the weather looks bad…
…for tomorrow. And PHL airport is well known as one of the worst in the country when it comes to handling less than ideal conditions. ARRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
In any case, please check flight status before heading out to pick us up!
Rose on the Inca Trail
The trail was physically the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. The first day we got up at 3:30 and got picked up and drove to the beginning of the trail. We had an amazing breakfast with the company that took us on the trail. The chasquis (porters) carried all of our stuff the entire trail, they are amazing. I don’t understand how they do it. The first day in the beginning was slightly difficult but the second part was harder. We had to climb these never ending stairs and the lack of oxygen really made it impossible. It was difficult, but getting back to camp was probably the best feeling in the world. Lisa and I were in a tent together. The tents had little mats and pillows which was really nice. The campsite was gorgeous and the food we had was incredible. You would never imagine that we were camping (except for the lack of showering). The next day was definitely the hardest day of the trail for me by far. We had to walk up this insane hill/mountain for 2 hours, and then walk down for 2 more hours and then walk up again for 2 more hours and then walk down again. It was mentally and physically exhausting but getting to the campsite was the best feeling. Saoirse, Lisa and I slept in the same tent which was nice because it was really warm. The next day, day 3, was supposedly one of the easiest days because it was downhill a lot. But you really don’t understand that you use muscles to go downstairs. I really think I have PTSD from stairs. We went down extremely steep steps for hours which was difficult. Then we got to camp and hung out for a little and the 5 girls took a nap together in one tent. Then Saul and Elio, who were out the coolest tour guides ever, took us to this place called Wiñawayna which was absolutely stunning. We had a meeting for worship there and it was very peaceful. Then we went back to the campsite and had hot chocolate and popcorn before dinner. Then after dinner we went to sleep early because we had to get up early to walk to Machu Picchu. In the morning, we were woken up at 3:30 and then walked to the gate to get checked through. We then hiked in silence to the sun gate where we were supposed to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu but it was extremely foggy so we couldn’t see anything. Then we hiked to Machu Picchu and it was raining and completely foggy so we didn’t see anything. We were all in really bummed moods but Saul told us that he promised it would clear up by 9:30, and miraculously, it did. Machu Picchu was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I took maybe 500 pictures. The hike was an incredible experience that I won’t ever forget.
Hanna in Cusco…my own Inca trail?
During my time in Cusco, while the rest of the group passed the days climbing endless flights of stairs, I slept A LOT, read voraciously, and watched every movie on Alec’s iPad at least two times through.
Doris has proved to be my saving grace, an angel of a woman Doris brought me tea throughout the day and encouraged me to descansar as much as possible. I read my way through my 400 page summer reading book, “Oryx and Crake”, in the span of a Sunday.
Saturday, my first day without Saoirse by my side in the house, was spent with Doris, her nephew and his beautiful daughter, Maya. I could feel my Spanish improving as the weekend progressed, and on Sunday when my new housemates arrived–two girls from texas (Lindsay and Jackie) and my roommate from holland (Lisa)–I acted as a translator, a role I never imagined being able to fill.
Lisa was an absolute delight, she spoke Dutch, French, English an very very limited Spanish. I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate an I was able to make a friend who will surly last into the future. We’ve already planned future adventures together and visits to Holland.
Having my injury, aside from the constant pain, was quite helpful while I was out on the town because it was a great conversation starter. People loved stopping me on the street, offering me help and sharing their own experiences with me. I was able to hold conversations with people in Spanish, people who weren’t teachers and people who didn’t know that I’m not a native Spanish speaker.
I now have a very good excuse to return to cusco, and actually hike the inca trail. Doris has instructed me to absolutely come back and stay with her, and I’ve made friends and connections here that I won’t soon forget. Although I am disappointed about the trail, I will definitely return utilize the bonds I’ve created.
We are now getting ready to head back to the states, the group back together again. This has been an unforgettable journey, and I feel so blessed. Thank you to my parents, my amazing professors, my awesome friends, Doris, and all the people I’ve met along the way.
For now, ciao Peru!
The food on the trail
After waking up at 3 in the morning and piling into a bus on the morning we began the inca trail, we were all filled with surprise when we sat down to a breakfast table with bread and fruit. Considering that it is difficult to get fruit that is safe to eat in cusco, it was no surprise that everyone at the table dove in. After many of us were satisfied with our meal we were surprised once again with more food. Each if us was given a plate of eggs. The surprises did not stop there. For lunch that day we were treated to the most amazing guacamole, soup and many plates piled high with food. During the whole hike the good was fantastic. Every meal we had some type of soup and appetizer followed by many plates layed out on the table for a family style meal. We even had a cake for Ms. Socorro’s birthday and another one welcoming us to machupicchu. If that’s not fantastic I don’t know what is.
Nate’s Inca Adventure
I am writing this post fully recovered from our adventure on the inca trail via a full night sleep in a hotel. The trail was quite challenging but our reward on out final day, Machu Picchu, was breath-taking. When we initially arrived, we weren’t even able to realize that the ruins were amongst us. The clouds were so thick that there wasn’t much visibility beyond 20 yards or so. However, within a little a over an hour the son came out and the clouds pushed through, allowing us to enjoy a full day with sunshine and beautiful sights!
My overall experience of the hike was great. Hiking up to 14,000 feet was made a lot easier when we were served foods like ceviche, trout and birthday cake and had porters carry up to 25 kilos of gear for us every day. I highly recommend “glamping”.
Inca Trail and The Last Day In Cusco / Lisa
Yesterday the group came back from climbing the Inca Trail. It was very challenging but one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The views were beyond beautiful and it was great bonding for the group. Our guides were so nice and taught us everything we needed to know and the food was AMAZING. When we first got to Machu Picchu it was raining and foggy out. We were all upset because we had hiked four days to get to this place, but once the sun came out it was STUNNING! We took a ton of pictures but my favorite part was sitting on a ledge, in silence, with the girls on the trip. We just sat there looking at this wonder of world and I could not help but think about how lucky we all are to have this oppurtunity. I started to reflect on the entire trip and the hike. I have learned so much on this trip, how to interact with others, how to push myself, how to step out of my comfort zone. With it being the last day in Cusco I am upset that we are leaving but I am so happy with the adventures and experiences I have had on this trip.
Inca trail!
Oh my gosh! I can’t believe we survived the trail. Even though it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, finally seeing Machu Picchu was so rewarding. We all bonded and had fun, despite feeling at times that our legs and lungs would give out. I was terrified for the first day because we had been warned about a uphill flight of stairs that takes two hours to hike, but it turned out for me that the second day was a lot harder. We hiked to Dead Woman’s Pass, which I did with Ms. Pérez and we stopped a few times to see cool flowers, a beautiful gray deer and of course the stunning mountains. We then went downhill for a few hours after a nice break at the top and surprisingly downhill was also incredibly hard! My knees are now very very sore. After lunch we had another uphill stretch followed by another downhill one, and then we finally reached our second campsite. The third day was much easier and we hiked to see an absolutely beautiful archaeological site and we had a short meeting for worship. The fourth day we woke up super early for our dark hike to Machu Picchu. It was very cloudy and misty so we missed the sunrise but thankfully the sun came out around 9:30 and we could see the amazing views of the seventh wonder of the world.
Our two main guides, Saul and Elio were so so great and I learned a lot about Peru. The food on the trail was beyond what I expected by a long shot! It was delicious. The chaskis (men who carried our luggage) even made a cake for Ms. Socorro’s birthday!! We got to talk to the chaskis and thank them and that was such a beautiful moment. I am so lucky to have had the chance to go on this trip. The whole experience was unforgettable and I can’t wait to come home and share stories and pictures. We are having our last day in Cusco today before our flight to Lima tonight and Rose and I are planning to say final goodbyes to our amazing host family before we leave this amazing city. I’m excited to come home but also very sad to leave.
The Inca Trail-Krishna
Yesterday we got back from the Inca Trail. It was absolutely amazing. While some parts were a bit foggy as we literally spent parts of the trail inside clouds, the views we did have were absolutely mind blowing. We visited many ruins along the trail and learned about their history from our tour guides, Saul and Elio. The hiking itself was very fun. There were more stairs than I’ve ever seen before in my life, but it was much easier than it could have been because our amazing porters carried all of our stuff for us, and cooked amazing meals for us. To give an idea of the calibre of food that prepared, we had ceviche on the Inca trail. 
Post Trail – Jerome
After a night pampering myself in a hotel I am fully recovered, fully packed, and ready to come home tomorrow. I’ll miss Cuzco. I had an amazing time on the Inca trail, I couldn’t imagine it having been better, even with the fog. Four days and miles of stairs was worth the beautiful Inca ruins and amazing experience. Still, I cant wait to be home soon.