Peru (5) - The Final Chapter

         

View from the Inca Trail hike up.

July 28th, 2014 -

Since I left you before, we were just starting the hike. Unfortunately some of us were removed from the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, including myself. After the first day of the hike, many of us were unable to continue due to severe symptoms of altitude sickness. I was completely unable to keep anything down, was incredibly disoriented - something I hear isn't great when your hiking mostly next to 4000ft drops, had constant and killer migraines and experienced loss of breath (they actually had to give some of us oxygen). It really wasn't a good day, but it was made a little better with the support of those who went on. Those who didn't continue, hiked back to the bottom and caught a train to the town of Macchu Picchu, and took it easy until we reacclimatized. 

       

The group having lunch on the first day up.

July 29th, 2014 -

Today we took it fairly easy with the biggest event of the day being relaxing in the hot springs of Macchu Picchu. It was an amazing way to forget about the events of the past 24 hours. We talked with some backpackers from Australia and the UK, who had some brilliant stories to share (some of them were actually at the same hostel as us before we left). Although we were still sick and weak, we still managed to have a pretty decent day in the town of Macchu Picchu.

        

Took this after dark, but messed up the long exposure a bit. The town of Macchu Picchu.

July 30th, 2014 -

Today we awoke early and met the others at the top of Macchu Picchu. It was a beautiful sight, and the llamas were only added awesome. So many photos to share. After sight seeing, we went back down the mountain and headed back to the hostel in Cuzco via train. 

        

Machu Picchu 

July 31st, 2014 -

Today was supposed to be simple. We were to get into a car, and drive to a hostel. Instead, about an hour in, we encountered a two-hour road block scheduled for 10:00am, which as it happened we, were right on time for. So one pit stop and traffic jam later, we were off again, this time to travel through the mountains and into a small town for lunch, where we encountered another problem; The brakes on one of the cars had worn out, causing an accident (not too severe) but also causing us to drop back on our schedule again. 

A few hours later, we picked up where we left off and continued to drive. This time for much longer than first intended. We didn't actually end up stopping. At all. We drove for almost 34 hours until we hit Lima once again. 

       

No photo from today. Here's a pissed-off chicken or something. 

August 1st, 2014 -

After arriving at our residence in Lima around 5:00pm, we packed up our bags for the flight and went our for one last "family dinner" a few minutes away. Chinese food and singing ensued late into the night. So after being reminded what feeling full was like, we headed back to camp and almost immediately went to bed. 

                                        

I thought this was cool.

August 2nd - 3rd, 2014 -

Today we went back to the school for a ceremony with the other volunteers. After this, we had about six hours to do absolutely nothing before we had to head to the airport for our delayed 3:00am flight back home. Currently, we are on our way from the Toronto Airport via bus to London, and should be arriving with many new stories in the next hour and a half. 

                                       

A really quick snap from an iPad camera to finish off the post. On our way home from the airport. 

Dylan.