Club Mamma Africas

In Aguas Calientes, on the last day of the Inca Trail while waiting for the train, I lost my reflective green Oakley shades. It was a devastating loss I know. Today I set about rectifying that loss. Okay, so the replacement may not be as cool or as enduring as the Oakleys, but for a cheapy pair of shades wot keeps the sun out of my eyes, they'll do!

Later I meet up with Silvia and Vanessa at a restaurant known for it's giant Pisco Sours (a local drink) and chat about an Inca tour they'd just finished. I'm happy to note all went well, especially as I'd recommended the trip to them!

I go to visit my new home (Mandela's Lounge). I'm a little apprehensive, given my baptism of fire into the staff community last night but everyone seems happy enough to see me. The place is quiet and they soon decide to lock up for the night. Liska and her best mate (Um, I forget her name!) want to go to Mamma Africas - and I'm to join them, apparently! Arturo (apprentice bar staff) wanted to go to but Liska tells him he's got home work for exams to do instead! (It's quite sweet, Arturo is the young un' who just wants to hang out with the cool people! It seems I'm now one of those "cool" people!)

Mamma Africas is a gringo joint which gets packed out with tourists on a regular basis. Central to the theme are 3D paintings and sculptures of the Big 5. In a country steeped in it's own history and natural wonder, why this bar has to base its theme on an completely different and unrelated continent I have no idea!

Liska is good friends with the Gorilla working the door. I decide to behave myself! Inside it's no big surprise to find Liska knows everybody. This is handy as we get served very quickly! Later I find Liska used to run the place and they want her back! It seems this girl is good!

Posted by Steve Eynon