I don't have much time to write all the fab things that happened yesterday so I will finish later. I have 8 minutes before departure.
To say that Pure Romance has spoiled us on this trip is an understatement. We have sipped the wine from the oldest best known wineries and eaten at the "in" places in Napa. To give you an example.....We toured Beringer winery yesterday (the oldest in Napa), and sampled about 5 wines. The guide was telling us the difference between a regular bottle and a vintage (I think that's what they called it), well a bottle that had been aged....estate wine that's it. Well Chris & Patty wanted us to taste the difference and the poor guide was so nervous about opening a bottle and was like I really can't. And Chris was like "open 3 bottles!".....oh they are $150 a pop. Finally Patty said if we are buying it why can't you open it? Well then a smile popped on his face, and he corked that baby.
Now I love me some sweet wine, other than that, I can tolerate it. This wine was like butter. It was so good and I think my palette could taste the difference. We each got about 1/2 a glass and I drank every last drop and then licked the glass. So good, which probable not good because I'll never go back to the $7 bottle stuff now.
Ok, sorry for the shortness, promise I'll finish more later.
xoxo
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Taking a nap in Napa
Hello from wine country!
It is 6:40 in the land of the grapes (because you know I'm on east coast time and was in bed at like 9 p.m. here last night and woke up at 5!) and so far I am not missing another incentive trip.
So each quarter Pure Romance offers incentive trips for consultants based on sales & number of new consultants who sign up under you. I won the 2nd quarter trip for 3 days in Napa Valley. We are crashing at the Meritage Resort which has a really cool cave spa (which unfortunately I will not be visiting :( so sad). Kendra is my roomie and she is one of the top girls in the company and I am so picking her brain for sales - she's at like $80K for the year!!! I wanna be her.
We arrived yesterday and the car service brought about 8 of us from Sacramento airport - oh FYI Louisville airport is bigger than Sacramento - who thunk it. My first impression was damn it's dry - does it ever rain here??? I guess not since California has wild fires like every week. I was expecting lush greenery surround the rocky hill side adorned with grapes - nope. More dust than a desert. But please do not take that as a complaint...it is still gorgeous.
After checking into the Meritage, Kendra & I toured our room - which is bigger than my apartment. Oh complimentary bottle of wine in our room :) Seriously there are 6 doors to the bathroom. A separate room for the jacuzzi tub, the toilet, and the shower (which is the size of my bathroom). We were expecting like 10 shower heads, but no such luck. We then walked the grounds which remind me of the Tuscany country side - well what I imagine the Tuscany countryside to look like anyway. Lots of earth tones, wood, bronze, lush green plants everywhere. I'll try to get pictures up today. Gazebos and statues are mixed in with lush plant life and surround the pool. Reminds me of this movie where this woman buys this villa in Tuscany and meets this hot guy there... I forget the name. After chillaxin by the pool we got ready for our photo shoot.
Pure Romance always does photos on all it's trips so we gathered with Chris & Patty (president & CEO) and put on our best smile. Afterwards we journeyed to the dining room where we our glasses stayed full with choice of wine. Drinking and mingling outside by the outdoor fire, we then got our grub on. My choice, Caprece salad, Ratatouille, and something that was really good that resembled flan for desert. All organic vegies of course. As I enjoyed my $24 tomato & mozzarella salad I realized I was seated to the right of Patty, our founder, and to the left of one of the top consultants, and across from another top consultant and thought to myself, "I could get use to this"
As most of us were on east coast time, we crashed early. But we have promises of somoers outside tonight. Today we are touring 4 wineries & will indulge in more fab food. Oh tomorrow - yoga in the vineyards!!! Can't wait.
Have I said I love my job? More to come....
It is 6:40 in the land of the grapes (because you know I'm on east coast time and was in bed at like 9 p.m. here last night and woke up at 5!) and so far I am not missing another incentive trip.
So each quarter Pure Romance offers incentive trips for consultants based on sales & number of new consultants who sign up under you. I won the 2nd quarter trip for 3 days in Napa Valley. We are crashing at the Meritage Resort which has a really cool cave spa (which unfortunately I will not be visiting :( so sad). Kendra is my roomie and she is one of the top girls in the company and I am so picking her brain for sales - she's at like $80K for the year!!! I wanna be her.
We arrived yesterday and the car service brought about 8 of us from Sacramento airport - oh FYI Louisville airport is bigger than Sacramento - who thunk it. My first impression was damn it's dry - does it ever rain here??? I guess not since California has wild fires like every week. I was expecting lush greenery surround the rocky hill side adorned with grapes - nope. More dust than a desert. But please do not take that as a complaint...it is still gorgeous.
After checking into the Meritage, Kendra & I toured our room - which is bigger than my apartment. Oh complimentary bottle of wine in our room :) Seriously there are 6 doors to the bathroom. A separate room for the jacuzzi tub, the toilet, and the shower (which is the size of my bathroom). We were expecting like 10 shower heads, but no such luck. We then walked the grounds which remind me of the Tuscany country side - well what I imagine the Tuscany countryside to look like anyway. Lots of earth tones, wood, bronze, lush green plants everywhere. I'll try to get pictures up today. Gazebos and statues are mixed in with lush plant life and surround the pool. Reminds me of this movie where this woman buys this villa in Tuscany and meets this hot guy there... I forget the name. After chillaxin by the pool we got ready for our photo shoot.
Pure Romance always does photos on all it's trips so we gathered with Chris & Patty (president & CEO) and put on our best smile. Afterwards we journeyed to the dining room where we our glasses stayed full with choice of wine. Drinking and mingling outside by the outdoor fire, we then got our grub on. My choice, Caprece salad, Ratatouille, and something that was really good that resembled flan for desert. All organic vegies of course. As I enjoyed my $24 tomato & mozzarella salad I realized I was seated to the right of Patty, our founder, and to the left of one of the top consultants, and across from another top consultant and thought to myself, "I could get use to this"
As most of us were on east coast time, we crashed early. But we have promises of somoers outside tonight. Today we are touring 4 wineries & will indulge in more fab food. Oh tomorrow - yoga in the vineyards!!! Can't wait.
Have I said I love my job? More to come....
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Feliz Navidad
That´s Merry Christmas to those English speakers :)
Well, Christmas in Peru is not like Christmas in the states. It´s not as commerical and you would not know it´s Christmas if it were not for the random decorations up.
The government sponors parties for kids and gives out hot chocolate, a present and a bag full of sweets. You have to go to the government and request to have it and make a list of the kids you are inviting and take care of the arangments. So we at a party for the kids on their street. Santa made an appearance (oh santa here wears a mask and looks like a Disney character), but only after the clown made the kids and adults laugh for a couple of hours. It was fun to watch all the kids laughing and dancing even though I had no idea what the clown was saying.
Christmas eve is the party date for everyone here. And Christmas is when you give presents to children not to adults. So the kids get decked out in new clothes and spend the evening setting off fireworks while music blasts onto the streets and moms are cooking feasts in the kitchen.
The market reminded me of going to the malls Christmas eve in the states. You could hardly move through the narrow stalls. Vendors jack up the prices and they think giving you a discount of 1 soles is a deal off something that cost 25 soles (FYI 1 sole is about .30 cents).
The countdown to midnight is almost as exciting as waiting for the New Years countdown and when the clock strikes midnight everyone shouts Feliz Navidad and gives hugs and kisses while fireworks light up the sky. Everyone then sits down to eat the feast. After eating, the kids light off more fireworks and the adults stay up all night talking and drinking. I called it quits by 3 a.m.
Pisco on Christmas day in quieter than normal, I think because everyone is hungover or asleep. But the market is still busy and the fruit shake vendors are selling shakes like hot cakes (the fruit shakes are amazing!)
I hope everyone is having a great Christmas with lots of snow and cold (I´m wearing flip flops, a t'shirt and capris), no snow in Pisco. I´m off to grab some ceviche (yes I´m bragging, it´s only like $2).
Hasta Luego
Well, Christmas in Peru is not like Christmas in the states. It´s not as commerical and you would not know it´s Christmas if it were not for the random decorations up.
The government sponors parties for kids and gives out hot chocolate, a present and a bag full of sweets. You have to go to the government and request to have it and make a list of the kids you are inviting and take care of the arangments. So we at a party for the kids on their street. Santa made an appearance (oh santa here wears a mask and looks like a Disney character), but only after the clown made the kids and adults laugh for a couple of hours. It was fun to watch all the kids laughing and dancing even though I had no idea what the clown was saying.
Christmas eve is the party date for everyone here. And Christmas is when you give presents to children not to adults. So the kids get decked out in new clothes and spend the evening setting off fireworks while music blasts onto the streets and moms are cooking feasts in the kitchen.
The market reminded me of going to the malls Christmas eve in the states. You could hardly move through the narrow stalls. Vendors jack up the prices and they think giving you a discount of 1 soles is a deal off something that cost 25 soles (FYI 1 sole is about .30 cents).
The countdown to midnight is almost as exciting as waiting for the New Years countdown and when the clock strikes midnight everyone shouts Feliz Navidad and gives hugs and kisses while fireworks light up the sky. Everyone then sits down to eat the feast. After eating, the kids light off more fireworks and the adults stay up all night talking and drinking. I called it quits by 3 a.m.
Pisco on Christmas day in quieter than normal, I think because everyone is hungover or asleep. But the market is still busy and the fruit shake vendors are selling shakes like hot cakes (the fruit shakes are amazing!)
I hope everyone is having a great Christmas with lots of snow and cold (I´m wearing flip flops, a t'shirt and capris), no snow in Pisco. I´m off to grab some ceviche (yes I´m bragging, it´s only like $2).
Hasta Luego
Friday, December 21, 2007
Sweet Sweet Sand
Yes, I realize that I am not posting as often as I did on my last trip and that is because I have kinda just been taking it easy, hanging out, not doing much.
This past week, we went to Huacachina, the desert oasis about 1.5 hours from Pisco. There really isn´t much to Huacachina expect hotels and sand dunes, oh there is a small lake. Huacachina is the place to go for sandboarding which is what I tried. I can´t say that I won the battle with the sand dune, it was victorious. Now sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, minus the cold, hard snow and lift. So if one wants to try sandboarding they must climb to the top of the sand dune (or pay $15 to have some guy take you for a spin in doon buggies that destroy the environment which I passed). So my tour guide and I rented sandboards for a whopping $1.25 each, mine was the finest in sandboarding equipment complete with velcro straps to hold my feet in place.
I had visions of my feet flying off of this sandboard as I ride the sand...
So my fabulous friend & guide Ademir points to the dune that we are going to climb and I told him where he could go (and I wasn't being polite). We weren´t starting on small dunes, the grand daddy 200 meter dune he expected me to climb. And I did. And I almost died.
I thought climbing the mountains during the Inca Trail was hard, and they were. But have any of you tried to climb a sand dune that looks like a mountain....meaning it´s not rounded at the top, but pointy. It is not easy and certainly not fun. But up we climbed.
Ademir made it to the top in about 15 mins, I on the other hand did not. With each step it felt like my feet were sinking into the depths of the earth. Picture walking on a stair climber - you don´t go anywhere, but you feel the burn in your calves. Well after one collapsed lung, I could hardly walk and with each step I felt like I was going to fall down this sand dune. On one side was the valley of about 20 other dunes just as tall, the other side was the back of a hotel. Either I was going to crash into the side of a building or die in the valley. It wasn´t my day to die.
I made it to the top, looking like who knows what. So after about resting for an hour, I am ready to put my feet in this board to maybe go down this dune. We walk to the launching point and as I peered over the edge, I could not see the ground, it was a straight down drop to the bottom . and people went down this thing. My teacher gave me some pointers and said he´d meet me half way down and goes flying off soaring down the dune like an eagle in flight. I was memorized by the grace and agility he exemplified while gliding down this dune. Then it was my turn...
I am sure I do not have to tell you that I did not express the same skill as Ademir and if only he had a video camera to record me and my lack of skill on the sandboard. It was actually easier for me to go down the dune than I thought, on the sandboard not my butt. However, the turning was a bit difficult and when I started going too fast and could not turn, I made myself fall. Then I started to tumble and flip over which I'm sure was very amusing for Ademir to watch and by the time I got to the bottom he was laughing his ass off. It took longer than 20 seconds to get down this dune because I kept falling and the last 50 feet I rode down with my butt on the sandboard - Hey it was hard!!
Did we climb up the dune for round 2 - I think you already know the answer...no.
I did save about $300 in spa services because the sand exfoliated every part of my body.
I am back in Pisco now and tomorrow I think I am going to start working with Hands On and helping with some clean up. I am meeting them tonight to find out what projects everyone is working on.
Chau
This past week, we went to Huacachina, the desert oasis about 1.5 hours from Pisco. There really isn´t much to Huacachina expect hotels and sand dunes, oh there is a small lake. Huacachina is the place to go for sandboarding which is what I tried. I can´t say that I won the battle with the sand dune, it was victorious. Now sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, minus the cold, hard snow and lift. So if one wants to try sandboarding they must climb to the top of the sand dune (or pay $15 to have some guy take you for a spin in doon buggies that destroy the environment which I passed). So my tour guide and I rented sandboards for a whopping $1.25 each, mine was the finest in sandboarding equipment complete with velcro straps to hold my feet in place.
I had visions of my feet flying off of this sandboard as I ride the sand...
So my fabulous friend & guide Ademir points to the dune that we are going to climb and I told him where he could go (and I wasn't being polite). We weren´t starting on small dunes, the grand daddy 200 meter dune he expected me to climb. And I did. And I almost died.
I thought climbing the mountains during the Inca Trail was hard, and they were. But have any of you tried to climb a sand dune that looks like a mountain....meaning it´s not rounded at the top, but pointy. It is not easy and certainly not fun. But up we climbed.
Ademir made it to the top in about 15 mins, I on the other hand did not. With each step it felt like my feet were sinking into the depths of the earth. Picture walking on a stair climber - you don´t go anywhere, but you feel the burn in your calves. Well after one collapsed lung, I could hardly walk and with each step I felt like I was going to fall down this sand dune. On one side was the valley of about 20 other dunes just as tall, the other side was the back of a hotel. Either I was going to crash into the side of a building or die in the valley. It wasn´t my day to die.
I made it to the top, looking like who knows what. So after about resting for an hour, I am ready to put my feet in this board to maybe go down this dune. We walk to the launching point and as I peered over the edge, I could not see the ground, it was a straight down drop to the bottom . and people went down this thing. My teacher gave me some pointers and said he´d meet me half way down and goes flying off soaring down the dune like an eagle in flight. I was memorized by the grace and agility he exemplified while gliding down this dune. Then it was my turn...
I am sure I do not have to tell you that I did not express the same skill as Ademir and if only he had a video camera to record me and my lack of skill on the sandboard. It was actually easier for me to go down the dune than I thought, on the sandboard not my butt. However, the turning was a bit difficult and when I started going too fast and could not turn, I made myself fall. Then I started to tumble and flip over which I'm sure was very amusing for Ademir to watch and by the time I got to the bottom he was laughing his ass off. It took longer than 20 seconds to get down this dune because I kept falling and the last 50 feet I rode down with my butt on the sandboard - Hey it was hard!!
Did we climb up the dune for round 2 - I think you already know the answer...no.
I did save about $300 in spa services because the sand exfoliated every part of my body.
I am back in Pisco now and tomorrow I think I am going to start working with Hands On and helping with some clean up. I am meeting them tonight to find out what projects everyone is working on.
Chau
Friday, December 14, 2007
Vive Pisco
Hola amigos!
I have been in Peru for almost 5 days now and I know some of you are upset because I haven´t written. That is because I have been having a blast!
So Sunday I arrived in Lima and bummed around Lima on Monday and Tuesday taking the colletivos (mini buses) everywhere. The hotel was in a residential section of the city so when we were in the center or in Miraflores (the rich part with nightlife and tons of restaurants), no buses would go back to the area of the hotel. So it was a lot of fun trying to guess which bus was correct. Needless to say we saw just about every section of Lima.
We found a bowling alley and I taught my friend how to bowl. Bowling is a new sport to Peru and they are slow to pick up on the fun. Ademir either hustled me or is lucky, his first game he bowled a 95, his second a 155! I have never bowled over a 100 (well maybe once), perhaps that says something about my bowling ability or lack of. We got three games in and had a blast. The bowling alley attendants bring balls to the lane for you, and they are all color coded. 8 pounders are pink, 9 lbs green. They looked at me weird when I went to grab my own ball.
Wenesday I made my way to the town of Lunahauna, south of Lima for some white water rafting. We arrived about 6:30 to a ghost town. Seriously no one was out walking around, it was really creepy. So Thursday we headed out to the Cañete river for some sweet rafting. For me it was really easy because it was only class 2 rapids with a couple of 3´s. It was just the two of us with a guide and some other Peruano on the river with the mountains around us - breathtaking views.
Yesterday afternoon we arrived in Pisco, the center of the 8.0 earthquake in August. As soon as we got off the bus I could see the difference in the area. I am going to warn you that if you get depressed easily you might want to stop reading, but there is a happy ending.
About 70% of Pisco was destroyed in the earthquake, there are only 4 hotels left, from about 20 before. As we were driving the 1 km to town from the PanAmerican Highway all you see are piles of rubble. I did not recognize the town as we were driving through. It looks like a city during a war that has been bombed. Some people have been lucky to have houses built, they are more like sheds than houses. Made from wood paneling, they are about 8 x 10 sq feet, with a plywood door. To lock the house when you leave you put a padlock on the outside. Electricity is non-existent for most and there is not indoor plumbing.
Walking from the hotel last night to eat dinner we pass rows of these houses and rows of tents. The people who have not received a wood house yet, have 8 - 10 people tents they are living in. They are on the property where their former house stood. Piles of debris are lined up on either side of the streets and it is like an obstacle course navigating your way through. They apparently take the debris from the buildings to the street, then a truck comes and takes it away. As we walked closer to the Plaza de Arms (the center of the city), I start to recognize some of the few remaining buildings, and notice others are gone. We pass the area where the church once stood, the final place for almost 250 people who died inside. All that remains is one bell tower, a cross has been placed in front.
Amazingly the Plaza was not destroyed, not even a crack, but 60% of the building surrounding it are gone. The main strip where most of the shops were, gone, 10 buildings remain. Store owners now sell things from tents. The streets have a layer of dust on them, cracks and potholes are everywhere. There is still a military presence in the town and you can see soldiers walking around.
Despite the destruction that surrounds the people, the town is not dead. There are still tons of people walking around the plaza. Salsa music still belts from the wood houses, children are still playing futbol in the streets. The tuk tuks are still pimped out like 1995 low riders from South LA. The food is still amazing and the people are still laughing. They joke about Pisco being no more, but they have started to rebuild. The government is finally giving supplies and money to families so they can rebuild their houses. They have lost all material objects, but they still have their health and for most, their families so they still dance and laugh and eat.
I have been in Peru for almost 5 days now and I know some of you are upset because I haven´t written. That is because I have been having a blast!
So Sunday I arrived in Lima and bummed around Lima on Monday and Tuesday taking the colletivos (mini buses) everywhere. The hotel was in a residential section of the city so when we were in the center or in Miraflores (the rich part with nightlife and tons of restaurants), no buses would go back to the area of the hotel. So it was a lot of fun trying to guess which bus was correct. Needless to say we saw just about every section of Lima.
We found a bowling alley and I taught my friend how to bowl. Bowling is a new sport to Peru and they are slow to pick up on the fun. Ademir either hustled me or is lucky, his first game he bowled a 95, his second a 155! I have never bowled over a 100 (well maybe once), perhaps that says something about my bowling ability or lack of. We got three games in and had a blast. The bowling alley attendants bring balls to the lane for you, and they are all color coded. 8 pounders are pink, 9 lbs green. They looked at me weird when I went to grab my own ball.
Wenesday I made my way to the town of Lunahauna, south of Lima for some white water rafting. We arrived about 6:30 to a ghost town. Seriously no one was out walking around, it was really creepy. So Thursday we headed out to the Cañete river for some sweet rafting. For me it was really easy because it was only class 2 rapids with a couple of 3´s. It was just the two of us with a guide and some other Peruano on the river with the mountains around us - breathtaking views.
Yesterday afternoon we arrived in Pisco, the center of the 8.0 earthquake in August. As soon as we got off the bus I could see the difference in the area. I am going to warn you that if you get depressed easily you might want to stop reading, but there is a happy ending.
About 70% of Pisco was destroyed in the earthquake, there are only 4 hotels left, from about 20 before. As we were driving the 1 km to town from the PanAmerican Highway all you see are piles of rubble. I did not recognize the town as we were driving through. It looks like a city during a war that has been bombed. Some people have been lucky to have houses built, they are more like sheds than houses. Made from wood paneling, they are about 8 x 10 sq feet, with a plywood door. To lock the house when you leave you put a padlock on the outside. Electricity is non-existent for most and there is not indoor plumbing.
Walking from the hotel last night to eat dinner we pass rows of these houses and rows of tents. The people who have not received a wood house yet, have 8 - 10 people tents they are living in. They are on the property where their former house stood. Piles of debris are lined up on either side of the streets and it is like an obstacle course navigating your way through. They apparently take the debris from the buildings to the street, then a truck comes and takes it away. As we walked closer to the Plaza de Arms (the center of the city), I start to recognize some of the few remaining buildings, and notice others are gone. We pass the area where the church once stood, the final place for almost 250 people who died inside. All that remains is one bell tower, a cross has been placed in front.
Amazingly the Plaza was not destroyed, not even a crack, but 60% of the building surrounding it are gone. The main strip where most of the shops were, gone, 10 buildings remain. Store owners now sell things from tents. The streets have a layer of dust on them, cracks and potholes are everywhere. There is still a military presence in the town and you can see soldiers walking around.
Despite the destruction that surrounds the people, the town is not dead. There are still tons of people walking around the plaza. Salsa music still belts from the wood houses, children are still playing futbol in the streets. The tuk tuks are still pimped out like 1995 low riders from South LA. The food is still amazing and the people are still laughing. They joke about Pisco being no more, but they have started to rebuild. The government is finally giving supplies and money to families so they can rebuild their houses. They have lost all material objects, but they still have their health and for most, their families so they still dance and laugh and eat.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Pilgrimage to Machu Picchu
I have made it (both hiking the trail and finishing my blog). I have hiked 45 km (approx 21 miles) over mountains and through valleys and have seen the sacred city of Machu Picchu. This experience has been a very emotional journey for me because I pushed my mind and body to limits that I have not known. The distance did not worry me about this hike, I can walk 45 km with no problems, but could I walk to 14,000 feet without having a collapsed lung or dying from altitude sickness?
Yes I can.
I chose the tour agency Llama Path to take this journey and I have no regrets. I had the best time with my guide, group, and porters. There are about 100 companies that will take you on a hike on the Inca Trail, and I chose Llama Path because of their mission statement and dedication to eco-tourism. Most companies, correction, almost all companies do not treat their porters with respect and do not provide them with necessary equipment to carry 29 kilos across the mountains (The porters are not allowed to carry more than 29 kilos) The 13 porters had matching hats, fleece jackets, t-shirts, and real stable backpacks, all in red. They were our Red Army: Eduardo, Fidel, Valentin (my 3 favorites), Milketes, Santiago, Santos, Rambino, Floreco (2 of them), Marcelo, Cecilo, Victor and I cannot remember the other one...they took excellent care of us and were always happy and smiling. At each rest point they clapped and cheered us on, they really were the best looking porters on the trail. There were 7 of us in the group, all women (which was another experience), 4 Americans, 2 Brits, 1 Northern Irelander. The two from England were mother and daughter and mom made sure to take care of all of us (those motherly instincts).
Day 1 started with a 4:30 am pick up. We drove about 2 hours for breakfast then another 2 hours to KM 82 which is the starting point. We started walking about 9 a.m. and by 11 I was exhausted. I decided to carry my own pack which was a huge mistake. The hike started going uphill immediately and I was not adjusting to the altitude. I made it carrying my 22 lb pack for half of the day and after the 2nd check in point, Casino said I could hire a porter and cute Fidel saved my life the first day. When I took that pack off it felt like 100 lbs had been lifted off of my shoulder.
We stopped for lunch and let me tell you, our chef, Milkedes can work wonders. We had a 3 course meal, appetizer of sliced avocado, soup, plus pasta with 3 different sauces. Eaten in a tent on real plates with real silver wear. The food was delicious. All of our meals were amazing and full of high energy foods, meats, pastas, nuts, and lots of cocoa tea.
I got to the point on that first day where I did not think I could go on any further. Casino (our guide) walked with me for the last couple of hours telling me we were almost there (which was not true because 2 hours later we hadn't reached the site yet). Without his encouragement I don't think I would have made it because I wanted to fall asleep on that trail. As we did get closer to the campsite the environment turned into a jungle and you could not see up the mountain, the trail curved like a snake up the side of the mountain. It was really magical and cool walking through that trail (even thought I felt like a dead woman walking). I would walk for 1 minute then stop for 3 minutes. At 6:00, I crawled to our camp site, Llulluchampampa, at 6:00 after hiking to 3800 m (12460 ft), for the night to the cheers and helping hands of the porters. We walked 16 km the first day - up a mountain...
Day 2 we hiked the remaining 400 meters (up, about 2 km in distance) to Dead Women´s Pass (at 4200 m, 13779 ft) and let me tell you, by the time I got there I felt like a dead woman. I can now imagine what a collapsed lung would feel like. I got to the point on the trail where I could not look up any more because the stairs and trail just never ended. I could see the top of the mountain, but it wasn't getting closer. The real tease came at the last 15 minutes when I could hear the porters cheering us on, but just could not reach them. You get to the point where you just don't look up, you are just looking at your feet slowing climbing those stairs trying to think about everything else, but the pain in your legs and lungs. I keep turning around and looking down at how far we had climbed thinking wow, I've done that much already or "oh god I've hardly walked anywhere." The climb was worth it because the view was amazing. However treacherous hiking this trail was, the views were spectacular. I have to admit I did not capture that many views because I was so concerned with breathing, but I do have some pictures. My fellow trekkers took a bunch and they are supposed to be emailing them to me.
We then hiked down to 11,700 feet and then up a couple of hundred feet for lunch, then down again to 11,800 feet for the night campsite in Chaquicocha, cloud forest. It gets it name because there are tons of low lying clouds surrounding the mountains. While the porters were cooking dinner I hung out in the kitchen tent with them talking to Eduardo and some of the others. I have no idea what I told them at one point because they all started laughing and I don't remember what I wanted to say being funny. I probably said I cook my shoes for dinner. That night after our amazing dinner, we shared songs with the porters at the command of Casiano. The 7 of us could only think of preschool songs, so we taught 14 Peruvian men "itsy bitsy spider," "row, row, row your boat," and "twinkle, twinkle, twinkle little star," complete with hand gestures of course. They in turn sang the Cusco soccer song which is in the tune of Wyno music (traditional Andean tunes) and lasts about 10 minutes long. Valentin asked me to dance and I thought the song would never end. Dancing Wyno consists of holding hands and jumping around in a circle (which is what you really want to be doing at 12,000 feet after hiking for two days). But it was a blast. After dancing and singing, most of the girls went to bed and two others and I played cards with Casino. We played Peruvian rummy which is similar to how I know how to play, but I was a little rusty so Valentin, Fidel, and Santos were my good luck charms and helped me out. Fidel takes Rummy very seriously and is very good...I won several games.
The next day was the easiest of the days. We hiked down, rather climbed down 10,000 stairs, to 8792 feet to Winay Huayna. This is the campsite that all of the other tour companies camp at the last night. It is only 3 minutes from the check in point to hike the last 5 km of the trail. Hikers are not allowed on this section of the trail before 5:30 in the morning because there is apparently a history of hikers falling of the side of the mountain. We arrived at our campsite around 12 and spent the afternoon eating, drinking cocoa, and for me, playing cards with the porters. That night was another great meal, drinking, dancing, singing and we thanked the porters for their help and said our goodbyes while Casino translated. More cards until 10:30 (where I won 4 soles, or about $1.30), then bed. We were up at 3:30, and at the check in gate by 4:30, to the joys of my fellow trekker who wanted to be the first. It then took 1 1/2 hrs to get to the Sun Gate (up and down stairs).
By the time I got to the Sun Gate I was exhausted because I had to carry my own pack (because the porters caught a train back to Cusco). The last stairs on the trail go up to the Sun Gate and when you walk through the gate (which is a stone doorway), you can see the entire Machu Picchu valley and all the pain in my legs and lungs disappeared. My pilgrimage was almost over and it was worth every painful step. I couldn't believe that this huge sacred site was built in the mountains with out modern technology. I sat there for 15 minutes admiring the view.
We climbed down to the ruins receiving interesting looks from the bus tourists who wanted to climb up to the Sun Gate to get the view we had. I felt like we were the weirdos in school and everyone was staring at us. Maybe it was the smell coming from our bodies...or the fact that we cheered when we reached the last part of the trail and took pictures shouting "Championes!" We received a tour from Casino, then we were allowed to explore on our own before heading back to Cusco. By 11 a.m., there were so many tourists at the ruins. Buses run every 5 minutes from Aguas Calientes bringing tons of tourists who don't hike the trail. So I found a quite spot meditated for a while then headed back to meet Casino and the girls for lunch.
By 6:30 I was back in Cusco, showering and putting on clean clothes (I threw the clothes I had been wearing for 4 days away, I don't think the body odor would have ever come out), and was in bed by 9.
My legs have finally stopped aching, a week later :) But it was totally worth it. I've heard that hiking the Inca Trail is a life changing experience and I believe it. I will never complain about my body being in pain again, ok well maybe I will, but I'll quickly stop and remember the Inca Trail. I was sad to see it end, but made some great friends and will have amazing memories.
I loved my trip and love Peru. The country and people are beautiful and I encourage everyone to visit, I will definitely be going back. My pictures should be up in a day on Snapfish.com (I am in the process of uploading them now) I will post the direct link as soon I know it.
Yes I can.
I chose the tour agency Llama Path to take this journey and I have no regrets. I had the best time with my guide, group, and porters. There are about 100 companies that will take you on a hike on the Inca Trail, and I chose Llama Path because of their mission statement and dedication to eco-tourism. Most companies, correction, almost all companies do not treat their porters with respect and do not provide them with necessary equipment to carry 29 kilos across the mountains (The porters are not allowed to carry more than 29 kilos) The 13 porters had matching hats, fleece jackets, t-shirts, and real stable backpacks, all in red. They were our Red Army: Eduardo, Fidel, Valentin (my 3 favorites), Milketes, Santiago, Santos, Rambino, Floreco (2 of them), Marcelo, Cecilo, Victor and I cannot remember the other one...they took excellent care of us and were always happy and smiling. At each rest point they clapped and cheered us on, they really were the best looking porters on the trail. There were 7 of us in the group, all women (which was another experience), 4 Americans, 2 Brits, 1 Northern Irelander. The two from England were mother and daughter and mom made sure to take care of all of us (those motherly instincts).
Day 1 started with a 4:30 am pick up. We drove about 2 hours for breakfast then another 2 hours to KM 82 which is the starting point. We started walking about 9 a.m. and by 11 I was exhausted. I decided to carry my own pack which was a huge mistake. The hike started going uphill immediately and I was not adjusting to the altitude. I made it carrying my 22 lb pack for half of the day and after the 2nd check in point, Casino said I could hire a porter and cute Fidel saved my life the first day. When I took that pack off it felt like 100 lbs had been lifted off of my shoulder.
We stopped for lunch and let me tell you, our chef, Milkedes can work wonders. We had a 3 course meal, appetizer of sliced avocado, soup, plus pasta with 3 different sauces. Eaten in a tent on real plates with real silver wear. The food was delicious. All of our meals were amazing and full of high energy foods, meats, pastas, nuts, and lots of cocoa tea.
I got to the point on that first day where I did not think I could go on any further. Casino (our guide) walked with me for the last couple of hours telling me we were almost there (which was not true because 2 hours later we hadn't reached the site yet). Without his encouragement I don't think I would have made it because I wanted to fall asleep on that trail. As we did get closer to the campsite the environment turned into a jungle and you could not see up the mountain, the trail curved like a snake up the side of the mountain. It was really magical and cool walking through that trail (even thought I felt like a dead woman walking). I would walk for 1 minute then stop for 3 minutes. At 6:00, I crawled to our camp site, Llulluchampampa, at 6:00 after hiking to 3800 m (12460 ft), for the night to the cheers and helping hands of the porters. We walked 16 km the first day - up a mountain...
Day 2 we hiked the remaining 400 meters (up, about 2 km in distance) to Dead Women´s Pass (at 4200 m, 13779 ft) and let me tell you, by the time I got there I felt like a dead woman. I can now imagine what a collapsed lung would feel like. I got to the point on the trail where I could not look up any more because the stairs and trail just never ended. I could see the top of the mountain, but it wasn't getting closer. The real tease came at the last 15 minutes when I could hear the porters cheering us on, but just could not reach them. You get to the point where you just don't look up, you are just looking at your feet slowing climbing those stairs trying to think about everything else, but the pain in your legs and lungs. I keep turning around and looking down at how far we had climbed thinking wow, I've done that much already or "oh god I've hardly walked anywhere." The climb was worth it because the view was amazing. However treacherous hiking this trail was, the views were spectacular. I have to admit I did not capture that many views because I was so concerned with breathing, but I do have some pictures. My fellow trekkers took a bunch and they are supposed to be emailing them to me.
We then hiked down to 11,700 feet and then up a couple of hundred feet for lunch, then down again to 11,800 feet for the night campsite in Chaquicocha, cloud forest. It gets it name because there are tons of low lying clouds surrounding the mountains. While the porters were cooking dinner I hung out in the kitchen tent with them talking to Eduardo and some of the others. I have no idea what I told them at one point because they all started laughing and I don't remember what I wanted to say being funny. I probably said I cook my shoes for dinner. That night after our amazing dinner, we shared songs with the porters at the command of Casiano. The 7 of us could only think of preschool songs, so we taught 14 Peruvian men "itsy bitsy spider," "row, row, row your boat," and "twinkle, twinkle, twinkle little star," complete with hand gestures of course. They in turn sang the Cusco soccer song which is in the tune of Wyno music (traditional Andean tunes) and lasts about 10 minutes long. Valentin asked me to dance and I thought the song would never end. Dancing Wyno consists of holding hands and jumping around in a circle (which is what you really want to be doing at 12,000 feet after hiking for two days). But it was a blast. After dancing and singing, most of the girls went to bed and two others and I played cards with Casino. We played Peruvian rummy which is similar to how I know how to play, but I was a little rusty so Valentin, Fidel, and Santos were my good luck charms and helped me out. Fidel takes Rummy very seriously and is very good...I won several games.
The next day was the easiest of the days. We hiked down, rather climbed down 10,000 stairs, to 8792 feet to Winay Huayna. This is the campsite that all of the other tour companies camp at the last night. It is only 3 minutes from the check in point to hike the last 5 km of the trail. Hikers are not allowed on this section of the trail before 5:30 in the morning because there is apparently a history of hikers falling of the side of the mountain. We arrived at our campsite around 12 and spent the afternoon eating, drinking cocoa, and for me, playing cards with the porters. That night was another great meal, drinking, dancing, singing and we thanked the porters for their help and said our goodbyes while Casino translated. More cards until 10:30 (where I won 4 soles, or about $1.30), then bed. We were up at 3:30, and at the check in gate by 4:30, to the joys of my fellow trekker who wanted to be the first. It then took 1 1/2 hrs to get to the Sun Gate (up and down stairs).
By the time I got to the Sun Gate I was exhausted because I had to carry my own pack (because the porters caught a train back to Cusco). The last stairs on the trail go up to the Sun Gate and when you walk through the gate (which is a stone doorway), you can see the entire Machu Picchu valley and all the pain in my legs and lungs disappeared. My pilgrimage was almost over and it was worth every painful step. I couldn't believe that this huge sacred site was built in the mountains with out modern technology. I sat there for 15 minutes admiring the view.
We climbed down to the ruins receiving interesting looks from the bus tourists who wanted to climb up to the Sun Gate to get the view we had. I felt like we were the weirdos in school and everyone was staring at us. Maybe it was the smell coming from our bodies...or the fact that we cheered when we reached the last part of the trail and took pictures shouting "Championes!" We received a tour from Casino, then we were allowed to explore on our own before heading back to Cusco. By 11 a.m., there were so many tourists at the ruins. Buses run every 5 minutes from Aguas Calientes bringing tons of tourists who don't hike the trail. So I found a quite spot meditated for a while then headed back to meet Casino and the girls for lunch.
By 6:30 I was back in Cusco, showering and putting on clean clothes (I threw the clothes I had been wearing for 4 days away, I don't think the body odor would have ever come out), and was in bed by 9.
My legs have finally stopped aching, a week later :) But it was totally worth it. I've heard that hiking the Inca Trail is a life changing experience and I believe it. I will never complain about my body being in pain again, ok well maybe I will, but I'll quickly stop and remember the Inca Trail. I was sad to see it end, but made some great friends and will have amazing memories.
I loved my trip and love Peru. The country and people are beautiful and I encourage everyone to visit, I will definitely be going back. My pictures should be up in a day on Snapfish.com (I am in the process of uploading them now) I will post the direct link as soon I know it.
Monday, May 28, 2007
D-day almost here
So, by the time most of you read this (unless you are reading it on Monday evening) I will be hiking the Inca Trail!!! The reason for my travels to Peru is finally here. And I am exhausted and have no idea how I am going to do this. I will be be posting a blog until Friday, June 1...I repeat, I will not be posting a blog until Friday June 1 and it might just be a word to say I am alive as I will arrive back in Cusco around 9 p.m. and will probably fall straight asleep. Please do not call the embassy because I will not have internet access on the trail. Here´s is a brief description of my iternary.
Day 1: pick up at 4:30 a.m., start hiking by 7 a.m. Start at 8923 feet, camp at Llulluchapampa at 12,460 feet. 16 km
Day 2: hike down to Chaquicocha 11800 feet, Cloud forest, 15 km
Day 3: hike down to Wiñay Huayna 8792 feet, 10 km.
Day 4: start hiking by 4:30 5 km to Machu Picchu 7873 feet
Please pray my legs last...
So today I traveled via combis and buses to Ollaytantambo to see some ruins, if you click on my link from yesterday there is information about it. This was the only point that the Spanish Conquistidors almost lost a battle against the Inca. And when you see the pictures you will see why. You have to climb like 500 steps to get to the top, so who knows what the Spanish got pelted with on their heads trying to asscend the mountain.
I was really intrigued with the irrigation system today. It was amazing me how the water is being drawn from somewhere on the mountain, through the community. It runs under the sidewalks and into each dwelling and there a lot of pools, and fountains. Very interesting to see.
When I arrived in Ollaytantambo there was some religious parade of some sort going on. Lots of interesting costumes and bands playing. It went on for hours. The ruins are right next to the town and it was possible to hear the bands playing when I was at the top of the cliff, so not serenity for me today.
On the bus back to Cusco, I sat next to a guy who proceeded to talk to me (my theory of only men talking to me still stands) in Spanish. And I was very impressed with my ability to have a conversation with him. When he was asking me why my brother did not travel to Peru with me, I think my sentence went something like this (translated for you in English) "Brother Scott no like travel Peru" I know it was really broken Spanish because the guy looked very perplexed for a minute. Or I said my brother likes to wear Peruvian dresses (just kidding Scott). There was a school girl hovering over me because there were like 50 people crammed on this bus and she was laughing everytime I spoke.
Traveling in Peru is really interesting. Most people do not own cars, and take taxis or combis everywhere. Combis or collectivos are the minivans packed with people. If you want to hop on one, you just stick out your hand and one will stop and you climb on in, then tell the driver where you want to get off. All combis have a route they take, so it´s not like a personal taxi service. You can only get off along their route. If you have any bags or harps like someone today, it gets tied down on top and you just hope it doesn´t blow away.
Driving through these mountains roads is frightening. I don´t know why the government bothers painting lines on the road, no one pays attention to them. So what if it´s a double line and you are driving around a curve and can´t see if cars are coming. That truck in front of you is going slower than you, so you pass him, honking the entire time. Honking is so common here, honk if you want to pick someone up and you´re taxi is empty, honk if someone is driving slow, honk if you are passing, honk if someone walks in front of your car, honk if you are passing someone and they aren´t getting over enough and there is a truck coming straight at you honking of course, because you are in their lane. Now I know why everyone is making the sign of the cross when riding in a combi.
I guess you can´t complain to much when you get to travel 30 km for only .70 cents.
I am off to my meeting with my guide for my trek. Wish me luck and pray I make it 4 days with out a shower wearing the same clothes :)
Hasta luego
Day 1: pick up at 4:30 a.m., start hiking by 7 a.m. Start at 8923 feet, camp at Llulluchapampa at 12,460 feet. 16 km
Day 2: hike down to Chaquicocha 11800 feet, Cloud forest, 15 km
Day 3: hike down to Wiñay Huayna 8792 feet, 10 km.
Day 4: start hiking by 4:30 5 km to Machu Picchu 7873 feet
Please pray my legs last...
So today I traveled via combis and buses to Ollaytantambo to see some ruins, if you click on my link from yesterday there is information about it. This was the only point that the Spanish Conquistidors almost lost a battle against the Inca. And when you see the pictures you will see why. You have to climb like 500 steps to get to the top, so who knows what the Spanish got pelted with on their heads trying to asscend the mountain.
I was really intrigued with the irrigation system today. It was amazing me how the water is being drawn from somewhere on the mountain, through the community. It runs under the sidewalks and into each dwelling and there a lot of pools, and fountains. Very interesting to see.
When I arrived in Ollaytantambo there was some religious parade of some sort going on. Lots of interesting costumes and bands playing. It went on for hours. The ruins are right next to the town and it was possible to hear the bands playing when I was at the top of the cliff, so not serenity for me today.
On the bus back to Cusco, I sat next to a guy who proceeded to talk to me (my theory of only men talking to me still stands) in Spanish. And I was very impressed with my ability to have a conversation with him. When he was asking me why my brother did not travel to Peru with me, I think my sentence went something like this (translated for you in English) "Brother Scott no like travel Peru" I know it was really broken Spanish because the guy looked very perplexed for a minute. Or I said my brother likes to wear Peruvian dresses (just kidding Scott). There was a school girl hovering over me because there were like 50 people crammed on this bus and she was laughing everytime I spoke.
Traveling in Peru is really interesting. Most people do not own cars, and take taxis or combis everywhere. Combis or collectivos are the minivans packed with people. If you want to hop on one, you just stick out your hand and one will stop and you climb on in, then tell the driver where you want to get off. All combis have a route they take, so it´s not like a personal taxi service. You can only get off along their route. If you have any bags or harps like someone today, it gets tied down on top and you just hope it doesn´t blow away.
Driving through these mountains roads is frightening. I don´t know why the government bothers painting lines on the road, no one pays attention to them. So what if it´s a double line and you are driving around a curve and can´t see if cars are coming. That truck in front of you is going slower than you, so you pass him, honking the entire time. Honking is so common here, honk if you want to pick someone up and you´re taxi is empty, honk if someone is driving slow, honk if you are passing, honk if someone walks in front of your car, honk if you are passing someone and they aren´t getting over enough and there is a truck coming straight at you honking of course, because you are in their lane. Now I know why everyone is making the sign of the cross when riding in a combi.
I guess you can´t complain to much when you get to travel 30 km for only .70 cents.
I am off to my meeting with my guide for my trek. Wish me luck and pray I make it 4 days with out a shower wearing the same clothes :)
Hasta luego
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