Monday

Just Awaitin´ in Lima

Still kicking around Lima and enjoying the fruits of Peru. Spicier food, the same medicore beer, and a stronger sun dominates our lives. Not being used to staying in one place for so long, my familiarity with my surroundings is tripping my internal travel instinct to move on. But, for good reason that urge has been suppressed due to the anticipated arrival of Andy and Janey Q in 3 days. The plan is to continue to retain no plan. Machu Pichu is the first destination and from there we´ll probably throw darts on the map and proceed accordingly. Patiences and credits cards are sure to be tested, but I am anticipating our trip with them to be quite exciting. They may even get a guest blog appearance to convey the joys of traveling with two hapharzards.

Some notes on the current situation. Lima is city where almost every car is a taxi-or a potential taxi as people merely slap a small sticker saying "Taxi" on their car. Becoming employed never became so easy-one car, one sticker and you´re a regular cabbie. As there are no taxi meters, the price haggling ritual is quite entertaining. Actually, it usually not much of a haggle as before you enter the cab you state the destination and the cabbie usually states a price one Sole (the money here) over the real cost of the fare. Then you reply the real cost and he acknowledges that you know the real cost and lets you in. It more like stating a password than actually haggling the price.

Got a strange dose of home yesterday when I met two guys staying in Lima who also went to Rockhurst High School (class of 06), one of which now goes to St. Louis University. A big coincidence although I seriously doubt their claims as neither has heard of the legend of Brian Quarnstrom. More face from home are appearing soon as well as our buddy Brian Meagher from KC arrived Saturday night to visit his girlfriend here and we are hoping to meet up with him soon. On another positive note my spanish skills are making some serious gains with the help of a local gal. Que buena.

More news when we make some.
Q

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

i want to give you up to $600. contact me if you know who this is.

Brian Quarnstrom said...

Interested in the $600 but have no idea who you are...more hints por favor?
If this is Uncle Same my tax return should be more than that you cheapskate.

Anonymous said...

i know who uncle sam is. here is a hint in spanish

"este SAM de tío no usa un sombrero del rojo, del blanco y del azul. este SAM de tío usa un sombrero azul con un pájaro rojo. él tiene muchos pelos. el sombrero del SAM de tío no representa la universidad que él atendió. "

i expect a percentage of the $600.

Anonymous said...

i know who i am and i am Sam, and i speak no spanish. further i am not a tax return.

tell me your current ipod top 10 playlist and i will give you more hints.

Brian Quarnstrom said...

If this is a goose chase with no reward I am gonna be pissed.

Playing frequently on the IPOD (which desperately needs to be updated)

Modest Mouse
Of Montreal
My Morning Jacket
Jeff Buckley
Silversun Pickups
The ACBs
The Kooks
The Samples
& Kenny G...

more hints please.

Anonymous said...

aren't downloads legal/free in south america, i doubt they have a strong FCC down there. it is your own fault your ipod is outdated.

i know that you once held a "Bush Cheney" sign in strong support of the candidates during an election. yet four years later you voted for Kerry.

it will be interesting to see who you support this go round.... tell the blog your current political musings as affected from being abroad?

Anonymous said...

Amigo- You can't go this entire blog without mentioning a female and then title a picture of you and some latino babe "Nancy and the beach" without some explanation. The casualness is alarming. Please elaborate.

Brian Quarnstrom said...

Alright SAM i am on to you...i too know info on you that blog readers would probably love to hear....

Anonymous said...

update the ipod stat! cubs home opener is monday--preparing for utter mayhem. i hope i don't get kicked out of a bar again...i can't promise anything :)

hope you had a nice easter!

Jeff said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jeff said...

Not to mention that you discussed at the end of your post that you are getting better at your spanish with some help from a "local gal."

Elaborate..........................

Unknown said...

Quarnstrom,

Glad to hear things are going well. Good to see some latino chicks are taking pity upon you and sitting for pictures. The real question is, have you lowered to Kopps level and eaten any random taco's out of the garbage???

Take Care Buddy
Squirrel

Anonymous said...

Brian,

Did you really vote for Kerry in 04? Upon your return, we should put you on stage and throw tomatoes and other surplus N/CAFTA products at you for such a decision. Please provide an explanation and stay safe.
Bill

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike,
In regards to your inquiry: "Have you eaten any random tacos out of the garbage?"...That's what she said.

Quarnstrom's Mentor Who Now Idolizes Him

Anonymous said...

I think Chuck is Uncle Sam.