| Peru: October 2005 Salsa and Horses |
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| Just about every night I was in Cusco, I went salsa dancing at a club known as Mythology. The first few hours of the evening were devoted to salsa, both rueda and partnering. Everyone I danced with danced on one, which was good for me since I haven't managed to learn on two yet. Most of the lessons were very basic, but about half of the rueda moves were at an intermediate level. I normally don't dance rueda, so I'm not the best judge. I had a great time there. Later in the evening, usually around 11 pm, the DJ would start playing normal music - rock, reggeaton, hip hop.... I'm not a big fan so I'd either go to another club to dance salsa or go home. Clubs in Peru stay open much later than those in Boston, so I didn't have the staying power of most of the other dancers :-> After a very invigorating night of dancing, I got up very early on my third morning in Cusco to go horseback riding in Urubamba. I took the bus down, and then a taxi to the hotel Sol y Luna. The bus ride was interesting, if only for the scenery. It was very crowded, I spent half the ride with an older woman's stomach taking up half my seat and her arm resting against my head. The taxi ride was the only time I really got ripped off. I forgot to negociate the price beforehand, and the driver completely took advantage. It was bound to happen sometime. The Hotel was very luxurious and very beautiful. The pictures on the website don't exagerate at all. The ranch was well set up for both beginner riders, and those who've been at it for a while. I've been riding for 12 years, and the horse I was given was by no means the plug I had been dreading. While not one of the gorgious mares you can see at a breeder's farm, the horses were decent mounts. This was only my second time riding a gaited horse and I was very excited. I usually ride huntseat, on Arabians. I found the Peruvian Pasos were hot blooded enough to be interesting (unlike Apaloosas, which are pig headed and not very bright) and a very smooth ride. Even when prancing with impatience, you can't really get upset because there's no discomfort. The area we rode around was interesting. There was a lot of poverty. We saw people working in fields by hand and plowing with oxen. We also saw some beautiful houses and properties. And the presence of ruins really added character that I've never seen in the United States. When I first moved to the East Coast from the Pacific Northwest, I felt that I was living in a place where history was all around you, but that's nothing compared to Peru. The guides on the trip were very professional and nice, too. When they found out I spoke a bit of spanish, they let me practice on them a little. None of the other guests rode or spoke spanish, but two of the ladies were kind enough to invite me to have lunch with them. Turns out one was quite the world traveler. There are so many places I'd like to see I don't know how I'll ever be able to manage. The Journey Continues: Cathedral and Ruins Only Thoughts Can Return: Cusco Enter the Wood Between the Worlds |