To Chile and back again.....

We left Arequipa on our way to Iquique, we stopped at a shrimp shack, there were these things people here call mosquitoes but they aren’t like ones I have seen in north America, their body is the size of a fruit fly and I got a lot of nasty bites on my ankles.
Someone got this plate of potatoes, meat, eggs and fried toast, I got Chicken


We went to Tacna on the 30^th ( which is in southern Peru) we stopped here overnight on our way to Iquique ( in Chile). This was in Tacna.




I was really sick. We debated about taking me to hospital but put it off. Next day the 31^st ( since I had really thought was the 30^th) we drove to Iquique. The more then 8 hour drive from Arequipa to Iquique had the landscape of only hot very dry desert. Going from Peru to Chile was interesting as far as immigration as were driving.

We got to Iquique and went shopping. I was really not feeling good. I spent all New Years eve in bed with stomach spasms. I was decided the next day that I needed to see a doctor. They said the doctor spoke English so Alfonso wouldn’t ‘have to come in with me, but the nurse man spoke more then the actual doctor. He tried to tell me it was in my intestines ( not stomach) about where my small intestine ended. He said eat plain food for 4-5 days and take these drops.

BY the way I have been a good traveler no street food, or lettuce, or veggies you can’t peel.








My sock

Well the damn drops didn’t work to stop the pain spasm, and my diet was basically bread, and I hadn’t been eating much before this. It sucks I got some plain broth soup. Alfonsos mom was nice enough ot make a me a soup. All the time people were having Crab Empanadas and ice cream, I was most upset about not having ice cream, I could have tea, but not with milk or sugar, and a bread but no butter. People here think it is Gastritis, I am not familar with that and I have never had stomach problems like this in the US.




This lady had food! I kept thinking maybe I could be fast enough to out run Alfonso and manage to get some ice cream in.

The doctor thought the cheese in Peru might have been the culprit, as I had been eating a bit of it, and It is a harder cheese then I am use to but, I was upset because over the summer I had no problems.

We went to the beach which was pretty and Zonfri, this is a big outlet type mall, because Iquique is a big port.

We had a nice trip, I bought some wooden Spoons and of course we all know how much I love rats with wings.










This was the makings of a pigeon fight.


This guy had really nice feet

One the way back we stopped in Tacna and I had Traditional Northern Peruvian food, it was really good.

Peru-Last day of workshop and Peruvian horses 25th July

Well the last day of the workshop was fun. We had a contest for the best original design. Then we went horse back riding it was fun and I want to talk more but three more post and Puno tomorrow so fill in later..

This was the last day of the workshop. This is also a picture of Randi with one of the knitters Ingrid with her intarsia sweater.

These are two of the designs from the knitters.

This is Miguel presenting the winner

These are some of the pictures with lunch. Lisa is standing with one of the horses.

First day of the workshop

Well today was interesting I tired to get more sleep but my ipod wasn’t charged and I have become unaccustomed to falling asleep with out classical music.

This post is form the 14th.

The morning started out good, with Randi, Miguel and myself all learning words in Spanish. I was fun and most of the ladies once they knew what we were doing knew what we were talking about. Teaching symbols was essential as symbols are universal. ( this workshop was put on by Misti International).

Also covered were the importance of swatch. Swatch and gauge are important in making of garments.

I felt bad as Randi wanted to show the women what she was talking about and all I had with me was my socks on size 1 US.

Some of the words: ok I copied this down as Miguel wrote it so if it wrong I m sure someone will let me know:

Knit-punto dereches

Purl- punto reves

YO-lazada

At we then went through Crochet stitches as well and this was interesting.

Randi then showed up some really simple charts. As I never follow charts this was a bit hard for me. I thought the even rows were the back so when we had to write a mock chart……

I know you guys are thinking how long have you been knitting. But I knit from my handspun and rather simple patterns as when you have to dye the wool, spin it then it come to knitting it and you try to get out as easily as possible. We continued on with different kinds of patterns. Then we had a brief lunch that was something like a hamburger but on a different type of bun.

I MISS KATIE. Who I hope is enjoying being with Jay at the beach and not freezing her butt off.

But today she missed it Senorita Julia made Giant fired stuff yuquitas ( stuffed with cheese) and of course fried.

This post was form the 14th.

WE then went to Calicmpo where I worked on a swatch for a sweater. Once we got home I went with Miguel’s soon to be sister in law, who helped me to find an eyebrow pencil. I need to either have the foresight that I will wax off my eye brow so I should carry a pencil or I shouldn’t not wax it off. I also go a mascara pencil, and lip pencil and two Ice cream ( I got hungry). I guarantee my mom that all of these things are important to my well being while in Peru. Walking around with half an eye brow is affecting my confidence level. I also think I am getting fat ( I know all of you have been asking how I haven’ been), too much beer, cake and delicious food. So I think I m going to swim I only brought a bikini and not a racing suit but well see.

Did we say I can move here?

This post was from the 13th.

OK yesterday we picked up the designer from the airport. Today we picked up JAY ( Kaites soon to be husband). Well they were very happy to see each other and I can’t wait to go to their wedding.

We then went part I think seven in all to a great restaurant by the founders home. We had a great lunch Jay and I had the Americano ( very small piece of traditional Peruvian food) Katie had tasty tasty Fried chicken

This was in the country where we saw cows, a cute mastiff, a cat, ducks, sheep’s, and well big big bulls.

After Lunch we went and had a tasty treat and I am grateful to Miguel for. I think he only tells me about local sweets every few days as he fears I will go into sugar coma. This was fried yeasted dough ( think similar to a funnel cake but not quite) covered in Sugar cane syrup. TASTY. In lima they make them from pumpkin. Bunuelos? Something like this I’ll find out. But I had four. There are ladies there who each make them just a tad different do families have their favorite ladies.

Then we went and drove into the square for Jay to see.

Then tonight they left me and went to stay at the Aunts house. I a, happy they get to have a mini holiday and have left me for the beach ( smiles and waves) and maybe I ll see pictures when they get back.

Tonight off to bed tomorrow is the workshop with Randi I look forward from learning from her she is filled with great knowledge.

Oh you know it is a bird!