RTW: Exchange in Chile

They love me for my big.. dolares

I arrived to Peru yesterday, after a short landing in Costa Rica (they did not let us out of the plane, so did not bother to call Sami, who is studying there). In the picture you can see what the most of Costa Rica seems from a plane.. Anyway, Lima does not seem all that dangerous as everybody has told me. Ok, there are safer places but still this has not yet given me the creeps. I am spending one day in Lima to see the sights before I head out to Cusco for a glimpse of Macchu Picchu and if there is time and timetables are as they should, I should be able to reach Lake Titicaca too. The thing here seems to be that as they see me looking like a gringo they want to steal mis dolares, if not by attacking me, by raising the prices. And the basis I use for bargaining being a year-old Lonely Planet Shoestringer book, it seems to me that even with bargaining I end up paying too much. The guys in my hostel told me that this is fortunately not the case as the prices are indeed higher than in the time the book was written (for example, a bus ride to Cusco was supposed to be 30 USD according to the book but ended up at 40). The style of bargaining changes totally, however, as I change from english to spanish and that is the best way to get even close to normal prices.

Anyway, I'm still a bit stunned by the awesome welcome they gave me in Mexicali. It was just unbelievable, I had such a great time there and the reception I got was just like I was a long lost brother - and this was not just the exchange family but everywhere! I promised to go back before 2010 (as it was 5 years since my last visit).. I must admit, the place has left its mark on me as even after all I already went through this stop was by far the most awesome -even though there was not that much new things to see. Below you can see some people from the last evening's carne asada (a BBQ party Mexican style, note that it is cold in the desert as we all have jackets on) and a sunset from the Rumorosa (the mountains that lie between Mexicali and Tijuana, here at 4000 ft.). I also made a video of the place where your car goes uphill when it is put on neutral gear, so that all you nonbelievers can see it when I get back home. :)



I forgot to add the Bic Mac index in the last post, as there are not that many McD's in Mexicali (why would they have with all that incredible food) we actually had to look for one. A burger was 31 pesos (equals 2,2 euros) and a meal 53 pesos (3,8 euros), and though it is probably one of the most pricey places to live in Mexico it is still cheap by Finnish standards. Concluding the great Mexico visit:

Best national beer tasted: Tecate (a huevo, compa)
Best(-ever) national dish: Tacos de carne asada con tortillas de arina
Best experience/sight: My friend Carlos singing and playing a guitar in a restarant (y pisto gratis!)

posted by Kassu @ 9:10 AM