The Adventures of GeekGirl

So….for those that are not regular readers or that have not been with me for years I have a confession:

I AM A MONEY HOARDER

It started when I was young. My dad gave me an allowance. I really don’t remember how much it was, but it wasn’t a lot, butI learned that if I just saved it up I could get whatever I want. In high school, I worked part time and I saved up my money and got a new stereo, 3 pairs of Doc Martin’s, and a very hot wardrobe. (My dad bought me a car. Yes, I was spoiled.  My first car died and them my dad bought me a brand new one. I’ve only driven a used car once in my life. All of my other cars have been new. Don’t hate, bitches.)

Anyway, for a few years in my 20′s I couldn’t really save money. My parents were helping me out and I just didn’t make that much. Then when I got my current job, I made a LOT more. AND, at the time I was living with my bf. So, I had extra cash. I paid off my minimal debt and then started saving. Not a lot, but where I could. I have all of the required savings. An emergency fund (though that’s being depleted to pay some bills), medical fund, and just regular savings (enough to survive for about 4-6 months if I’m jobless). Outside of student loans (they’re big) or hospital bills (will be paid off in January) I’m debt free. No big credit card bills or anything like that.

So, why am I telling you all of this? Because I have to tell someone about my super secret “Oh Shit It’s Time to Get the Hell Outta Dodge” account.

What is it for? Well, if Sarah Palin makes it to the White House or if I’m wanted by the law I can get the hell outta here. I can also use it for bail money or…just to get the hell outta Dodge! (I’m working with my mom’s attorney so she can get to my accounts if their is an emergency. Seriously. My mom works at a law firm.)

Have I used it before? Yes!!!! Remember when I went and did this?:

(Note: This is my badass photo. Not a stock photo!!!)

This money and trip came from my “Oh Shit It’s Time to Get the Hell Outta Dodge Account”.

Why: At the time I was heartbroken, depressed, and kind of sick due to my embolism. I really, really needed to clear my head and just go. Where? Wherever I decided. At the time, that happened to be Peru.

Did it work? I came back to the states feeling ready to conquer the world. I went to a different continent and climbed 14,000 feet BY MYSELF. Sure I was with a group, but I managed around Lima, Cusco, etc on my own. My mom and friends were proud of me. It kind of turned a corner in my life.

How did it feel? I can’t even tell you how it felt. It was one of the most amazing times in my life.

So, why are you telling us about this? Because 2011 is the year, y’all. I’ve got enough to go on a decent trip for 2-3 weeks. And…I feel like I need to get the hell outta dodge. I need to clear my head, breathe some fresh air, and see somewhere that is NOT South Florida. I’m going to New York in the Fall. (Everything is paid for. I just need to train for a certain marathon.) NY is no big deal, though. I can get around there no problem and have been doing it since I was young. I want to go trekking. I want to go where many people don’t go.

Where do I think I’m going? Here’s the shortlist: Argentina, Chile, Portugal, numerous other Andean/Amazonian countreis or Nepal. Nepal is a freaking pipe dream. It’s going to cost $$$. Chile and Argentina are quite doable as well as Costa Rica. I’d love to go to India or Morocco but I don’t think I’m ready yet. Everyone tells me I need to be an “experienced traveler” for that.I’d also love to go to Germany since it’s listed as my birth country on my passport and my birth certificate is German. Oh yeah. I’m that little military brat!

So, with all of that said do you have a super secret “Oh Shit It’s Time to Get the Hell Outta Dodge” account? Where do you want to go? Where the hell should I go? Any recommendations? I’m pretty darn fearless and will go anywhere. (I run countries by my friend, Fau. He tells me if I will be kidnapped or not. I won’t do the Middle East…and am kind of delaying Africa. I can do a weekender to the islands though. Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic. They are cheap and do not count.)

All right. Let’s wrap this baby up. I don’t want to drag it out any longer. It’s time for the entire reason for the trip – Machu Picchu. The Lost City of the Incas.

The night before leaving for Machu Picchu, we stayed in Ollyantantambo. Unfortunately, I feel while going UP the stairs and really injured my knee. Honestly, if we were in the US, I would have gone to the doctor. It was that bad.  However, I did not spill my Inca Cola and that’s all that really matters at this point. I love Inca Cola.

We woke up that morning around 4am to get ready to take the bus to the train station. We arrived in Machu Picchu City around 7ish and then took the final bus up the  mountain to Machu Picchu.

Once we got inside, some of the group split off to go climb Winnu Picchu for a better view of the city. Due to my leg injury, I couldn’t climb up there. It’s very strenuous and there was no railing. I barely made it around Machu Picchu.

Anyway, here’s the good stuff:

From Peru – 2009

From Peru – 2009

From Peru – 2009

From Peru – 2009

From Peru – 2009

From Peru – 2009

From Peru – 2009

I learned a lot about Machu Picchu. My guide, Ozzie was great and had an answer to every question that I had. While everyone else was climbing Wanni Picchu, I got to walk around with Ozzie and ask a million and one questions.

I now understand why the Peruvian people find it insulting that people think aliens built this. We were shown where the rocks came from and shown up close the preciseness of the rocks. I think it’s elitist to think that these people could not have come up with measurements and stuff to build things. It’s absurd.

I was completely ovevrwhelmed with the beauty of Machu Picchu, but what struck me the most was the spiritualness of it. They say that Peru is a magical place and I definitely felt it. This trip seriously changed my life. Period. (More on that in future posts.)

From Machu Picchu, we went back to Cusco where we all drank our weight in alcohol and then caught flights back to Lima. I spent a full day traveling to get back home, but it was oh so worth it.

I love Peru and hope to go back some day. Nevermind the fact that I now want to move to South America. (More info later.)