Inca Trail

Well I did it! I walked a part of the Inca Trail and was that ever something to see and do.

6:20am Saturday morning saw me off on my way. I took at taxi to the bus and then the bus to Ollantaytambo were we bought a few supplies. I bought a walking stick as that was recommended to me. It turned out that there were 5 trekkers, 2 guides and 6 porters in our group. That is a very small group of trekkers. The other 4 trekkers were from France. There was 2 women who came together and 1 young couple doing a 6 month world trip. It was a very good and nice group.

This is our first resting spot. It was in a small village in the mountains and there is a small store here as well.

 This is a great sample of a home built from stones.

The first day was not too bad. We walked and the trail was relatively flat compared to what we were about to face. The day was a bit overcast and not too hot, which was perfect for the walk. We arrived at a small community and stayed in a lady's backyard. Her name was Vicki and she has a small store and a nice covered area for campers to eat undercover. The bottom of her home consisted of 2 rooms, one used by the trekking companies to cook and then one room where the guides could sleep.

Here are some pictures of Vicki's place.

Vicki and I.

Looking back at Veronica's glacier from Vicki's place.

 Vicki's store.

When we awoke in the morning it was clear and we were able to see the glacier that we had passed to day before unbeknownst to us as it had been covered by the clouds. The glacier's name was Veronica. 

We continued on the second day, which by all accounts would be the hardest day. We were to climb to an altitude of just over 4000 m. This day was one of the hardest physical days of my life. It was not so much that it was hard but that you just seemed so fatigued with the lack of oxygen. I was so glad that I had been in Peru for a couple of weeks already and had adjusted to the altitude. It seemed like you were moving in super slow motion and that you couldn't catch your breath no matter how much you gasped. When you looked into the distance and realized that that was were you were going to be in a couple of hours you couldn't believe it. 

Looking ahead to where we were going.

Looking up the trail to the Dead Woman's Pass

 Looking back from where we came from this morning.

 A great feeling of accomplishment by the team at the top of Dead Woman's Pass.

Looking to where we are going from the pass. Only 600m of stairs to camp.

When you looked back to were you had been a couple of hours before you were amazed at the ground you had covered. The best part for me was being able to look around at the wonder of God's creation and see diversity in this place. He didn't skimp on any part. He didn't do a half a job and then say I'm tired so this is the way it will stay. Immaculate details in everything! Thank you Lord.

We were gifted by being able to see different ruins along the way. The amount of physical labour that went into creating the buildings that so far have withstood the test of time was incredible. There were storehouses built along the way from Cusco to Machu Picchu so that the travellers did not have to pack food along with them. The ruins for the most part are different as well, depending on their purposes. 

This was a great civilization for it's time, from what I could see. 

Some ruins along the way.

I still have a lot of photos that I want to share but I don't have anymore time today. Hopefully, I can post something about Machu Picchu later on today. If not, I will when I get back on Sunday.

There is still so much to say, but unfortunately, I am running out of time. I am leaving on a bus tonight for Arequipa and still need to go to the travel agent and my spanish class. I also have to hit the bank and exchange a pair of pants. 

Please pray for my son Mike and his girlfriend Chelsea and their baby to be born. That all go well and that the baby is healthy and happy.

Pray for travellers and all those that they love. That they return safely to their homes or wherever they are going.