“Dream it! Plan it! Do it!”-National Geographic Adventure
Marily MacDonald
Wow, I can’t believe I am actually about to embark on a six month Odyssey around the world. It all seems so flippant. Here I am jetting off, leaving all responsibilities and “reality” behind, to do what? Live life to the fullest? Well, heck yes I am. When else could I ever do something like this again? I am putting off that mortgage, two and a half kids and the picket fence for a backpack, two and a half months worth of Malaria pills and no limit to where I will “find myself.” My degree is not going anywhere and those cover letters are written and ready to send out as soon as I get back.
Lisa Auchincloss and I, both Middle Park Alumni (‘02), are setting off together. We graduated from college in May and wanted to ‘get around,’ (as in the world) before we get serious about our careers. The last six months have consisted of saving and planning for this expedition. I have found myself swabbing decks as first mate on a yacht, cooking for a rowdy bunch of hunters, tending bar and patiently teaching three year olds how to ski, all in pursuit of saving enough money to get myself around this blue dot of ours.
Shots, packs and facts, we have done our homework. Registering with the US Embassy’s in the countries we plan to visit and checking up on Visa requirements have kept us busy. Not to mention the shots and meds we had to get; Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis C, Malaria and stocking up on a healthy supply of Pepto and Imodium AD. Packing your life into 2500cc of nylon and trusting your insurance policy have been trying and we’ll find out how practical. Without the Internet planning such an endeavor would be a bit more tedious. We are winging a few aspects of the trip but, all in all, we have everything organized and will have our wits about us at all times.
Now that our ducks are in a row we plan on starting this Odyssey in South America, where we will explore the Inca trail and trace Che Guevara’s path through Peru and Chile. Followed by a brief stint in the emerging economic super power of Hong Kong. Then, we will hangout in the tree house bungalows of Thailand and swing through the jungles of Cambodia. In Morocco we’ll catch the Marrakech Express and find out what Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young were singing about. While in the UK we may loose a few pounds but it wont stop us from getting “out of this world” in Iceland’s unique and diverse topography.
~~I write to entertain, inspire and expand your horizons into the world around us. Our mission is to experience new cultures and broaden our perspective on life. Thus, making us perceptive individuals with a keen sense of adventure and a yearning for understanding and insight. ~~
Dreamt it! Planned it! Doing it!
An Odyssey of the Mine
A mine blowing experience, with mine over matter conditions; digging deep into the Bolivian mining industry.
Marily MacDonald
Down, down, down we went, the temperature and level of apprehension increasing every step of the way. We ventured into the dark, musty mine a bit dubious as of what we were getting ourselves into. This was the real deal, no safety ropes, railings or liability forms to be had. The mines in Potosi are far from being up to code, talk about venture at your own risk! Having to crawl through stifling passages and ducking makeshift support beams made descending the 275 feet no easy endeavor. I found myself thinking for the first time in a long while, ¨´what have I gotten myself into?¨´ We could hear random rumblings, drips and echos from the mysterious alley-ways that we passed. Air was pumped down through tubes but it still felt like your lungs were constricted. As we made our way deeper into the mine we encountered many of the workers placing dynamite for blasting or shoveling loads of rock into bags to be hauled out by hand. We were on edge as it was, let alone when a two ton cart full of ruble came zooming up behind us giving us little warning to get out of the way. (Which meant finding a wider spot in the path and gluing yourself to the side of the tunnel wall as three men pushed the immense load hurriedly by.) The abandoned 30 to 50 ft shafts were also a bit worrisome. Arsenic, espestice and silica dust get stirred into the air, adding to the many health risks of working in these mines. At least we had hard hats and masks on, unlike the miners. Three hours too much we spent nervously exploring these hellish conditions.
Bolivia is the poorest county in South America yet mineral rich. Zinc, Silver, Tin and Lead can all be found within the mountains surrounding the highest city in the world, Potosi (4090m =13,418ft). The life expectancy is around thirty years for the miners so many of the families are left fatherless. This results in the perpetuation of a vicious cycle, as young boys no older than ten begin their hard lives below ground. The workers pay many respects to the Devil and have even built shrines in some abandoned caverns. Coca is a vital vice (used like ch-aw in the cheek) accepted by the culture as a way to help workers remain awake throughout their shifts. At the moment mineral prices are up and a worker can make $300 US a month which is twice as much as the average Bolivian makes. 250 Co-ops work individually to extract as much mineral rich ruble as possible from the already exhausted mountain, 'cerro rico'. After processing and filtering (where hydrochloric acid and other dangerous chemicals are used generously) a sludge is left consisting of about 30% usable mineral content. Once dried and bagged (all by hand) the matter is shipped to Asia for processing, and the silver is used in microchips. Goodbye Cerro Rico hello Toshiba, IBM, Dell, and Hewlet Packard.
The whole experience was rather daunting. (to learn more check out the film The Devils Workers). Lifestyles vary greatly throughout the world but some situations are so harsh it makes one feel very grateful for what we have. The situation is extreme but the people are hard workers and know no other way. There is defiantly no whistling while you work in these mines.
When in Peru...
When in Peru, do as they do! (Except the whole BYO TP!)
Sitting on a crowded, loud, dirty combi bus zooming through the cobblestone streets of Lima, I find myself admiring the business tenacity of the small boy juggling in the middle of an intersection. Similarly, the solemn girl in brightly colored native attire, holding a baby lamb and charging a sole to take a picture is also quite the entrepreneur. Yes, Peru is poor and run down, but it is still very much alive. The third world poverty is startling, but the people are jolly and content, each actively trying the make a living. The pride the Peruvians display in their culture and traditions is astounding. Though the houses are old and run down, children still laugh and play in the yards and the walks are swept and tidy. The mothers may be doing the wash by hand and the fathers are still working behind an ox and plow, yet they are happy living a simple non-materialistic life. The poverty may seem extreme but everyone seems to be fed and progress is seen everywhere.
Our first stop in Lima was essential because we stayed with a local girl and her family. She introduced us to the food, culture and lifestyle of Peru giving us a jump-start in our immersion. She also taught us how to catch one of the chaotic buses with horns that never cease to stop, as well as how to deter the finagling street vendors. Her family is very close and not unlike most families in South America the children live at home until marriage. Meeting Sophia really helped us get a more authentic introduction to Peru, we even tried the guinea pig.
After the hustle and bustle of the city we were drawn to the majestic mountains of the Andes. Our trek up to Machupicchu was awe inspiring. No matter what your beliefs are, you'll feel some sort of spirituality permeating throughout the mountains. The lush cloud forests that climb out of the river valley are mystical and overpowering. We made our journey up the steep steps at four AM to beat the crowds and see the sun rise over the ruins. As dawn broke we reached the summit and the fog and rain finally stopped. Our anticipation was alleviated as the Inca village of Machupicchu presented itself. It is in the running for one of the new seven wonders of the world and it fully deserves the recognition!
The mystery behind the Incan civilization's disappearance, the Spanish Inquisition and all the folklore surrounding Peruvian culture make for some very interesting museums and archaeological sites. We are practically ruined by all the sites but incidentally we are becoming Incan history buffs. We are learning of all the subtle but distinct differences in style, clothing, food and perspective between the countries. Most of the travelers we've met have been from other Latin American countries ( lots of Argentinians and Brazilians). Each country is very unique, yet all possess that Latin charm.
Traveling and being outside of your element forces you to examine and experience other ways if life, leading to a better understanding of the differences and similarities we all have. Next stop Bolivia and Argentina and we will not forget to bring our own toilet paper!!!!!
Ciao!
Sitting on a crowded, loud, dirty combi bus zooming through the cobblestone streets of Lima, I find myself admiring the business tenacity of the small boy juggling in the middle of an intersection. Similarly, the solemn girl in brightly colored native attire, holding a baby lamb and charging a sole to take a picture is also quite the entrepreneur. Yes, Peru is poor and run down, but it is still very much alive. The third world poverty is startling, but the people are jolly and content, each actively trying the make a living. The pride the Peruvians display in their culture and traditions is astounding. Though the houses are old and run down, children still laugh and play in the yards and the walks are swept and tidy. The mothers may be doing the wash by hand and the fathers are still working behind an ox and plow, yet they are happy living a simple non-materialistic life. The poverty may seem extreme but everyone seems to be fed and progress is seen everywhere.
Our first stop in Lima was essential because we stayed with a local girl and her family. She introduced us to the food, culture and lifestyle of Peru giving us a jump-start in our immersion. She also taught us how to catch one of the chaotic buses with horns that never cease to stop, as well as how to deter the finagling street vendors. Her family is very close and not unlike most families in South America the children live at home until marriage. Meeting Sophia really helped us get a more authentic introduction to Peru, we even tried the guinea pig.
After the hustle and bustle of the city we were drawn to the majestic mountains of the Andes. Our trek up to Machupicchu was awe inspiring. No matter what your beliefs are, you'll feel some sort of spirituality permeating throughout the mountains. The lush cloud forests that climb out of the river valley are mystical and overpowering. We made our journey up the steep steps at four AM to beat the crowds and see the sun rise over the ruins. As dawn broke we reached the summit and the fog and rain finally stopped. Our anticipation was alleviated as the Inca village of Machupicchu presented itself. It is in the running for one of the new seven wonders of the world and it fully deserves the recognition!
The mystery behind the Incan civilization's disappearance, the Spanish Inquisition and all the folklore surrounding Peruvian culture make for some very interesting museums and archaeological sites. We are practically ruined by all the sites but incidentally we are becoming Incan history buffs. We are learning of all the subtle but distinct differences in style, clothing, food and perspective between the countries. Most of the travelers we've met have been from other Latin American countries ( lots of Argentinians and Brazilians). Each country is very unique, yet all possess that Latin charm.
Traveling and being outside of your element forces you to examine and experience other ways if life, leading to a better understanding of the differences and similarities we all have. Next stop Bolivia and Argentina and we will not forget to bring our own toilet paper!!!!!
Ciao!
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