Plaza de Armaz - Huaraz
Plaza de Armaz - Caraz
After the incredible Santa Cruz Trek and one last night in Huaraz, I enjoyed a tasty, grilled dinner with Dominique, Pierre-Luc, Saoia & Rocco, before hopping on my bus to Lima. It was time to make my way back to Pisco sin Fronteras, so 2 hours after arriving in the Peruvian capital, I was on another bus, this one bound for the southern pan-american. Because it was only Friday, I figured I would return to Pisco to start work on Monday, so decided to spend the weekend surfing Cerro Azul, a classic left break just north of Cañete.
I had a room on the beach for two nights and got to surf for 3 days. Though the waves were not the greatest, it was still a fun spot and I was able to observe sea otters, plenty of birds and dolphins while waiting between sets. At one point, dolphins were only 5m away from me and my board! Very neat.
After a morning session on Sunday, I gathered my gear and walked to the pan-am to hop another south-bound bus to Pisco. One and a half hours later, I was knocking on the PSF door; returning to my Peruvian home for the last month of my South American Adventures. I was lucky to have awesome room-mates save me a bed in the surfer dorm, despite my 2 week vacation having turned into 4 (2 Peruvian weeks I guess...).
So here I have been for nearly 3 weeks, volunteering and enjoying some more good times with the great people here. August 15th was the 2 year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that destroyed 80% of Pisco and killed 600 people. During the time coming up to the anniversary, PSF received some media recognition. There were interviews and even some coverage of PSF in action at a work site. After our moments of silence that day, we busied ourselves cleaning up the houses and preparing for the PSF one year anniversary (which happened to be the following day).
On Sunday the 16th, we were up early and gearing up for our day of celebrations. We headed to malecon on Pisco Playa to clean up garbage and set up chairs for a number of performances. People from the surrounding neighbourhood, intrigued by all the gringos in blue PSF shirts, joined in the festivities. With a live DJ we were treated to a BMX demo by the top two BMX bikers in Peru. Some of the volunteers did a dance of their own and some kids from the community also put on a performance.
Following the performances and some touching speeches, the party began. There were soccer and volleyball matches, preparations for the burning man, and drinking of pisco, inca cola, wine and beers. This lasted until the afternoon, when many volunteers craved a ciesta to prepare for the after dark round of celebrations.
Sunset marked the highly anticipated PSF burning man, so the malecon attracted volunteers and community members again. By 6:30pm, the blonde, wooden PSF man was up in Flames and burning hot, thanks to burning man attandee, Jake of Michigan. It burned until about 8:30pm, which marked eat time.
PSF Burning Man at sunset.
This past week I have been training to take over Dominics job as projects manager, since he is leaving tomorrow. I will do that for my last two weeks before TBC Dave makes his return. It is a really cool deal being the man who makes sure everyone has a job for the days to come.
So I will be here until the 6th of September, at which time I start my journey back to Canada. I leave Peru for Buenas Aires on the 8th, then to Sao Paulo on the 9th from where I fly back to North America, landing in Vancouver on te 10th.
That being said, this is likely one of my last blog posts of the Adventures. Maybe I will post some more pictures though. Thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed! See you soon!
PSF burning man at sundown
The classic left at Cerro Azul.
After a morning session on Sunday, I gathered my gear and walked to the pan-am to hop another south-bound bus to Pisco. One and a half hours later, I was knocking on the PSF door; returning to my Peruvian home for the last month of my South American Adventures. I was lucky to have awesome room-mates save me a bed in the surfer dorm, despite my 2 week vacation having turned into 4 (2 Peruvian weeks I guess...).
Swimming in the Pacific after a roof pour.
So here I have been for nearly 3 weeks, volunteering and enjoying some more good times with the great people here. August 15th was the 2 year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that destroyed 80% of Pisco and killed 600 people. During the time coming up to the anniversary, PSF received some media recognition. There were interviews and even some coverage of PSF in action at a work site. After our moments of silence that day, we busied ourselves cleaning up the houses and preparing for the PSF one year anniversary (which happened to be the following day).
Sweet ride home, Felipe!
On Sunday the 16th, we were up early and gearing up for our day of celebrations. We headed to malecon on Pisco Playa to clean up garbage and set up chairs for a number of performances. People from the surrounding neighbourhood, intrigued by all the gringos in blue PSF shirts, joined in the festivities. With a live DJ we were treated to a BMX demo by the top two BMX bikers in Peru. Some of the volunteers did a dance of their own and some kids from the community also put on a performance.
BMX demo.
Following the performances and some touching speeches, the party began. There were soccer and volleyball matches, preparations for the burning man, and drinking of pisco, inca cola, wine and beers. This lasted until the afternoon, when many volunteers craved a ciesta to prepare for the after dark round of celebrations.
Sunset marked the highly anticipated PSF burning man, so the malecon attracted volunteers and community members again. By 6:30pm, the blonde, wooden PSF man was up in Flames and burning hot, thanks to burning man attandee, Jake of Michigan. It burned until about 8:30pm, which marked eat time.
Malecon park on the Pacific Ocean.
PSF anniversary face painting.
While many stayed up late drinking and looking forward to a Monday off work, I was in bed before midnight, stoked on a trip to Cerro Azul for some more wave riding. I was on a bus by 7:30 and in the surf/fish village by 9:30. The swell was MUCH bigger than my previous visit and a little daunting to be honest. In any case, I geared up and hopped into the water all on my own. The current was strong, so I only managed to get a few short rides before being nearly slammed into the pier. I went for three rounds, ate lunch, and caught a bus back to Pisco.
PSF Burning Man at sunset.
This past week I have been training to take over Dominics job as projects manager, since he is leaving tomorrow. I will do that for my last two weeks before TBC Dave makes his return. It is a really cool deal being the man who makes sure everyone has a job for the days to come.
So I will be here until the 6th of September, at which time I start my journey back to Canada. I leave Peru for Buenas Aires on the 8th, then to Sao Paulo on the 9th from where I fly back to North America, landing in Vancouver on te 10th.
That being said, this is likely one of my last blog posts of the Adventures. Maybe I will post some more pictures though. Thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed! See you soon!
PSF burning man at sundown
Mitch
ReplyDeleteHave been reading your blogs and marveling at your adventures.
Will see you back home, and will undoubtedly hear more! Can't wait.