Saturday, 31 January 2009
The X factor
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Last night i was subjected to what i can only describe as an unwanted audition from the series X factor. The two "musician" you will see started a conversation in the TV room about there musical talents. The guy in the white shirt asked me if i could sing the blues (why he thought i could sing the blues is beyond me, bearing in mind he only met me some 3hrs before). The woman stated she had bought a mouth organ and had been practicing, she skipped off to go and get it. Upon her return i captured an impression of Roy Orbison and the woman out of the Carpenters singing the blues.
Comments please. If the camera is moving around a bit thats because i could not contain myself any longer and was laughing. They really thought they were jamming.
Your man in South America
Comments please. If the camera is moving around a bit thats because i could not contain myself any longer and was laughing. They really thought they were jamming.
Your man in South America
Friday, 30 January 2009
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Mountain Biking
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e-mail. Today was the mountain biking day, it has been a long and tiring day, however i have enough energy to report the days activities.
The start: I began the morning by meeting the group i was going mountain biking with, they were a group of Australians with one of two British people amongst them. They are touring together on a bus. we were all given a contract which basically said, if you hurt yourself the company will only pay $500.00 in insurance and thats only if the guide believes you have not damaged their bike. I am told this is normal when you are doing extreme sports. The group amounted to about 21 people, we toke a mini bus to the top of the mountain, there we were dropped off.
We got kitted up with safety equipment and given our bikes. It is explained to us that we are 4700.00ft up. It is suggested we take things easy coming down the mountain, the first hour we will be riding on tarmac. We were then split into groups, fast group, medium group and slow group. Those of you who really know me will know what group i choose to be in.
The middle: We began making our way down the mountain via the tarmac road. The weather was freezing, wet and cold, at the end of the first hour my face was so cold, when i spoke you would think i had a stroke because one side of my face could not move. I was dribbling as i was talking, i was so cold there was nothing i could do but keep apologizing for my saliva spraying on my colleagues as i tried to speak. At this stage i was not enjoying myself one bit. Also the tourist representative i booked the tour through forgot to tell me i needed to bring a change of clothing, everybody else had a change of clothing. I started to think i don't want this to turn into a scene from Roots where the only black geezer on the tour, is the only one who has not washed and changed his clothes and is stinking the mini bus out. There was nothing i could do, it was too late. I brought my Links (African scent), my plan was to Links myself up and that should keep me until i got back to my hotel.
End game: As we came closer to the finish, most of the way down i was directly behind the guide( You all know how competitive i am). I began to have problems with the gears on my bike and was over taken by some of my group. I don't mind being over taken under those circumstance, however i do mind when one of my group shout out SUCKER as they pass me. Those of you who really know me , know that, that was like slapping me in the face with a glove. I sorted my gear problem out and then i was on him like a married man trying to get his oats at the weekend from his wife(You are truly determined men, I salute you). He realized i was on his case and close behind him, every opportunity he had, he tried to block me passing him.
The terrain became very hazardous(we went off road) and the guide quickened the pace. I could see this guy was not comfortable with the terrain or the speed, i saw my opportunity and passed him, i know he heard the echo of my words Tosser as i passed him. this is true gratification. I finished the course directly behind the guide/instructor, the term came on like a lion and went out like a lamb, springs to mind.
It was a good day and a great achievement from all.
Your man in South America
Laters
The start: I began the morning by meeting the group i was going mountain biking with, they were a group of Australians with one of two British people amongst them. They are touring together on a bus. we were all given a contract which basically said, if you hurt yourself the company will only pay $500.00 in insurance and thats only if the guide believes you have not damaged their bike. I am told this is normal when you are doing extreme sports. The group amounted to about 21 people, we toke a mini bus to the top of the mountain, there we were dropped off.
We got kitted up with safety equipment and given our bikes. It is explained to us that we are 4700.00ft up. It is suggested we take things easy coming down the mountain, the first hour we will be riding on tarmac. We were then split into groups, fast group, medium group and slow group. Those of you who really know me will know what group i choose to be in.
The middle: We began making our way down the mountain via the tarmac road. The weather was freezing, wet and cold, at the end of the first hour my face was so cold, when i spoke you would think i had a stroke because one side of my face could not move. I was dribbling as i was talking, i was so cold there was nothing i could do but keep apologizing for my saliva spraying on my colleagues as i tried to speak. At this stage i was not enjoying myself one bit. Also the tourist representative i booked the tour through forgot to tell me i needed to bring a change of clothing, everybody else had a change of clothing. I started to think i don't want this to turn into a scene from Roots where the only black geezer on the tour, is the only one who has not washed and changed his clothes and is stinking the mini bus out. There was nothing i could do, it was too late. I brought my Links (African scent), my plan was to Links myself up and that should keep me until i got back to my hotel.
End game: As we came closer to the finish, most of the way down i was directly behind the guide( You all know how competitive i am). I began to have problems with the gears on my bike and was over taken by some of my group. I don't mind being over taken under those circumstance, however i do mind when one of my group shout out SUCKER as they pass me. Those of you who really know me , know that, that was like slapping me in the face with a glove. I sorted my gear problem out and then i was on him like a married man trying to get his oats at the weekend from his wife(You are truly determined men, I salute you). He realized i was on his case and close behind him, every opportunity he had, he tried to block me passing him.
The terrain became very hazardous(we went off road) and the guide quickened the pace. I could see this guy was not comfortable with the terrain or the speed, i saw my opportunity and passed him, i know he heard the echo of my words Tosser as i passed him. this is true gratification. I finished the course directly behind the guide/instructor, the term came on like a lion and went out like a lamb, springs to mind.
It was a good day and a great achievement from all.
Your man in South America
Laters
Friday, 23 January 2009
Mountain Biking
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I have booked myself on a day trip mountain biking down a very large mountain. Speaking with the locals about the excursion, they all just look at me and raise an eye brow (I think the look means, another crazy foreigner trying to ride down a mountain). Stand-by i will take some photo's if i survive.
Laters
Your man in South America
Laters
Your man in South America
Thursday, 22 January 2009
My arrival in Bolivia
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. The journey to Bolivia wasn't too bad, i tried sleeping throughout the journey but i could not get comfortable so just dosed in and out of sleep, so i am very tired as i right this entry. I cannot tell you much about the scenery during the night for obvious reason, however when morning broke the beautiful landscape i expected to see was marred by derelict and unfinished buildings, this seem to steal my attention away from the fantastic mountains i was passing.
We arrived at the border of Peru and Bolivia at about 8am. I looked at the border town in which we were pulling into, my immediate thought was i should be arriving on a horse wearing a stetson and calling myself Big John from the high chaparal (That's an old western series for you youngsters who have not heard of it). There were people moving cattle and sheep through the town, there was the odd hombre riding through town on his mule.
Then came the 2hr wait to see border control. When i eventually got into the office i was handed a form to fill out, the form was quickly snatched from my hand by a young boy about 15yrs. He began filling out my form which initially i thought was a bit strange but then i took the view he was trying to help bring the que down WRONG. When he completed my form and i signed it, he demanded 5 soles from me. What was annoying the other officials in the office sat there laughing at me. I took out a few coins from my pocket and held them in my right hand, shaking my right hand in slow motion and at the same time smiling at him and saying something that rhythms with your a real PRANKER you got me. Moral of the story nothing anybody does for you in the border towns is free.
My hotel is nice, i have a nice room no Tv but i have a heater, which is on as i am writing this entry. I am not surprised but the internet here is not strong enough for me to download my video diary, sorry folks i am back to describing things as best i can.
I am supposed to be meeting a friend of mine here, he is one of the sons of the family i lived with in Lima, he may be busy at work. Also there are reports of a bit of civil unrest here. I saw a little evidence of that today as i walked around the streets. I saw demonstrators shouting and then i saw what i quickly recognized to be police in riot gear. There is going to be a demonstration in the next couple of days. I don't think i will be here for long people. This is not the scene where the only black geezer in Bolivia is caught on camera been chased by an angry mob who are hell bent on killing foreigners. What you will see is Don Simon doing an impression of a dark cloud disappearing over the mountains into Argentina.
Well the period of time i am here really depends on my friend Alexis, if he has time he will definitely show me about, if not i am out of here, standby for update.
Your man in South America
We arrived at the border of Peru and Bolivia at about 8am. I looked at the border town in which we were pulling into, my immediate thought was i should be arriving on a horse wearing a stetson and calling myself Big John from the high chaparal (That's an old western series for you youngsters who have not heard of it). There were people moving cattle and sheep through the town, there was the odd hombre riding through town on his mule.
Then came the 2hr wait to see border control. When i eventually got into the office i was handed a form to fill out, the form was quickly snatched from my hand by a young boy about 15yrs. He began filling out my form which initially i thought was a bit strange but then i took the view he was trying to help bring the que down WRONG. When he completed my form and i signed it, he demanded 5 soles from me. What was annoying the other officials in the office sat there laughing at me. I took out a few coins from my pocket and held them in my right hand, shaking my right hand in slow motion and at the same time smiling at him and saying something that rhythms with your a real PRANKER you got me. Moral of the story nothing anybody does for you in the border towns is free.
My hotel is nice, i have a nice room no Tv but i have a heater, which is on as i am writing this entry. I am not surprised but the internet here is not strong enough for me to download my video diary, sorry folks i am back to describing things as best i can.
I am supposed to be meeting a friend of mine here, he is one of the sons of the family i lived with in Lima, he may be busy at work. Also there are reports of a bit of civil unrest here. I saw a little evidence of that today as i walked around the streets. I saw demonstrators shouting and then i saw what i quickly recognized to be police in riot gear. There is going to be a demonstration in the next couple of days. I don't think i will be here for long people. This is not the scene where the only black geezer in Bolivia is caught on camera been chased by an angry mob who are hell bent on killing foreigners. What you will see is Don Simon doing an impression of a dark cloud disappearing over the mountains into Argentina.
Well the period of time i am here really depends on my friend Alexis, if he has time he will definitely show me about, if not i am out of here, standby for update.
Your man in South America
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Machupicchu
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Yesterday i saw one of the wonders of the world, believe me it is was well worth seeing if the opportunity arises, the guide was very knowledgeable and i learnt a lot about the Inca culture. I apologize for the brief footage on the mountain i am still having problems with the recording facility on my camera, I took some photographs which i hope will give you an incite to one of the wonders of the world. This place is truly magnificent and holds a power of it's own. When you look at the engineering of the city it tells me the Inca people were a strong and intelligent race.
I am beginning to make plans to move to Bolivia in a week or so. Machupicchu is a powerful place and somewhere i will never forget.
I am beginning to make plans to move to Bolivia in a week or so. Machupicchu is a powerful place and somewhere i will never forget.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Technical problems
Hi everyone as you can see i have managed to get my videos downloaded, however it is only giving me about 20- 40 sec recording. Do any of you geniuses know what to do when your camera says (internal memory full change memory card). Apart from the obvious, when you have changed the card and it still says it, what do i do?
I await useful responses, until then i will download my video footage and try and make it interesting for you all. Take care every one and you should see me daily.
I await useful responses, until then i will download my video footage and try and make it interesting for you all. Take care every one and you should see me daily.
Friday, 9 January 2009
One week in Cuzco
Hi everyone i hope you are all in good health upon reading this message. I have been in Cuzco for about 5 days actually. I have to say i am not keen on the place. I have come from warm sunny days wearing shorts and sandals to thermal undies and woolly hats. It is not as cold as England presently however i object to wearing a woolly hat in South America. I was shocked to discover there is no heating anywhere in this part of Peru. I observe the locals, they are wearing clothes on top of clothes indoors. I have decided once i have seen the famous ruin it will be time to find warmer regions.
I have booked to see the ruins next week Tuesday, rest assured i will take lots of pictures and try to describe the scene as best i can.
I have nothing planned this weekend accept keeping warm, however if i come across anything interesting i will let you know. Speak soon.
Your man in South America.
I have booked to see the ruins next week Tuesday, rest assured i will take lots of pictures and try to describe the scene as best i can.
I have nothing planned this weekend accept keeping warm, however if i come across anything interesting i will let you know. Speak soon.
Your man in South America.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Cuzco
Hi every one i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I am in Cuzco and it is totally different from Lima which is the capital. I am about 6000km above sea level and believe me you can feel the effects. I have had to slow down in everything i do otherwise i become short of breath. Cuzco is very mountainous and the roads here are very very hilly. I find just walking up steps in the street is really hard work. I consider myself to be very fit and i am having difficulties walking around.
My plan is to see Macchu Picchu and move on. I can't see myself being here for very long, it's not my kinda town. I want to move onto Bolivia. The communication up here comes and goes so don't worry if you don't here from me for a couple of days, as soon as it returns i will update you all.
Your man in South America not feeling great at the moment but still fighting through.
My plan is to see Macchu Picchu and move on. I can't see myself being here for very long, it's not my kinda town. I want to move onto Bolivia. The communication up here comes and goes so don't worry if you don't here from me for a couple of days, as soon as it returns i will update you all.
Your man in South America not feeling great at the moment but still fighting through.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Arrival in Cuzco
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I arrived today in Cuzco, this is where the famous ruins and mountains of Macchu Picchu are. The Spanish family i lived with warned me about the altitude sickness. As soon as i came out of the airport it hits you in the lungs. I became short of breath, a little dizzy and i could feel my lungs tightening. I have been advised to take a rest before doing anything.
I am going to take a rest now and will update you all as the week goes on.
I am going to take a rest now and will update you all as the week goes on.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Leaving Party
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. Tonight is my last night living with my Spanish family. To say they gave me a good send off is an understatement. Family and friends turned out today to see me off, i was really touched that Mama Rosita came and sat with me for a while, she is the head woman of the entire family and believe me when i say the family is big.
One of the sons Chano is a very good musician, he's the man with the goaty beard. He arranged for some of his musician friends to come and they played music from their culture. It's not until you witness first had for yourself then you realize that there are some really talented people in the world. The music was very very good, hence you can see me breaking out some moves. I was being taught the local dance to the Peruvian music, just as well i've been in training.
I really do feel my journey actually starts from tomorrow. I have had a great time here however it's time to take off the stabilizers and ride off on my own. I am on my way to Cuzco in the morning.
Once i have arrived and settled i will update everyone. Take care and stand by for updates.
Your man in South America.
One of the sons Chano is a very good musician, he's the man with the goaty beard. He arranged for some of his musician friends to come and they played music from their culture. It's not until you witness first had for yourself then you realize that there are some really talented people in the world. The music was very very good, hence you can see me breaking out some moves. I was being taught the local dance to the Peruvian music, just as well i've been in training.
I really do feel my journey actually starts from tomorrow. I have had a great time here however it's time to take off the stabilizers and ride off on my own. I am on my way to Cuzco in the morning.
Once i have arrived and settled i will update everyone. Take care and stand by for updates.
Your man in South America.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
New Years Eve Party
Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this message. I went to the party of all parties last night, I must say the Cubans know how to celebrate the new year. The place was massive and it was full up, not so much that you could not dance or move around. The atmosphere was electric at the count down, some of the night you had to wear a mask it's a tradition in Cuba i'm told. I had a nice time met some nice people then went home.
It is the1st January 2009. I have been here a month today, the month has flown by. I begin my travels on Monday. The family i am living with are throwing me a leaving party over the weekend, they are the best.
I am feeling a bit delicate this morning so i will catch you lot later.
It is the1st January 2009. I have been here a month today, the month has flown by. I begin my travels on Monday. The family i am living with are throwing me a leaving party over the weekend, they are the best.
I am feeling a bit delicate this morning so i will catch you lot later.
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