Borders Are Stupid
Whenever I approach an international border, I break into a cold sweat. This is not because I have contraband in my suitcase or cocaine in my ass. This is because border crossings are created to make you feel guilty, just like traffic stops by cops. Borders are there to remind you that you belong to a country, and not to the world.
Close Encounters of the Peruvian Kind
Before we leave Peru, I want to take a moment to remember some people who passed through our lives during our two months in this amazing country. The Guard at the Presidential Palace You know those very serious, unsmiling guards in front of presidential and governmental palaces? There were several of them in front of […]
Machu Picchu: Tragic Magic
“You want it quiet?!” The drunken Peruvian in the boxer shorts stood on the roof across from me. He held a bottle in one hand and gesticulated wildly with the other. “You want the music QUIET?!” “Yes!” I shouted across the street. “Si! Por favor! We can’t sleep!” It’s two in the morning in Aquas […]
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is typically the area which tourists blow through on their way to Machu Picchu. We were advised by our friend Alan Brownstein to stay longer, and are grateful for the advice. There was something here for all of us, and while being fairly touristy, most tourists were passing through quickly and focused […]
Four Towns, Five Monkeys, Three Parachutes and a Broken Laptop
We have gone through four cities in whirlwind, four situations that couldn’t be more different from each other. We left you in Chiclayo, Peru, where we stayed in a casino. It was probably the most depressing casino I’ve ever stayed in, which is saying a lot. A green waterfall in the lobby was turned off […]
Disturbing Playground in Chiclayo
Chiclayo is know for being surrounded by amazing ancient ruins and interesting museums. No one ever told me about the disturbing playgrounds. This one is a mere half block from where we’re staying. Our hotel, perhaps suitably, is part of a casino.