15th Annual Sheets Run String Swing

Over the Labor Day weekend of September 3rd, 2021 I headed to the 15th annual Sheets Run String Swing on Middle Island Creek in West Virginia. This blue grass music festival is an annual event held by my family to celebrate traditional bluegrass music, libations, family, and friends . My family has had camps on […]

Amazing food of Peru

While traveling through Peru, it became evident that the diversity and quality of the food are exceptional. Peru is considered 5th in the world when it comes to gastronomy, and the Peruvian people take great pride in their culture and food. The passion for the food is contagious. I became addicted to Peruvian dishes like; Lomo Saltado, Juane, and Ceviche but Cuy (guinea pig), on the other hand, was a taste I could not acquire. With the food comes a desire of the Peruvian people to share and celebrate their culture through food and festivals. Peru is also known for a drink called the Pisco sour, an alcoholic cocktail that’s name comes from Pisco brandy, its base liquor, and the cocktail term sour citrus juice and sweetener components.

Shirley’s 30th Birthday celebration in PTO

Chincheros, the Sacred Valley, and a very special day in Ollantaytambo

We woke up a little late and quickly got our packs ready to head out for a full day traveling and exploring communities in the Sacred Valley, starting with Chincheros. After Shirley spent some time organizing our transportation, we had a plan and met our driver. The cost for the entire trip 120 soles, which is […]

Trip to Cusco: Operation Alpaca Trueke

After spending about three weeks in Puerto Maldonado enjoying the city, jungle, family, and friends, it was time for Shirley and me to fly to Cusco to seek out Alpaca sources and communities to work with. I had booked an Airbnb in Cusco near Tupac Square for a week as our base. Shirley had contacted her friend Sumaq who would meet us and show us […]

Choquequirao, Sayhuite, and back to Abancay.

We woke up the next morning to a garden of Eden paradise. We could not see her property full of flowers, birds, and a fantastic landscape because we arrived at night. We went to the main building for breakfast, which was served by Patrina and was delicious. After breakfast, we met up with our driver […]

Lima to Abancay

We were sad to leave Aruba but excited to explore Peru with Shirley. The flight back to Lima was good, and we arrived early in the evening. Shirley arranged for Walter, our driver in Lima, to pick us up at the airport and take us to our hotel. We decided to get something to eat […]

Back to Peru and trip to Aruba.

After spending about two months back in The United States and corresponding with Shirley, I decided it was time to head back to Peru to spend time with Shirley and take her up on her offer to show me more of Peru. We decided to first meet in Lima and fly to Aruba for a […]

Back to Cusco, onto Oracles, and saying goodbye

After leaving Aquas Calientes, I returned to Cusco, where I would spend the next four days, including my birthday. During my stay in the Amazon, I met a girl named Shirley, who said she would be in Cusco during my birthday and would show me around. I was excited, and so after checking into my […]

Aquas Calientes and Machu Picchu

The train from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes was excellent, especially after spending so many days hiking. The train ride was about an hour-long, just enough time for a quick bite to eat and drink, which was complimentary on Peru Rail.Arriving in Aquas Calientes, there was a lot of commotion, being a massive tourist area. I […]