Huancayo to Huanuco-Dec 14-2017

We awoke early at Hostel Wallallo and as breakfast was not included we were on the road before 6;30 am. Stopped at a small cafe who served us breakfast of 2 fried eggs, coffee and buns with jam the last two they went out to a store and bought to serve us.....total cost 10.00 soles or 3.00n USA. They were so happy to have 2 Canuks at their diner.........it was a humbling experience and I gave each of the 3 girls and 1 hombre Ontario pins.....you would think I gave them gold.......the tip we had left was brought out to us as they thought we had forgot $...Ken said no it is your tip....BIG SMILES....and we were off.

We were anxious to get to Huanuco remembering our first day out and arriving in the dark in Huancayo in the torrential downpour. Few pics today. We did stop at a roadside diner where I spotted 2 BMW 650's. On entering, we were greeted by a chap from Iowa and his personal guide Eddie.......Jacob was a farmer of Corn for ethanol and Soy crops.....Harvest over, he decided on the spur of the moment to head to Peru and rented the bike and Eddie from Peru Motor Tours. They had been on the road 20 days of a 29 day trip. It was great talking to them. While chatting the 3 women kept starring and smiling in my direction and when I went to pay for our coffee all 3 wanted to have individual pics taken with me as they thought I looked like Saint Nick.

 Ken and I passed through the city of Cerro de Pasco about 1 1/2 hours from Huanuco and this is what we saw.........  

 This is an open pit mine that has swallowed the centre of a city....it is over a mile long by 1/2 a mile wide and a quarter mile deep. In the early 1900's mining was the traditional way with Tunnelling......at the turn of the century PJ Morgan and The Vanderbilt families bought the once thriving silver mine and made billions......silver ran out and the mine started producing zinc and lead........tunnelling led way to open pit mining. A city of 70,000 is fighting a losing battle as the richest deposits lie beneath it and as the pit expands the city is falling into it. Lead poisoning in children tested is above 18% while 5% is considered dangerous.   

We arrived in Huanuco about 2;30 pm just as it started to sprinkle. dropped our gear off at Sarah and Toby's then his crew immediately took my bike in for repairs and service...saying it would be ready tomorrow PM.

Tonight we walked to a small Peruvian/Chinese restaurant which we had visited on our first arrival Nov 30th..........great meal with personal protection when 2 Policia armed with assault rifles sat next to us.....sorry no pic.