the jungle plus!

hey everyone sorry for the big gap in posts!

Went to the jungle last weekend! Was 2 nights and 3 days, we left friday around miday and got back sunday evening. The ride was bizzarre because Huancayo is really dry and dusty whereas only 100 km away there is this dense jungle. The drive went down about 2000 metres and within 20 mins we were in forest. We checked into our hotel which had a pool etc which was nice except the bathroom had a tendency to flood...oh well! Friday afternoon we went out to the first waterfall which was really pretty(see photo) but we had to rush back because it gets dark here around 6 30. Then we went to dinner at this Chinese place which may sound weird but because of the water problems here we have to be really careful where we eat otherwise we risk getting parasites from the water, which is especially worrying when you see children drinking from the tap. The next day we went to 2 more waterfalls and drank coconut milk straight out of a coconut! and then for a traditional lunch. I had a typical fish from the river with fried yuka and rice (everything here is served with rice). After that we headed to a "native community" where the villagers dressed us up in traditional dress and danced with us. I didnt like that place very much because it was obvious that they didnt live that way anymore and it was just put on for the tourists, made all of us quite unconfortable. They had some really nice crafts though.

That night we went to a disco by the river which was cool, the men here dance way better than the women! I went fairly early though because I was worried about the hike the next day. Sunday morning it was tipping it down with rain and then Juan (the man who organises the project and whose house Im in) told us we would we walking up the river. I was a little worried but thought it would be interesting. At some point our guide pulls out this rope and we are standing in front of a big wall and it seems we have to climb up it! Well everyone managed it fine but me as I slipped and had to be caught by 2 different people and them almost broke down into tears because I was so freaked out. Then we had several other massive walls to climb and I was really not impressed. We finally got to the waterfall but I couldnt enjoy it becaus eI was so worried about getting down those walls! Then we started to walk back and the guide tooks us along this nice path that went right next to the river, which was great because there was no more climbing but then again I need not have risked my life climibing up those walls!!

Well I´m off to a traditional party now to celebrate some saint! lots of love xxxxx