This has nothing to do with Peru, but allow me to elaborate.
I started using computers regularly after 7th grade when we learned how to type. I'm sure I'd used a computer before that, but my memories of Instant Messaging my friends and middle school crushes are mostly post-typing class. I cannot remember exactly what year Microsoft put in the red and green squiggly line feature (the ones that tell you if your grammer or spelling is incorrect), but I am beginning to resent this luxury. On my laptop at home, everywhere I type is automatically spell-checked with or without a red squiggly line. Here, on these Peruvian computers, red squiggly lines do not exist. Whether this is something I could add by perusing the menu bar at the top of my page (which is, of course, in spanish) or if it would involve a computer update, I WOULD NOT DO IT. I must re-teach myself how to spell. In my last blog entry, I spelled "hysterical" h-I-sterical. I cannot express the shock and anger I felt upon reading this obvious flaw. Now, I have fixed this spelling error already, but I feel worried about every word I've written thus far. So friends, please inform me if you see any other errors in spelling, grammer, etc.
I'm inclined to blame society for my mush-brain. How could they do this to us? Short cuts are not necessarily better.
I could definitely spend pages addressing this subject, but I will spare you all and get back to my travels in Peru.
We arrived in Cuzco on Tuesday, March 29th. We got off of the nine hour bus ride feeling a little light headed and sick from the high altitude (11,600ft I think. Google has many answers), not to mention groggy, exhausted, and sore from our three day hike into Colca Canyon.
How was Colca Canyon, you ask? Well, to the general public, hiking into the second deepest canyon in the world would entail climbing down and then up large mountains. Unfortunately, I was somehow blinded by the excitement of doing an outdoor activity in Peru and did not realize that hiking Colca Canyon meant climbing mountains in the Andes for three days.
Let me start with the good news: I was not lain to rest at the bottom of the Colca River. I survived. But just barely.
The first day, we took a bus at 1:30am from Arequipa to Cabanaconde (about 6 hours) and then proceeded to eat a simple breakfast before starting our trek into the canyon. We hiked down for about five hours and then up for one hour. This was without a doubt the most difficult thing I´ve ever done in my entire life, including sprinting uphill during soccer daily doubles (which I can hardly say I accomplished). Hiking downhill sounds so easy, but in my current level of conditioning, after a few hours I could hardly move one leg infront of the other. I am not a mountain climber.
There were many things that contributed to the difficulty of the trek. I will list a few for you.
1. We virtually got 1 hour of sleep before we went to the bus station, which isn't exactly ideal for long crazy canyon treks.
2. I am capable of walking around the hill in Philomath, but have not done much rigorous activity in a while. My legs are not made of steel.
3. I generally don't go six hours without eating
4. The trail was made of mostly loose rocks and made a switchback trail down the mountain.
Our guide, Hugo, was very fast, but we hired him specifically so we could travel at our own pace. He would sit under a tree for 30 minutes at a time while the three of us (Colby, Sarah, and I) took slow, cautious steps and trying to keep from slipping our way down the mountain. Then out of nowhere, when we were wondering where in the world Hugo could be, he would be seen momentarily walking directly down the mountain. Hugo had no need for silly trails.
When we arrived at our first destination, it was about two o'clock in the afternoon and we were somewhere between sick and starving. We stayed the night at Llahuar Lodge. It was a very quiet, family owned facility in the middle of nowhere. They had a natural hot spring down by the river that we were able to soak in and attempt to coax our muscles out of spasm. This was only after willing our legs to function when they would have prefered to never move again.
And this was only the first day. Yikes.
The second day was daunting. First thing, we had to hike 3 hours straight up. We had the motivation that when we reached the top, we would then be able to travel down. Small comfort. Clearly the previous day proved that down can be just as challanging as up. The problem with traveling uphill is the respiratory system.
5. The change in altitude. It is hard to breathe when you walk uphill with a familiar altitude. The fact that we were so much higher than our bodies were use to presented a great challange.
We stopped to rest frequently under the shade of many different trees. The trail was much more appealing the second day because we got to learn about different plants and the fourth hour of our trek was up, then down, with some flatish spots every now and then. We ate the fruit of a Prickly Pear Cactus. So Yummy.
Colby found inspiration on the second half of the trek. He ran and moved quickly down the mountain towards the Oasis and pool that was our second destination. Sarah and I did a little jogging as well. It felt nice to use different muscles and to move forward with momentum. Colby was moving fast. He reached the bottom much quicker and would wait for us to catch up, but the rapid change in altitude started to affect his body. He became dizzy and had to sit down for awhile. This is a common problem that many people face when they hike into the canyon. At this point, we were only 20 minutes away from our destination. When we arrived, we jumped in the pool to cool off and rest. Hugo prepared a typical Arequipeñan meal for us to eat. It was quite delicious. Colby and I slept and rested for duration of the night, while Sarah played goalie for a soccer game with other hikers that were staying at the Oasis.
The third day was completely uphill. Hugo explained to us that it was important to leave at around 3am in order to beat the sun and we would use headlamps to see. In Colby's current state of health, we determined that it would be best for him to ride a mule out of the canyon. I was a little jealous because Colby got to leave at 6am instead of 3, but I reminded myself that walking in the sun is crippling and I would be much happier if I left before the sun got up.
So I woke at 2:15am the third day of our adventure. We didn't actually leave until 3:40am and I tried not to focus on the hour of sleep I had lost by assuming that we were going to leave on time. The first hour and a half was horrible. I was like a zombie, blundering around and tripping on rocks because I couldn't pick up my feet.
6. Carrying a backpack. No matter how light you pack, that bag just becomes heavier and heavier. Since Colby was riding a mule, we left one pack with him and brought my pack that Sarah and I would take turns wearing up the hill. Sarah was a champion. She wore that pack forever and I only ended up wearing it about 1/4 of the third day because she said "no, I'm alright" everytime I offered to take it.
Once we had the first hour and a half under our belt, we stopped for a lengthy rest and half of a banana. The banana gave me strength and helped my terrible stomach ache. Hugo fell asleep and when we woke him, he told us to go on. So we chose a steady pace and began to climb, looking down every now and then to see Hugo still snoozing on the rock below. The view was incredible and I could hardly believe that mere hours earlier we were at the bottom of the mountain. Sarah and I made it to the top in three hours and 40 minutes - A real accomplishment, considering Hugo told us it would take six.
Colby arrived about 40 minutes later and we walked back to Cabanaconde for breakfast and then took a bus back to Arequipa. We slept there and stayed an extra day, for an overnight bus to Cuzco did not sound inviting.
But, alas, we finally made it to Cuzco. It´s a beautiful city, full of history, cobbled roads, and tons of tourists. Every main street is littered with Peruvian woman offering "Masaje, Massage, Manicure, Pedicure" and people holding big binders full of paintings, "Would you like to look at my work? Ma'am, looking is free." They carry bracelets, hats, scarves, belts, necklaces, earrings, and many other things to sell. They have their kids come up to you holding finger puppets and make sad puppy faces when you say no. One little girl was punching and kicking Colby for a few minutes to try to coax him into buying some finger puppets. It was pretty funny, but you have to watch your pockets when they get that close. Those kids can be pretty sneaky. Fortunately, she didn't attempt to steal any of our cash.
Every two or three yards we all say, "No, Grasias." I've gotten a little bored of this, so now I usually just shake my head with a small smile or don't respond at all.
I have finally been able to fashion a map to show you all where exactly we are. I got this map off of google and then drew on it in Paint, so forgive the somewhat rough appearance. If you follow the numbers, you'll know exactly where we've been.
Either tomorrow or the next day, we will be heading into the jungle. If you want to know here exactly we're going, here is the website: www.sircadia-en.blogspot.com
I'm not sure if they have electricity or internet, so I will write down my experiences and update you all when I get the chance. But there is the possibility we could be away from computers for three or four months.
Love to all
Send your positive thoughts our way :)
