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Hai! Sooo.. I decided to do a Tumblr giveaway thing!
Reblog or like this post for a chance to win my pearl necklace. Doing both increases your chances of course ;)
Pink freshwater pears from Russia 24 inches in length. It's super pretty.
I'll be choosing a winner on May 13th.
Boys can play too :) You can give the necklace to your mommy or a pretty lady.
Altering this post disqualifies you
The winner will also be receiving a mystery box of mysteriousness.
K bai ^.^
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I don't even care about the necklace, she is just ridiculously pretty. Can't decide if I just want to be her, or fuck...
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text:
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For after-hours, non-life-threatening psychiatric and behavioral health emergencies, call 970-221-2114.
Compassionate care is always close at hand at Touchstone Health Partners. Outpatient clinics at eight convenient Larimer County locations offer accessible, affordable, behavioral health care in your community for you and your family.
Mental illness and addiction are real. They are common. And they are treatable.
Think about how many people you know in our community: friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, parents, and children. One out of every four of those people you know will have a diagnosable mental disorder at some point in their lives. One out of every five children has an emotional disorder. In Colorado alone, 30% need mental health or substance use disorder care.
With one of every four of us affected by a mental health condition, these illnesses are far too common to ignore – or to be a source of shame. You should never be afraid to ask your mental health questions or to seek help. At Touchstone Health Partners, you will be treated with the dignity and respect you deserve, by people who understand that you are struggling to do the best you can while dealing with the real impacts of mental illness and addiction in your daily life. And you'll receive the behavioral health care you need at a cost you can afford. Our mental health support and addiction treatment services for adults, children and families are proven, affordable, and accessible in your communities throughout Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, and across Larimer County.
Mental illness and addiction can feel as though they can define who you are and control your life. Recovery means that you manage your mental health – it doesn't control you. At Touchstone, our expert behavioral health professionals support your recovery through treatment, medication and support services.
At Touchstone Health Partners, we see people for their potential – not for their diagnosis.
It can be easy to lose hope, especially when family members, employers, the community, and even the criminal justice system have all given up. No one blames someone for having Alzheimer's, but it is sadly all too common for family, friends, and even society to turn their back on someone with a mental health or addictive disorder.
Touchstone Health Partners recognizes these disorders as biological, brain-based disorders. You will not be judged or made to feel ashamed. Rather, you will receive the individualized care and proven treatment you need.
Treatment works.
Mental and addictive disorders are brain-based disorders that are every bit as real as other medical conditions, like cancer, heart disease or diabetes. And, like these other illnesses, treatment can mean the difference between life and death.
Touchstone Health Partners is a one-stop community behavioral health resource for those living with mental health and addictive disorders. Whether you are looking for services for yourself or a loved one, Touchstone is the place for people of all ages to find behavioral health treatment, support, and resources.
Cost should never be a barrier to accessing treatment. Touchstone Health Partners is committed to provide treatment to those who would otherwise not be able to afford it. Services available across the Larimer County community including in Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park mean that compassionate care is always nearby.
All because our touchstone is the belief that lives really can be transformed through RECOVERY, RENEWAL, and RESPECT.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A small gold box held a few pieces of grandma's costume jewelry, which I knew she loved. It included a fabulous iridescent lime green rhinestone ring that really caught the light and La Diva can not wait to wear it. The most precious item of all was my mother's prayer card with her death notice from the paper, carefully kept in a plastic sleeve with a pressed four leaf clover.
cooking class, cocktails, parties, cocktail party, Miami, coral gables, events, bartending class, cocktail class, Laura Lafata, Miami Beach, miami cooking classes, bachelorette parties, bachelorette party, personal chef, corporate events, catering, personal chef, party entertainment, www.ladivacucina.com, top chef


text:
Writing is a tough profession. The competition makes the strongest writers think twice. But those of us lured by the magnificence of story are committed to creating a world where our readers slip into the shoes of our characters and are whisked away to an amazing, yet uncertain, thrill.
Every writer has a gauge by which she measures her stories—the one she is currently writing and the ones being shopped at publishing houses.
Feel what you want readers to feel
My barometer is that each reader comes to expect an adventure from my books. This is a two-way street. If I don't have an adventure while writing the story, how can I expect a reader to? When I laugh, cry, hate, love, argue, discover, run for my life, and leap mountains (through my characters), I expect my readers to do the same.
How do I measure success? Each book has to have deeper characterization than the previous, a more intricate plot, and a setting that challenges the storyline.
Dynamic characters
I insist on an unlikely heroine—a woman qualified and able to solve a problem, but who has the odds stacked against her. She's feminine, capable of feeling, and mentally strong. She may or may not be a Christian, but she will find faith by the end, learning to solve her problems through a Christian worldview.
The hero will be a strong man who appreciates many aspects of the heroine. They have differing views and argue but learn to work together while they step from one danger to another.
The villain is motivated by greed. He's intelligent and charms with power, money, or wit. I prefer to hide his identity so my readers can be a part of the heroine's journey.
Deliberate plotting
While developing my characters, I think about a plot line that presents my heroine with a nearly impossible goal. My plot parallels the heroine's profession and puts her in danger.
Plotting involves asking: What is the worst possible thing that could happen to my character? How can I raise the stakes in every scene? How can I keep the reader on the edge of her seat and glued to the book?
Are my readers breathless? Filled with excitement? Do they sense the danger? Are they swept away in a romance? Only if I have been during the writing.
Detailed setting
I'm always looking for the best place to set my story. What setting interests or terrifies my heroine? My research has taken me from Sudan to riding the line with the Border Patrol to interviewing treasure hunters in West Texas to FBI cold cases.
What about you? What kinds of characters pique your interest? What plots rob you of sleep? What settings send chills up your spine? Now is the time to get started on your adventure.
DiAnn Mills combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. She has 50 books in print and has sold more than 1.5 million copies. Her Sworn to Protect won a 2011 Christy Award in the Contemporary Romance Category. Breach of Trust won the same award in 2010. DiAnn is the Craftsman mentor for the Christian Writers Guild.


text:
Some thoughts on the latest entry of X-Men films, The Wolverine!
Upcoming character redesigns for Marvel NOW
(Source: thebayharbourbutcher)
(Source: lighthouselullabies)
The second issue of Avengers Versus X-Men, Marvel's first big event of the year hit the shelves today, and man does it have me itching for more. The talking is done, and the fighting actually begins in this issue, and the creative team behind this issue, Jason Arron and John Romita Jr. shows it in all of its glory.
One of the things that had me worried about this event from the beginning was the fact that each issue is going to be handled by a rotation of writers and artists, which had me fearing glaring inconsistencies. Bendis gave Arron a nice pitch though, and Arron hit it out of the park, as the two (or three) issues released thus far seem to have no issues in consistency. Arron does do his best though to make this issue his own though, with astounding results.
Read More…


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The Detroit Lions move away from the Matt Millen era has been a blessing for the Lions and all N.F.L. fans especially on Thanksgiving, soon to be one of many prime-time games the Lions play in during the season. The Lions haven't arrived yet, but by acting aggressively in the N.F.L. draft and deploying a best player available philosophy the Lions are on the cusp of being a team that perennially competes for a playoff spot.
Let's take a look at the Lions needs.
I think it'd be fair to say as far as needs go Linebacker is the #1 need for the Detroit Lions, by releasing Julian Peterson the Lions have left themselves remarkably barren at the linebacker position, Zach Follet serious injury suffered against the New York Giants is also cause of concern. The Detroit Lions have shown they will stick to their board (the right thing to do in the draft), but if a linebacker falls to them somewhere and provides good value they'll pull the trigger.
I would list safety here as well if they didn't draft Amari Spivey last year so I'll give him a chance to develop before writing him off, but I'll just say this they were starting C.C. Brown for some games at safety so that should tell you all need to know about their safety.
Offensive Line Depth-Starters
I don't believe that Jeff Backus is really a franchise LT, but the Lions seem to think that he is, so I'm not sure the Lions see LT as a big need. In any case they could use more depth along the offensive line and also look to upgrade at Right Tackle, unless they believe Jason Fox, drafted last season will become that player. I think there focus is more likely to be in the middle than anything else.
FYI according to footballoutsiders.com The Lions were a respectable 8th best in the league running at the Left End ally, but a terrible 29th running in the middle and guard lanes. Yikes.
Defensive Line Depth
Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting older and the Lions could use some more help at defensive tackle. They have good defensive ends but I would not be surprised if they can't resist drafting a very good player there (maybe like Cameron Jordan) if available to them at 13th overall.
They Lions have one very talented Wide Receiver in Megatron and one talented Running back in Jahvid Best, but they could use some complementary players at this position if they want to be as well rounded at the position as the Packers. The Running backs are all OK after Best, but a player Mark Ingram would look great on their team (if they could trade down pick up an extra pick and still get him). This is not a desperate need, but they should explore options here as well.
From the second round on I used CBSDraft Scout to create an impartial Big Board Value of players who could potentially be available.
The other thing Lions fans could clear up for me is…what picks do the Lions have?
There seem to be some serious confusion about this:
I know they have a pick in each of the 1-5 rounds, but no seventh round pick because of the Houston and Jackson trades (conditional loss of the 7th round pick) and then they lost the 7th round pick because of Tampering, right?
So now it's only 1-5? Is that right? Conflicting information all over the place.
1st Round pick 13-Brandon Harris, CB, The U
In my scouting report of Harris I compared him to a college Darrelle Revis. That's not saying he will become a Darrelle Revis player, but Harris as game speed you can't teach and the most fluid hips of any of the cornerbacks in this draft class. He is a little under-sized and best suited as a man cornerback, but his upside to me is enormous and he's a top ten player in this draft to me. personally I don't know if all N.F.L. teams will feel that way, but I like him a lot. I really had trouble with this first round pick, I think Tyron Smith will be intriguing, but off the board. Nate Solder is a possibility and Julio Jones too, but I'm not sure who will be available.
Jimmy Smith has reportedly come off terrible in interviews and on top of that has been skipping private workouts and just not making the best decisions (reportedly), which is why I shied away from him. Ayers is a nice player, but he ran a terrible 40 yard dash and while he plays faster than he times he isn't a punishing run defender to boot, which could make the Lions shy away from him at 13th overall. And I also think they'll pass on Nate Solder.
Robert Quinn, Cameron Jordan, Julio Jones, Tyron Smith, and Prince Amukamara all makes sense to me if available here, which the I'm projecting they won't be.
J.J. Watt doesn't have the same versatility to me as does Cameron Jordan and think Watt is a bit out of position as a 4-3 DE unless he's primarily a run stuffer, which is hard to justify 13th overall, to me, but i know others disagree with me about Watt.
Tough pick knowing the Lions will probably go B.P.A. because you have to have a feel for what the Lions board will be.
Lions may really consider trading down, but I'm not predicting trades so in the end Brandon Harris > than J.J. Watt or Akeem Ayers.
Round 2 44th pick overall Stefen Wisniewski, C/G (54th on big board of CBS Draft Scout)
A myriad of the players I was considering here could be gone at this point like Corey Liuget, so I went with a player I think has a fair chance of being available at 44th overall. Wisnewski would instantly provide depth or could start at three positions along the offensive line. He also has no character concerns is a fundamentally solid player here and would be good value here at 44th overall. I recognize that the Lions need a linebacker, but the most likely available options here are Mason Foster or Bruce Carter and I think they can get better value a little later.
Round 3 75th overall Mark Herzlich** LB, Boston College (80 on big board)
**Reliant on him acing a physical the Lions could give him. Herzlich is the most instincdtual linebacker in this draft and one of the most productive as well. He is not the most physically dominating player in the world, but he'll remind the Lions a lot of Kyle Vanden Bosch with his hustle and understanding of the game of football. Herzlich had 10 interceptions the past two seasons in college due to his superior instincts and because he's always around the football. Two years removed from Bone Cancer I think he can get back to his two years ago form.
**If Herzlich doesn't check out medically I like Shane Vereen, Will Rackley, or Dontay Moch here.
Round 4 106th pick overall Jeremey Beal-DE/OLB Oklahoma (108th Big Board)
At one point Beal was getting mocked into the late first round a lot, but his stock seems to be plummeting, but could really be a steal in the 4th round. He's got enough size to add a few more pounds and be a developmental player at 4-3 and situational pass rusher immediately, but also has enough ability to play the same position at linebacker as well, most likely the S.A.M. The Lions could love his work ethic, leadership, and overall great production in college enough to make him the pick if he's still available in round 4.
Round 5 pick 148th overall Jeremey Kerley, WR TCU (150th)
Kerley is a good WR who could be an excellent slot WR and return man and maybe even eventually develop into a good #2 though he lacks great strength. I was looking at possible Offensive tackles here maybe a Lee Ziemba, a punishing running back Roy Helu, or a CB/S/Special teams player like Marcus Gilchrist.
I still have a feeling that the Lions will address the interior of their OL more so then there outside as they let Fox continue to and ride Backus a little longer.
Follow us on twitter @NFLmocks
Let me know what you think.
And if you think you want people to read your Lions mock draft send me an email at [email protected] and I'll post it on the main page for everyone to read your mock draft
Tags: 2011 2011 NFL Mock Draft Brandon Harris Detroit Lions Mark Herzlich Matt Millen Mock Draft NFL NFL Draft 2011 Nfl Draft 2011 Mock Stefen Wisnewiski


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Why I should love again.
"Hey beautiful :D"
"Gosh you're so great. Please never change. Text me in the morning :))"
"Love ittt. Such pretty hair :D your freckles.. So adorable<3"
"You are an angel. I hope that you catch my determination and add it to your passion. Together, you'd be a force to be reckoned with."
"Someone's looking gorgeous."
"It's my job hun. To be a gentleman. And make you feel like a princess. :) because seeing you smile makes me happy:)"
"Hey. You sound so cute on the phone :)"
"I love you."
"I totally love talking to you.. You make me so happy. And you make my heart happy. I look forward to talking to you always. And you're just great. It makes me happy to be able to make you happy. and it feels wonderful to know that you want me. I guess is the only way I can put it. <3"
"Hey babe. I just got to my apartment. Just wanted to let you know. And thank you. For bein wonderful. You're amazing. And I'm so glad that you're in my life. And I look forward to hearing from you everyday. Please sleep well. I'll talk to you tomorrow. You're beautiful, sweet, kind, and amazing. Much love. Gnight."
"I'm ridiculously attracted to you. It's not fair."
"I'll give you allll the love."
"Because you're totally wonderful. Beautiful. Cute. Smart. Talented. And definitely have my attention."
"Yes. I'd treat you the best."
"Hmm. Your persona itself. You have a drive for your dreams and I think that you will soon be like me. You are pretty confident in yourself. Absolute turn on. Confidence. Whew. Damn. But anyway. Yeah. Just your personality. It's cute. Fun. And makes me smile."
"You're my biggest weakness. I just realized that."
"Go to sleep. Like Snow White. And I'll come wake you."
"And I'll hold you tight<3"
"Hearing that happy tone to your voice makes me smile."
"Hey. I love you. :)"
"You make me happy baby. :)"
"Wish you were here with me so I didn't feel so lonelyyyy. But sleep well. I know I will. Haha. Have amazing dreams. And when you reread this when you wake up. Just know, that it's going to be a great Friday. Because you're an amazing girl. You're absolutely stunning. And have made this man, very happy<3 God bless you. He has certainly blessed me. Good night<3"
"And I can't go more than 10 minutes without thinking about you(;"
"I'm being so honest. And I've made my heart really vulnerable."
"You are very dear to me. I just.. Idk. So many feelings. It's really weird. And out of the norm."
Wow, there's more than I anticipated.
He's the sweetest. If he didn't live one state away…damn college. I love him. I'm just bad at deciding what I want.
I love you.


text:
After being benched for the Cleveland game and not playing any defensive snaps, safety Taylor Mays has returned to his starting spot the past two games.
We have it in the first look at opponent box on the blog every Tuesday and in Wednesday's paper, but as a reminder the CBS crew for Sunday's game is Marv Albert and Rich Gannon for the second straight week.
Upcoming crews — Next Sunday at Cleveland: CBS — Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots (second time this year); Oct. 21 vs. Pittsburgh: NBC — Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth (first Bengals game since the 2009 finale vs. Jets).
The deadline to reach a sellout for Sunday's game is 4 p.m. today but by all indications it should happen and the game will be televised locally.
When extensions are announced, as was the case on Tuesday, in almost every case a sellout is eventually reached, either through fans buying the remaining tickets or fans buying most of them and local businesses picking up the rest.
For those who continue to bemoan the fact that the Bengals did not take advantage of a new rule this year where they could reduce their listed capacity in order to sell enough seats to get their games broadcast locally, it bears pointing out that two of the teams that did — Tampa Bay and Miami — are still having problems. Both of the Bucs home games have been blacked out while the Dolphins needed a large ticket buy from local businesses for their Week 2 game against the Raiders to reach a sellout. The Vikings did it as a precaution and as a goodwill gesture as they secure a new stadium but haven't had any problems selling tickets.
A look at the rest of Week 5. Do the Saints have a shot bouncing back and making the NFL playoffs? Who will win in the Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning battle? CineSport's Tara Petrolino and NFL Pro Bowler Corey Chavous discuss:
Miami Herald: Receivers Bess and Hartline show ability to catch fire
Sun-Sentinel: Offensive tackle Jake Long not making excuses for subpar play
Palm Beach Post: Cornerback Sean Smith emerges as an improving player
Ravens: A little weight gain is not slowing Haloti Ngata down
Steelers: It's all about the running game now
Browns: Rookie WR Josh Gordon ready to start on Sunday vs. Giants
Posted in: Updates


text:
mailing list archives
I'd make the demonstrations visual and limit the technical jargon as much as
possible. You'll definitely lose people if you start talking about things
like meterpreter and hashes. Honestly, I'd avoid a command-line if you can.
Use tools like Cain and Network Miner that clearly present information to an
untrained eye. You want to convey the ease with which these attacks can be
performed. If the demo is too far over their heads, it's not going to
register as a significant threat (i.e. the super hackers with that level of
skill are going to focus on governments, banks, celebrities, etc.). The
recent DLL hijacking
be another good demo if you could use a VNC payload (I haven't tested
it). "All you had to do was open a PowerPoint file, and now I can see your
Make sure they realize why the average user is at risk. However, don't go
overboard. There's a fine line between making a point and terrifying
someone. We always quasi-joke about how the casual users we perform security
awareness training for don't touch their computers for a week or two
afterwords. I'm serious. Just explaining what a rootkit is often blows
people's minds. You really aren't going to have to do anything l33t to make
an impact; I'd focus much more on making it relatable.
On Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 3:59 PM, Craig Freyman <craigfreyman () gmail com>wrote:
I'm giving a security presentation to a room full of non IT folks in a few
weeks. The point I want to drive home is that simply having AV and a
Firewall doesn't make you bulletproof. There is a big gap between what the
bad guys can do and what modern security apps can stop or catch. I think one
way to help bridge this gap would be to raise user awareness and to get
users thinking about security issues. I believe most users think that with
AV/Firewall and not clicking on links, they're safe.
I was planning on doing a live demo (crossing fingers) to make this point.
I will set up a rogue AP ("FreeWIFI Connect to ME!"), connect a client
machine and then demonstrate some MITM attacks. I'll also throw in some SET
to have some meterpreter fun. Password stealing, key logging, sound
recording etc... I know I cant get too technical and if I do, I'll loose the
group. I think this demo would get their attention but was wondering if
anyone has done this before and if so, what did you do?
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US and North Korea on brink of agreement
Wednesday 10 August 1994
North Korea, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, is demanding a high price from the US for doing what other signatories do: allowing inspectors to ensure civil nuclear projects are not diverted to military use.
The two sides are to to consider a North Korean offer to store 8,000 spent uranium fuel rods in a sarcophagus of concrete that will prevent them being reprocessed into weapons-grade plutonium. The rods were removed from the core of a graphite reactor in the nuclear plant at Yongbyon in June and the US calculates they could yield enough plutonium for five atomic bombs if reprocessed.
The North is also proposing to scrap development of two larger graphite reactors, in exchange for US help in the acquisition of a safer, light-water reactor. It also wants economic aid and diplomatic recognition from the US.
Board creates magnetic field to achieve lift
Follow the latest events from this Champions League fixture
Like Madonna, Sister Cristina Scuccia's video is also set in Venice
Singer says the track was 'force-fed down people's throats'
techThe original free dating app will remain the same, developers say
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- 2 Banksy arrest hoax: Internet duped by fake online report claiming artist's identity has been revealed
- 3 Drink alcohol and eat meat to improve male fertility - but cut down on coffee, studies suggest
- 4 Former East 17 frontman Brian Harvey turns up at Downing Street and 'demands to speak to Prime Minister'
- 5 The inventor of the Facebook 'like' button says he never made a 'dislike' button because he feared the 'unfortunate consequences'
Ukraine crisis: Donetsk 'tactical missile' explosion at factory sends blast wave across rebel-held city
Jack the Ripper: Scientist who claims to have identified notorious killer has 'made serious DNA error'
Oscar de la Renta dead: Legendary US fashion designer dies after long cancer battle aged 82
Banksy arrest hoax: Internet duped by fake online report claiming artist's identity has been revealed
Super-sized ships arrive in Britain: How big can they get?
A wealth of new discoveries are waiting
When was the last time you had a first time – a weekend full of new encounters and fresh memories? This autumn, why not make York your big discovery?
Winter at its height
Seasons come and go, it's an annual cycle of varying temperatures, traditions and activities. When winter comes to Austria it is distinctly special and all embracing.
Playing a strong hand
How mobile technology has changed the instant trading game
i100: A single mother on benefits who became one of the world's most successful authors
11 rags-to-riches underdog success stories
Made of London Series
England's most-capped player tells 50 lucky Evening Standard readers at The Counting House that Stuart Lancaster can lead his team to World Cup glory next year.
Lines Ruled
Lines ruled at New York Fashion Week as highlighter stripes took centre stage. Emma McCarthy gets next season's look now.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
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IT Project Manager
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text:
On your best behavior?
Tuesday, July 09, 2013 3:00 AM
Decades ago, the Journal received a letter from a man complaining about his treatment by a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.
The man, who'd been speeding, was pulled over by a trooper who asked to see the man's license. As they sat in the trooper's car, the man complied. And, as was the custom in his home state of New York when he handed the trooper his license, it was wrapped in a $20 bill.
The trooper had a recorder going in his car and caught the bribe on tape. The man's complaint? He didn't think it was fair or legal that the trooper had used a recorder to capture the negotiations.
Technologically speaking, that trooper's recorder from years ago would be akin to a hammer, chisel and stone tablets when compared to what's found in today's police cars. In a story in this past week's Journal, reporter Chris Hunter wrote about the latest law enforcement gizmo.
Officers with the Salina Police Department are testing a video camera that mounts on the side of a pair of glasses or other equipment that allows officers to record everything they see, with both video and audio.
Now, when officers make an arrest, those being arrested will have less opportunity to claim the arrest was illegal or that they were abused. And with the camera rolling, the officer will have added incentive to do everything right.
Those being arrested also would have every reason to be on their best behavior, but since a number of those people are under the influence, upset or have some illegal activity they want to hide, we're not sure how much less belligerent the bulk of them will be. What we suspect we'll see is what Salina Lt. Sean Morton told Hunter to expect: better law enforcement, more plea bargains and fewer trials.
Had our trooper from years ago had a video camera mounted to his sunglasses, our irate New Yorker probably still would have complained. After all, in his mind, it was the trooper who was out of line for turning down that $20 and not letting him motor on down the road.
But if he had wanted to fight the ticket and bribery charge, he would have had even less of a possibility of getting off.
-- Ben Wearing
Executive Editor


text:
I have moved! I'm afraid for Tumblr that Wordpress has got my blogspirated juices flowing more than ever.
Find me here: http://sophielcater.wordpress.com/
I'll be waiting eagerly!
I have moved! I'm afraid for Tumblr that Wordpress has got my blogspirated juices flowing more than ever.
Find me here: http://sophielcater.wordpress.com/
I'll be waiting eagerly!
For 5 months we were on the road. We finished in Buenos Aires, which was also where we started. The fact that I was tired, out of money and missed my friends and family in no way meant that I actually wanted to go home. Reality struck, I was going to have to leave what I had just experience behind as a memory. Just a series of electrical pulses and neurons in my mind, a lot of pictures and some epic stories would be all that remain. Everything I had planned and looked forward to for years was finished and now I had to start again at home. London. Grey. Miserable.
We boarded our flight and all these feelings left. Home! Family! Friends! My own bed with crispy sheets! Oh the joys of home returned and I was happy.
Home sweet home…
A bit of live music on the tram up to Christ the Redeemer, making our lives just that much more funky!
A city full of sights, beaches, sun, tiny underwear and bodacious behinds.
When we arrived in Rio the end of our South American adventure was really coming close; we were absolutely knackered, I was running terrifyingly low on money and the thought of home was becoming worryingly real. Our week in Rio was to be simple with a few aims in mind, to stay in Ipanema, to complete our tan for our return to England, to eat copious amounts of acai (a super healthy sorbet-esque desert/breakfast made of acai berries, granola and banana) and to see Christ the Redeemer.
(acai and all it's glory)
Having traipsed around the Ipanema district on a hostel hunt we finally settled for our first port of call, the Mango Tree Hostel (a beautiful, friendly, clean and fun hostel) just one block away from Ipanema beach and costing no more than most other disgusting hostels. However, there was a major flaw in our plan to stay here; there was only one bed for the remaining nights. Considering my financial issues Sophie stayed put and I found a hostel that highlights the saying 'you get what you pay for'; the rancid Karisma Hostel housed me for two nights for £5 a night. I am not lying when I say I slept with my pocket knife under my pillow for fear of the Brazilian creeps that were lurking around. All in the name of squilla.
On the upside, my brother who works for British Airways arrived in Rio only a few days later for a short stop over and had invited us to stay with him in The Sheraton. Yes, The Sheraton I said – you know, the 4 star luxurious haven with a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym and Rio on your doorstep? Who cares about the worst hostel South America has to offer when you stay in The Sheraton after. It was a dream…
While my brother popped back to London with work for a few days (only to return 3 days later) Sophie and I grabbed Rio by the cojones and found the Christo, got our picture, admired the remarkable view and headed back to Ipanema.
During these few days I found myself falling head over heels in love with the city; beautiful people everywhere, wonderful weather, delicious food, great nightlife….the list could go on. Soph and I got so wrapped up in its atmosphere we even braved the lane of fitness obsessed folk and ran the length of the Ipanema/Leblon beach stretch, tops off and tanned. Running past skaters, cyclists, disabled people, old and young, men and women, tight rope walkers and strollers made me consider whether I was in an idealist's dream or whether these people really do care that much about their fitness. You would never catch a scene like it in England.
(Ipanema's fitness lane being used by all)
For that matter, nor would you find mass congregations on the beach of the tiniest swimming costumes my eyes have laid on in England. They seem to have such pride in their image and thus they flaunt it without qualms in the way. Bodacious boobs, bums, willies, six-packs galore!
So our time in Rio was spent hurrying between the most and least luxurious living conditions, being in awe of the Cariocas' (the people of Rio) confidence, fitness and beauty and then trying desperately to replicate it.
The journey from Sucre to Salvador was abhorrently long and back-breakingly uncomfortable. Here goes:
- A flight from Sucre to Santa Cruz
- An 18 hour night train (supposedly 'cama' but definitely not) to Quijarro, an expectedly dirty and sad looking border town.
- A 4 hour queue; 2 hours out of Bolivia and 2 hours into Brazil.
- A 7 hour bus ride to Campo Grande.
- A 5 hour wait in the Campo Grande airport over night, until our flight to Sao Paolo. Then Sao Paolo to Rio de Janeiro. Then another from Rio to Salvador.
To say that we were tired when we arrived in Salvador is a vast understatement. After the terrible journey we arrived in beautiful Salvador.
Thankfully we had prebooked Barra Guest Hostel, which we got to in an extortionately price cab, checked in, walked around, ate and slept. After 3 days in the (might i say excellent) hostel we met someone who rented apartments in Barra which, considering the beauty of its surroundings and the fact that we were too shell-shocked from the three day journey to move on anywhere else, we rented one with open arms and for 2 weeks. A double room, bathroom, living room/kitchen and balcony was the same price as staying in a hostel (90reals/£24 a night). Plus there was a gym, a swimming pool, sauna and steam room and 24/7 security. We couldn't go wrong!
Like little moles the men pop out their homes to spot the pretty lady sunbathing by the pool.
The beaches in Barra treated us well - we sunned ourselves as much as the winter weather allowed us to - it rained and clouded over on and off on the daily. The people, permanently smiling and excitable, helpful and kind made our time in Salvador a smooth ride that nursed us back to enjoying the idea of exploring again.
We arrived smack bang in the middle of July Festival, a celebration of the beginning of the winter solstice. Everyone dons their glad rags and heads to Pelourhino, the old town to shake their thang like never before to the tunes of the live Brazilian bands. When I say 'like never before' I refer wholeheartedly to Soph and I; we were shaken and stirred by many a Brazilian man, all trying to get the best moves out of the gringos. After boogying with old, young, small and tall alike, I finally met my match (a tall 24 year old with hips that moved like I've never seen before in a man) and we danced the Forro (the typical dance for this time of year) until about 2am. A few things stayed with me about the filled canopy of dancers:
- quite how unsexual the whole affair was (or how us Westerners have made everything sexual).
- the varied ages of keen boogiers, shaking and grooving like everybody else.
- the smiles and happiness that exuded from every single face; no hard looking men or sultry women.
- the safety of the dancehall. No problems..not even remotely.
- the lack of alcohol that was floating about. A couple of beers here and there but no-one on the floor, grappling at legs to help them back onto their feet.
It was by far the best night out I've had on our travels; it was good to shack it out and learn some new moves, all in the hands of natural born dancers. We were absolutely knackered and dripping in sweat when we got home.
So our days in Salvador were spent in utter relaxation, being fit and tanning mode, i.e. attempting life as a Brazilian. Wonderful!
- Stay in BARRA HOSTEL if you're staying for a little bit. Otherwise, get your hands on a Barra apartment for the same price.
- Head south down the coast road to BARRA LIGHTHOUSE to watch a beautiful sunset; the only place in Salvador where the sun rises and sets in the same place.
- PELOURHINO is only a bus ride away and is absolutely beautiful; old cobbled roads, rainbow coloured houses and lovely museums, art galleries, shops and cafes. We were told it's a little bit dodgy by night though and didn't risk it.
- THE NORTH COAST OF BAHIA shows just why the state is allowed to boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. We rented a car and drove to PRAIA DO FLAMINGO one day where you can see turtles and enjoy bliss. A must do.
LONDON calls me home
Yet another night bus took us all the way out of altitude, far far away from La Paz and to sweet sweet Sucre where we would spend the next week.
Here, the sun shines almost every day, it's lovely and warm, the city is clean and most the buildings are white washed and pretty. It didn't feel as though we were in Bolivia anymore - it was more like a wealthy colonial city that belonged to rich locals and ex-pats.
When we arrived there was a car race going on. Kitted out boy racers were speeding noisily through the streets, parading their cars and helmets off like noone's business. The roads were temporarily closed by police who would whistle moments before a car would shoot past at about 100mph. At this point we were jolted back into remembering that we were still in Bolivia.
We stayed in CASARTE, TAKABUMBA (takubamba.blogspot.com) a beautiful, well decorated hostel with an outside communal kitchen and rooms for moderate prices with the best showers in town. We stayed in a room for 3 with Chris that had its own little suntrapping balcony. It was bliss.
(Casarte, Takubamba)
(The outdoor kitchen, dining and hangout area)
While Sophie and I spent our time sunbathing, wandering around the pretty city and going to the gym (an hour class was 10bolivianos =£1!), Chris went to Spanish school. We had a lovely set up that we were sad to leave in the end.
We did one major sightseeing activity that the Lonely Planet recommends, which is worth noting: THE DINOSAUR PARK. A bus or taxi ride away is a theme-ride-looking entrance with kids and adults queuing alike.
A guide waited for us to start a tour of the dinosaur prints that were left on a vertical wall of rock by groups and individuals of different dinos. It is a true wonder that is worthy of seeing; I've never seen anything like it. Not even in our very own Natural History Museum. Plus our guide was passionate and really informative; he would get so excited about certain points that his toes started to twinkle and tap until his legs were dancing with glee!
Our time in Sucre ended by sadly having to say goodbye to the one and only Chris Chalk but it had nursed us back towards health and feeling good again. What more could we have asked for before a three day long trip to Salvador, Brazil?
Only in Bolivia will you find a city wedged in mountains,
crevassed in a valley,
billowing smoke from every street
onto a hubbub of bustling people.
Only in Bolivia will you find hotels made of salt
and colourful lakes to house flamingoes,
geezers spitting out smoke bolts
and islands sprouting cacti for 10 meters.
Only in Bolivia will you leave sunshine, animals and heat
to get stuck at 4,500m
in a minibus of 16 people on icey, snowy sheets
that run a road that has no barriers leading to a drop of 200m.
Our time in La Paz was one of temporary and exhausting extremes. We dabbled in visiting the city's sights in between visiting the Salt Flats, via Uyuni, and La Sende Verde, an animal sanctuary in the deepest part of a jungle valley a couple of hundred kilometres away from the city.
Our experience started in a dingy hostel called Pirwa, where the prices were too high for its icy cold dorm rooms and dirty, ugly facilities. After a rather large night out we were enticed by Charlie into leaping into the haute society of The Ritz.
Our 2 nights were relatively inexpensive ($250 per night for a suite) and we were in utter luxury and comfort. Disregarding a few confused or dirty looks, our experience was blissful and I would recommend it to anyone who can afford it (I, not being one of them but rather someone with a group of spectacularly generous friends), but only do it in Bolivia.
By day we found ourselves wandering streets of the 'witches market' where dead llama foetus' and ludicrously wonderful herbal remedies line the entrances and walls. We walked slowly and breathlessly, ambling through the endless streets of markets that seemed to sell everything you've ever dreamed of, from food to wheelbarrows. Local women dressed in their unforgettably beautiful clothes hustling fervently; men carrying goods piled high on their backs, strapped up like donkeys; shoe shiners masked in balaclavas lining the streets polishing vigorously; tourists clad in patterned alpaca jumpers, gawping at the chaos; cars beeping and screeching and belching their atrocities. Just another day in La Paz it seemed.
Post Uyuni - post -18c and post terrible tour - we all came down with the mother of great big whopping colds, which not only made us hard for hearing and even more wheezy but also left us craving our own beds, baths and warmth. The closest we got was hot water bottles, soup and Arthy's Guesthouse, a cosy and wholly satisfactory hostel with helpful and kind staff.
Our third stop in La Paz was for an unexpected night (which I will explain further into this entry) and left our views of this city unfortunately very close to dismal and with little hope of redemption. I guess what they say is true: you either love it or you hate it.
Our 12 hour bus ride to Uyuni was an unforgettable one. The tickets were sold under the guise of our seats being 'cama' (i.e. 'bed') and comfy. As we climbed into the rickety old bus we realised that the seats were reclinable by a few centimetres and were going to be massively uncomfortable. With the added luxury of a heater right below my seat I was unable to put my feet on the floor, as it was hotter than the sun…only in Bolivia would I have to sleep with my feet above my head for fear of burning myself.
Having pre booked our 2 night, 3 days trip to Salar de Uyuni in La Paz, our tour guide beckoned us as we clambered off the bus at 5.30am. It was -10c and dark; we were happy to accept a seat in her tiny office. Little did we know it wouldn't be until 11am that we would finally set off with a 6th member to our group, an Englishman called Steve.
We were bunged into a 4x4; 6 of us cramped into the back and the tour guide-come-cook in the front with her son driving us. As we looked around at other departing groups, our 4x4 was worryingly old and battered. We kept faith and didn´t complain.
(Our 4x4)
THE TRAIN GRAVEYARD was a 20 minute drive away. We joined the troops of other gringos, taking the photo opportunities with open arms.
(photo by Chris Chalk, horizonismyhome.blogspot.com)
Back in the car and folded up like pieces of paper, we drove on to the SALT FLATS. Another photo opportunity was made the most of as it really was as beautiful as you'd imagine. A huge expanse of white salt, forever shining and blinding us until the horizon stopped it. We were fully impressed.
A cheeky visit to CACTUS ISLAND was had next; an island of land in the Salt Flats, covered in 10ft, great big cacti. Before having a look around we were all unfortunately caught peeing desperately round the side of a sodding great cactus, because we weren't allowed to use the loos without an extortionately priced ticket. In hindsight (it being a cruel traitor), we should have just paid and enjoyed the time. However, I think the fact that we were all crumpled like bank notes in the back seats, meant that we weren't thinking straight. We rebelled…only to be escorted off the island and back in the rabbit hole of the car. Woops.
THE LAKES & FLAMINGOS were beautiful. There was a red one and a blue one and one that was called 'The Green Lake', but the green had been sucked under ground by an earthquake and all were deadly with poisonous components. Flamingos sprinkled each lake with their unmistakably pretty pink and white feathering. They were completely undisturbed by us, suggesting all tourists must try to emulate our techniques of crouching low and as near to them as possible without falling into the water or touching them. Quite a surreal experience really.
THE SALT HOTELS, yes, a hotel made fully of salt was where we rested our heads for the first night. Its entirety (save the bathrooms and mattresses) were constituted of blocks of freezing cold, bright white salt. It was a rather new and exciting experience, albeit a bit chilly. Layers were key to my great night's sleep; thermals, woollies, hats, silk sack, sleeping bag, covers and socks were just about perfect. Unfortunately the second night was less exciting and quite a lot more nippy. We woke up at 6am and it had warmed up to -18c. Yep, that's right MINUS 18! Quelle horreure. Ontop of this our battered old tin box of a car broke down. For ages. Luckily we were jammed in and could warm each other's sides up…the company just must have thought ahead; that's why we were stuffed in.
(photo by Chris Chalk, horizonismyhome.blogspot.com)
GEEZERS spewed smoke out like noone's business as we drove past. One quick look sufficed, as the car was incredibly warmer. We drove through the moon, sorry a volcano crater and almost made it out but instead we broke down about 5 times.
Finally we got to the THERMAL BATHS where we soaked our frozen bones alongside about 30 other travellers. Some drank, some smoked and others probably peed so we got out promptly for a quick breakfast and back on the road to finish our journey, back to La Paz.
Well, it was certainly an experience that could only leave us with memories firmly embedded in our minds. All I will suggest to anyone who plans to do something similar is to book with a reputable company. It is worth it as everyone does the same thing so you may as well do it in a lovely, spacious 4x4 with kind and informative tour guides. We did the opposite and got the opposite…only in Bolivia.
One of my dream locations before leaving for South America was a monkey sanctuary not far from La Paz that had been recommended to me by a very good friend of mine. La Sende Verde is about a 3 hour minivan drive away from La Paz, near a town called Coroico. It is at the bottom of a valley where the jungle is thick, the air is wet and the sun shines.
It started out as a B&B jungle lodge and developed into a sanctuary for monkeys, bears, birds, turtles and more. It is important in the rehabilitation of abused or injured animals in Bolivia; the government send them the animals but do not help the sanctuary further. There are therefore cabins, tree-houses and huts that guests can stay on while visiting the animals. It's certainly a peaceful and welcome escape to the cacophony of La Paz. (Find out more: http://www.sendaverde.com/)
Our bus from La Paz there was direct to the sanctuary upon request and only £2.50. A bargain. When we arrived at the gates we were led over makeshift bridges and overgrown paths to an open space where parrots squawked, monkeys played and turtles wandered. In amongst the fauna were various huts; a kitchen/dining area, a tv and games room-come-bar and the different accommodations. It was a surreal bliss; just what the doctors ordered for our post-Uyuni, cold ridden minds.
The half day that we had in La Sende Verde was spent gawking at the monkeys that spread out in their various groups, across the sanctuary. They are 'free' to roam anywhere, without restrictions but they choose to return for food and health reasons, on top on the fact that their 'alpha male' (the owner of the sanctuary who saved them) resides.
(This is the eldest female spider monkey who has been rejected by the group, as she´s considered past her time. She wanders round, looking for cuddles and places to rest. photo by Chris Chalk, horizonismyhome.blogspot.com)
Our trip back to La Paz was one that had to be planned with accuracy as we had a bus booked to Potosi that evening. Obviously we missed it, despite our efforts to be very organised. From Coroico we got the same minibus and expected to arrive 3 hours later. 2 hours in and we were in a HUGE traffic jam at 4,500m on the winding road up a giant mountain, which was due to heavy snowfall and ice on the roads.
We spent the next 5 hours sliding up and down the mountain, men pushing and women and elderly jumping inside. It was horrendous. Sophie was adamant that we should walk but, Chris being in shorts and flip flops couldn't quite fathom the idea and I was with him. The sun went down, we missed our bus and I got earache.
At 11pm we finally got back to La Paz, tired, hungry and feeling very sorry for ourselves and spent another night in Arthy's guesthouse, before heading to Sucre the next day. Clearly, Potosi was not meant to be.
A shocking VICE video about people who live in Bogota's sewers. In amongst the faeces of their fellow citizens, rats, disease and drugs, they sleep on makeshift beds, hiding from death that slips out of every corner imaginable.
I watched this a couple of days ago and am still in total shock. Not only at the fact that people actually live in sewers, in faeces-filled and rat-ridden holes for a lack of another option, but also that they must watch and dodge the ticking clock of 'social cleansing'. I mean, excuse my naivety but how in God's name can this exist and be knowingly accepted, considering the atrocities that this world has seen in its past? Does noone learn or does no one care?
When we were in Bogota a few months ago we saw a man talking to a manhole and steered well clear, thinking he was a total fruit loop…'what a bunch of ignorant tourists', he must have thought. I concur sir, I concur.
Having spent a week of bliss in Cusco, Sophie's lovely fella, Charlie jumped on the travelling bandwagon for a couple of weeks. The three of us would be spending a few days together in Puno, Peru and then onwards to meet Tyler and Chris in Copacabana, Bolivia.
Our 6 hour bus to Puno blessed us with top deck, front row seats. You may laugh but these things really matter when you spend hundreds of hours squashed behind fully reclined seats, without being able to see anything apart from heads and chairs. We were giddy with glee.
Now, The Lonely Planet South America, although wonderfully handy seems to suggest some places to stay at that may have once seen life but have been left abandoned and destroyed by past travellers to rot horrendously. Our first hostel attempt was one of these disastrous places. So we headed quickly to our next bet, Kusillo's Posada, which ended up being absolutely perfect with a mumsy landlady who dithered and pottered around, finding hot water bottles, coats and scarfs to keep us warm and happy.
We planned a simple boat excursion to The Floating Islands for the next day alongside leaving for Copacabana. The boat ride was interesting; as we pushed off from shore our tour guide began telling us that the water we could see had slime on was because of the vast pollution that tourism on Lake Titicaca creates. Not a perfect start.
After a scenic ride we arrived at a floating island. The only way the experience can be described is by explaining that the place is one of re-created traditions that the locals reinact for our eyes, the stupid gringos. The Floating Islands are not currently in existance to live on and havn´t been for many moons; they have been kept to feed tourists' thirst for the intreguing. A group of hugely overweight traditionally dressed women pretending that the 10ft² island and huts (filled with crisp and biscuit wrappers) was where they lived. Naturally, the trip was rounded off by these ladies whipping out their best goods and trying to sell them. Very entrepreneurial.
Needless to say we were glad to be heading off and did so swiftly, across the border and to Copacabana, Bolivia.
Ignore the ugly cement and other tourists and you will find a bustling local market and lots of beauty around; it is quite cute in parts really.
Especially where we stayed, Hotel La Cupula (http://www.hotelcupula.com). It was a whitewashed series of cylindrical buildings with a lovely restaurant and all amenities you'd want for the average price. A perfect place to spend a night to organise the boat trip to La Isla Del Sol for the next day.
Another boat ride down and we were in a surreal, high altitude, very sunny yet icy-cold paradise. In front of us stood a grassy island with houses dotting it with yellow painted concrete and donkeys following a cobbled path winding up the steep hill that welcomes people to the south part of the island. Behind us lay a mountain range with snow icing and cloud hats and in between was Lake Titicaca; a true sight for sore eyes.
La Isla Del Sol clearly does not want its visitors to overexert themselves; the altitude will bite them if the do. Charlie and Tyler found this out the hard way, as one night, with Pisco-wine-beer and macho goggles firmly on, they set a race to the top of the hill for the next morning. The top lies just over 4,010m high. As Chris, Sophie and I ambled our way up the winding path they ran and wheezed. We found them standing proudly at the top waiting for us, with very sore chests and feeling a bit worst for wear. I take my hat off to them as, if it were me I would have collapsed less than half way up, for sure. The view that awaited us at the top was absolutely magnificent and worthy of everyone's work. A highlight for my eyes to feast on for years to come.
We stayed in one of the first hostels you come across. There seem to be more and possibly better quality hostels over the hill but it really didn't seem worth the climb with my 17kilo backpack. We were more than content with the accommodation, food (not included) and scenery.
I highly recommend letting your eyes and mind repose in this Bolivian blessing.
- Don't go to The Floating Islands, they're not worth the time or money. Instead I wish we had gone to Amantani Island; you can do trips there that are all inclusive and sound incredible.
- Head to Copacabana and stay in La Cupula Hotel. It usually has a sauna (closed for refurbishment when we went).
- Stay on La Isla del Sol for more than a night in one of the hostels on the South Island.
- Climb the hill for the view and the exercise.
- Acclimatise to the altitude before coming to Lake Titicaca; I could even feel it even having spent 2/3 weeks in Cusco.
- Try guinnea pig somewhere along the way if you're a meat eater. When in Rome and that!
- Bring sun cream and a high factor at that. It's insanely burny with the altitude.
The Lares Trek was witness to an abundance of highs, although also a series of unfortunate lows. We had booked the trip many months ago, believing that it would be a true highlight of our trip. It would indeed end up being memorable but not for reasons that we quite expected…
We were briefed the night before about the important bits of our upcoming adventure and told to get a good night's kip before the arduous next 5 days. We were going to be walking through various valleys, crescendoing at a mountain's apex that lay 4,600m high, and then make our way to Machu Picchu by bus and train.
Day 1 was an 'acclimatisation' day where we mostly sat, watching the Sacred Valley and Inca ruins tumble in front of us through the window of the mini van we were stuck in.
At midday we stopped off at a community: a few huts and a building site where we were shown the craftsmanship and processes involved in turning llama, alpaca and sheep from wool to jumper. A hoard of traditionally dressed ladies put on a well rehearsed show, showing us the spinning technique, others showed dying and also weaving. It was quite lovely really! When the spectacle finished, the huts transformed into shops and the women got their sales faces on….Sophie and I came out with some wooly jumpers.
We ended the untaxing day in Ollantaytambo where we were to rest our undeserving heads for the night. A guided visit to the grand Inca site in town tantalised our minds with traditions, folklore and history. The site was emperor Pachacuti and the townspeople´s residence and was built strategically in order to protect the emperor´s life. These people must have been the fittest people alive because when we climbed the 300 steps of the ancient town we arrived panting and gasping for any oxygen that we could get. At the top of the ruin you can see the face of Wiracochan strategically carved into the adjacent mountain's edge that showed the Incas the arrival of the winter and summer solstices when either the sun or stars hit it. Impressive stuff!
(The face of Wiracochan)
We headed back to our hostel, to our significantly stomach-churningly decorated room, which showed an exquisitely refined potato print method on the pink ceiling and brown walls. Thanks to a Baileys and hot chocolate in our bellies we quickly nodded off.
We woke up early to wait for and be introduced to our guide, Manuel and full Lares group. We were to be a 5 strong team including Sophie, Claire (an English lady walking for charity), Cecilia (an Argentinian G Adventures CEO) and William (an ever-laughing and excitable man from Santa Monica) and I.
So off we headed in yet another van, to the town of Lares. The 3 hour ride ended at some Thermal Baths - via a market stop-off to buy bread for village children we would encounter and Gatorade to keep us going - that proved to be an excessively indulgent way to start the trek. While we bathed ourselves in the hot, mineral rich water, the chef cooked up a feast of 3 courses, which we devoured post-soak.
We finally begun our first walk - a 3 hour long hike through a valley scattered with villages and traditionally dressed locals going about their daily business; villagers tending to their livestock and children heading home from school. The kids gathered round us, rosy cheeked and hungry to get some of the bread we had brought with us. Bread, we were told, was scarce in these parts and apparently was as much a luxury as cake is for us. Although it was a pleasure giving these little people a bit of culinary glee, I did feel like we were in a human zoo at times. The kids, too polite and well behaved to grab and run, stood eagerly awaiting our guide to finish his spiel about village life and the photo opportunity to be exhausted, before they ran off and ate.
Our short day's hike finished in a campsite where the mulemen (the mules carried our bags, tents and cooking equipment) had already set up our tents and the chef had dinner on the go! The evening went quickly and after more food we put our layers and layers of clothes and sleeping equipment on and closed our eyes, only to fall asleep quickly and to reawaken momentarily from time to time to remember to breathe the thin air that the 4,000m we were sleeping in gave us.
We had been warned about this day: 'it will be hard and long', as we would be reaching 4,600m of a mountain's summit.
An early morning and wonderful breakfast (all pre-prepared by Chef and the mulemen) of quinoa and apple porridge, bread, jam, pancakes, coffee and coca tea started us off in good stead. At 8am we headed off enthusiastically and as a cohesive group.
By 10am we were scattered throughout the valley; we had risen significantly and breathing became slower and my legs became heavier. Sophie, not being a lady who waits around for the cold to catch up with her bare legs, zoomed ahead with William and our guide, while Cecilia, Claire and I paced ourselves and supported each other.
At 4,200m our guide came back to see us through to the top of the mountain. By this time we were absolutely freezing, fuzzy headed and very heavy limbed, which was cured simply by a few coca leaves on the gums and some words of motivation. As we traipsed up the barren mountain rain and wind turned to hail and snow, leaving my bare hands purple-blue-white.
Our guide decided this moment would be perfect to give us his life story and try some reiki out on me, which unsurprisingly didn't work, considering the numbness of every external extremity. Claire and I (the others having raced off in front) were politely very impressed but internally cursing the man for not letting us take in the incredible panoramic view and catching the little breath we could.
(Our guide, Manuel)
After a good half an hour of mountain top freeze, my fingers began feeling their true senses as we started our descent down the other side of the mountain. Through the snow, sleet and rain Claire and I skipped on, solving the world's issues with our new found energy. We happily came across the hut where lunch had been cooked up and the others were waiting, trying to dry off and warm up on a tiny stove.
While we wolfed down the warming grub, our guide and horsemen told us that we would have to descend to the next campsite. The one we were at stood at 4,200m and would be unbearably freezing during the night. We unanimously agreed and carried on a leisurely walk down to the next site that we were meant to walk to the next day.
Here, disaster would strike on day 4. Unknowingly we ate our dinner and settled for a good night's sleep.
A slow and easy morning came around; William headed to a local hotel to get a massage and the rest of us woke up carefree. As we wandered around the site waking up we were given news that over night one of the mules had died and another was on its last legs! The mule-men rushed around trying to salvage the last of the latter and preparing our breakfast.
It was clear how much of a disaster the situation was; the sad faces and tails between legs were in abundance. We felt put in a very unfortunate situation; being waited on by men whose livelihoods were crumbling was not pleasant. A kitty was put together of what cash we had, to which William contributed when he returned, in order to subsidise a new mule.
This day we were to walk some more, which we now did with our extra bags on our backs and other goods in hand. This would hopefully give the mule-men time to perform a miracle and salvage their livestock. To this day we don't know if our efforts were in vein.
After arriving at our destination (a random bus in the middle of a track) we were driven back to Ollantaytambo where we hopped on the beautiful Machu Picchu train to Aguas Calientes. We jealously admired parts of the Inca Trail, which we were told was a whole load harder (and cheaper) than the Lares Trek. Our eyes were turning greener by the minute as we felt cheated by the Lares Trek. It was wrongly sold as being equitable to the Inca Trail; we walked very little in comparison and saw no ruins.
Aguas Calientes welcomed us with a down pour, dark alleys and a dingy and cold hotel. With a warm shower down we headed for dinner and another early night before the big Machu Picchu day.
Through bleary eyes and excited minds we got through the hour of 4am at the front of a growing queue for the first bus up to Machu Picchu. On we got at 5am, ready and raring to go. As the sun rose through the clouds, we raced up the mountain and emerged at the site at 6am to see the beautiful ancient city in all it's might without the masses of people that arrived later.
After a 2 hour tour of the site we relaxed on the edge of the mountain and hiked up to the Sun Gate. It was well worth the wheezing and sweating; the views were magnificent. Back down at the main part of the site was, however horrific; we had to queue to get down stairs because of the sheer huge amount of people. I would liken it to rush hour on a London tube; a nightmare that we quickly redeemed by fleeing back to Aguas Calientes.
Here our adventure finished; we were driven back to Cusco. The entire thing was a blend of all emotions; from being awe-struck at the immensity of Machu Picchu to being quite shocked at the mule fiasco and being fully out of my body while trudging up the 4,600m mountain. It will be a memory that will certainly stay with Sophie and I, mostly thanks to our lovely group.
Our flight to Cusco necessitated another quick stop off in Lima, where we spent one day and night. We filled the evening eating an array of typical Peruvian food like queens in Gaston Acurio's restaurant, T'anta (meaning 'bread' in Quechua) and proceeded to have another turbulent night's sleep in Pariwana Hostel.
The journey was quick and easy but our arrival left us totally knocked off our feet by the tremendous altitude (despite our fore-planning and taking of Sorojchi pills). The plan was to find a hostel, relax and acclimatise in time for our trek that started 3 days later.
(by Chris Chalk, http://horizonismyhome.blogspot.com)
So we wobbled out of the cab and panted our way through a sunny and pretty San Blas square and hill to Tandapata street, where we came across a hostel that will remain the bench mark for hostels for the rest of the trip; La Casa de la Gringa (www.casadelagringa.com). As soon as we stepped in we felt at home; we were welcomed by a Peruvian lady, given some Coca Maté and told to relax. We would spend our next few days sipping on this Maté and relaxing in the living room, as well as falling desperately under the charm of Cusco's spell. It's safe to say we were fully prepared for the Lares Trek.
(La Casa de la Gringa)
Our time before and after the trek in La Casa de la Gringa gave us the opportunity to meet a rainbowed array of people: a lovely American lady who had cut her travels short because she had accidentally become the carer when she came to the rescue of a very poorly dog she had come across in a Peruvian forest; an array of European couples who shared pearls of wisdom and tips for our upcoming trip; an Indian Shaman and many spiritually open people who were staying in the hostel to take part in the San Pedro ceremonies that were hosted by the owner (a day long 'journey' that involves drinking the traditional San Pedro cactus medicine to heal the mind and body).
(Me with the very poorly but on the mend dog)
After our trek (see next entry), we took up our trusty tiny twin room and began to slip into a dangerously wonderful routine; I would spend my mornings and some afternoons in Spanish School (Amigos, which I highly recommend), going to the gym or on runs and lapping up the delicious rays that the high altitude and perfect geographical spot allows Cusconians and it's visitors to enjoy. Sophie headed for the gym with full force and joined me to bathe in the sun. We both explored the city's wonders thoroughly and loved every winding road, cobbled street and aesthetic marvel, as well as the excellent food and produce.
(by Chris Chalk, http://horizonismyhome.blogspot.com)
1. SAN PEDRO MARKET - you can find rows of all sorts: live frogs and cows' noses to feast on, llama foetuses, traditional skirts and hats, fresh fruit and veg, bread, cheese, household goods, juice bars, jelly stools…the list could go on.
(Llama foetuses sold to burn under one's house as an offering to the Pachamama, Mother Nature)
2. SAN BLAS SQUARE - A quaint square, commanded by a white washed church and a mirador, where you will find Calle Tandapata. Wander along the Calle to find little coffee shops (try to find the Passionfruit cake at Panaderia - it's simply muy muy buena!)
3. JACK'S - Best coffee in town, biggest hangover breakfast and most divine desserts. A little bit dear and a typical gringo hangout but get in there to satisfy momentary indulgences.
4. SAQSAYWAMAN - A good hike up a steep hill to the centre of the Inca capital.
5. The array of VEGAN and VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS in the San Blas area - so cheap, so good.
6. TANDAPATA STREET - Great little cafes, Pantastico included, where you'll find the passionfruit cake.
(Pantastico in Tandapata)
7. AMIGOS SPANISH SCHOOL - A very well run school where I had 20 hours of group and one-to-one classes over the week for approximately $100. Well trained and approachable staff, great resources, group or individual lessons available, as well as it being in a great location on Recoletta street. (http://www.spanishcusco.com)
8. LA CASA DE LA GRINGA - All I can say is I wish I was still there; lovely staff, great rooms, excellent social area, the best scrambled eggs and coffee in the South America trip (included in the rent) and a wonderful atmosphere.
9. People watching in LA PLAZA DE ARMAS but don't go sunbathing on the grass or you'll be whistled at by the attentive (if anal) plaza guards.
(La Plaza de Armas by Chris Chalk, http://horizonismyhome.blogspot.com)
10. KORMA SUTRA - delicious, filling and cheap Indian food with a Peruvian twist (research cuy).
11. THE SECRET VALLEY; The Temple of the Moon to Pisaq and all the many other wonders that this Inca area provides our eyes with.
(The Sacred Valley with our group; from the left, Chris, Charlie, Sophie, Me and Tyler)
(The Temple of the Moon as a 360^ panoramic)
(Source: CuscoStoleSouthAmerica'sThunder)


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Reading Wednesday
We sat down with Mari, Online Math Content Specialist for City Year, and found out what she is reading right now.
Currently Reading: Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Why it's great: Has the impossible happened? The NSA's top code-breaking machine may have just found an unbreakable code. The head cryptographer is wondering how someone could have done the mathematically improbable task of writing an unbreakable code and if they have, what does this mean for the future of national security? Enter the world of cryptography, where top mathematicians and computer scientists blend their mathematical and reasoning skills to create codes and ciphers, to both encrypt and decrypt secret messages.
This book was right up my ally - start with a suspense novel, add in math and espionage, and throw in some logic puzzle. This book kept me on the edge of seat right up until the very end!


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PERFORMANCE ONE INSULATED BUCKET HOLDER – A Very Simple And …
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At Home, I Brew My Tea In A 5-gallon bucket
5-gallon bucket or trash can. Something to hold the compost (sock, nylon, old pillow case, filter bag, etc…) will require organisms that thrive in cool weather and you can repeat the tea making when the weather warms up to produce organisms for warmer … Read More
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Deloitte Study Shows Costs Of Goods Hurting Private Label Sourcing
Higher costs and an increasingly volatile cost structure as pressuring retailers and their private label sourcing efforts, a new study from Deloitte says.
The survey, titled "Private Label Sourcing: Strategies to Differentiate and Defend," analyzed responses from more than 260 executives from grocery, apparel and general merchandise relations. The biggest concern cited was risks from rising costs of goods sold, ahead of product innovation pressures, supply chain risks, and tax consequences.
In addition, consumer behavior changes related to mobile and online shopping use are driving the strategic importance of private label sourcing, the study showed.
"As low-cost online competitors continue to expand across more categories, private label provides an opportunity for retailers to defend their market share by offering products that are exclusive to their banner," Deloitte Principal Michael Daher said in a release reporting the study.
The study said retailers looking to drive differentiation should be asking:
- Are we strategically positioned to react and take advantage of market pressures?
- Are we actively managing our value chain strategy?
- Does our supply footprint consider both emerging sources of supply and our planned retail footprint?
- Are we operating our governance models positioning us to enable our sourcing strategy?
- Do we have the right talent skills to meet market pressures?
- Do we need to refine our processes or invest in enabling technologies to get the most of our sourcing organization?
"It's not the 'copy and paste' private label we grew up with," Daher said. "These are innovative private label brands that require more sophisticated sourcing capabilities."
Retailers said their top current strategies are focused on enhancing quality assurance programs, engaging in advanced planning scheduling with vendors and enhancing ethical sourcing capabilities.
Their top emerging strategies, though, related to the cost of pressures – diversifying their source of supply, re-shoring production to domestic vendors, and consolidating vendors.
"Re-shoring to local markets is becoming an increasingly attractive option for retailers," Daher said. "For retailers in sub-sectors such as apparel … cost pressures may incentivize vendor consolidation."
China, Mexico and Canada were listed as the countries most used for supply sourcing. However, Southeast Asian countries such as India, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines were listed as increasingly attractive sourcing alternatives to China, particularly for apparel and softlines.


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Joe Morgenstern considers David Wain's comedy of hippie chaos that makes nudity a selling point, and Joshua Marston's film on blood feuds and land disputes in Albania.
You may think you've seen silly and swarmy and inept, but wait 'till you see Wanderlust, though that's just a figure of speech...
Imagine a village where many of the kids are on Facebook, but the dominant social network perpetuates a legal code, dating back to the 15th century, that dictates ruthlessly harsh rules for settling blood feuds... Northern Albania is the setting for The Forgiveness of Blood.
Spike Jonze


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Sleep Is Overrated, Stay Up To Watch @Midnight
Mon-Thurs 12E/9P
Artists Much Has Been With Since The Beginning
All grown up!
See Lost Footage of Gaga, Beyonce, Kanye And More
Before They Were Stars!
May 30th, 2012
Pretty Little Liars star Yani Gellman is so darn likable that we almost forget he plays the dangerous and scheming Officer Garrett Reynolds on the hit MuchMusic show. With Season 3 juuust around the corner (June 5 at 8 pm ET on Much!) we did our best to get the scoop on our favourite Liars from Gellman. While he can't give away all the secrets we're dying to know (not literally dying – where do you think we live, Rosewood?), Yani was able to share some juicy bits on the upcoming season and what we can expect from his character.
Check out MuchMusic.com's interview with Yani Gellman under the jump and don't miss the Season 3 premiere of Pretty Little Liars on Tuesday, June 5 at 8 pm ET on MuchMusic.
Did you submit a question for Yani? We'll have his answers coming up later this week on MuchMusic.com!
Tags: interview, Much.com Interview, Pretty Little Liars, Yani Gellman
Posted on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 at 3:25 pm by Allison and is filed under Blog.Tweet


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2 posts and 0 followers since May 2013
Forum: Cakes & Cake Decorating
I've been asked to do this cake for a weeding, now I've made many cakes over the yrs but I'm not sure how this is done! Is it a cutter or a stencil. Can antone help ta
May 2013
611 views
Prima Cakes Plus
... May 2013
I would link is was a cutter, but you could make your own stencil to help you cut out each shape. To me it looks like each pinched bubble (for lack of a shape name..lol) is individually cut.
... May 2013
Thanks so much for your reply. i thought it could be a cutter like a circle that was pinched or an oval , or mayb a stencil, but it looked a little thick for a stencil. The other thing im trying to work out is the painting thats done on it. not sure how thats done it looks like , a water wash using gel . any help is greatfull.ust thought I could get some other views as to wat ppl thought. Thanks
To me it looks like the pieces were painted with silver and gold dust diluted with some sort of alcohol. Not sure exactly, sometimes it is so hard to tell.
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This website has been created by the Grange Park Advisory Committee (GPAC) to share information about Grange Park and its revitalization project.
Grange Park is a beautiful and historic greenspace located between Beverley and McCaul Streets, south of Dundas. Like many inner city parks, it is in need of special care to return it to its natural beauty. The local community has taken the lead to work with the Art Gallery of Ontario, the City of Toronto and other neighbouring organizations to restore and revitalize Grange Park.
Vision for Grange Park:
"To undertake a restoration and revitalization plan that will make Grange Park green, strikingly beautiful, resilient, sustainable and accessible. To create a park that is interactive as well as a place for contemplation. To create a park that welcomes all neighbours, residents and visitors to our community by utilizing design excellence, state of the art conservation techniques and outstanding works of art."
Thanks to everyone who attended the community meeting on July 7. Please click here to see the information that was presented at the meeting (PDF 10MB).


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4 Ways to Divide and Conquer Expenses as a Couple
People fight about money; it's just a fact. So when you're one half of a couple, deciding how to split expenses can be tricky. There are several different options for dividing payments, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Here are four of...
The 6 Worst Money Mistakes You Can Make in Marriage
One year into my marriage, I occasionally find myself spending with a newfound guilt. To balance out a shopping spree for myself, I'll pick up a few things for my husband -- mostly out of love but, if we're being totally honest, also for fear of...
What the Health Insurance Marketplace Means for You
On Oct. 1, the Health Insurance Marketplace opens for business, providing a place where the nation's 48 million uninsured can shop for coverage. The Marketplace is the key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare, which aims to...
What Obamacare Means for Women
It used to be that simply by being female, you paid more for health insurance coverage. That is, if you had coverage at all — one in five women under 65 don't. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare, aims to right those wrongs by banning...
6 Ways Our Birthdays Make Us Better
What's so great about getting older? A lot, if you asked Betty Friedan: "Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength." Just think about what's still waiting for you: wisdom that only comes from experience, less daily...
Which Health Fads Are Worth the Money?
We weigh in on the science behind the latest, good-for-you claims.
How to Truly Live Happily Ever After
I shouldn't still be so gullible. In my life, there have been plenty of truths I've held to be self-evident — which then turned out to be completely false. Some were childhood fabrications (I'm looking at you, Tooth Fairy). Others were "facts" I...
12 Frugal Ways to End a Bad Day on a Good Note
When a friend of mine got laid off, she told me she was resorting to retail therapy to make herself feel better. Turns out, that shopping when you're down can make you feel better. A study by Northwestern University found that retail therapy...
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