So we made it to
Peru, where we started off in Cusco to do Machu Picchu. I was still
feeling a bit under the weather so I missed out on most of the action
at the beginning of Peru, but rallied for the Lares Trek, which is
one of the alternate routes to Machu Picchu. This particular route
takes you over mountains and through villages and farm land. We were
trekking through alpaca poop and in hail and resting on the farmland
of locals. This route is challenging and less touristic. Rather than
see people, you see cows and other farm animals. The hiking was
challenging and the nights in the tents were cold. Some of our nicest
group members experienced minor rage due to the frostiness of the
nights, but the amazing food including the best popcorn ever ! We
went with SAS tours, and though it was a bit pricier, I would highly
recommend it. Team Shemale was our group's adopted name, as us ladies
far outnumbered dear Christian, a spirited young man from Denmark,
and our amazing tour guide, James. We were so lucky to travel with
such a fun, outgoing group, and James taught us so much about the
Incan culture. We learned about their connection with “Pacha Mama”
or “mother earth” as well as their belief systems, which focused
on nature including mountains, the sun, moon and beyond. Rather than
give human form to their gods, they believed the gods were around
them as other forms. After the trek we enjoyed the hot springs at
Aguas Calientes, where we watched some very frisky locals and then
ended up in one of the only bars where we learned tourists can earn
free drinks by dancing on the bar!The following day we got up early
to head to Machu Picchu, which was more than I had hoped for. The
construction of the entire lost city is still in such immaculate
shape and the view can't be captured. The place is so large that we
may have lost some of our team members, but we found them as well as
a baby alpaca! At the end of the day, we returned to Cusco, where we
donned our tourist uniform (which consists of many items made from
alpaca wool, namely leg warmers and sweaters) to head out with our
guide (who was off duty) where we discovered Pisco Sours and why
Cusco is known for its late nights!
The Lares trek was
incredible. I would hike it again, if I could and we were so
fortunate to have adopted one of our team members, a lovely young
lady from LA, to travel with!
