The smell of puke woke me up from my rough nap against the hard window of a small van. The girl sitting shotgun decided sitting in a fast moving van on a dirt road hitting sharp switchbacks with a cliff edge about 6 inches to our left was too much for her. I didn't even have to look back to know everyone was covering noses with hands and averting their gaze from the stream of puke slowly rolling across the side of the van. Honestly it was pretty comical and props to our driver for not even looking over at her, what a pro. He honks as he bombs the next blind corner and stops in the middle of the stream crossing. We all unload for some fresh air and he pulls out a broom to clean the side of his van. Apparently it isn't the first time this has happened. No surprise as this drive wasn't for the faint of heart.
After some of the most incredible views we arrived at Hydros Electrica. At this point everyone's like f*** this van and we spill out in a flurry. Not much to see here other than a ridiculously powerful river so we shoulder our packs and hit the way to Aguas Calientes!
The walk was gorgeous as could be and thank goodness it wasn't raining. Stumbles kept true to her name as well ;)
And then, before you know it, we could see Aguas Calientes built off this massively roaring river ahead.
In the middle of this hidden valley where there was absolutely nothing it was crazy to come upon this cute little town tucked into the hillside. We went straight up to the hostel to unload our packs, had a little trouble with the reservation, but then all got worked out. What do you think we spent the night doing then? Eating of course.
We tried the Cuy (guinea pig) at the first happy hour we hit. You know in America how sometimes for happy hour it's buy one get one free? Well here it is buy one get 3 free and the drinks are only a dollar or two. We hit up some more alpaca and explored the city. Then the place we were staying at took us out for 3rd dinner and I'm pretty sure we followed up with a fourth somewhere, some trout ceviche I believe. Flip and I had some bonding while Stumbles drifted off to bed and then we both passed out too, ready for the early hike up to Machu Picchu in the morning.
At 5am me and Stumbles set out for the "hour and a half" hike (only took 40 minutes). Flip had decided he's too old for that and took the bus up hah. Good choice Flip, 'cause it poured rain on us the whole way up. Torrential downpour. Me and Stumbles got to the top soaking wet, but pumped because we were about to see Machu Picchu! I mean we were about to see something that is undeniably wonders of the world status. It's like that moment when you know you're about to see something so mystically beautiful that the anticipation forces your heart to hover in your chest and you breath comes a little shallower with every step forward. Knowing that moment'll come when all of a sudden you just see it. You just see it and it just staggers you.
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All I can say is it was breathtaking. It is one of those sights you see and you'll never ever forget. Something so old and incredibly inspiring. How could you not travel thousands of miles to see this? How could thousands of miles ever be too far to go experience some ancient magic with two of your best friends? It couldn't be. It isn't. It never will be for me, this is how I do and this is what I do. This is my life.
Be happy,
Beacon
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