Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Sunday December 2 – day 6 of the Trek


Today is the last day of this trekking adventure. Note the mis-buttoned shirt in this photo - I must be losing brain cells!


After breakfast we climb a few hours to Patallacta Pass, still steeped in lush cloud forest, and ending in a beautiful clearing with a breathtaking view (as the clouds conveniently parted for our pleasure) of the back side of Machu Picchu. This is our gift – not a crowded march into the ruins themselves, but a remote and solitary vision of this amazing site. This is what our efforts were meant for, and it is worth every step we took. I think I have 30 photos of just this spot, hoping one will sufficiently remind me of the moment.

With our picnic lunch we sip cold beer bought from a woman with a little camp ground along this trail; so interesting to contemplate how the goods are brought to this remote spot, and how the beer is kept ice cold a day’s walk from anywhere…
Then it is all downhill through farmland and my slow pace is about trying to stay upright on steep slippery rocky muddy paths. At the bottom we cross the river, and walk along the road to the hydroelectric plant and the train station. We have time for celebratory beer and French fries – the best French fries I think any of us have ever eaten – before climbing on board the train for the 30 minute ride to Aguas Caliente. It’s a fun, bustling, touristy town with shops pressed right up along the train tracks and trekkers of all shapes sizes and colors roaming the narrow streets. Our five star hotel is amazing, and has the best shower in the world. There are complimentary Pisco Sours in the bar, a delicious dinner in the dining room, and a night of cigars and grappa while we tell our stories and debrief from the trek. What an amazing thing we all did!

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