"Warning! Travel memories wandering 'round..." besbel's Profile

#############################################################################################

#############################################################################################

My name is Flor de Maria, and I was born in Lima, Peru, the most amazing country on Earth :-) I am a human rights lawyer, and my interest goes to the field of migrants, women and conflict. I am currently living in Washington DC, working as a consultant on violence against women, and will stay until the end of this year. Let's see where the wave brings me then :)

Along the way I interacted with the most diverse groups of people from the most diverse locations in my country and outside, and I thank God for that, because it enriched my life in so many ways. I have been blessed with the most diverse group of friends, not huge but to whom I thank them now for their support and friendship through thick and thin.

Among my favorite activities I have:
- listening to any kind of music;
- reading;
- cooking (and, of course, eating :P);
- surfing the net;
- having a nice conversation wherever and whenever;
- watching drama,
- watching ballet
- watching figure skating (exchanging videos included :))

But, last but not least, I am a passionate traveller! I started travelling late (at 23), but once you start you cannot stop :-)

I have travelled just a little in two continents, America and Europe. Dream destinations include China, Turkey, South Africa and Antarctica. So, there is still much more to see...

In Arequipa, Peru (see the Misti volcano behind)

So far, the places that I visited are:

Paul McCartney concert. FedexField, Aug. 1, 2009

Listening to music is my ultimate passion. My favorite is the classical rock (starting with the Beatles, wow), but I admit that all types of music are welcomed, especially if they go along with my mood and moment of the day.
Attending gigs and concerts are also one of my favorite activities, too!

OTHER (TONS OF) FAVORITES, REGARDLESS GENRE:
The Beatles, Queen, Elvis, Mamas & the Papas, Bee Gees, Carpenters, Phil Collins, Elton John, Billy Joel, Barry White, Barry Manilow, Sting, ABBA, Madonna, Alanis Morisette, Celine Dion, Amy Grant, Annie Lennox, Wilson Phillips, Tom Petty, Guns 'n Roses, Norah Jones, Dido, Sarah Mc Lachlan, Avril Lavigne, U2, Apocalyptica etc, etc, etc.

Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The more I read it the more beautiful I find it. It's so simple yet so deep. So innocent and sweet, yet so philosophical. The best about love, friendship, life and -of course- travelling is written here.
Favorite quote: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
I just finished reading "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. It's the story of two Afghan men, Amir and Hassan, one Pashtun and Hazara the other, who develop a strong bond since childhood. However, their destiny is already marked for racial prejudice, social class differences and the Afhgan war and political turmoil. I was stunned by the book, and although there was a certain passage that did not convince me at all (the encounter between Amir and Assef), I would say it is a great book overall. Very well written, very realistic, it casts a spell on the reader in such a way you just want to finish it right away, despite a couple of shocking or tragic events in it that forces you to stop sometimes. I loved it, but I guess this book is not recommendable for extremely sensitive people.

OTHER FAVORITES:
Fictions (Jorge Luis Borges), A World for Julius (Alfredo Bryce Echenique), One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garc?a M?rquez), The Three Musketeers (Alexandre Dumas), A Brave New World (Aldous Huxley), and the whole collection of Mafalda!! (Quino)

The Simpsons!!

When I am on travelling I do not miss any of its episodes, no matter if I have seen it ten times before. It makes me laugh so hard! Homer and Bart make one of the best comic duos on TV, but my respects and admiration goes to these ladies: Marge (lovely companion of dumb Homer and the true pillar of the family) and Lisa (smart, sensitive, and also funny!). She adores dad Homer and brother Bart no matter their defects.

OTHER FAVORITES
Desperate Housewives, CSI, Scrubs, Will & Grace.
Also oldies like Get Smart, Third Rock from the Sun and Ally McBeal.