Roughin' it on the Inca Trail

Last entry I left off in Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire (untill Spain burnt it to rubble). It´s a great city today, with a very nice main square and tourists everywhere. I like it here, theres lots of traditional American food like bacon and eggs breakfast and pizza and burgers which I´ve definatly taken advantage of. We then left for the sacred valley where there werelots of beautiful Inka ruins. Climbing them was hard enough, but that was nothing consaidering what was in store for me. See pictures of this at http://uwo.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081842&l=87860&id=58000349

After my stay in Cusco we departed for the Inca Trail, the highlight of my trip. 3.5 days, 47 kilomotre hike through the Andes Mountains in elevation above 3500 metres. The first day was rather easy, we only went about 6 km in pretty flat trail. But the secod dayis the killer. We reached the height of 4200 metres above sea level called the Dead Woman´s Pass while hiking 12 km up steep steep steep stone stairs. There was literally no air up there. I was exhausted and I really mean that. I´m not kidding when I tell you that I took about 10 steps and was so out of breath that I had to stop and rest. And then when I finally am able to breath again another 10 steps puts me over the limit. It was the most physically and exhausting thing I have ever done, and that means a lot for those of you who knew me in my swimming days. I finished that day and collasped, and you can see proof of that in my pictures at http://uwo.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081853&l=9ee86&id=58000349

The third day was called the Gringo killer. Gringos are what the locals here call white tourists. It was about 1.5 km down steep stone steps. Surprisingly it wasnt that bad compared to the previous day. Just really long, 16 km total. It was the most beautiful day going through the edge of the Amazon Jungle, saeeing lots of greenery and flowers which was really nice because all there was to look at the days before were cliffs and stone.

What really shocked me were the porters. These guys carried all our excess baggage, food, water, tents, propane, kitchen equiptment, everything! They raced passed us on the trail, and I have no idea how. Hen we got to our camp the tents were set up, washing bowls available, kitchen set up, and hot food and tea ready in the dining tent. Increadible! And the food was excelent too, some of the best I´ve had yet in Peru.

Today we reached our final destination on the trail, the famous Machu Pishu. This is a huge Inca city built on the cliff of a mountain. It was remarkable. The weather was perfect so we went exploring of this wonder. Truley a feast for the eyes. I´m going to stop talking about it now becasue I dont quite know how to describe a spectacle such as this. See picures at http://uwo.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081865&l=8225a&id=58000349

Tomorrow I get no break as I fly out to the Amazon Jungle for three days, my second biggest highlight of this trip. Wish me luck and a malaria-free voyage!