​Conquering The World
​​​by Tomas Cironis
Arequipa - 2015
Arequipa 2015
When I finished my bachelor studies, I had a half of the year to next chapter, Master studies. I think it was in the end of May or begining of the June when I was succesfully accepted to the Charles University and then I decided to find a job abroad.
One friend of mine, Michal Vrána, told me about this organisation called AIESEC. They are connecting Universities all over the world and allowing students (and Graduates - max 2 years after graduating) to travel abroad for internships.
There are 2 types of internships, volountier and paid. I decide to volountier, because it takes only something around 7 or 8 weeks. The paid internshipas are for 3 - 6 months atleast. And I didn't have that much time, I wanted to be back in September for my Master studies and journey to Iceland with friends.
So I applied to AIESEC. I didn't know where I wanna go, I just wanted not be in Czech republic. When I was searching up the internships, I was decideing between Southern America and Western Asia only. Those are places which I wanted to visit. And one of my life-goals was visiting the Machu Picchu in Peru, so I was focusing that way.
Before you sign a contract with the company in other country you have to go through same thing as you apply for a job in your home. I had to fill many documents about me, then had a Skype call and then I was waiting for an answer.
I was really close to sign up contract with Sao Paolo in Brasil but then I got answer from Arequipa in Peru. Where the hell is Arequipa ? I didn't know anything about Arequipa but I red about their project "Learn and Live" and I started to be really interested.
I didn't have much time left, because (as usuall) I applied really late, so I didn't wanna look for any others, I just decided to go to Arequipa. And so far, it was one of my best decision ever.
Semana UNO
There are 4 Europeans with me; guy from Belgium (Laurens), guy from Poland (Bernard) and girl from Germany (Rike). I spent quite a lot of time with them. Then there is my good friend from Mexico, Edmundo. He is much more European than American because he comes always on time, when he says something, he actualy really do that and so on.
Most of the LatinoAmericns (especially Colombians) are driving me crazy. Like we had a really important meeting at 2pm. It means to be there 1:55 for me. At 2:30 came first brasilian and around 3:15 we recieved text message from Colombians that they're finally leaving their house. Awesome right ?
My flight took almost 2 days. I left Prague to Paris, where I was waiting for almost 5 hours and then was flying directly to Lima. This part took approx. 17 hours and I couldn't fall asleep. That's the moment when I decided to start a blog. I didn't know what else to do, I red all the books, I saw all interesting movies and still had around 6 hours ahead.
When I got to Lima I almost didn't catch the plane to Arequipa, but atleast it was an adventure. I ran through all the Lima airport and it was defenitely the shortest excursion in history of this airport.
And in Arequipa I was picked up by my host family who are really great on me. I don't speak spanish a lot but Google Translator is our new best friend right now. And by the way.. I've got my own room which is cool.
I'm thinking of taking them for a dinner atleast, to say "thanks for everything". They even invited me for their wedding! I really wanted to go but at that time we were in Colca Canyon. Maybe next time.
Semana DOS
The second weekend here we decided to go Rafting! Back in Czech republic I was few times on races with "Dragon ships" so I really used those experiences. It was amazing adventure, I really like it but I found out that I don't like the "neopren" suit. I look ridicolous... And still it was cold! I had a flew in next few days but nothing that could beat me.
I started to work in this NGO (non-profit goverment organisation) called "Hogar de Cristo" (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hogar-de-Cristo-Arequipa/372416602801557?fref=ts). First week we were there just to observe how everything looks like. The previous group of Teacher from Colombia came here one week later (what a surprise...) so we started also 5 days later.
Our first class with the kids were sport activities. The Colombians prepared some activities but the kids are really hyperactive so it was very soon a mess. They were running all over the place and nobody was listening. It reminded me my beginings as a Floorball Coach :)
Thank God I had this idea of building the airplanes from paper. In Hogar they had a lot of paper for everyone so every kid took a paper and sat down on the ground. Then they were building airplanes according to my instructions and I think it worked quite well.
You know, nobody wanted to tell...but I saved the day. Again.
Then we had this meeting called GLOBAL VILLAGE. It took place in Lambramani Mall, which is one of the biggest in Arequipa. All the Trainees and members of AIESEC Arequipa met in the Mall and set up the tables for us. I was at the same table with Germany (Rike) and Belgium (Laurens). Next to me was Poland (Bernard). And we were one the most favorite ones because for LatinoAmericans we're quite exotic persons. I, for example, brought the typical biscuits and chocolate from
Czech republic and some of the bijoux and animals from glass and I think that my table had most visitors. I believe that Germany would disagree with me but that's all what she can do.
Semana TRES
We teach only 2 hours every day and on Mondays we are helping kids with their homeworks which is especially for me quite difficult because my spanish isn't that good. And I had troubles even with Algebra, guys can you divided without using the Calculator ? :D
Me and Rike, the girl from Germany, we have a lot of ideas how we could help Hogar much more but we aren't finding the needed response from authorities.
It was very funny afternoon, I tasted all types of food from every country in the world which was presented. And it wasn't my best idea that day. I didn't feel good for the rest of the evening. Guys, you should remember for next time, don't mix up Mexican, Brasil, Poland, Czech, Colombian and Peruvian food together.
In CZ we have this saying "what doesn't kill makes you stronger" so I must be super strong right now I guess.
After watching several of traditional peruvian dances, which I found very interesting eventhough I don't like dancing in generall, we cleaned up the tables and all the staff, made few pictures with others and all together and then left the Mall.
On the way back I decide to walk home and don't use taxi, Combi or even GPS. I thought I am almost native over here... And of course I got lost. I had to turn on my GPS to get home atleast before 10 pm. But I'm really getting to know my neighbourhood.
Sometimes I feel really useless and I don't like that feeling. We have a meeting with head of our project, Mario from Peru, I hope he can help us find a solution. I didn't travel across half of the planet to waste my time here, I wanna do somtehnig useful. Let see.
The third weekend we traveled to Colca Canyon which is second deepest canyon in the world and twicest deepest than USA's Grand Canyon. It was really great trekking experince, more info in "Colca Canyon - 2015 page". And next week we're going to Cusco to visit the most important place in South America, Machu Picchu. I am really excited and looking forward.
It was really special day today, because all the girl were sick and I had to be in Hogar alone. When they asked me if I'll be fine, of course I answered that "I'm awesome" and "finally noone's gonna talk to my work" but honestly, I was little bit stressed. My spanish isn't so far that good to be in a classroom with those kids alone, but guess what... I am really awesome because it was one of the best classes I have ever had.
We talked about football and then we played few games with english numbers. And kids really liked it. And winner could get a tatto of czech flag, "Bandera republico czecho" were they yelling after we put the tattos on their skin. But I still think they have no idea where Czech republic is.
Those are funny things but there are also some sad news which I
found out in recent days. Two of the kids had to go to the Hospital. One of them, called Darwin, has issues with eyes. He's going to be blind very soon. And second kid, named Daniell, has very probably tumor on his brain. We are waiting for confirmation of those information but it is very close to be truth. Both kids can be saved by specific surgery but of course there is no money for that. Especially Rike has decided herself to save those kids. We were thinking about ways of raising money but we do not have support from the Hogar de Cristo headmaster,
which I really can not understand why.
His answer is "we don't want to put our instituition Hogar de Cristo in a way like we need money". It is NGO /non-profit goverment organisation/ with the most important part "non-profit". I really don't get it but there are more ways how to try get money for surgeries. Rike had this idea with CROWDFUNDING, it is online website for donating money for specific needs, like surgeries. But we need a lot of information and support from Hogar de Cristo staff, which we don't have so far. But I'm not gonna give it up so easily and I think Rike neither.
We will see.
Our next target is to get to Cusco this weekend. We booked all Hostels and bought the Bus tickets so everything is ready.
Semana Quatro
This week we spent on the way because there are holidays in Arequipa. We went to Cusco for 5 days and then we came back on Thursday 5 am and left Arequipa on 3pm same day to Puno and Copacabana. Check the pages "Cusco" and "Titicaca" for detailed info.
Semana Sinco
We came back from Bolivia on Sunday around midnight, I got to the bed after 2am and of course had to get up at 7:20 for breakfest. If I didn't mentioned it before, we have breakfest everyday at 7:30, doesn't matter if
week or weekend, it's 7:30 or no breakfest. I had a little troubles during first few days but then I got used to it and I think I like it because it makes me to get up at 7:20 and after the breakfest (around 8am) I can start to do somethng useful. So, in the end, thanks for breakfest at 7:30 every day.
On Monday, after the work in Hogar de Cristo, Rike took me to the live music concert. First we had a coffee and dinner and then went to concert which took a place in Museum. I thought it can't get more funny, but I was wrong. The concert started exactly on time when it should started which was one of the wierdest thing I have seen during my time in Peru. But I have to admit, Concert was very cool, vocal christian music, some parts even in English.
On Tuesday it's only me and Rike working in Hogar. Alice ate something bad and had to be taken to Hospital, we wish you to get well soon!
We went with the kids to the park play some soccer. They have holidays this week so there is no reason for English etc. Boys asked me to play with them and I agreed of course. Soccer is not my favorite sport and I don't think that I'm good in it but it was just for fun. But then everybody (including me) want to win. I was so confident, I played really well but later on they stopped passing me the ball! I was able to score so many times but they never passed me... So unfair! And we lost...
I hope this bad experince doesn't affect rest of my stay in Arequipa. We decided to sign up for another project with Rike. We joined Edmundo, Fernanda, Clemente, Isis and the
others in their AIESEC project. It's only for 5 or 6 days because all projects in Arequipa ends on 12th of August (next wednesday).
We had a lunch with most of the Trainees in Colombian restaurant which I didn't make in time because of the lunch with my host family. Rest of the Trainees went directly from the lunch to the "new project" work so I decided to get there on my own. I'm no gonna give it up so easily eventhough I had to go through all Arequipa, I had to change 3 times Combi and it took me more than hour and half. I successfuly made it there but then I coudln't find the right building. It was so frustraiting that I travelled same distance like from Earth to Moon in this chaotic system of Buses in Arequipa, all on my own without any help and I'm gonna loose because I can't find the right building in the street ?
Sometimes life is tough.
That just happens. Important for me is that Rike liked it in this new project and they did something useful. I'm thinking of going there too, probably on Monady or Tuesday when we come back from Ica. This week I will finish in Hogar de Cristo. It is closer to my host place and it's difficult to manage everything with lunch, transportation etc. I should think about that in advance because yesterday I screwed almost everything when I was trying to make everything. Sometimes I just have to admit that I don't have to be everywhere and do everything. But don't worry I'll fix it.
In the evening we went to the Anna Rachel's House to have a typicall Mexican dinner with all the Trainees. I don't wanna swank but I was helping in the kitchen and the house survived without any fire or explosions. We had a typicall mexican food which name I successfully forgot again... But it was really good, it took more than half an hour to prepare and we ate it in 2 minutes.
Then we played our favorite/typicall songs. I didn't know most of the songs, maybe I'm too old or too out. And when they asked me about some czech songs I played them "Jóžin z Bážin" and I'm not sure if they liked it but, just for the record, I told them in advance that they're not gonna like czech music. Next time I'll go with Michal David's NONSTOP maybe.
On Thursday we left to our last trip as a group, to Ica and Hyucachina Oasis. I'm really gonna miss our group.
Semana Seis
We came from Ica 8 hours later than we should. I don't have to remind that we experienced all types of storms, including the sand one and the rain one. We were coming back to Arequipa during the night from Sunday to Monday and when I woke up there were so many buses ahead of us. Every one was standing and waiting because of falling rocks on the highway. Hte Olturus Bus in front of us hit several pieces of rock, which really damaged the side windows. It wasn't fun anymore so we were waiting for better weather and when there would be no traffic.
The good thing was that we didn't have to go to Hogar de Cristo on Monday. We prepared our work in advance but there was "fiesta" this week, which means not many kids coming.
So we arrived around 3:30 pm and went home to have a shower and rest. Around 7pm I picked up Rike and we went to the cinema for a movie. Previous week there was Ted 2 in english language which I thought would be great idea but this week there was Fantastic Four instead of Ted (which is really bad movie and was in spanish only).
We decided to pass this experience, you know, next time in Peru... We went just for a dinner, but really good one. It was quite expensive restaurant but my steak was the best one I had in all time in Peru. almost as good as my Dad can make (and that means something!)
And after dinner I had a choco cake which was super sweet but I didn't have anything sweet for many days. And when we left the restaurant I went for an ice cream. I was missing the sugar... I had a maracuya and M+M lentils one (really cool combination) for 11 soles (around 90CZK).
I went with Rike to her place and then head to my home. Came there around midnight and woke up 7:20 for breakfest, of course.
We picked up our certification and went to Hogar de Cristo for last time, to say good bye to kids and staff. i think I'm gonna really miss them eventhough I didn't spend them as much time as I want. And eventhough I didn't fullfill everything what I want I think we did something good overthere and if it helps atleast few of the kids, I'll be proud of myself.
And there is still the "Daniell y Darwin" thing which we didn't solve and I still didn't give up. Jose Carlos believes that we are all leaving this week so he's delaying as much as possible but I'll be here for another two weeks so there is still a hope. I am not gonna give it up so easily.
We met at Rike's home this night. Me, Edmundo, Luize, Fernanda and Rike's host Ayrton with his friend, Edward. We should have watched the "Mad Max" movie as promised but it was Ayrton's last night in Arequipa before leaving to Kansas for half a year to study at Kansas University. So we changed the plans and played some games.
We watched the Mad Max movie next day in the afternoon and eventhough it is one of the coolest movie ever, we almost all fall asleep. That happens when you travel for almost three weeks without break. As we said many time before, next time in Perú...
This was Rike's last night so we decided to go out and enjoy it. Rike chose the Farren's Irish Pub near Plaza de Armas. We went there and made a reservation. And I don't know why I believed their word that our reservation is ok. I am still so naive here in Latino Ameriacano. When we came there around 8pm, Farren's pub was almost full and nobody knew about any reservation for 20 persons. And the waiter told me to go somewhere else that he doesn't think there is enough space for 20 people in the pub.
Of course I didn't go anywhere. I just sat there and was waiting for the other guests to leave and everytime they went to pay I took their table and chairs and made one big for 15 persons. It's childish, I know. But I had to, they're not gonna get rid of us so easily.
After quick dinner at Burger King Kong we went to another Irish Pub which was part of some Hostel. And the name of this pub I, of course, forgot. But it was really typical european pub. The staff spoke english, most of them were from the States.
We sign up for a Quiz game which was taking place over there. We made a team; me, Rike, Fernanda, Luize and Julia. We had a slow start but in the final chapters we took a lot of points and in the end we were fourth from 12 teams. And we were the best team from all the AIESECs, so who's awesome ?
And there was a drinking game form 3 more points which I had to participate and it wasn't my best idea so far. I am "beer guy", I can drink like 8 or 9 beers and be ok. But when I start to mix the drinks with shots or hard alcohol I get sick very easily.
Thank God (or me) I am awesome so I didn't get sick and was feeling ok. Almost. Maybe I was little bit "out of order". Honestly, for few minutes I could feel how the Earth is turning around, which is not mark of sober guy. I came back home around 3 am and went sleep right away, because... you know.... 7:30 breakfest :D
After eating I went for a really cold shower and that helped me. I was back online! Around 10:30 I met Rike in her house and we were waiting for Edward to take us to the airport. Rike and Edmundo speaks really some good czechs, so we made last "VideoMessage". Next time she's gonna speak czech fluently.
We left Rike around 1 pm and she left first to Lima and then to Madrid and Dusseldorf. It is quite weird here without her. Me and Edmundo we decided to go for some more trips, Fernanda, Luize and Julia want to join us which is ok but it is difficult to comunicate between each other because Rike was the connection among all of us. And I am really not good at talking.
Let's see.
And Mario wrote me message that he want to make an interview with me. Why not
Semana Sjete
I met Mario in front of Starbucks because Plaza de Armas is full of people these days. It is celebrartion of 475 years of Arequipa. The main party should be on Sunday, but they are celebrating all the weekend.
All the streets around the downtown are full of peruvians, dressed up in traditional clothes and singing and dancing natinals songs. And everybody is heading to the Plaza de Armas where's gonna be the main party.
This is how it looked int he streets:
It is so nice tradition, something we don't have in CZE. But I enjoy the watching not the dancing. Some of the girls came for me and Edmundo and took us to the middle of the street and we had to dance their traditional dances. And of-course I was very bad in dancing and of-course I had to do that in front of everybody in the street. But actually.. who cares ? :D
Next day we went to the concert in St. Katharina here in Arequipa. It turned out that it was funreal concert for one of the Rosita's friend who died during scuba-diving. I've never met him but it was really sad event. There was something around 60 people and we all were listening first to the piano concert and then quarteto singers. Especially the "Halelujah" song was impressive.
When the concert finished we decided to change our moods and go for cinema. Edmundo and Fernanda found movie in English which isn't as easy as it sounds. Almost all movies are here dubbed to spanish. Few weeks ago we almost went for Ted 2 which was in ENG but didn't make it in time.
Nowadays they play here movies like "Minions", new "Fantastic Four" (which is even worst than the first one), "Mission Impossible 5", "Ant-Man" and our favorite "Holidays".
I didn't know this movie before, but when we (me, Edmundo, Julia and her host Rosa) got in the cinema, Rosa decided to go for this movie. And when it started I realize it is a sequel of a very (and I mean very!) old movie which I saw with my grandparents many yera ago. It is about family going through all USA to get to the entertaining park on the other coast of America. I remeber I enjoyed the original one.
I almost forgot, we decided to go for this movie, because it was written it should be in ENG. We also went across all the Arequipa to get in this theatre. For example for me it is 50 mins by Taxi to get to my "host home" and I should paid 25 soles.
What a surprise when the movie started and it was in spanish... Thank God for Edmundo, who got up and went somewhere to tell them to change the language. After maybe 10 mins the movie started all over again and it was in ENG.
And I must admitt I enjoyed it. It was good relaxation and some of the quotes from movie I'm using even now, like my favorite one during driving a car or Karts: "If Vin Diesel can do it, I can do it !"
I came home around 2 am from the movie and got up for breakfest 7:30 again.
Next days we went for a mountain Biking trip to one of the Volcanoes around arequipa, Chcachani. For more info, check the "Chachani" page.
Eventhough it was really exhausting trip I really enjoyed it. And I hope Isis did too, because in the evening it was her good bye party. We went to her favorite pizza restaurant and then to the Wild Rovers again to play Quizz night. This time we weren't so successful but I think it was because of really bad and stupid question than we wouldn't be enough clever...
We came home really late in the night so next morning my biggest chalenge was sleeping. After lunch I met Edmundo and we went to our favorite Irish bar "Farrens" to play Chess. And I must admitt he's really good. So good that I still didn't beat him and we played almost 10 games I think.
And I hate loosing... I believe we'll play many more games before our departure from AQP so my goal is atleast 1 win. Atleast 1 !
Much better I feel in the Karts circuit. We went there on Saturday. Me, Edmundo, Julia, Fernanda, Luize and Edward. It was last Fer's day in AQP.
First race I took with some pruvians because there were only 5 Karts in one race. And of-course I beat them all, like Alain Prost and James Hunt during their best days.
Second race I took with others finally. And I don't remember if I was superbest or only impressive but I ended up in the first place again eventhough Edmundo was difficult to beat. And best quotes came from Julia who said "it isn't race", "just enjoy the air", "doesn't matter who's first" and so on and of-course she had to start first and took the fastest Kart :)
And third race was my worst one, durnig one of the curves I lost control of my Kart. My driving wheel lost connection with the wheel so I couldn't turn and had to stop. And do you know what's walk of shame ?
That's when you have to walk all the way back to the boxex when the others are already there with their Karts. Happens...
We edned up in Farren's (again) to play Chess (Edmundo beat me, again) and Jenga (I didn't make the tower fall, again) and card animal game (Julia's favorite "destroying friendships" game - like she would have anything to destroy...).
And then to the Wild Rover. Girls already call that place "Kassa" which means "Home". I believe it was last time we went there because on Monday Julia and Luize are leving and on Tuesday me and Edmundo.
On Sunday me and my host Maxi cooked the lunch.
