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Monday, November 30, 2015

Mystery Monday Link-Up! Allietare, Part 1!

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Oh, I love this part of our Mystery process!

Today I get to see what YOU are making with your clues!

This photo was sent in by Connie during yesterday's Quilt-Cam showing her completed step 1 units.

Great job, Connie!

Our Monday Link-Ups will happen every Monday while the Mystery runs and then after 30 days or so  past reveal we will do ANOTHER Link Up to see how quilts are coming.  Then perhaps another 90 days past reveal we can do a final one.

That said, I want to reiterate that the mystery is NOT a race!  You can take as long as you need to finish your quilt!

I have some fun photos and a story to share with you!

Check this out!

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Quilt-Cam! 11/29/2015

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Hello from Quilt Villa!

We are trying something new today –Our first ever Quilt-Cam from the cabin.

I had planned on doing this from home, but I really wanted to be up here at the cabin instead of at home through Thanksgiving weekend --

I drove back up after dropping my dad off at the airport in Greensboro yesterday afternoon thinking all the way of how we could do this!

This is an experient.  I can’t even promise it will be as clear as it is at home as our internet here at the cabin is not as strong or fast as it is at home – but I want to try.

I’ve hardwired the laptop directly to the modem to give it maximum connection power and speed.  The wifi signal is just not enough for good streaming.

As I said – this is a test!  And we will know whether it will work or not after this.

If it doesn’t, then we won’t do it again from up here.  But if it does?  That gives me some more options for connecting with you.

Jan/Feb Quiltmaker! Give-Away!!

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Heads Up Notice!  There WILL Be Quilt-Cam from the cabin at 2pm Eastern TODAY!  

Set your alarms and be ready with a project!  This is the first time I am broadcasting from the cabin, and I’m excited to give it a try!

Those folks at Quiltmaker are really on the ball!

I was astonished to find EARLY copies of the Jan/Feb issue in my mail box…and you know what that means?

They always send some extra so I can pass them on to YOU!

I know, I know, I know – you are whining that you don’t even have the Christmas decorations out yet, and here we are pushing January/February of NEXT YEAR?

I used to feel panicky about that too, but when it comes to quilting, we need TIME to make the things we want to make.

You know what I also love?  February means Spring is right around the corner, and while I constantly try to find things about Winter that I love ((and some things I do)) I am not a big fan of cold and dark and miserably icy.  So anything that brings pink and springy into view is good by me!

What will we find in this issue?

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Hiking with Friends!

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This is a family photo heavy post!  But be sure you make it to the bottom for a Quilt-Cam announcement and a special sale going on!

The Blue Ridge Mountains are full of places to walk and hike, enjoy beautiful scenery, vast and distant vistas, plummeting waterfalls, and the amazing sounds of nature all while wrapping me in a sense of peace that I have yet to find anywhere else.

With family and friends here for the holiday weekend, we gook advantage of the unbelievably warm temps in the low 60s to load up the van with 6 grown ups and a little brown dog and head out onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for some hiking through this beautiful place, and take time out for what is likely to be the last great picnic of the year.

I am so glad we did!

Our first stop on the park way was to one of our favorite overlooks:

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Grateful on Buck Mountain!

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Sadie says LET’S GO!!

We are so enjoying our time up here.

Friends Irene and Dave arrived on Tuesday night late so yesterday we got to show them our surroundings on Buck Mountain by daylight.

I love it when people see this place for the first time.

I love sharing this part of me with them.

And we have Sadie to lead the way!

I think Sadie enjoys the mountains more than all of us combined.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Like a Rolling Stone!

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Things Bonnie does while waiting!

I got a message on my phone that my dad’s flight from Phoenix had been delayed by 1/2 hour.

And there I sat with a van full of groceries and everything I needed for almost-a-week at the cabin.  I was ready to head to the airport when the message came in –

What does a resourceful quilter do when faced with a bonus of time on her hands?

Head to the antique mall that is not too far from the airport exit!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

In Machu Picchu Pueblo


The town of Machu Picchu Pueblo is built in and around the mountains that tower above.

This little place is bustling, of course its main industry is tourism with the ruins of Machhu Picchu close by.

The railroad brings people to and from Macchu Picchu as there are no cars here.

Everything is done on foot, and that includes hauling the luggage of excited travelers who have come to explore the area ---luggage is picked up at the train station and hauled by cart or more often, the ever present Barrow-less wheel barrow contraption:

Monday, November 23, 2015

And Then There Was Some Raleigh Show & Share ---

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The Capitol Quilt Guild in Raleigh is a wonderful group with a very huge heart!

Just before my presentation they did a “parade of quilts” around the very large room –so many quilts made and destined to be given to those in need.

These are the quilts just from this past month! 

This happens every month!

EVERY MONTH!

All of the agencies and locations that receive these quilts monthly from this fabulous group are truly blessed.

I’ve always thought of quilting as a loving, caring, giving thing and these ladies and gentlemen prove it every month when the donation quilts arrive in droves!

I quickly snuck up on stage when this presentation of the quilts was going on just so I could get a few photos.

I only regret that I couldn’t get a photo of each and every maker and the quilt they had put so much time into!

If you want to know where the heart of the guild is, look to those who are making the donation quilts.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Quiltmaker’s 100 blocks Vol 12!

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Another day, another drawing time!

This time we are drawing for TWO lucky winners – one who will receive a copy of 100 blocks by 100 designers, Vol 12 directly from the offices of Quiltmaker Magazine, and a second who will receive a signed copy from me along with a free Strip Lash pattern by Gudrun Erla of GE Designs AND a Kona charm pack in neutral solids!

This must be a popular giveaway because I think we raised the roof on this one – 1353 of you are vying to be winners and the competition is tough!

It’s a good thing that we are not judging this based on entries!

Thank heavens for the lovely little random number generator who pulls the numbers for us!

I hope it doesn’t have a melt down with this one!

A Raleigh Day to Play!


The Big Shebang happened yesterday in Raleigh, NC!

24 quilters, machines fabric, notions, and other needful things filled the classroom to capacity and we sewed the last Saturday before Thanksgiving 2015 away!

When I asked the ladies what they would be doing one week from now, they exclaimed “WORKING ON ALLIETARE!!”

Yes, we are that close!  Clue #1 goes live in FIVE days.  Oh boy!

And while there was much mystery talk and speculation, our energy turned to the project at hand:

Texas Tumbleweed from MORE Adventures with Leaders & Enders!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

A Quilty Box Drawing and Other News!

I’m home from Raleigh!

A great time was had by everyone ---I so enjoyed my time with this group of quilters not-too-far from my home town.  Just a bit over 90 minutes drive up the road.

And as I made my way back home all I could think was how nice it was that I didn’t have far to go, that there were no airports to deal with, no lost luggage claims, just drive on home  in my own vehicle and call 2015 DONE!

I unloaded the van, fixed myself some soup for dinner, made a cup of tea, and settled right in with the plan to get some machine quilting done on a very special quilt ((that is still a MYSTERY!)) and sit right down to draw our winner for the November Quilty Box!

I walked into the studio to find THIS:

Roll Roll Cotton Boll with the Capitol Quilters!



Some photos come with special shout outs!

And I am putting this one front, top and center just so it is seen by a very special lady whose daughter loves her very much!

I posed for this shout out photo with Cami, and I asked her to send me the photo so I could do just what I’m doing!

Cami writes:

Friday, November 20, 2015

A Machu Picchu Kind of Day!



And finally I am to the part we’ve all been waiting for.

I’ve had to put off posting the crowning glory of our trip to Peru to this thing called “work” and this need to post other things that had definite post dates –such as both giveaways that are going on right now! 

I will be drawing for the winner of the Nov Quilty Box tomorrow evening.  Leave your comment to be entered to win  on that post HERE.

I’m also giving away two copies of Quiltmaker Magazine’s 100 blocks, vol 12!  That give-away went live yesterday and you can enter for that one HERE.

But today is all about Machu Picchu!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume 12! Give-Away!!

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This drawing has ended.  Congrats to our lucky winners!


Look what has just been released this week!

It’s volume 12 of Quiltmaker Magazine’s 100 blocks by 100 designers!

Check news stands and book stores near you, and ask for it!

Every issue of 100 blocks by 100 designers is chock full of ideas for inspiration, including colors, fabrics, block designs and unlimited possibilities!

This is my 11th issue, and I have loved each and every block I have submitted and admit to having grandiose plans of turning each of my blocks in to “REAL QUILTS” some day --

Will that ever happen?

I hope so! 

Because every time I thumb back through a previous issue and come across that block, it yells out to me “MAKE ME!!”

This issue is no different.

I’m happy to present to you my block, Joyeaux!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

A November Quilty Box Giveaway!

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Look what arrived in my mail box!

I am always so excited to see these boxes arrive – like Christmas once a month, and it is always a surprise!

Will it be fabric?

Notions?

Tools?

Thread?

How about all of the above this month as we find this collection curated by Vanessa Wilson of The Crafty Gemini!

What??  You’ve never heard of Quilty Box?  Let me back track a little bit.
  • Quilty Box is a monthly subscription box. They offer plans from $44-48/mo.
  • 5% of the profits of multi-month subscriptions are donated to Quilts for Kids - a non-profit which donates quilts for children in need
  • Each month we have 4 or more products (Fabric, patterns, thread, or notions)
  • Our retail value of the products in the box is always more than $50
Your support is appreciated. If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank You,
Patrick Claytor
Owner - Quilty Box
Subscribe today at
www.QuiltyBox.com!
I think the thing that makes me feel the best, besides the fact that these are items I WILL use –is the knowledge that 5% of the proceeds go to help kids in need.
Make more quilts, cover kids with love.  It’s all good!

So What is in THIS Quilty Box?

Talkin’ Turkey in Columbia, SC!

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We had a great time in our Talkin’ Turkey workshop with the Logan Lap Quilters of Columbia, South Carolina yesterday!

Extra fun since I knew some of these ladies from when I lived there “back in the day!”.  I can hardly believe it’s been 8 years since we moved to North Carolina.

I do believe in my ENTIRE LIFE this is the longest I have ever lived in one place.  I kind of like it this way.  Staying put!

And being close enough that I can make the 2 1/2 hour driving trip south to go spend an evening and a day of fun with some great folks!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Inkaterra Time!

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There is nothing on earth like the little village of Machu Picchu –nothing on earth at all.

That is about the only way that I can describe it, this town built on the tourist industry with restauarants and shops everywhere again calling the ever heard “Lady! Lady!  Lady, you want a massage?  Lady!  You come eat?  Lady!”

It is still a charming bustling little place, and you learn rather quickly to reply with “Luego!”  Which simply puts them off for later!

Mean time, we walk and walk up and up to where our hotel is! 

We stayed at Inkaterra Village, what a cool place!

Monday, November 16, 2015

The Way to Machu Picchu!

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Machu Picchu by train!

What an amazing way to travel!

And yes, on this 4 hour train ride from just outside of Cusco to the town of Machu Picchu – there was time for a little bit of hand stitching, but not much – as the scenery outside of our windows, and the domed ceiling above was too magnificent to miss.

The stitching went away as a breakfast snack was served and we settled in with great anticipation for the culminating adventure of our Peruvian journey – Machu Picchu!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Quilt-Cam 11/15/2015

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Isn’t this a great photo?

Ria sent it in along with the following words:

Hi Bonnie,
Wanted to show you how addictive tumblers can be...I working with my 7-year old granddaughter on scrappy tumblers!
She's a natural on colour choices!!
Grandson (10 years) listens music and watches Dutch football, although he loves what his little sister and Oma are doing: "you must be making a quilt, right?"  
Love them both! They make these days sparkle!
Enjoy your day!
Love from the Netherlands.
Ria, Nadeche and Joram.

Thanks for sharing the photo and the update, Ria!

I love seeing the photos you send in, especially of kids and grand-kids getting in on the act!

It’s been a busy busy few months and I’m happy for this opportunity to share Quilt-Cam with you.

What am I working on??

Watching over Cusco, Peru

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On a hill only a 10-minute walk from the ruins of Saqsaywaman and overlooking the city of Cusco is the statue known as the "White Christ" or "Cristo Blanco."

The towering statue of Christ greatly resembles the "Christ the Redeemer" statue atop the Corcavado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This was extra funny as while I was In Peru, the hubster was just returning from Brazil on business!  It was a “My statue is bigger and more famous than your statue” kind of conversation! LOL!

Almost every Latin American city with a hill nearby has a statue similar to this with the most famous being Rio's Cristo Redento. I always thought it was unique but so far Rio, Santiago, Lima and Cusco all have either statues of Christ , the Virgin Mary or Crosses overlooking their cities. Or a combination of the above.

However, the impetus for Christo Blanco statue in Cusco is a far different and interesting story. The Cristo Blanco statue was actually a gift.

The statue was erected by a group of Christian Palestinians who were seeking refuge in Cusco in 1945. Cristo Blanco represents a symbol of their gratitude to Cusco for accepting them and the statue was a parting gift when they finally returned to their home country.

CusqueƱos (The people of Cusco) believe the statue serves as a reminder "that good deeds do not go unnoticed."

As kind as I found Peruvians to be on my first trip to Peru, I believe this too!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Thinking of Paris



I awoke this morning to the news of terrorism in Paris, and my heart is incredibly sad for the beautiful country of France, the amazing city of lights -Paris, and its people.

Why gunmen would walk into a packed concert and open fire on music lovers is beyond me.

From BBC.com:

France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after at least 128 people were killed in a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris.
Eighty people were reported killed after gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall and took hostages before security forces stormed the hall.
People were shot dead at restaurants and bars at five other sites in Paris. At least 180 people were injured.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Cusco Peru and the Incan Empire.

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We continued our Cusco tour with a panoramic bus ride with several stops along the way to overlook the city, and see the Incan ruin remains that are much older than Machu Picchu ever thought of being.

First stop:  Saksaywaman

Not long ago, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a result that will surprise none of the millions of people who’ve visited the spectacular stone citadel in the sky. What most visitors to Peru don’t know, however, is that the country is thick with ancient Inca wonders. We hit two of these sites on our panoramic tour!
 
The first is Saksaywaman (pictured above). Arguably the greatest Inca ruin outside of Machu Picchu, this gargantuan complex overlooks the city of Cusco.

Saksaywaman is believed to have once been a royal retreat, a fortress, or both. Its zigzag walls are built with some of the largest stones to be found in Inca masonry; some are estimated to weigh as much as 300 tons, yet are fit together as tightly as the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
 
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Incredible stone walls!
 
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While Machu Picchu is young by archeological standards, from about the 1400s, the earliest occupation of the  Saksaywayman hilltop dates to about 900, a difference of 500 years!
 
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Driving out further – horses and eucalyptus trees!
 
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Riding horse back!
 
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Notice anything on top of this roof?
 
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It’s a  two bull good luck roof topper!
 
A couple of ceramic Bulls stand on the middle of most rooftops in Cusco as if on a hilltop looking out on the rolling, downward-sloping pastures of orange ceramic roofing tiles.

This powerful image is one of good fortune and protection for the house and the family who live there.  We had fun finding all of the bulls after they were pointed out to us, along with the story of why there are bulls on the roof in the first place!
 
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More gorgeous scenery over Cusco!
 
You can see a bit of the city below!
 
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Our second ruin site, Pukapukara!
 
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The walls of Pukapukara behind a vendor’s market place!
 
I love the contrast in the colors in this photo!
 
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This fort is made of large walls, terraces, and staircases and was part of defense of Cusco in particular and the Inca Empire in general.
 
We were told that the name probably comes from the red color of the rocks at dusk.  If you look closely you can see they do have a rosy hue.
 
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Woman selling her trinkets.
 
Love the colors!
 
The tourists help the Peruvian people to make a living, too; it is a common thing for people who live in the area to set up tables selling small souvenirs or offering to take pictures of groups in front of the ruins for a few sols (one sol is approximately 36 cents).
 
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I loved the llama family!
 
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Huge foundations.  Just amazing to me.
 
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I wonder who used to look OUT of this window in the year 900??
 
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Pukapukara
 
So why was this place built here?  There are many theories and I’ve read about several trying to get down to the bottom of things as my history loving brain just likes to be in the know. It could have been a military fortress.
 
Another theory is that it was a place of rest for hunters and weary travelers, as well as Incan nobles, due to all of its luxurious baths, canals, plazas, fountains, and separate rooms.
 
But nothing is known for sure, and those who did know are long gone into the pages of history.
 
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Back on the bus! Waving good bye to the grazing llama!
 
Still more of our panoramic tour to share!  There are so many photos I need to break them down into chapters or all I would do is sit here and edit photos all day!
 
My missing luggage was picked up last night! Hooray!
 
I had opted to go get it at the airport because my dentist is close to that end of town, and I just wanted my bag – I didn’t want to wait another day for it, and no one would have been here if they were to deliver it while I was out.  I’m happy to say that everything made it and the first thing I did was throw all of that jungle dirty laundry into the wash!

And then I remembered the woman in San Luis doing her family’s laundry out of 10 gallon buckets by hand, and I sent up a moment of quiet gratitude for the simple blessings I take for granted every day.  Next time you do your laundry, just throwing in the soap and pushing a button, stop to think and remember!
 
I have scheduled a massage for this afternoon to get the kinks out of my neck and shoulders.  Too many strange beds, too much plane travel --
 
After that it is a van maintenance afternoon – shamu also has a spa treatment to prepare for the two driving trips I have next week.
 
Remember SUNDAY AFTERNOON at 2pm we are doing Quilt-Cam!!  Mark your calendars, and plan on a project to sew along with me.
 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Old Quilts New Life with Sarah Fielke!

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Old Quilts!  Old Quilts!  Is there anything I am more passionate about than the love of Old Quilts?

Well yes, as long as you include old fabrics, old machines, old sewing notions – every piece and part has a story to tell.

Antique quilts have always been a passion, from the first quilt I rescued from my dad’s car trunk in my early 20's to the quilts I later inherited from my grandmother who was NOT a quilter and didn’t know the story behind the quilts, just that they had been “in the family”- to the very first yard sale purchase of antique blocks with plans to put them together myself, and hand quilt them, finishing the job of a faceless, nameless needlewoman who had left them behind.  I love it all.

I love the connection to quilters and needle workers from the past the most.

I like to think that if we were ever to meet face to face, we could sit down over tea and cookies and talk about our love of all things quilting, from choosing the right piece of fabric, to what it takes to make that scrap bag go a bit farther, having to be creative when pieces are limited, to the pleasure of cutting out each piece and seeing stacks of uniform shapes ready to sew together, to the actual sewing, quilting and binding. 

Oh we’d have SO MUCH to talk about!

And then there are those who I have met during my lifetime as a traveling teacher – teaching along side other folks who share the same passions – the love of fabric, needle, thread, and longing for more time to put those three things together.

In May of 2014  I had the pleasure of meeting up for the first time with Australia’s own Sarah Fielke as we were both teaching at the Grand Hotel Needle Art Seminar on Mackinac Island, Michigan.

There we were..Sarah with her applique in hand, and I with my hexies, talking about all of those things I have longed to share –in real time!

The Ancient Walls of Cusco, Peru!

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The day after we arrived in Cusco, Peru we met up with our guide, Betty, for a walking tour of the city.

Where Cusco now stands was the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th into the 16th century until the Spanish conquest. 

Modern structures have been built on top of inca ruins with the amazing stone work of ancient artisans still plainly visible today.

We walked, we talked…we felt the stones that ancient hands had chiseled and carved so painstakingly to fit together like a puzzle – like a stone crazy quilt –without mortar.

Stone upon stone upon stone.

The stones are not uniform size, they are all random, and yet they fit together like tongue in groove – dovetailed with no gaps.

How did they do it??

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

A Veteran’s Day Homecoming.

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This will be a very short post just to let you know that I have arrived home safely --

Although my luggage did not!

When I arrived in Miami, I breezed through customs thanks to global re entry, and stood at the baggage carousel waiting for my bag….all of my group, one by one claimed their bags and went off to catch their connecting flights homeward, except me!

Turns out my bag never left Lima….it had been randomly pulled for a search and missed my flight connection.

No worries, they tell me I should have it in a day or so.  I filled out all of the paper work with LAN airlines, and my confirmation came to me via email.  IN SPANISH! LOL!

But I am happily home and waiting, arriving on my doorstep just past 1am this morning.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Hola, Cusco Peru!


Iglesia de Compania de Jesus, Cusco Peru! Construction started in 1571!

We arrived in Cusco early in the afternoon –grabbing our bags at the baggage claim, finding our way to our porters who would take our big bags to the hotel so they would be waiting for us when we arrived.

This has been a trip of everything in one large suitcase, but also a small duffle or bag for 3 or 4 day side trips.

Some excursions, like to the Amazon region made traveling with huge rolling suitcases very difficult because there are no flat sidewalks on which to roll a heavy suitcase,  so having 3 days worth of clothing and accessories in a much smaller duffle with a shoulder strap was essential.  Not only for us, but also for our porters who would carry these bags up many flights of stairs from the Amazon river which was at very low levels, all the way up to the top where the hotel sat on the bank!

Monday, November 09, 2015

Over the Andes by Air!



In another airport line, waiting to board another flight!

This time we were leaving Lima and headed to Cusco, with an elevation of 12,000 feet above sea level!

This would be our highest elevation and many of us would feel the effects with body aches, headaches, and extreme tiredness.

Many of us tried many modes of dealing with altitude adjustment, some choosing to go the medical route with altitude sickness pills, loads of water, and simple rest and moving a bit slower.

Some also added into the mix the native coco tea which is supposed to help greatly.

Some of us tried ALL OF THE ABOVE and still fought off the extreme fatigue from being at so high of an elevation.

But it was so worth it!

Sunday, November 08, 2015

Tuk Tuks, Peruvian Style!


From Iquitoa to Indiana Peru you will find one  very popular mode of transportation:

The tuk tuk!

A motorcycle driven carriage that acts as taxi to many in all kind of weather!

Here we are in one after our boat ride on the Amazon following our day in the jungle and our canopy walkway adventure.  The boat dropped us off in one area, the tuk tuks took us to the other side, where we grabbed the next boat back to Ceiba Tops.

Saturday, November 07, 2015

Los NiƱos de San Luis!

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With some extra time on our hands on our last day at Ceiba Tops, we planted a seed in our guides heads saying that we would really love to visit a local school if at all possible.

Was there a village near by that would welcome a bunch of gringos to interupt their school day so that we could say hello and see how things are?

ABSOLUTELY!

Not far up river is the small village called San Luis, home to approximately 300 residents who make their living farming and fishing along the Amazon river valley.

We loaded up our small boat, and those of us who had opted to go waved goodbye to those who had chosen to stay and rest.

I am one of those who hates to miss ANYTHING.  I just feel like the one thing I say no to just might turn out to the the awesome thing I wish I hadn’t missed…so I go!

And am I ever glad I did.

Friday, November 06, 2015

A Bit of Amazon Animal Action!

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After our piranha fishing expedition, we boated a bit farther up river toward the nature preserve to get up close and personal with some beloved jungle creatures.

Monkeys and sloths and snakes, oh my!

I mean, how often do you get to say “It was a TWO SLOTH DAY!”

From this point on, when describing the best day ever, my group will be calling any super duper day a “Two Sloth Day” in remembrance of the full full day of pink dolphin searching, native village visiting where we came upon our first sloth, blow dart competing, piranha fishing and being licked by monkeys.

Yes.  Licked by monkeys!

Thursday, November 05, 2015

Piranhas Anyone?



Another hot and humidly scorching day along the Amazon!

We loaded up our boats, 10 to each and off we went with our guides for a bit of piranha fishing fun.

How does one fish for piranha?

Take a stick, tie a bit of line to it, add a hook!  And then all you need from there is a bit of carne!

Bait the hook with the carne (meat) and attract the dangerous little fish by slapping the water with the tip of your pole.

Drop your baited hook in the water and…wait!

And you won’t have to wait long….but watch out, they will often strip your hook clean without you even knowing they’ve hit you! 

We laughed and laughed as time and time again, hooks were pulled up empty, not a bit of carne to be found at the end of gleaming hooks.

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

A Day Among the Yagua


Yesterday’s highlight –

Spending time amongst the Yagua natives who live communally in the Amazon region, and have lived this way for centuries.

When the Spaniards came in 1491, the Yagua natives were living much as they are today, living off of the land.  Hunting, finishing, farming and making life as a community of support for each other in this amazing place.

The Yagua population numbers approximately 6,000 with communities being found from Columba to Peru along the Amazon, Napo, Putumayo and Yavari rivers and their tributaries.

And so, after breakfast, we loaded up our boats and headed down the river, stopping to watch pink dolphins surfacing along our way.

Why are there no photos of pink dolphins?  We were too busy trying to spot them, and by the time we did, they were back under water!

But here is one from google: