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After living in Spain for a year, Cathy and I traveled to Peru again and went to Machu Pecchu. It was an amazing place with clean fresh air and massive mountain peaks. I had just gotten over my altitude sickness and I could finally enjoy the surroundings. I took this picture of the ruins. Machu Pecchu was the holiest sight in all of the Inca Empire (consisting of half of South America) and their highest priests and rulers chose this one spot to live.

One cool sight was a rock that the priests carved at a number of interesting angles and each one lined up with a different planet or star. No one knows what happened to the Incas who lived in Machu Pecchu because the Spanish never actually discovered the sight. It was found many hundreds of years later when a native farmer showed a gringo where it was located haha (then he took credit for discovering it). Machu Pecchu is an amazing place to visit and be sure to wear your sunscreen (be better prepared than me hehe).

Machu Pecchu Ruins

Special Rock

Hungry Alpacas

Cathy, Colombian guy, and I on the train to Machu Pecchu

Machu Pecchu Ruins 2

Alpaca on Machu Picchu

Cathy and I Among the Ruins

The day before we traveled to Machu Pecchu, Cathy and I visited the ancient ruins in Cuzco. They told us that massive structures were once there, but unfortunately, the Spanish destroyed most of them to expedite the elimination of Inca culture and religion. We later viewed many Spanish buildings and churches that they had built on top of Inca dwellings and places of worship. It was unsettling for me to think about the culture, art, science, and philosophy that the Spanish destroyed because of their senseless aggression and greed. It is unfortunate how many nations are still poisoned by those same negative qualities.

Even today, the leaders of the United States suffer from a predominantly ethnocentric mentality, a poor understanding of other cultures, and a lack of Self-respect (the greater all encompassing Self that is falsely perceived to be separate from one’s self.) and understanding. It is mainly the fault of these three weaknesses that the United States preemptively attacked Iraq (without UN sanction), and continues to utilize violence as a means of improving the world. I hope that in the future our leaders will realize that every person is a world and killing one person is the same as destroying a world. Similarly, each culture contains the word of God and annihilating a peoples’ tradition is equal to casting away God’s word. It is amazing how many times we can repeat the same mistakes.

Cathy and I in front of Cuzco Ruins

Back in Lima (where we fist arrived), Cathy and I went to Ganinna’s wedding and we had a great time. Many of Cathy’s old friends were there and within an hour, everyone was dancing under a beautiful canopy that was attached to Ganinna’s house. I also had the privilege of meeting Cathy’s brothers during this trip (normally they are in Iquitos). They were both cool guys and it was nice to become acquainted with more of Cathy’s family.

Cathy, Jiannina 1, Giannina 2, and Cathy’s friend Marcia

Cathy and I at Giannina 2’s Wedding

Cathy’s Brothers

We also went to Cathy’s college (Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola) where she studied Hotel Management before immigrating to Spain. We went there to get documentation for the credits that she earned so that she can finish her degree in Spain. I think we spent most of our trip getting the proper papers and the rest consisted of visiting Machu Pecchu. It is amazing how much documentation you need for Peruvian papers to be recognized in another country!

Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola

When I got back from Peru, I went on a Birthright Israel trip for ten days. Birthright Israel is an amazing opportunity for Jewish kids to visit Israel for no money. It was a fun trip because I did not know anyone who would be on it and I was able to interact with a new and different group of people. I genuinely enjoyed most of the participants and I hope I have the chance to see them again in the future. I also bought my friend Moshe the Sheep-Ram on that faithful journey and we have been inseparable ever since.

Our First Night Together as a Group

Jamie and I with our Sheep-Rams

Near The Kotel and The Dome of the Rock

Moshe the Sheep-Ram at the Kotel

The Bahi Gardens in Haifa

The Bahi Gardens in Haifa 2

Swimming in the Dead Sea

Me and Some Friends

Amazing Isreali Fooood!!!

My next trip was when Cathy and I were legally married on July 28 and I am blessed to have her as mi esposa. In addition to getting married, I spent the summer of 2007 in Spain teaching Drama and English in Madrid. Cathy and I also earned enough to be able to travel to Benidorm, Valencia, and Manzares El Real before I left to start the school year. Enjoy.

Cathy and I at the Plaza de Espana in Madrid

At the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid

Cathy, our friend Carlos, and I in Madrid

David, Zoe, Cathy, and I in Madrid

Cathy and I in Benidorm

Cathy and I in Benidorm 2

Spanish Gay Pride Festival Madrid

Plaza in Valencia

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

Aquarium in Valencia

Tandem Dolphin Flip - Aquarium in Valencia

Cathy and I in Manzares El Real

Cathy, Jesus, Miguel and I in Manzares El Real