I got in pretty late last night. I believe Lima is in the eastern time zone. So even though it was 12:30 am when I got to bed it was only 9:30 by my clock. The airplane seats were very comfortable so the trip here wasn't very tiring.
Lima, at midnight on Easter, wasn't very inviting. I think the airport is in a poorer part of town. Lots of people ambling about though. Piles of trash everywhere. Very much a third world feel. I was inside a company vehicle with a driver so I felt pretty safe. Although "driving" here is a different experience. The horn becomes as essential as the gas pedal, for example. I got to the hotel, which is small, but clean and very nice. It's across the street from the US Embassy. I have about 3 or 4 hours now to do something. Not sure what. Easter in an 80% catholic country means just about everything is closed. I need to hang around the room for a bit to determine exactly how I will get to the airport. I have no cell phone access. Just email and internet, when there is WIFI.
This afternoon, I fly to Trujillo, a smaller city about an hour to the north. Then, tomorrow, by bus to the mine at 13000-14000 feet.
The weather here is really good. Warm and a little humid. I like it.
When we are not at work, what do we do? That's what this blog is about. The outdoors, healthy activities, technology that makes life easier, fun with friends and family - here's how to do it right!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Day 1 - I'm a traveling man
So, as I sit here at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas I am marveling at how flight has changed since the olden days when you sat in the open cockpit. LOL. No, but it has really changed a lot since I started flying in the 60's. For example, from my Blackberry, I can call up a webpage for the airline and instantly know if the plane is on time or late. I can make a reservation, buy a ticket, change seats. At some airports, I can even check in and get an electronic boarding pass - all on the phone. My laptop is plugged in, I'm enjoying a Starbucks white chocolate mocha and the free WIFI here lets me send and receive email as well as check up on my social networking pages. Indeed, pretty amazing.
Security is a pain these days. They put you through the whole body scanner (the one where your nekeddness is displayed for the world to see) and you practically need a locker room to get dressed again on the other side. There seriously has to be a better way. If I were in charge, I'd find a way to identify the terrorists in advance and focus my efforts on them. We are wasting so much time on people who are simply ordinary while the real danger finds a way to bypass the system. Oh well.
The plane boards in half an hour. Business class (first class when BC is not available) means comfortable seats, free drinks, movies, and good food. I've got a window seat and I'll definitely be taking pictures if there are pictures to take (depends on lighting and clouds). I'm bound for Houston where I change planes and then head to Lima, Peru - where I arrive (if on time) at 10:25 tonight. Then, a driver is supposed to meet me at the airport and take me to the Polo Hotel - a pretty decent place in the University section of Lima. Based on a Google Earth investigation, there appear to be some small mountains within walking distance of the hotel. As it is Easter Sunday tomorrow, and Peru is 80+% catholic, I am expecting everything to be closed. So a nice morning hike may definitely be in order. We will see. Sunday late afternoon I head on another plane to Trujillo where Monday morning we head by bus along a narrow winding highway to the mine.
I found a map from a site investigation of the mine done several years ago. It plots out the location of archaeological sites potentially impacted by the mining activities. Some of them are "pre-Spanish) - which I have to assume means Inca. This is no Machu Pichu, may just be stone chipping sites, but if I get a chance I'm going to try to check them out.
Later,
R
Security is a pain these days. They put you through the whole body scanner (the one where your nekeddness is displayed for the world to see) and you practically need a locker room to get dressed again on the other side. There seriously has to be a better way. If I were in charge, I'd find a way to identify the terrorists in advance and focus my efforts on them. We are wasting so much time on people who are simply ordinary while the real danger finds a way to bypass the system. Oh well.
The plane boards in half an hour. Business class (first class when BC is not available) means comfortable seats, free drinks, movies, and good food. I've got a window seat and I'll definitely be taking pictures if there are pictures to take (depends on lighting and clouds). I'm bound for Houston where I change planes and then head to Lima, Peru - where I arrive (if on time) at 10:25 tonight. Then, a driver is supposed to meet me at the airport and take me to the Polo Hotel - a pretty decent place in the University section of Lima. Based on a Google Earth investigation, there appear to be some small mountains within walking distance of the hotel. As it is Easter Sunday tomorrow, and Peru is 80+% catholic, I am expecting everything to be closed. So a nice morning hike may definitely be in order. We will see. Sunday late afternoon I head on another plane to Trujillo where Monday morning we head by bus along a narrow winding highway to the mine.
I found a map from a site investigation of the mine done several years ago. It plots out the location of archaeological sites potentially impacted by the mining activities. Some of them are "pre-Spanish) - which I have to assume means Inca. This is no Machu Pichu, may just be stone chipping sites, but if I get a chance I'm going to try to check them out.
Later,
R
Friday, April 22, 2011
Going to Peru - Part 1
Hi All. Well, I am leaving for Peru tomorrow. I will be there a week. It is entirely a work trip. I am visiting one of the Barrick mines in northern Peru called Lagunas Norte to help implement a new project management tool. If I am lucky, I will have some time a week from tonight (a friday) afternoon and evening to see something in the Lima Area. Otherwise, I am going to be at a "Camp" at 12,000 feet or so and working. The camp is not a tent. Its habitized containers. There is a mess hall and perhaps a recreation area. I am taking my harmonica so maybe I'll get a chance to share some American folk music.
Of note, they've given me a pretty thorough physical and inoculated me against all sorts of dread diseases including Typhoid, yellow fever, and malaria. A bunch of routine things as well.
On the positive side, I get to fly business class since it is an international trip. Woo hoo!
Here is a video about the mine. It's in Spanish but even if you don't speak the language you can get an idea of just how spectacular a place the Andes are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkgSiCT1Tdw
I'll try to provide regular updates and pictures.
Of note, they've given me a pretty thorough physical and inoculated me against all sorts of dread diseases including Typhoid, yellow fever, and malaria. A bunch of routine things as well.
On the positive side, I get to fly business class since it is an international trip. Woo hoo!
Here is a video about the mine. It's in Spanish but even if you don't speak the language you can get an idea of just how spectacular a place the Andes are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkgSiCT1Tdw
I'll try to provide regular updates and pictures.
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