions begin to move, my eyes widen as though i had woken up during the night and seen a Duppie(ghost to those who have not heard the term). I dropped my skipping rope and RAN to the toilet.

To my horror there was no toilet seat and no toilet paper in the mens toilet. PANIC had now set in. I have been in this position once before as a child. I had eaten too many mango's while on holiday in the West Indies, as a result had a terrible accident, certain members of my family have never let me forget it. I did not want to find myself in the same predicament.

I made a decision to Hussain BOLT(literally bolt) it to my house it was near by. This is where things go even further down hill. I make it back to my house. I burst through the door, now the first door you go through leads you to the garden, you then make your way to the house. In the garden as i entered were three friends of Senora Roas's daughter, all sitting in the garden chatting. I was literally running when Patty the daughter got in my way and began to introduce me to her friends. Well i nearly knocked her off her feet while trying to pass her on my way to the downstairs toilet, all i could say as i passed her was sorrrrrrrrrry.

I made it. After some 15 minutes i emerged from the downstairs bathroom. All i could do is apologize and explain my predicament. Lucky for me Patty's friends are all doctors and understood my urgency. I refuse to think about what could of happened. They took me to a local pharmacist and advised me on what to buy for my disposition. Close call.

The group then took me out for the day sight seeing around the capital Lima. There are so many people in the capital far too many for me, i can't see myself rushing back there in a hurry. The day ended with us all having a nice meal and me making my way back home.

Today my stomach seems to have rectified itself. Take it easy guys and we shall speak soon.

Your man in South America

Here are some pictures of a birthday party the woman blowing out the candles is called Patty, it's her birthday she is the daughter of Senora Rosa. A few of her friends and family came around and we had a few drinks.

Once again a chance to put my Spanish into practice. It's a good feeling when they understand you, then all of a sudden you say something and they all look at you like you've got two heads. One must continue trying.

Laters

Family gathering

Week 3

Hi Everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. It is Sunday evening and i am getting ready to start week 3. I am still working on sorting the problem with my video diary, please continue to be patient with me. I thought i'd add some new photo's. The one of the beach, well it speaks for it's self. I looked at it from an elevated view and decided i did not need a closer look, I have seen better beaches. As a result of that picture being the only shot i took today i thought i would spice it up a bit and post a picture of me trying to do a D'angelo impression(I know i will be in for some abuse but hey it's my blogg).

The weather is getting warmer as Xmas is drawing closer, It's a nice feeling being in a warm country at Xmas.

I am off to get something to eat so i will catch up with you guys later.

Your man in South America

Don

Is the training working ?

Week 3 approached

In the mini bus

Saturday Chill out day

The White Knuckle ride of the week

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Lets get straight to the point. The title of this entry speaks for itself. I know i have made mention of my recent journeys on the mini buses, but today has without a shadow of doubt been the worst journey i have ever had on any network that calls themselves public transport..

It started with my entry onto the mini bus. The conductor obviously took the view that due to my physic i could get onto the bus quite gracefully as it was still moving(wrong). I triple jumped in order to get onto the bus which resulted in me falling. The annoying thing was everyone on the bus looked at me as though i was the crazy one.

Now we have the journey. I not only had to suffer the humiliation of falling onto the bus but there were no seats available for me to sit down so i had to stand holding onto what i can only describe as a fridge door handle which had been stuck on with some form of adhesive to the inside of this mini bus. People were still looking at me as i was the only person standing.

The driver thought he was in a scene from the French connection swerving from one lane to the other. At one point i wondered if he was practicing his emergency stops for his test this weekend. As we barely missed one collision from another i began to hear myself saying Oooooh Aaaaaah. I looked around and nearly everyone was sleeping, I thought about handing out kneck braces.

It got to my stop and i got off i could not help but give the driver and his conductor the great British wave, it rhythms with SPANKERS. They waved back as though another satisfied customer has just left the safety of their bus.

As a result of my traumatic journey home i am currently having a large Scotch & Coke.

Good night all. I am out tomorrow night lets see what that brings.

Your man in South America

Don

Commuting

Hi everyone i hope this message reaches you all in good health. I have just got in from school and i am feeling tired. I thought i'd take a picture of some students who are studying English, their class is before mine in the same class room. I have been asked by my teacher to sit with them and speak English. I think they get alot of benefit from our chats. The roles then change and I speak with them in Spanish so in a way we are helping each other out.

The Journey home on the mini bus is an experience in it's self. It beggars belief how the locals sleep on that bus. Quite frankly the drivers just do what they want on the road. My experience tonight was a young man got on and sat next to me, after about 2 minutes he was fast asleep on my shoulder. What do you do in this kinda situation? the answer go with the flow, put his head in your lap and fall asleep on top of him. I could of done that and no one would of bat an eye lid.

Anyway time for bed see you all tomorrow.

School

My school teachers

Sorted

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I think i may have sorted my technical problems out, as you can see i have been able to download my photos. Those ones are of the party at my gym. There were some really nice people there. The next thing i have to sort out is my video diary, keep you fingers crossed for me, if i can sort that problem out we are truly up and running. I really want you all to get a feel of what is happening in South America. The battery on my camera is re-charging at the moment so once that is complete i can try and download my video diary. I will speak with you all later, off to the gym.

My photos

Cuban club

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I found myself in a Cuban Salsa bar last night called Son de Cuba. which means they of Cuba. What can i say, i spent half the night just watching those Cuban hombre's and senoritas doing their thing on the dance floor. Then i just had to get involved, you would not of been disappointed with my performance, i have decided to pay for a course, that's 12 lesson here i go i will keep you updated. It was a good night, for the first time since being here i felt like i was truly in Latin America. I will video the club the next time i am there just so you can see the vibe.( I will of sorted my comms out by then).

Today is a bank holiday and every body is just chilling out. The Family i am staying with have all gone to church for the whole day. It has been a domestic day for me, i have washed my clothes and bed linen(by hand can i say), I've been training and now just relaxing myself while writing to you guys.

I am going to go to a internet cafe tomorrow and see if i can download my video diary from there, things will be a lot more interesting for you to see.

Well until next time, take care all of you and i will keep you updated.

Don

End of week 1

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this. Well i have reached the end of my first week in Peru, so far so good. I went to a place called Miraflores last night. It is alot busier than where i am living, it's a little bit like our West end in London. There are alot of bar, resturants, clubs. I sat and people watched for a while. I then got talking to a local guy about the area. He told me it;s a good place to be at anytime, just as i thought i was going to have a good conversation in Spanish with this guy, his girlfriend turned up and asked me to buy her and him a drink. At that point i did the old yeah no problem let me just go to the toilet ploy and disappeared. The night life is busy here both inside the bars and clubs and outside. The outside scene is very different from the West end.

Week two begins tomorrow and i continue my Spanish classes and journey deeper into the South American culture. Speak soon.

Don

The gym Party

Hi everyone

I hope you are all well upon reading this e mail. I went to the gym party/barbecue, it was ok, nice and chilled. I took some photos which i am trying to download on to the blog, I am having problems and it's getting very frustrating, because alot is happening and i want you all to see the people i am meeting.

I had a good chat with the locals today in Spanish and have been advised to go to Miraflores for a good evening out. I will go there tonight and see.

I will sort out this technical hitch just bare with me.

Don

1st Day at school

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e mail.

Today was my first day at school. I had to get the local mini bus to school. what an experience, there is no such thing as give way in Lima Peru, It's called move out of my way or i will crash into you. I got there in one piece thank god. The lesson went well, my teacher seemed pleased with my level of Spanish, i have just got to build on it.

No strange encounters today so far. I am off to a party at my local gym. i will let you know how that went.

Found a school

Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e mail. Today was a good day from the prospective of learning Spanish, which is why i am here. I found a school and was able to register on a course for the next 4 weeks, I am very happy about that.

I have been doing my video dairy but as i said in my earlier correspondence i am having problems downloading it to my blog, the photos download very easy as you can see, I'm sure it 's just a small technical hitch, I have kept it very interesting for you all, please be patient with me.

I have begun to explore a bit more today. I went to a place called Miraflores. It seems much busier than where i am staying and upon speaking with the local taxi drivers it seems to be the place to be at the weekend, I'll get back to you on that one.

Take care everyone and i will keep you updated.

Don

I will sort out my technical hitch then you can see me in person and get a good feel of how things really are in Peru.