Machu Picchu

As stated in my Lima blog, I definitely had my doubts about traveling for 2 weeks with 7 girls and only one guy. However, after spending 3 days in Lima, 2 days in the Amazon, and a week and a half in Cusco and trekking to Machu Picchu (which included a grueling 4-day hike through the Andes mountains), I came to realize that the group dynamic couldn't have been better. Karen (one of the organizers) pre-screened everyone and did a fantastic job. Both Mariann (the other organizer) and Karen had every detail of the trip planned. Whether it be airport pickups or securing accommodations in the middle of the jungle, these two girls were on point, making this segment of my trip quite enjoyable. As I move on to the next adventure and the rest of the group goes back to their respective lives, I am proud to say that we all formed a special bond as a result of the trip. After all, only this group knows what it felt like to:

• wake up at 5am in a cramped tent to freezing cold weather knowing you have a long hike ahead of you
  
• dodging mules, llamas, donkeys, cows, bulls, horses, mosquitos on steroids, and other animals while on the trail
• feeling the absolute wrath of Farter Carter just before falling asleep every night
• the pain felt on on day 2 while hiking uphill for miles and gasping for air in the high altitude climate of the Andes Mountains (~15,000ft+ above sea level)
• playing the never ending game of Uno in the tent (worst game ever!)
• watching the porters run by us on the trail carrying 5x more supplies while wearing SANDALS!
• seeing Machu Picchu for the first time
• strategically sitting away from Amrapali during meals (you never know when a random glass could tip over or a flying ravioli could hit your G-Star jeans - I got hit twice.......during the same meal)
• trying to figure out what happened to Tim when he lost his underwear and a pair of OR scrubs while on the trail (dude - you were right behind us)
• Side Note - Tim did not pack any regular pants for the trip. He instead "borrowed" 7 pairs of OR scrubs from his job (returning with only 6). When everyone first heard this they didn't really know what to think. I give the guy lots of credit, because despite all of the hiking advice from world renowned professionals, he made it through the whole trip with just scrubs!
  
• seeing Willie (our guide) drunk
• asking Tim every medical question possible
• walking behind Karen during the hike and getting a face full of dirt as she shuffled her feet along to the next camp site
• looking up at the sky at night and being amazed at the number of stars that were visible
  
• understanding how dangerous hiking to Wayna Picchu really was then feeling stupid when a tour group of old Japanese ladies scurried passed us on the way down (as bad as that was, humming the theme to Indiana Jones made everything seem better though)
• letting Tim borrow your toothpaste
• watching Neetu's delayed reaction every time I pretended to jump off the mountain
  
• thinking there would be spaghetti served at every meal (damn you Willie!)
• Mama Africa in Cusco

All these things made the trip memorable and will definitely be with me as I move on with next the journey.

Machu Picchu
Never found by the Spanish during the Inquisition, Machu Picchu was a University intended for the Incan nobles. I'm not sure how any of them were able to study with 360 degree views of stunning mountain backdrops. There was a clear distinction between those who hiked 4 days to get to Machu Picchu and those who took the train. The hikers had a bit of an attitude and almost looked down on the train riders (it can be best described as meeting someone at a bar in Manhattan and then finding out they actually live in Long Island - no offense my LI friends). Below is a clip taken from Wayna Picchu. Watch how I swing my legs down as I sit on the rock with steep drops on every side (there is actually a girl in the clip that is sitting even farther out).



































































GUEST BLOG - Mariann

After trekking for 4 days, we finally arrived at Machu Picchu. Our day began at 4:45 a.m. when we thought we would be the first ones to the mountain.......Wrong! Turns out 74,564,786 other people had the same genius idea of getting there early. We boarded the bus in a state of delirium caused by a mixture of no sleep and altitude and finally arrived at the 7th wonder of the world. FYI- Macchu Picchu means "old mountain," -the place is amazing. Because we hadn´t walked enough in the four day trail (only 31 miles) we decided to climb up Wayna Picchu, which has such an insane incline that you get a picturesque view of the person´s butt (also) in front of you. After nearly avoiding death the entire hike up, you reach an altitude of of 2, 600 meters and face death in every corner (see Cal's video).

Up Next - Dublin, Ireland