Hola, Buenos días and welcome to South America

Well, coming south is certainly a culture shock! What do you mean you don't speak a word of English, I thought everyone spoke some English?!? Of course we were aware this might happen so Steve is trying to perfect his Spanish, while I am rapidly perfecting my non-verbal, hand gestation based forms of communication. My 'hot' and 'bus' being a master piece to behold.

After a couple of chilled days in Lima, eating nice food, planning a master plan and generally relaxing we decided to spend a day exploring central Lima and took one of the local 'buses' (pictured) which certainly was an experience. At the equivalent of 25p a ticket, it didn't matter too much we didn't have a clue where we were going and got off slightly to early...

Central Lima, although has its nice parts, is unfortunately rife with poverty and pollution, so much so you could feel it in your lungs. we quickly realised that the part we were staying in (Miraflores) a much more affluent area (if any of Lima can be called affluent). That evening we were invited to join a poker game with a Canadian, a Frenchman, a Swiss and two Colombians (one named Diego who either permanently had a heavy cold or had a liking for narcotics...) which was good fun and helped us learn more about the South American culture and way of life and with our bus tickets booked for Cusco the next day we were ready to roll. After this however the rest of the time in Lima varied between me and Steve.

Something Steve had eaten that day led him to remain in bed for the next 36 hours with regular trips to the 'Bano'. 4 days later effects are still being felt.

Due to stupid Peruvian striking on the Highways our bus was cancelled that day and with Steve on Planet Umbongo, I decided to play football with the hostel, which was awesome. I also learnt a few things. 1) South Americans are potty about theirfootball, 2) They don't like losing, 3) "man-on" and "pass me the ball you stupid Argentinian plonker" are not globally recognised terms, 4) The F-word is most certainly global and 5) Colombian drug dealers have little to no co-ordination. Spent another evening drinking and playing poker with the football boys while Steve spontaneously combusted and crossed my fingers we could leave the next day...

With Steve showing some signs of life, we got ready to check out only to find this stupid strike was still in progress! lucky we found another bus company taking a slightly longer route that would avoid it so with a Mexican friend we had made (who could speak Spanish, yes!) we got on the 30 hour bus that ran on whats commonly know as 'Peruvian time', but was much more comfortable and had films showing so beat the 'Hound hands down!

We are now in Cusco which is at 11,000ft so the air is fairly thin... and have, fingers crossed, confirmed our Inca trip for Monday for 4 days (although this is not certain yet) so all is good, (Interjection from Steve: 'Apart from the biblical warfare that is still being conducted in my gastric system'). What will everyone else be doing on Monday? (sorry its just too easy...)