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fortnegrita · 7 years ago

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28 times black people were effortlessly environmentalists

i got inspired by all the posts wishing me a happy black history month, that i had to jump in and big up the numerous ways that black folks stunt in the world of sustainability. and no, this isn’t a list filled with facts about 28 eco-leaders in the black community, that’s a whole other post that needs to be published.

this is 28 things commonly known in the black community that we take for granted, but are very much so actions of environmentalism. and it’s more than 28 ways, i could go on for millions of years, like my ancestors, but we’re sticking to 28 because, well, you know why.

1. black people reuse old containers. whether is that tin can that had shortbread cookies in it one christmas, or butter tubs, or that crisco can full of grease. instead of purchasing tupperware made from virgin materials, we cut back on manufacturing and go the ‘feed two birds with one hand’ route. if i buy this butter tub, i will have butter now, and a food container later. genius!

2. emancipated ourselves through slave revolts and the underground railroad. yup, our most warrior moves in our modern history, was also an anti capitalist move. this is huge! capitalism, and the consumerism by product, is the biggest contributors to climate change; it exploits natural resources like metals found in your phone and coal used to light factories. our demand for things whether it’s cotton to make a pair of trousers in the 1700s or a new cellphone in 2018; it’s all increasing unused carbon in the air.by resisting, we slowed down demand. also, since agriculture is a leading contributor to climate change because of pesticides by abandoning the agriculture fields, where sugar and cotton both strip the soil of it’s nutrients, we gave the land a major rest.

3. our mommas told us to ‘turn off the damn lights.’ yes, she was trying to save her coins, and why not?! the energy system is monopolized anyways, why spend money with a company you are forced to be in a relationship with. two, cutting down on electricity is cutting doing on fossil fuels (coal or gas) extracted from the earth. this is important because carbon is energy, and energy is never gained or loss, it simply goes some where else. so keeping your momma’s kitchen light on when you not in there, means more coal with be extracted from earth, burnt to put energy into a grid and then sent to your momma’s house via a power line. once the energy it burnt it is exhausted into the air. so instead of that energy being in in the ground it’s now in the atmosphere, making the air warmer, making places that aren’t typically hot like the Arctic, melting archaic ice, rising sea levels, and in the future possibly pushing you and your momma out of your house because of horrible flood damage, and now your property is considered a floodplain.

4. multiple families living in a single home. my family like many black families and even families of color have lived with multiple people outside of their nuclear family in the house. most of my childhood, some extended family lived in my parents’ house. my aunt and her kids, my uncle, godmother, granddad. how is a crowded house an environmental plus? homes take up lots of energy, imagine all those people forgetting to turn off your mommas lights. :-D trying to keep homes warm or cold require an insurmountable amount of energy, the more people in one house means less energy usage, also more body heat. and don’t front like your favorite memories weren’t created in a house full of people.

5. our elders tell us ‘no ins and outs.’ again, an issue of energy usage, when children run in and out of the house they ar eletting air (or heat) out of the house making our controlled climate sysmtem to work harder to keep our home at a certain temperature.

6. when yall packed snacks for outings. moms probably made an amazing tuna salad for the beach. you may have missed out on boardwalk fries and pizza slices, but look at the upside, oyu avoided so much packaging all those years.

7. when the matrons kept a few good plants. whether it’s hanging from a macrame-styled planter or in her garden, greenery is always good for the air. also photosynthesis is a sink in the carbon cycle, meaning is absorbs carbon helping to decrease carbon in the atmosphere.

8. when families sit on the porch. a seemingly idle activity, but it is a huge element of community activism. how else are neighbors suppose to talk about their kids asthma, the rotting smells of landfills, or getting more fresh foods into their neighborhood? on the porch is where conversations are sparked that could lead to policy change, closing landfills, or even, the drafting of something as powerful as the ‘principles of environmental justice”. also, healthy communities = healthy planet.

9. when that plastic grocery bag has 237 lives. conditioner cap, fried chicken batter bag, lunch box, bathroom trashcan liner. it’s in our DNA to be resourceful, why buy cheap single use showers caps when you can use a plastic bag before you turn it into a trash bag?

10. seeing the potential in a 98% empty toothpaste tube. there’s no such things as waste, and there’s still toothpaste in that tube. my trick? pinch the head of your tooth brush directly into the tube cap.

11. our enslaved ancestors made a meal out of pig intestines. being from a 5% household, i’ve never been into pork, but i find beauty in my ancestors’ ingenuity to turn literal shit into sugar. this is zero waste at best. globally family of the diaspora have used every part of their preferred animal. the ancient tribes of the americas who use every part of the buffalo, my carribean yardies who can cook a mean goat and save the leftover for mannish water. zero waste takes a lot of creativity, to avoid the trash can, the most convenient, yet unfortunate option.

12. when you sick, take a nap. medical care, one of the largest expenditures for the american budget. lot’s of infrastructure, products and people banking on your sickness so they can ‘cure’ you. chances are high that you can sleep off whatever is wrong with you, before you need to go to see a physician.

13. the montgomery bus boycotts. for 381 days, black commuters in montgomery, opted-out of the bus system. Considering the amount of fuel it takes to get a city to work for 381 days, black commuters help to cut fossil fuel usage and decrease particulates and carbon released into the air from the bus’ tail pipes.

14. when we take public transit. yes, contrary to #13, but public transit i still an alternative transportation option to cars. the us has the third largest vehicle per capita at 795 people out of every 1,000 people. cars reliance contributes to climate change with exhaust of particulates making the atmosphere warmer, water runoff (subsequent flooding) from asphalt (impervious) roads, maintenance and upgrades, all demanding more manufacturing, more carbon usage.

15. since we still don’t have complete road infrastructure in our countries. this is tricky, because people praise roads for their ability to offer accessibility to jobs, but it also means an increase of development, gentrification, removal of indigenous folks from land they’ve stewarded for centuries, more trash flying in to sacred places, etc…. the best way i can say this is there’s no jobs on a dead planet.

16. crafted the principles of environmental justice. in 1991 we, with our brown and yellow brothers, crafted the principles of environmental justice, during the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, shout out to Ms. Dana Alston. the list of principles is the coldest thing i’ve ever seen written on behalf of the planet. my favorite principles?

#4 Environmental Justice calls for universal protection from nuclear testing, extraction, production and disposal of toxic/hazardous wastes and poisons and nuclear testing that threaten the fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food.

#9 Environmental Justice protects the right of victims of environmental injustice to receive full compensation and reparations for damages as well as quality health care.

#8 Environmental Justice affirms the right of all workers to a safe and healthy work environment without being forced to choose between an unsafe livelihood and unemployment. It also affirms the right of those who work at home to be free from environmental hazards.

17. black americans stayed in the south. post reconstruction era, for those of us that took the road less traveled. we stayed in the south and maintained a connection to the land. we stewarded the land, keeping rural farms in black ownership for over 100 years while also expanded their resourcefulness (see #21 remedies) as black southerners were intentionally isolated from resources (racism). shout out to fannie lou hamer.

18. moved up north. contrary to staying in the south, folks moved up north during the great migration for ‘opportunities.’ sure, there was a lot of industrial jobs, but what’s bigger than that is the minimized lifestyle. thanks to red lining, black people were racially discriminated against and only able to live in ghettos, confined to centralized areas in the uban core, making walking to work or public transit more accessible (see #14), living quarters were smaller so know need to heat an empty house ( see #4), condensed purchasing because a lack of homes square footage and funds (see #)

19. hand me downs. yall got a shirt that made it through a whole line of cousins? yea, me too. we are in a time where american hands me downs are stifling clothing markets in african countries, so getting your big cousins bedazzled jeans aint so bad. and my soap box, never buy brand new baby clothes, like fah what!?!!

20. you got mcdonald’s money. easily one of the corporations that hate black people and the planet the most. and even though that corporation hates both black people and the earth, it exploits both. micky d’s takes our money, bombards our neighborhoods, feeds us crap and makes us look like clowns in marketing campaigns. all while contributing to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes cases, so no, we ain’t got no mcdonald’s money.

21. home remedies and traditional african medicine. before capitalism saw an enterprise in the health of people, our ancestors were developing cures and ailments with plants found in nature;; tonics, elixirs, poultices, YOU NAME IT! some modern day remedies include; red clay and vinegar for bee stings, chickweed tea if you’re sick, mint for digestion, rubbing your skin with eucalyptus to keep mosquitoes away. onions on the bottom of your feverous feet and #12 above. a few of my favorites.

22. marooning. from north african moors to the somalian gypsies on caravans through the dessert, to the isrealites in exile from egypt to nanny in the jamaican mountains to the escaped slaves on the coasts of ecuador and columbia to the geechee folks on the gullah islands to MOVE in Philly; we are the the original off-the-griders. going into maroon communities (like many communities built after revolts and ‘making it’ north) we relied heavily on the earth for livelyhood including food and shelter, it reconnected us with the land in a very intentional way. we ain’t new to this we true to this. we’ve always been nomads, when a place doesn’t provide us with our most basic needs, we dip. this is eco-friendly for several reasons. 1. we understand the importance of living of the land, and because of that we are better stewards of the earth. 2. in maroon cases we didn’t have the infrastructure like running water, so we may have depended on natural catchment systems, 3. we likely composted food and human waste to create our own safe and sanitary waste systems.

23. black farmers. as much as we predominately run from the idea of farming, there are many black families that continue our legacy of farming. our legacy of farming didn’t start in the slave trade. matter of fact, some of us were kidnapped to american because we could grow a particular crop, like rice (which the us affectionately calls ‘carolina gold’). farmers are the most concerned citizens about the state of the planet. climate change and the human impact on agriculture could mean a food scarcity and lost of jobs. there is a growing number of young farmers filling in the intergenerational gaps between them and the elder farmers, so that we don’t loose these skills. we are grateful.

24. being financially poor. there is a positive feedback between the increase in climate change and the increase in global affluence. and that is because as more people have more disposable income, they buy more dispensable things. for instance, shoes in every color instead of one pair of functional shoes for work. with countries like India and Chile’s growing middle class, we are over-consuming for what the planet can handle. not that it’s glamorous but being poor means that you are contributing less to climate change. in fact, the countries most vulnerable to climate change make up 70% of the world’s population, but only 3.2% of the global greenhouse gas emissions.

25. historically being sea explorers, alchemist, astrologists, engineers, masons. our skill sets run deep, and many ofthem are reliant on the earth. mansa musa, the world’s richest man, used a certain sea current to carry him and his 2,000 boats to the americas. also, you remember how we built those massive three triangular monuments, that were built without any construction equipment. that are aligned with the stars and the summer solstice, when the sun reaches it’s highest point in the sky.

26. literally the entire being. essence. and inspiration. that is george washington carver. carver the great, developed techniques to prevent soil depletion caused by cotton farming. one of his most notable techniques was crop rotation a practice used by many farmers (see #23) today. he also created 200 products from the peanut plant and another 100 from the sweet potato. he wrote literature on how to start self-sufficient gardens, uses for wild plants and how to compost. he is the GOAT!

27. reusing grease for frying. every black family got a old pot of grease. if not, check your pockets for your black card. the notorious pot of grease is symbolic to so many things; 1. your family understands that nothing should be single-use, you need a handful of uses out of everything, even cooking grease. 2. your mother knows how to save a good coin. 3. there’s been several crispy dinners cooked at your house. 4. the next fried meal gonna be fiy, because the flavors from the last four fryings have marinated at the bottom of the pan.

28. midwifery. a practice we never lost through time. even, when hospital services became available to black families, some women have always preferred a midwife to deliver their babies. in this way, black midwives are helping to usher more life onto the planet; creation being the number one late of nature. their practices tend to be holistic, and that cutbacks on epidurals and disposable hospital garbs.

that’s all folks! black people are certified everywhere, you ain’t gotta check our resumes

#black history month #zero waste #environmentalism #environmentalists #environmental justice

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jodybouchard9 · 7 years ago

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Check Yourself: 7 Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Tackle in June

Chemlamp/iStock; realtor.com

Ah, June. School’s out, the days are long, and the weather’s getting toasty. We get it—your vacation is beckoning. (So’s ours.) But before you slather yourself with SPF 75 and reach for a piña colada, do yourself a favor and tackle a few maintenance projects. A little pain now means a big gain later—you’ll ensure your home runs smoothly through the dog days of summer.

Don’t worry: We’re here to make it as quick and easy on you as possible. With our handy checklist of home maintenance chores, you can knock ’em out and get back to that piña colada, pronto. (We’ll take ours with two tiny parasols, please.)

1. Check your AC

“The last thing you want is a busted air conditioner, so before a heat wave hits, give it a test run for 30 minutes to make sure it’s cooling properly,” says Dave Quandt, vice president of field operations at American Home Shield, a home warranty company.

Shortcut: To extend the life of your AC unit, adjust your programmable thermostat by only 2 to 3 degrees at a time.

Call in the pros: If anything seems off, call in a professional HVAC company. You’ll spend between $100 and $250 for service, which includes cleaning the condenser and lubricating the fan motor. When the outdoor temps go deep into the red zone, you’ll likely consider it money well-spent.

2. Stop mold before it starts

June kicks off a stretch of the hottest months of the year, especially in Southern states where heavy rain is also the norm. All that heat and moisture provide the perfect climate for mold to flourish, says Phil Kuczak, air-conditioning service and installation manager at Best Home Services in Naples, FL.

Shortcut: There’s an easy trick you can use to keep mold at bay: Lower your thermostat.

“Some homeowners try to save money by setting the thermostat at an unsafe high temperature, especially in high humidity areas,” Kuczak says. “The cost savings on the power bill could quickly be far outdone if you end up with a mold problem.”

Also avoid leaving your AC fan in the “on” position (instead of “auto”). This can cause rapid mold growth, especially in high-humidity regions. Here’s why: If your fan is running continuously, then any moisture that’s condensed on your AC’s evaporator coil during cooling doesn’t have a chance to drain off—and it can be blown back into your home.

Kuczak also cautions against trying to limit or increase airflow to certain rooms by shutting supply grills. That can cause condensation buildup, leading to mold growth around those grills and in the adjacent ceiling or wall.

Call in the pros: If you have a mold problem, expect to pay a small fortune for a pro to remove it. Homeowners spend up to $3,200 on average for mold remediation.

3. Prime your pool

You don’t need a degree in chemical engineering to keep your pool clean.

narvikk /iStock

Test your pool’s pH levels often to keep the chemicals balanced and your pool safe for swimming. Run the pump daily (one hour for every 10 degrees of heat in the water is a good rule of thumb) to avoid that swampy green color.

Shortcut: If you forget and come home to a green pool, a jug of liquid bleach will clear it up quickly, according to Quandt.

Call in the pros: Don’t want to bother with it? You can hire a pool maintenance company for an average of $243 a month.

4. Eradicate pests

Warm weather draws out all the creepy-crawlies. But you can give summer bugs the boot (or at least keep them at a comfortable distance).

Shortcuts:

Trim shrubs or bushes that touch your home’s exterior (which can harbor wood-destroying insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles).

Swap mercury vapor outdoor lightbulbs with yellow sodium vapor ones, which are less attractive to insects such as mosquitoes, moths, and beetles.

Weed thick vegetation and pick ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they’re ready.

Keep bird feeders at least 25 feet from your house—spilled seeds can attract rodents.

Stop mosquitoes before they hatch by eliminating all sources of standing water on your property.

Call in the pros: Above all, know when to seek professional help.

“Do-it-yourself pest control for a cockroach or occasional spider can be cost-effective, but it’s not going to stand up when you have a serious infestation,” says Ryan Michel, owner of Defense Pest Control in Mesa, AZ. “Pests can carry bacteria and disease, and some can do serious damage to your home. If you’re seeing pests pop up with frequency—especially if you notice them appearing in the same places—it’s time to call in a professional to help.”

It’ll cost you an average of $178 a month. But hey—you’ll sleep better, right?

5. Service your sprinklers

When temperatures rise, so does your water bill.

MariuszBlach/iStock

Service your yard’s irrigation system to save water, prevent damage to your landscaping, and reduce standing water.

Shortcut: Make sure your sprinklers are programmed to follow any local water rationing regulations, and program your system to optimal summer use settings to keep the landscape looking fresh.

Call in the pros: If you don’t know what kind of maintenance your sprinkler system needs, a pro will take it on for $95 to $123.

6. Keep your fridge frosty

It should go without saying that your fridge and freezer are most vulnerable in the summer heat. To keep them running smoothly, clean condenser coils—which help the unit stay cool by releasing heat from the compressor—and be sure to remove dirt, pet hair, and any nasty food that’s lodged there.

Shortcuts: Make the job simple by using a vacuum and coil brush, says Chris Granger, vice president of Sears Home Services.

While you’re at it, tackle the door.

“A leaky door gasket can result in your refrigerator trying to cool the entire kitchen,” Granger says.

Clean the gasket with a mild cleaner, and then check the seal integrity with a solution of soapy water—just like you would do with an inflatable mattress, he says. You can also use the dollar bill approach: Close a dollar bill in the door so it’s half in your fridge. If your gasket isn’t tight enough, it won’t hold the bill firmly in place—the dollar bill will fall out or slide down.

Call in the pros: Most appliance repairmen charge by the hour. Depending on the issue, a refrigerator repair could cost anywhere from $100 and $200 an hour.

7. Pimp your ride (riding lawn mower, that is)

Use compressed air or a leaf blower to clear grass, dirt, and debris that have accumulated in your riding lawn mower. Drain old fuel into an approved gasoline can, and follow hazardous waste disposal regulations to get rid of it. Then, change your oil and filter: Granger recommends letting the mower run for a bit before getting started. If you have a foam air filter, clean it with soap and water, and make sure it’s dry before reinstalling.

Finally, change the spark plugs. “This simple but crucial task will help the mower start smoother and run more efficiently,” Granger says.

Call in the pros: On average, professional lawn mower maintenance and repair will cost $35 to $90, but could increase depending on the complexity of the job and whether new parts are needed.

The post Check Yourself: 7 Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Tackle in June appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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cuscojourneys · 8 years ago

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LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

An amazing alternative to the Inca Trail and slightly easier than the Salcantay trek, this 3 day trek takes you off the beaten track in the Andes Mountains with a lot of opportunities to interact with the local people and the real Andean communities. The trek ends at the wonder of the world: Machu Picchu

ITINERARY DAY 1: Cusco – Lares Hot Spring – Wacawasi.

We depart early in the morning to Calca through the Sacred Valley of the Incas enjoying the stunning scenery. Then we ascend by bus towards the Hualcapunku pass (4,500m/14,847ft), once here we enjoy the spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, rural communities and valleys with plenty of llamas and alpacas. After that we descend to Lares for breakfast and visit the natural hot springs, with temperatures between 28°c and 38°c. Here we have lunch before we start our trek with a moderate climb for 3 hours through unspoiled Andean valley to our fist campsite at Huacawasi (3,750m/12,377ft)

Meals: Lunch/Dinner.

Accommodation: camping facilities

Maximum Altitude: 4,500m/14,847ft.

Minimum Altitude: 2,900m/9,570ft.

Distance to walk: 11km approx.

Walking time: 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Day 2: Wacawasi – Ipsaycocha Pass – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Many of houses that you can see in Waca Wasi are built of stone and have thatched roofs. Local people produce beautiful colourful fabrics. In the morning, we learn about weaving techniques while we can admire their high quality products such as ponchos, “chullos” (woolen hats) and other garments. We start trekking later today, it means after having lunch in the village. We climb for about 3 hours to reach the top of Ipsaycocha Pass (4,500 m), the highest point of the trek. There, we can appreciate stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Then, we descending gently for about 1 hour until getting to the place of our Lunch spot near the stunning Ipsaycocha Lake. If we are lucky, we can see Andean geese, Puna ibis and other wetland´s birds around the lake. then we will continue downhill until Patacancha Community.

Our transport will be waiting for us to take us further down the valley to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo where we will rest and have Dinner. In the night we will catch a train to Aguas Calientes. This is a spectacular journey that starts in the Quechua highlands and slowly descends to lush tropical vegetation as we near Aguas Calientes. Total journey time by train is about 1½ hours. We’ll spend the night in a hostal in Aguas Calientes. We will make it an early night to bed to prepare for your Machu Picchu visit the following morning.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 4,550m/15,017ft

Minimum Altitude: 2050mt.

Distance to walk: 16km approx.

Walking time: 9 hours

Difficulty: Challenge.

Day 3: Aguas calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

After breakfast we will board the bus which will take us to the biggest energetic center of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. As part of our itinerary the same professional tour guide from the Lares trek; will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own.

If you have booked Wayna picchu, you will need to coordinate with your guide for Machu Picchu visiting depending on your scheduled time to the mountain, for people not hiking any of the mountains there are some other optional activities on your own (not included in the price):

Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.

Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However in this case, the adventure is a little less strenuous, but a lot more death defying, not for people with vertigo.

Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast

Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft

Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft

Included:

Pre briefing departure

Transport from the hotel to Lares-hot springs

English speaking professional mountain guide with degree in Archaeology

Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente

Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas calientes

Admission ticket to Machu picchu archaeological complex

Hotel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes

2 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) and a roll pad mattress.

Delicious meals during the 3 days as indicated in the itinerary

Cook and cooking equipment

Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (8 kilos of your personal items such as

extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)

Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants

First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank

Boiled water to fill in your bottles

Private guided tour in Machu Picchu

Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent

Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coco, biscuits, popcorn)

Oxygen Tank & First aid kit

All local taxes

Not Included:

Sleeping bag

Water on Day 1

Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits

Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 3

Wayna Picchu Mountain $ 25.00 per person (Walk to the top without a guide. The trail is well marked.)

Tips: Guide, Cook, Porters

Bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

A good daypack: Eagle Creek Afar Backpack –appropriate packs to carry your personal belongings.

Original passport with the migration Peru card (for Trains, Machu Picchu Park, and Hotels)

Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required).

Swimwear for the hot springs of Lares

Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)

3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans): 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent before the trip.

Layers for variable temperatures especially at night

1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as – 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. The rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even if we are in dry season!

1 warm/Winter jacket

Thermals: wool socks, gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights.

3 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried). It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both really heavy hiking socks and lighter socks because the weather is variable, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or overheat.

3 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts

1 good sleeping bag liner that is super lightweight and easy to pack. Definitely does its Job!

Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp so your nose is going to run a lot. Everyone seems to run out of tissues by the end of the trek. Also, most bathrooms do not have toilet paper (if you even get a bathroom), so wet wipes are key.

Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.

Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).

Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Cusco outdoors is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so an anti-itch medication could be helpful.

Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel back

Water (only for first day hike). Then we will provide you with water throughout the hike.

Camera and film

A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries

Bandages or moleskin

Flip flops to change into at night–your toes will thank you!.

Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner, brush/comb, Vaseline (for feet great for potential blisters), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses if required and supplies, hand sanitizer etc.–and whatever else you need, but pack light.

Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach. Some people get an upset stomach on the trek. With 8-10 hours of hiking each day, you need to get over whatever the day throws at you quickly, so bring some meds.

Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes

Something to read in the evenings

Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, & tips to your staff

Additional Notes

Gift for Andean children “Optional”

Lares Trek. We recommend bringing: Coloring books, crayons, pens, notebooks, pencils, stickers, clothes, toys, etc. but not candies or chemical products. . Children will love to receive these gifts when we pass through Andean communities which have schools.

#lares hotspring cuscojourneys perutreks adventuretravel larestrek larestrail classiclarestrek larestrekperu natgeo luxurytravel alternativet

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comparemart-blog · 8 years ago

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Get Ready For Holi Festival 2017

Holi is here again to paint your life with colours. Rightly called the 'festival of colours'!

Holi is the festival of colours, so you can't avoid them. It brings happiness, enthusiasm, together a mix of sumptuous delicacies, colour-filled water balloons and of course, celebration with rainbow colours. It is the time of the year again when people come together, rejoice and apply colour (abeer) on each other to share their joy. Holi is celebrated across India with various things like Holi pichkaris, water guns, gulal, all available online. Online shopping for Holi doesn't end with just the Holi gifts.

But this vibrant festival can also cause damage to your skin, eyes, hair, Nails etc. So, do take good care of yourself while you celebrate the festival.

Before stepping out, Here are a few tips and suggestion to make your Holi safe and joyful:

• Holi should never be played with chemical colors. For this, you can before hand tell your friends that colors containing chemical are not safe for skin. • The best option would be to play with natural home made colours. Your skin and hair will feel pampered with the use of skin friendly natural products. I will suggest you to use natural colours such as Henna, Turmeric, Marigold flowers, Tomatoes and Tea leaves for a safe and skin-friendly Holi. • If natural colours are not possible, then ensure a better quality of colours. Buy colours from a reputed shop or vendor. • Use more of red or pink colour which looks good and can easily taken off. Gaudy purple, green, yellow, orange have more harmful chemicals in them and should be avoided. • If you apply olive oil or coconut oil on body, especially on face, hands and legs half an hour before playing Holi then the hold of color on skin becomes weak and can be removed easily from the skin. • Additionally this oil should also be applied on hairs. Doing so will protect your hair from damage by harmful chemicals. It will also make it easier to remove while washing off colours. • You can also cover your head with a thick scarf to protect your hair from being soaked in colour. • If anyone doesn't like applying oil on body and face, then instead a lotion, cold cream, Vaseline can also be used. After this, you can apply as much color you want, since, no strong color will be able to stay on your skin. • To protect your skin from the adverse effect of colors, you can apply sunscreen lotion on your body. This can possibly decrease the chemical effect of color. • Protect your lips by using a good lip gloss/lip balm. • While playing Holi you should apply sunscreen lotion near your eyes and even on your eye lashes. This can protect your eyes from the harmful effects of colors. • Make sure that powder or any other product does not get inside your eyes. Please ensure that your eyes remain protected at all times. A sunglass is advisable to protect your eyes from a misfire of colour filled darts or water jets. • Always, wash your eyes clean with cold water and see an eye specialist if the irritation persists after few hours of Holi. • Use dental caps to save your teeth from any unwanted stains. • Together with body, nails should also be taken care of. To keep the nails safe from the effect of colors, you should apply thick coating of paint on your nails- both in fingers and toes so that they remain protected. • To keep your skin safe from colors, try wearing clothes which cover whole of your body. This way, less part of body will come in contact of colors. • Especially, ladies should avoid wearing transparent clothes, so, they will not feel ashamed on getting wet in water. • Put on your worst clothes so that you won't have to take on the hassles of an immediate washing. • Rags like tattered denims and bright shades like black, blue, green, purple are highly recommended. • Do not wear jewellery on the day of Holi. The force and emphasis while playing Holi can make you lose them. • When travelling , keep the car windows thoroughly shut, even if you don't have an AC car. • If you are prone to skin allergies, avoid playing with gulal altogether. Going to a dermatologist (skin specialist) serves no purpose, after the damage is done. • Do not drive if you are high on alcohol or bhang. • Avoid over indulgence in bhang, drinks or food... so that you don't repent later. • Take a bath much later after the entire Holi celebration is over. Taking frequent baths, washing the face again and again, will ruin your skin. You will also lose hair, as too much soap/shampoo has a drying effect.

Have the perfect dress code for Holi with beautiful white salwar kurtas for men & women.

Splashing colors is fun during Holi but after Holi the colours get clingy and refuse to leave your side. Your skin and hair goes through a lot of damage and it's important to clean all colours from your skin and hair. Do it carefully as it might make them dry and rough.

Here, we share a few tips about how you can take care of skin and hair after the celebrations:

1.Skin Care After Holi

• Do not use permanent dyes. • Neither apply too much of soap on your skin nor rub it vigorously to take off colours. • Always clean your face with a cleansing milk or lotion with a cotton wool after playing with colours. • Never wash your face with harsh soaps, especially when it is wet, doing so can damage your skin causing further dryness. • The best way is to rub lemon edges on your skin to get rid of colours. • You can also massage your face and body with til oil to remove colours. • Use lukewarm water to wash off all colours from your skin. Thereafter apply a few drops of glycerin on your face and hands. • After playing Holi when you go for bathing, soak Multani Mitti about an hour ago. While taking bath apply this on skin where color is there. Dry this pack for sometime. then after drying,wash it. This Mud pack is very helpful in removing color from the body. • After taking quick bathe, use homemade remedies such as apply sandalwood, turmeric, curd and white flour scrub to remove stubborn colours from your skin. • Mix gram flour, sweet oil and milk cream in rose water. Make a thick paste of it and apply it on face, hand and legs. Let it the paste dry. Then remove it by rubbing with hands. This way the color on skin can be removed. • Add half bowl of curd in two spoon of lime juice, and apply it on the areas having color. Then take a bath with normal or a little warm water. This way the color surely goes off. • Don’t forget to apply cream after taking bath.

2. Eye Care Tips After Holi

Take care of your eyes this Holi, otherwise how else will you see all the beautiful colours of the festival? • After washing color with water, put some rose water in your eye and take rest. This will relax them. • If while playing holi, some dry color gets into your eyes then rinse it with clean water. On the day of Holi washing your eyes, again and again with water is advisable. But, do remember not to rub your eyes, this may cause irritation in your eyes.

3. Hair Care After Holi

• Your hair bears most of the Holi brunt due to the combination of water, colours and the harsh sun. • Rinse your hair with plenty of water to wash off colours. • Before washing your hair, you should apply shampoo and leave it for 10 minutes. Use mild and herbal shampoo to avoid further damage. • Apply a rich and deeper conditioner on your hair. • If your hair becomes dry, apply oil and wash it off the next day. • You can also add lemon juice to a mug and use it as a last rinse to restore mild-alkaline balance of the scalp.

4.Hands and feet Cleaning:

• Dip your hands and feet in mugs of warm water with hydrogen peroxide and rosewater. This will clean your feet. • After washing your face gently with water, apply olive oil with cotton to remove colours.

5. Apply plenty of moisturizer:

After taking bath, apply plenty of moisturizer to prevent the skin from dryness.

6. Go for massage:

Once you have removed all colours from your skin, visit a nearest parlour to get facial and oil massage done.

This year, have a safe Holi, and end the day with great sweets & mithai.

That was our collective of the week talking about Holi Care Tips. We hope to have covered all areas. Let us know in the comments below if we missed something or you have a unique point to share with others. Happy Holi!

Wishing all of you a colourful Holi and hoping you'll have a herbal and safe one!

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cuscojourneys · 8 years ago

Photo

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

Lares Trek 3 Days / 2 Nights, is Off the beaten track, stunning mountains scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, local villages, women weaving, less tourists, Quechua speaking people, Hot spring, the route of the weavers, Andean communities with real descendant of the Incas, llama shepherds.An amazing alternative to the Inca Trail and slightly easier than the Salcantay trek, this 3 day trek takes you off the beaten track in the Andes Mountains with a lot of opportunities to interact with the local people and the real Andean communities. The trek ends at the wonder of the world: Machu Picchu.

ITINERARY DAY 1: Cusco – Lares Hot Spring – Wacawasi.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner.

Accommodation: camping facilities

Maximum Altitude: 4,500m/14,847ft.

Minimum Altitude: 2,900m/9,570ft.

Distance to walk: 11km approx.

Walking time: 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Day 2: Wacawasi – Ipsaycocha Pass – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 4,550m/15,017ft

Minimum Altitude: 2050mt.

Distance to walk: 16km approx.

Walking time: 9 hours

Difficulty: Challenge.

Day 3: Aguas calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.

Meals: Breakfast

Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft

Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft

Included:

Pre briefing departure

Transport from the hotel to Lares-hot springs

English speaking professional mountain guide with degree in Archaeology

Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente

Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas calientes

Admission ticket to Machu picchu archaeological complex

Hotel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes

2 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) and a roll pad mattress.

Delicious meals during the 3 days as indicated in the itinerary

Cook and cooking equipment

Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (8 kilos of your personal items such as

extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)

Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants

First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank

Boiled water to fill in your bottles

Private guided tour in Machu Picchu

Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent

Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coco, biscuits, popcorn)

Oxygen Tank & First aid kit

All local taxes

Not Included:

Sleeping bag

Water on Day 1

Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits

Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 3

Wayna Picchu Mountain $ 25.00 per person (Walk to the top without a guide. The trail is well marked.)

Tips: Guide, Cook, Porters

Bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

A good daypack: Eagle Creek Afar Backpack –appropriate packs to carry your personal belongings.

Original passport with the migration Peru card (for Trains, Machu Picchu Park, and Hotels)

Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required).

Swimwear for the hot springs of Lares

Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)

3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans): 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent before the trip.

Layers for variable temperatures especially at night

1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as – 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. The rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even if we are in dry season!

1 warm/Winter jacket

Thermals: wool socks, gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights.

3 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts

1 good sleeping bag liner that is super lightweight and easy to pack. Definitely does its Job!

Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).

Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel back

Water (only for first day hike). Then we will provide you with water throughout the hike.

Camera and film

A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries

Bandages or moleskin

Flip flops to change into at night–your toes will thank you!.

Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes

Something to read in the evenings

Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, & tips to your staff

Additional Notes

Gift for Andean children “Optional”

#lares larestrek larestrelperu cuscojourneys adventure classiclarestrek perutreks luxurytravel adventuretravel natgeo bucketlist natgeotravel

0 notes

cuscojourneys · 8 years ago

Photo

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

Web Site: http://bit.ly/2hFHdez

An amazing alternative to the Inca Trail and slightly easier than the Salcantay trek, this 4 day trek takes you off the beaten track in the Andes Mountains with a lot of opportunities to interact with the local people and the real Andean communities. The trek ends at the wonder of the world: Machu Picchu

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Cusco – Lares Hot Spring – Wacawasi.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner.

Accommodation: camping facilities

Maximum Altitude: 4,500m/14,847ft.

Minimum Altitude: 2,900m/9,570ft.

Distance to walk: 11km approx.

Walking time: 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Day 2: Wacawasi – Ipsaycocha Pass – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 4,550m/15,017ft

Minimum Altitude: 2050mt.

Distance to walk: 16km approx.

Walking time: 9 hours

Difficulty: Challenge.

Day 3: Aguas calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.

Meals: Breakfast

Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft

Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft

Included:

Pre briefing departure

Transport from the hotel to Lares-hot springs

English speaking professional mountain guide with degree in Archaeology

Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente

Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas calientes

Admission ticket to Machu picchu archaeological complex

Hotel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes

2 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) and a roll pad mattress.

Delicious meals during the 3 days as indicated in the itinerary

Cook and cooking equipment

Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (8 kilos of your personal items such as

extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)

Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants

First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank

Boiled water to fill in your bottles

Private guided tour in Machu Picchu

Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent

Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coco, biscuits, popcorn)

Oxygen Tank & First aid kit

All local taxes

Not Included:

Sleeping bag

Water on Day 1

Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits

Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 3

Wayna Picchu Mountain (Walk to the top without a guide. The trail is well marked.)

Tips: Guide, Cook, Porters

Bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

A good daypack: Eagle Creek Afar Backpack –appropriate packs to carry your personal belongings.

Original passport with the migration Peru card (for Trains, Machu Picchu Park, and Hotels)

Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required).

Swimwear for the hot springs of Lares

Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)

3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans): 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent before the trip.

Layers for variable temperatures especially at night

1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as – 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. The rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even if we are in dry season!

1 warm/Winter jacket

Thermals: wool socks, gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights.

3 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts

1 good sleeping bag liner that is super lightweight and easy to pack. Definitely does its Job!

Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).

Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel back

Water (only for first day hike). Then we will provide you with water throughout the hike.

Camera and film

A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries

Bandages or moleskin

Flip flops to change into at night–your toes will thank you!.

Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes

Something to read in the evenings

Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, & tips to your staff

Additional Notes

Gift for Andean children “Optional”

#larestrek lares cuscojourneys perutreks CTperu traveltoperu adventure luxurytravel machupicchu hiking peruhike enjoylarestrek larestrail ige

0 notes