One way or another

Machu Picchu is a wonder to behold, an architectural marvel nestled amidst the Andean peaks. The fact that it was built in the 1400s is simply astonishing. The Quechua were not sitting around in coffee shops staring at smart phones ten hours a day…

In the end, I.didn’t reach it on foot as planned. I was feeling apprehensive beforehand, and apprehension turned to mild dread when I learned I’d have to carry more weight than expected. I eliminated as much as I could but was still left with five kilos. On a flat surface, a piece of cake. But on the Inca Trail, an extra 11 pounds is huge.

It turned out to be absolutely the right decision. The eight-hour hike back on the second day was hot and tiring and I ended up with two huge blisters. And this was a walk in the park compared to what the rest of the team was facing. Five hours walking straight up with an 1100-metre gain in altitude…they don’t call it Dead Woman’s Pass for nothing.

Assistant guide Ever and I had a great day (our porter Victor decided to run). We talked of life and work and family. I helped him with his English and he laughed at my Spanish. We reached Ollantaytambo by late afternoon, and after an early dinner, I fell into bed, thankful that it wasn’t a tent and that I wasn’t walking for ten hours the next day.

I caught up with the group again two days later at the entrance to Machu Picchu, having taken the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and a bus up from there. So we all made it, in our own way.