For the last time in mind yet again beating to escape office non-work, I decided to take a trip. In agreement with my boss and my co-ordinator Melissa Pio I got free for a week and thus had to count two weekends, 9 days left for my trip. I decided to tackle this journey alone. Although I was aware that it would be lonely to one or another moment, and you could keep only pleasant experiences for themselves, and no other parts, but I wanted to try this experiment for me personally once. I promised complete freedom to make any arrangements with anyone and just nine days only what I feel like myself. My planned route took me from Pucallpa of up to 4,300 meters high in the Andes and on a side road down to the Andenostabhang back to Pucallpa.
first Day (Saturday, 11/06/2010)
went by bus first to Huánuco. The trip offered no specifics. The only notable was a conversation with a Peruvian, who destroyed the government coca plantations in the region of Tingo Maria. He told me about the dangers of his work and gave me some behavioral evidence for these relatively antagonistic - after all, Tingo Maria, the last stronghold of the terrorist group Sendero Luminoso - region.
Arrived in Huánuco I called Leonard. I had her and another weltwärts volunteers, Jana, in Pucallpa to know the "Oktoberfest". With her I was able to put my luggage and they showed me the center of Huanuco. In the afternoon we went with a group of Peruvian students, including the guest of sister Leonie, for a night to camp in a small Andean village. We came to a farmhouse, some distance away from the village that bears the name Salapampa "under. Actually, the aim of this trip, carried out at the children a "dental cleaning". That was then but for some reasons not known to me nothing. So the real work was in the village only on the distribution of campaign posters and notice that sometime in the near future free drugs should be distributed. The rest of the time we stayed at the farmer and his wife. We were cooks delicious with very modest means and set fire, after we had set up the tents, a campfire. After nice gathering around the fire, I decided first to go to bed. I was so tired from the trip that I could not even keep alive the waiting at midnight birthday of John, another German volunteers. When I just put into words in my sleeping bag and was about to fall asleep was, it started to rain. After a short time, from the tent, a cave and I got up to the others know that soak through all the tents. Fortunately, the son struck before the Peasants that we could sleep in the house. I accepted this offer gladly. So I could still sleep fairly well. I was awakened when the majority of the group against 2 clock, clearly drunk, also the dryness of this area in April.
second Day (Sunday, 07/11/2010)
After that date, no longer quite so good night, I woke up at around 7 clock. It seemed that the others had celebrated the night before a true Sauforgie. Three drunks were spread over the garden.
After breakfast, we again had prepared the farmer's wife, we left the farm. I had her and her husband over a guilty conscience. We left the image of urban young people who are quartered in vain and quite aggressive on poor people, for the bargain price of 2 Soles per person would be cooked for the evening and morning and had turned the night to a noisy Sauforgie. This was really not the goal of my trip. I wanted to come in contact with the rural population and may not reinforce their prejudice against the (rich) urban youth have.
By bus we went back the 45 minutes of Huánuco. I went with Leon a bit through the city, among other things, to a lookout point on a mountain, which should evolve on my trip yet become a regular ritual, and ate my mandatory 3 Sol 50 menu.
At about 3 clock afternoon we went by bus to Cerro de Pasco. Of Huanuco, which is after all, already close to 1900 meters, went on to climb to 4300 meters. I arrived at dusk in Cerro de Pasco, one of the highest cities in the world. The temperature was close to freezing point and the town was deserted, it was almost none, at least not powered on street lamps. I was looking for a hostel, and quickly found a short time even for a cheap room with cable television. The TV turned to this and the following evenings out to be a good investment. After all, can be quite lonely, especially in such harsh regions of the cold evenings. In the course of the evening I had to find that unfortunately most of my clothes got wet in my backpack - Shit Happens - and it was tedious work to get them dry again. I also realized that at the point of a shower shared by only one of the hostel filled with ice cold water Keg stand. The shower much then quite sporadic and fast. After all, I went with a clean feeling and no problems with altitude, which surprised me frankly pretty, I had with Christian a year ago to spend at 4500 meters a true horror night, at 8 clock to bed and spent a while cold but very restful night.
third Day (Monday, 11/08/2010)
Early on, it pulled me out. I wanted to see Cerro de Pasco. Wrapped in sweaters, jeans and my long trek jacket I bought my first a cap. Already by the colorful market, I saw a small peak, I decided shortly decided to climb. It first went through one of the typical residential area, stretching down in almost all South African cities on the slopes and then across country further and further uphill. Once at the summit showed my GPS to a height of 4456 meters. This was my first preparation for the planned ascent with Konsti 6000, in Lima to be spent weltwärts year. The view of the city was impressive. In the distance loomed the snow-and ice-covered Andean peaks of bright blue sky and in the middle of town I could see from above, the reason for my trip to this city, which would otherwise attract little tourists, the first time. A huge gaping hole in the middle of the city. The company "Volcan" here builds mainly lead and zinc.
I climbed back into the center of the city and took a bus to the entrance of the mine. At the well-guarded entrance, I asked for admission and a guided tour of the mine. I honestly did not believe that this was possible at all, but certainly also due to my gringo bonus, took a staff time for me. However, he only came to tell me that you had to write before the visit of the mine an application and undergo a two-day workshop health check and security. My plan to look at from inside the mine was Thus, unfortunately, nothing, but also from outside, provided impressive images. Me a lot while running around the huge hole again and again the signs "Propiedad Privada - private property" with the logo of Volcan in the middle of the living quarters on. I asked a Peruvian, what that meant. The simple explanation is that Volcan buying up residential areas, as the mine continued to grow ever disappear, and thus more and more houses in it. People need to give themselves to their fate and settle on the mountain slopes in the outskirts of the city. There are plans by the Peruvian government, the city of Cerro de Pasco to relocate. Whether this will ever happen, is very questionable. Lack of money and the fact that the town of Cerro de Pasco only exists because of the mine to emphasize the absurdity of this plan.
After a delicious lunch - ceviche and fried trout - I was once a one-hour nap. I noticed now but a little disappointed that I was at 4300 meters above sea level.
afternoon I took a taxi to the "Bosque de Piedras - Forest of Stone". I was the only person who looked at this tourist attraction in the region. The ticket booth was not manned and so I was using my GPS device and easily. For the next hour gave good views. I went across country past some impressive precipices, and had to struggle with the effort of walking uphill at this altitude.
Back to Cerro de Pasco am I hitchhiked. I chatted with the driver and his companion, and was glad that I hail the view from the dry and warm cab of the truck was. Back in Cerro de Pasco, it began to dawn. I went a bit through the city, went to the internet cafe and ate a hamburger. When I am exhausted in my bed presented, all of a sudden my legs started to hurt extremely on. I'd probably be charged in this amount on the day too much. I spent 3 sleepless hours in my cold bed, my guide through the pages for symptoms of altitude sickness and was not particularly reassured when I read thrombosis and then decided at midnight, einzuschmeißen a painkiller. Luckily they had and I could finally sleep.
4th Day (Tuesday, 11/09/2010)
The night had me pretty geschlaucht. The leg pain was still a little upset stomach - perhaps Ceviche in Cerro de Pasco not such a good idea although it was very tasty - and I needed that morning for a long time to get out of bed. I packed my backpack in a snail's pace and finally went to the bus terminal in the early afternoon. The next 3 hours of La Oroya, I could relax in a spacious bus a little.
La Oroya promised according to Internet references a very special experience. After all, she is one of the dirtiest cities described in the world and the Monte Meiggs, the 5000, I wanted to climb from there, presented in the truest sense of the word was the highlight of my trip dar.
What I do not understand is that the pollution of these City responsible metal smelting plant of the U.S. American company Doe Run has been closed for one and a half years. There are currently no toxic gases more impressive by the chimney blown into the atmosphere and river water is not contaminated with toxins. La Oroya, I experienced quite the contrary, ordered and tidy. What the past, however, leaves 98% percent of children with blood lead levels that exceed the limit by a wide. Doe Run also leaves behind a dead city. In La Oroya concentrated almost everything, as in Cerro de Pasco, on this one company. Today the city has really only as innerperuanischer hub meaning.
today I made a small tour of the city. I let the day quietly to the first, to cure indigestion and me second, prepare for tomorrow's summit attempt. In the evening I looked like the days before television came to pass and am already at 9 clock in the realm of dreams.
5th Day (Wednesday, 10/11/2010)
The day promised to be exciting. My alarm clock rang at 6. I got ready for a strenuous mountain climb. The sky was overcast and I had a little anxious. If the summit would be surrounded by clouds, I would not today be able to climb it. I still drove a taxi for Anticona Pass, the winds at 4818 meters above sea level, on glaciers, across the Andes. With relief, I could see that the Monte Meiggs was completely cloud free. I wanted to tackle the adventure. Although I had already climbed last year in Bolivia 5000, but there we had a car already placed at 5300 meters and the last meters to the summit can not really be called true mountain climbing. I saw this mountain So as my first real 5000. After I had arranged with one item of the mining company, Volcan, that I am in an emergency would be with my torch lights flashing, I grabbed the not difficult, but very hard climb. It took me an hour to the nearly 5100 meters high peaks reach. Top, I realized that had caught within a few moments, the whole sky. I could look only 10 yards and got it to do with fear. Then there was an icy wind and snow, which was burning in my face. Luckily my GPS device my ascent route lined with, and I was glad that I could depend on him. I was generally only about 2 minutes on the summit, made the obligatory summit photo and wanted as quickly as possible, before the weather worsened, back down.
relief I could find that the weather has cleared again. It was probably really just a cloud that had shrouded the summit a few minutes. Still, I got into a monkey pace down the Monte Meiggs. After half an hour I came back in to the post. The staff wanted me only after I showed him my summit photo believe I was really at the top. I was quite done, but this adventure I will never forget in my life. I feel that I can do with the right training at the 6000.
turned to go back to La Oroya to myself with an outstretched thumb to the road. After a short time stopped a jeep. The 65 year-old driver looked suspiciously like Gringo, but I changed only a few words in English with him. However, it turned out quickly that he was German. He was in the 70 years as pastor here in Peru. I had with him a most interesting conversation about my role as a volunteer on the city of La Oroya and the German colonies in the east Andes. It's amazing where you can meet anywhere in the world in German.
Back in La Oroya, I showered me, grabbed my things and ate my lunch. We took the taxi to Tarma. Tarma is only at about 3000 meters high and has been a much milder climate than La Oroya and Cerro de Pasco. The fertile valley around this city is considered the main growing area for flowers for the capital. The city is mainly built in colonial style. My hostel had wooden floors and high ceilings, a beautiful patio and generally I've felt very comfortable here. Tarma is really nice and I think a real alternative to Cusco. Although there are no Machu Picchu, but the surrounding landscape has above all her charms. I did my tour of the city and went looking for a good view of the neighborhood again up.
Early in the evening I went out to the hostel, because I have the hardships of the 5000s still clearly felt in my bones and muscles.
When I was about to eat again soon on the road a little thing, three Dutch arrived in the hostel step inside. There were 2 men and a woman about 35 years old who were on the trail of Che Guevara's with their motorcycles on the road in South America. I could not believe it that here I met Dutch. I even suggested to drink a beer before, but they seemed very stressed, as one of their motorcycles broke down and organize them for the onward journey to Puallpa . Had So I went without a beer in the company back to bed early and spent a relaxing, not cold night.
6th Day (Thursday, 11/11/2010)
the Dutch I met the next morning briefly on the street when I just got back from a photo tour and my breakfast came. However, sufficient time was only for a short farewell, because I wanted to go to La Merced. So I was a little sad that I had no way to come to talk with them, because at least I found her very interesting trip.
It went with a taxi to La Merced. The route to this city, which lies only 700 meters already in tropical vegetation was breathtaking. Within one and a half hours, the landscape changed completely. We passed hundreds of meters high waterfalls, always close to the abyss and surrounded by evergreen and dense vegetation. I had to think of the Dutch, because the street screamed then, so riding a bike to be. However, they had chosen a different route.
Arrived in La Merced, I looked for it for now a hotel. After that I went through the city and almost as it was to me almost happened already in Tarma, fell for one a tourist trap. I almost took part in a guided tour, am glad in retrospect but that the mind has triumphed. All that offers you a tourist agency in Peru, can you also on your own and thus cheaper and closer by pulling on the population. I went to La Merced in an old suspension bridge and a waterfall that is called "Catarata Tirol. The German influence in this region of Peru is obvious. After a lunch break and a dismounted rain I went as high a mountain to the city from the vantage point to photograph from above.
Then I wanted a little stroll through the city, I can hear in the Plaza de Armas anyone calling me. Who was that you may already be thinking fast. Over a glass of beer told me the Dutchman all that I had the night before so interested. They had been traveling for two months, and wanted to come to Colombia. They were really cool and we had a lot of fun. We exchanged phone numbers and have stayed here that they should report arrived in Pucallpa with me.
After I walked for half an hour the Internet Café and then on the market to eat dinner. Here I met Victor, an employee of the Peruvian telephone company, who had to work here in the Selva Central. I had again the reason of my stay in Peru to tell you what bugs me something first, as I have told the same story in the last few days, an estimated 1000 times. It evolved from it but a nice conversation and we exchanged phone numbers from the end. Then I tired a lot in my bed and slept, despite television immediately.
7th Day (Friday, 11/12/2010)
early as last night I had a delicious breakfast on the Market happy. On the way there I met, how could it be otherwise, for the last time the Dutch. Arrived on the market I had no alternative but to beat me in this over-supply of food to the stomach full. After I was stuffed for a pineapple and papaya juice, an empanada, a chicken sandwich and a large piece of chocolate coconut cake already up to here, I discovered a vendor who sold three pineapples for a sol, ie the equivalent of 30 cents. Since I just had to strike. So I have a pineapple stuffed into me. I really had abdominal pain, but that I had indeed brewed himself.
It ended today with the taxi to Villa Rica. After one and half hours on mostly dirt road I arrived at lunch in the coffee capital of Peru at 1,600 meters. I was by Erik and Betty picked up two DED Weltwärts learning and ate with them at lunch and I went with Erik to a beautiful lake. As the two work had again in the afternoon, I had a little time to relax me. I strolled through Villa Rica, the last time went to a lookout point and took some photos.
evening then we plunged into the nightlife of Villa Rica - after all it was nachzufeiern Bettina birthday (it was yesterday 20). In a rustic bar, we took a few drinks with us until we went to the only disco this small town. First, in the black hole, nothing was going on. But slowly filled the shop a bit and we had a really cute and funny evening.
At about 2 clock I go to bed and had to sleep so exactly 4 hours, because by 6 clock would ring my alarm clock.
8th Day (Saturday, 11/13/2010)
At 6 clock so therefore I was torn from my deep sleep and had to quickly pack my things. After a brief farewell to Eric and Bettina, who wanted to sleep two more understandably still went I am on the departure of the cars and buses. I had already bought a ticket yesterday for the back of a pickup. I expected a fairly adventurous journey. The pickup would take me first to Ciudad Conception, where I would have to find another transport to Pucallpa. When I saw the pickup truck waiting for that big buses were passing through to Pucallpa in Villa Rica, I was a bit annoyed that nobody had told me earlier. The reason was that the main route from Lima to Pucallpa was blocked by the coca growers, and thus the buses on this branch line, which was still easy to drive - in a few weeks the rainy season they turn into a mud track - Has been redirected.
But I had already bought my ticket for the pickup and did not want to forfeit. So it went to 7 clock going at last. The ride was very rough, dusty and the exhaust always seemed to just move into my nose. After about a half hour trip we picked up the buses to Pucallpa, there were 6 in number, one. I decided just decided to upgrade. So I had indeed paid on a flight two times the fare, but it was worth it to me at this moment in the face of a comfortable and spacious Bussitzplatzes.
The bus ride was pure an adventure. The single-lane dirt road is not really for such large vehicles designed. The bus had to maneuver with extreme caution through the narrow curves. Very often sat on his backside on the ground and swinging was also once picked up a rock wall. Three times had to get all the passengers. First, because the bus was placed, once they had the free-hooked the front steps after hitting a rock in the tire and once had a not very confidence-wood bridge be crossed without a passenger. Overall, the 14-hour bus ride but a great experience. The landscape of the eastern slopes of the Andes is just an original beauty.
I arrived at about 9 clock in the evening again in Pucallpa at.
My trip was worth it in every way. I had great encounters with people and their country, have experienced unforgettable adventure and my photo gallery has gained a lot. The travel alone has brought me a lot of fun, and I must say that I am the one time or another have felt a bit lonely and it is very nice also, if you can share so unforgettable experiences with someone.
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