52 mountainous kilometres.
Hot weather.
Cold weather.
Rain (lots of).
Beautiful, beautiful vistas.
Nasty pasty masquerading as jolly Liverpudlian.
Moon face.
Tiny humming birds.
Bleeding ear.
Poo, the worst kind.
More steps than you have ever seen in your life.
Jungle joy.
Wet sleeping bags.
Animal noises made by pasty-face, see above.
Dali Llama jokes. Too many (wasn´t funny the first time).
Welcome to the Inka trail 2011…
Erm..Why did nobody warn us?
If you are reading this and you have completed the Inca Trail would you kindly use the comments box below to explain WHY YOU DID NOT ATTEMPT TO DISUADE US!? Shame on you.
Basically, it´s a killer. Thank god we were doing it for charity. Really beautiful and all that, but seriously, all that rain, pleeaaase! Thank God it´s soo much better in the Summer, as we were frequently reminded by our Pachamama worshiping guide at every wet peak we reached.
On a serious note, two people died last week due to land-slides because of the adverse weather. This was casually dropped into conversation as we battled against the elements. Glup! Following this, the authorities had closed off the Sun-Gate (the final summit) for fear of more injuries. Worry not (Mums and Dads) we arrived back to Cusco safe.
We struggled, we won´t lie. Dear Mr Shaman, where were you? We needed your nettles.
Our group of five was 50% lovely. Not a bad ratio but you know “I´m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”, when the all go gradually crackers? Welcome to our world. Full report on that issue on return to Blighty.
After much praying and pleading to Hannah´s Red Indian necklace, the sun got his hat on for our arrival at Machu Picchu. Bootiful. Peaceful and breathtaking (literally). A true joy. Hannah felt lucky, Amy felt proud (considering knee-gate).
So, anyway, it´s done now isn´t it, yeah.
Praise be.
And the real pay off came yesterday when we journeyed to Urubamba to visit our charity.
We can´t even articulate how wonderful the place is. It really is. The people who work there are an absolute inspiration and we were welcomed and thanked so much. They have dedicated years of their lives to helping kids with disabilities or those from disadvantaged or abusive backgrounds. They have rehabilitated one family in particular, the children of which have suffered through the most horrific traumas imaginable. It was an honour to meet them and to be welcomed into, what is now, their haven. The charity have provided them with a home, a mother figure, food to eat, schooling and most importantly love.
We were given a tour of the centre and met all the members of staff, played games with the kids and learnt all about the amazing work they do.
So, from them, via us, to you… Thank you.
They are thrilled with our donation and discussed with us where the money could be put to best use. They even asked us where we would like the money to be spent! Unbelievable kindness. We assurred them the money was theirs to spend as they wish. In that case, they told us that the money will probably be used for the physiotherapy room or perhaps to help get some of the older kids into work and encourage their integration into society. Wicked, yeah!
This is the last time we will ask you, we promise (we know that we have been shameless so far) but if you´ve not yet sponsored us, please help. Having seen the work they do there, against the odds, even the smallest of donations will make a difference.
4 days. Aching calves. Salty food. Whining. Crying. Sleep deprivation…
Raising money for amazing people and making a difference= well worth it.
With love from A & H xx
PS. Thanks for all the comments, please keep them coming. It´s lovely to have a connection to home and we love reading them.
sounds like you're having an amazing time han! glad it was all worth it :) love alex x
ReplyDeleteWell done girls.
ReplyDeleteGood work keeping your knee on and all that too. You listened to that cd yet cream cat?
Seriously though, Mr Creamer and Mrs Matuke would be proud.
It least its not fing freezing there!
Where is my Monkey?
ps mole report: Bearded, zero hairy moles in this fish restaurant.
Yo, Yes I listened to the CD and it is great. Especially enjoying "Walk like a Panther" and Edwin Collins classic. Keeping me going through the LONG coach journeys.
ReplyDeleteYour monkey is in the post... A Capuchin, hope that is ok.
Amy x
p.s. Disappointing re. mole. Hope he was still the one and only though.
You DID it, Girls! “Whale oil beef hooked!” as the drunken Irishman said. Hearty Congratulations! We’re very proud of you INDEED.
ReplyDeleteNever again, perhaps, as the trek was clearly rather nightmarish, at times, but what a worthwhile cause! I bet you felt so pleased, and humbled, by your experience at Kiya Survivors’ Centre. Those people running it must be really wonderful.
You look happy enough in the photos (or was that hysteria?) and even, on occasion, relaxed to the point of total collapse.
How did the knee hold up, Ames? Trust it held YOU up, at least, and not the other way round, as that would have made mountain-climbing even more of an ordeal.
Did you come across many creepy crawlies on the trail...apart from pasty-faced types, I mean...? Recently heard about a man who has just completed a six-months’ weevil survey, but I wouldn’t recommend it, as he’s obviously mad as a hatter (but may not have been so when he started out, of course).
Sweet dog. Did he follow you up the mountain, or was he far more sensible than that? Perhaps he had trouble getting any sponsors, or wasn’t actually certifiably crazy.
Time for you to enjoy some rest and relaxation, now that the trembling in the legs has ceased, with steaming cups of hot tea constantly shoved into your shaky little mitts (fingers crossed you didn’t lose those teabags up the mountain). You certainly deserve it.
Hope you are out of the rain, anyway, whether it be staying in the local Come(os) On(os) Inn(os), in a welcome oasis of cleanliness, or under canvas with sneakily-spinning spiders (hope not the latter).
No doubt, when you have fully recovered, you will be off shopping, again, for more authentic tat, such as hand-woven rugs, which it took the locals seven generations to complete...and will take our Jasper – or Flint – seven minutes to unravel. Enjoy.
Oh...but don’t bring back any sort of Llama – including the pretty one in the picture; nor even the Dalai. Besides, I’ve already attempted to read several of his books, so there really is no need. Next, I want to read the Dalai Lama’s books, too. At least he can write in English; and I have great difficulty reading Llama, which tends to be terribly smudged with all sorts of unmentionables. To be honest, if a Llama could speak, I very much doubt it would understand itself.
You are missing lots of fascinating British news; like politicians complaining that someone has been phoning their taps. My bath-taps squeal a bit, as you know, Amy, so maybe they’ve been got at by MI5, which might explain why the blasted plumber never turns up.
Well, I must away, to consider far more important things than you would ever understand: like whether to take hot chocolate or dandelion coffee to bed with me.
Congrats, again, Girls! Absobloominlutely FanblimminTASTIC!
Lots of Love & HUGE Hugs
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi girls, Auntee here, following your progress with heart in mouth and much admiration. Well done. So proud of you both. Much love, Auntee Gill xxx
ReplyDeleteWELL DONE!
ReplyDeleteIt did sound rather a trial but the end result Machu Pichu and the Charity were undoubtedly worthy goals. We shall look forward to seeing all the photos when you return.
I think I might have preferred a helicopter option though!
The dedication of the workers at the charity looks absolutely fantastic and single minded. What a great job they are doing. (and you did by getting so much sponsorship!)
I have lost track a bit on what happens next and when. No doubt you will keep us informed. Generally the travelling by plane, bus or on foot seems problematic but it was always thus.
Keep the posts and images coming. A lot more people are following your exploits than you might think, they are just doing it silently!
Just in case you havent heard Andy Murray did the usual heroic British loss in the Australian open final this morning.
Love to you both
XXXX
Chris has posted everything I want to say in his reply blog. What can I add? Except of course really well done for completing the trek. The photos of the charity and your story was very moving and must have made all the effort worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteHome news ... Alex and Sian nearly bought a cottage in Waldridge (offer accepted but Estate Agent trying to get a 'buyers fee' out of them). So it could fall through. Had a great 'burns night' supper where Michael murdered the toast to the haggis in his best (worst) Scottish drawl. (Not quite Sean Connery!) Kilts, tartan and whisky a plenty! We are all watching your exploits and loving to hear from you.
Mum xx
Sian here....oh my, my lovely sister hanny and amy you seem like you are having an amazing time. Well Done conquering the Inka Trail and all the other beautiful things that you are doing!!!keep missing you on skype!!NOOOOOO!!!Pictures are amazing and I can't wait to see the rest when you get home (safely). Anyhooooooo enjoy the rest of your magical trip.
ReplyDeleteLove you lots to the end of the earth and back (and more)
Sian xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
p.s A-Marr says hi because he has tried to blog you but doesnt have an account like I dont!!xxx
Adios Amigos xxx
Hey Sistarrrr and Amy,
ReplyDeleteI am now skypeing because I have nothing better to do (broken xbox) Sehr Sehr Sehr gut, sorry, dont know Spanish so German will do. Please come back in at least 2 pieces, preferably 1. We all miss you up the toon with us Hanz.
Loveeee Youuuuu!!!!!
Dan
PS: Next time your on skype search danny.mulroy or accept the request, thank you!!!!!!!!