The digital Pentax camera that P bought me, forcing me to retire 1.5 years ago the held-together-by-tape old 35mm camera I had been using for over 10 years - has a small recording memory that I try to use when I think about it. I have a few videos posted on youtube (under 'elsamart' of course) and I also post them on here. They may be short, they may be shakey, but they are, at least, another memory (I love memories) captured for me to look back on fondly.
Here is an accidental video from Machu Pichu, Peru (October 2006, see previous blogs). You can see on P's face the good patience he has towards such a dorky, technology-challenged girl friend... he he he
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Inkan Trail friends play in Bolivia!!
Now back in Sheffield, England - Anna and Jack (some fellow Inkan Trail hikers from our trip to Peru in October - click on past blog) sent us these HILARIOUS pictures of them playing in the salt flats of Bolivia. As Anna said, "(The pictures) are simply maddening!!" I agree - they are simply not to be missed!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The Incan Trail
On our 3rd day in Peru Patrick and I were to awake early in order to be picked up by our tour and the rest of our fellow hikers to begin the 3.5 luxury bus-drive to the beginning of the Incan Trail. After having asked Patrick the night before to make sure (you can all see where I am going with this) that his alarm was set for 4:20am (they were coming at 5) I opened my eyes the next morning to.....daylight. Not full-on sunshine, but that said I knew it was a lot lighter than it should have been at, oh say 4:20!!! "Patrick...?" I woke him up, "What time is it???" "Curses!!" (Well, he didn't say that but he DID curse). Both of us jumped up to see it was indeed about 5 minutes till 5! Fabulous. Good one, Patrick. If I hadn't woken up myself who knows what would have happened.
After the morning drama of us getting our stuff together and downstairs (while trying to grab some of the free daily breakfast buffet that the hotel offered), we finally set off on the road to get to the Incan Trail. Andean Life was our tour and they ended up being even better than expected for the mid-range tour price - about $300 per person which included 4-days camping/hiking, our english-speaking Quechan guide, Romelo; 10 porters carrying the food, cooking equipment and tents and our fellow troop which consisted of 2 aussies, 3 brits, 1 german and us.
I was most pleased with our WONDERFUL porters and our troop couldn't have been any cooler than the hip, game 20-somethings (I was in my element being with a bunch of foreigners). Meals were full of laughter and stories from everyone as we fortunately all truly got along very well. Our porters took great care of us: the food (from our 23 year old cook) was AMAZING: several courses made at each meal and TONS of it. Not to mention afternoon tea with bisquits (cookies) and popcorn (the Brits loved that special touch). We couldn't believe what could be made in that little cooking tent they would pitch next to our dining tent. Plus, they would do that on top of having trotted (that is: slowly jogged) past us bent over double on the way to the next plain packed up 3 feet high with bulky tents and such. We were amazed at their calves and the fact that these tiny indians (ranging in age from 18-46) had such strength. I hated that they essentially were pack mules - but the fact was that it is a high paying job for them and we made sure to tip them very generously on top of that. Like I mentioned previously: traveling in Peru is cheap, so I could be generous.
In continuation, the porters would pass our hard-working selves on the trail and pitch our camp, make our meal and all the time - be it, day or night: take turns having one of them posted as guard by our sleeping tents (as bandits have been known to rob hikers). They really were remarkable and I understood from other hikers that they were not as pleased with their tours: leaky tents, not good food or attention paid. When our 2 British gals were put in an awkward situation with a rude porter from one of the other tours at one of the pit stops it was OUR porters who sought him out, surrounded him and confronted him (getting him fired from his good-paying job).The Incan Trail, itself, is not a hike for the wimpy, out of shape, or prissy. It can be tough if you are over 30. One must be ready for anything regarding the weather changing in a snap from a downpour (pulling on the rain poncho), to cold, to foggy ("don't fall off the cliff", our guide warned), to HOT. You pretty much always use the bathroom in the Great Outdoors (although there are a couple "toilets" on the route - holes in the ground with a door), you don't shower for days, you wear the same clothes pretty much since you can't afford to carry more than 1 change of clothes, and you sleep cold nights on the ground in tents.
That said I HIGHLY recommend tackling the adventure. Mother Nature is absolutely splendid in her various forms there: you hike through plains, to steep summits, valleys, jungles, rain forests, rocks, cloud forests, the River Urubamba running below... and the final destination of the mighty ruins of Machu Pichu are absolutely breath-taking! (Just remember that no matter how young and in shape you are - you WILL need a hiking stick). And after 4 days when we did finally reach Machu Pichu, I felt a lump in my throat (akin to when I passed the finish line of my 1st half-marathon at 30 years of age) of pride that we made it. An old running injury definitely made the going slow and quite painful at times, with everyone suffering on the 2nd day (the hardest hike - with 2 very steep climbs and very steep descents - muy painful on the knees). It was as Patrick commented as we admired the amazing ruins along with the other 100s of tourists who took a bus there - "We REALLY earned it!"
**click on picture below to see photo album!!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Cusco, Peru
*click on Patrick photo after blog entry to see Cusco photo album!!
After spending the entire night and getting stir-crazy with exhaustion at the airport in Lima we flew out bright and early to Cusco - get this - it is the OLDEST continuously-habited city in the American continent! We took it seriously when we read we needed 2-3 days to acclimate to the 3200m altitude before heading out to the Incan Trail. (My last trip I had lost an entire day suffering from very bad altitude sickness. It was miserable and there was no way I was going to risk that again - much less in the middle of our hike where turning around was impossible.) That said, we made sure to drink TONS of the coca-leaf tea that is free at all hotels and helps fight against altitude sickness (yes, I can officially say I've tried drugs now). I actually liked it so much that I wanted to buy a box of it at the store and bring it back before reading the label that "Americans will be thrown in jail for bringing back even the tea since it is a Grade A drug". Okay okay, I got the picture...
I love Cusco. Not only is its architecture beautiful but it is most interestingly laid out in the shape of a Puma. The natives are very kind, always smiling, and extremely hospitable. It could be far more down-trodden and 'kichy' considering it's where most of the tourists go since it is the only airport to fly into on the way to Machu Pichu.
As with most Latino cities there is a central garden or square that is not only picturesque but is lovely to just enjoy un helado (ice cream) or meal in one of the 2nd-story patio restaurants overlooking the view. Patrick and I simply sat on the steps in front of an old, beautiful church on our first day and people-watched.
Now, yes: we admit to going to the Irish Pub or having very tasty pizza while there but we did it all after earning it after our day hikes to the ruins of Sachsyhuaman (pronounced similar to "sexy woman") located outside the city in the hillsides, visiting Barranca - where the very cool artisan shops are, or renting Peruvain horses (how could I NOT adore this man since he is an ex-horseman like myself??!!), and riding the hillsides.
One of the most interesting sights is seeing the native Quechuan indian people in their colorful garb with their Alpaca (llamas) in tow carusing the cobble-stone streets amidst the bustle of tourist hostels and taxis. A little bit of the old mixed with the new...
After spending the entire night and getting stir-crazy with exhaustion at the airport in Lima we flew out bright and early to Cusco - get this - it is the OLDEST continuously-habited city in the American continent! We took it seriously when we read we needed 2-3 days to acclimate to the 3200m altitude before heading out to the Incan Trail. (My last trip I had lost an entire day suffering from very bad altitude sickness. It was miserable and there was no way I was going to risk that again - much less in the middle of our hike where turning around was impossible.) That said, we made sure to drink TONS of the coca-leaf tea that is free at all hotels and helps fight against altitude sickness (yes, I can officially say I've tried drugs now). I actually liked it so much that I wanted to buy a box of it at the store and bring it back before reading the label that "Americans will be thrown in jail for bringing back even the tea since it is a Grade A drug". Okay okay, I got the picture...
I love Cusco. Not only is its architecture beautiful but it is most interestingly laid out in the shape of a Puma. The natives are very kind, always smiling, and extremely hospitable. It could be far more down-trodden and 'kichy' considering it's where most of the tourists go since it is the only airport to fly into on the way to Machu Pichu.
As with most Latino cities there is a central garden or square that is not only picturesque but is lovely to just enjoy un helado (ice cream) or meal in one of the 2nd-story patio restaurants overlooking the view. Patrick and I simply sat on the steps in front of an old, beautiful church on our first day and people-watched.
Now, yes: we admit to going to the Irish Pub or having very tasty pizza while there but we did it all after earning it after our day hikes to the ruins of Sachsyhuaman (pronounced similar to "sexy woman") located outside the city in the hillsides, visiting Barranca - where the very cool artisan shops are, or renting Peruvain horses (how could I NOT adore this man since he is an ex-horseman like myself??!!), and riding the hillsides.
One of the most interesting sights is seeing the native Quechuan indian people in their colorful garb with their Alpaca (llamas) in tow carusing the cobble-stone streets amidst the bustle of tourist hostels and taxis. A little bit of the old mixed with the new...
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Pasandole en Peru...
Patricio (I deem using his name in spanish appropriate for this blog) and I had the good blessings to make a sojourn (my 2nd, his first) to Peru in October. Now, I know some of you (my family included) are asking yourself why the heck did I go for a 2nd time. Well, I have to admit that I wasn't planning on it, but Patricio really wanted to do the Incan Trail Hike - and I didn't tackle that the last time I went in 2001. (Also, I must give kudos to my airline Visa which gave us a free trip down there - the only feasible way we made it down there on my limited budget.)
There is nothing like adventurous travel and having someone special along for the ride! Read further for a more-detailed account and pictures - Diviertense!!! Enjoy!!
PS - alas, for those of you who are looking for pictures of it: Patricio wasn't game enough to try the national delicacy of 'cuy' - guinea pig, which is served completely whole on a plate (head, legs and all) but the national cocktail, the Pisco Sour, was muy delicioso!!
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