Machu Picchu

Are there adequate words to describe a place as breathtaking as Machu Picchu?  If there are, I can’t seem to find them, even now, several years later.  We arrived just before the sun rose, and spent most of the day wandering around the ruins in quiet disbelief that this was real, that we were there.

Islas Ballestas

One of the more beautiful places we visited were the Islas Ballestas outside of Paracas on the southern coast of Peru.  We cruised around in a little boat, seeing geoglyphs carved in the mountain side before heading further out to where the rocky islands rose out of the sea.  There were penguins, pelicans, sea lions, and seals on the rocks, and a dozen species…

Arequipa

Arequipa, in southern Peru, is a lovely city, but my heart only really remembers the Monasterio de Santa Catalina.  Built nearly 450 years ago, the monastery was built as a cloister for upper-class nuns, and it is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever been.  Even now, when I try to find a quiet place in my mind, I travel…

Lake Titicaca

We spent a few days in and around Lake Titicaca, sleeping on its shores in Puno, floating around on Uros, beautiful islands entirely constructed of reeds, and having a lovely lunch on Taquile, where I bought a beautiful woven bracelet that I still wear every day.

Wanderings: Peru

Winter seems to be extending her icy hand into March, and since we’re still a week away from longer days, I thought it might be fun to share a few photos from greener days.  Several years ago we spent a couple of weeks traveling around Peru.  It was an absolutely magical adventure, spanning emerald mountains, golden deserts, massive lakes, and wild rocky coasts, forcing…

It’s Friday, I’m in love

It’s the weekend at last and the Mister is finally coming home from California!  I’m super excited to see him, and we plan to enjoy the nice weather and have brunch with friends. One of the biggest draws of Buenos Aires was the amazing street art scene.  I noticed a lot of it on my own, but was also lucky enough to go on…

Wanderings: Recoleta cemetery

It was gray and drizzling the day I visited Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires.  The rain kept other tourists away, and it was quiet and meditative to stroll up and down the pathways of the cemetery, with only a dozen or so stray cats for company.  I spent several hours reading the names on the mausoleums, admiring the stonework and marble carvings, and wondering…

Wanderings: Love and tango

Buenos Aires is the most romantic city I’ve ever visited alone.  At the time, I had just started dating the Mister and though I missed him, the early thrill of the relationship had me in a state of bliss and it was easy to get caught up in the allure of the city.  Every part of the Buenos Aires mesmerized me, whether full of…

Wanderings: Buenos Aires

The first few days I spent in Buenos Aires are a feverish haze in my memory.  I was recovering from a terrible cold or flu, and I’d spend about twelve hours a day sleeping, and the other twelve wandering around the windy, cobble-stoned streets in a mild delirium. I carried around a little black moleskin notebook in those days and it was amusing to…