Inca Trail Day 3. It seems that the distinguishing feature of these tents is their light weight as opposed to their water proofing. The matresses were wet as well as items inside the tent. There had been a lot of rain. The clothes from my sleeping bag case (which I was using as a pillow) were quite damp also. Others had experienced an even greater level of overnight saturation.
After breakfast (delicious quinoa porridge deserves an honouable mention) a relentless drizzle began. I quickly realised that this was going to cause misery to other people I don't identify with, so therefore, I chose to enjoy it. "Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." When I first read that quote it stuck with me. Now was the time to put it to the test.
Over the previous two days, our group had walked further than most of the others, placing us today at a different campsite. Today it was much easier to walk solo. To not be able to overhear a particular person's facinating sentiments about soccer, or pickles, or whatever else kept him out of the moment. Depending on my relative pace, I could notice hummed tunes or humming birds.
The stone path was becoming a river as I followed its decent. Even with my two extended walking poles, focus stayed fixed on getting steady footing.
At one downhill stage I could hear many rapid footsteps thundering from behind, which indicated an incoming team of porters. I stepped to the side to allow them to pass. Carrying heavy loads on their backs, they ran at break-a-neck speed down the steep, slippery steps. Each one took their eyes off their next several foot placements to glance at me, as many exchanged an "Hola". Stunt running.
Apparently, the nature reserve that contains the Inca trail has 13 ecosystems, and we pass through most of them. This can cause altitude effects to those acclimatised elsewhere in the world. Some of the path was cut into the mountainside and passed through caves.
The terrain I was entering now was easy to identify - cloud forrest. Lush greenery with a whitewashed background of mist. I realised that if you want to enter a cloud forrest, you don't get to complain about the weather. My beanie was saturated but my socks hadn't soaked through, so it wasn't all bad.
The placement of some of these cliff-hugging ruins is really quite awesome. These people woke each morning with a spectacular view. These particular settlements were used as signalling posts across the mountains. Location, location, location.
Some of the agricultural areas used soil from 40km away. The terraces at this site were used for "agricultural experiments". I figure that means something was lost in interpretation.
The word "Inca" today is used to refer to the people of the Incan Empire, whereas it originally referred to just one person, the king. It's like the difference between a Pharaoh and an Egyptian. Here it's spelt "Inka" and pronounced with the production of a mild phlegm ball.
Today, the lunch site was campsite. That gave time to try and dry some gear, but although the drizzle had fizzled, clouds still obscured the sun. The idea was to get an early sleep in preparation for a 3.30am awakening before the march to the "lost" city.
After dinner, our team of porters and the chef plus assistant were individually introduced. We presented them with their well-deserved tips and many muchas gracias's.
After breakfast (delicious quinoa porridge deserves an honouable mention) a relentless drizzle began. I quickly realised that this was going to cause misery to other people I don't identify with, so therefore, I chose to enjoy it. "Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." When I first read that quote it stuck with me. Now was the time to put it to the test.
Over the previous two days, our group had walked further than most of the others, placing us today at a different campsite. Today it was much easier to walk solo. To not be able to overhear a particular person's facinating sentiments about soccer, or pickles, or whatever else kept him out of the moment. Depending on my relative pace, I could notice hummed tunes or humming birds.
The stone path was becoming a river as I followed its decent. Even with my two extended walking poles, focus stayed fixed on getting steady footing.
At one downhill stage I could hear many rapid footsteps thundering from behind, which indicated an incoming team of porters. I stepped to the side to allow them to pass. Carrying heavy loads on their backs, they ran at break-a-neck speed down the steep, slippery steps. Each one took their eyes off their next several foot placements to glance at me, as many exchanged an "Hola". Stunt running.
Apparently, the nature reserve that contains the Inca trail has 13 ecosystems, and we pass through most of them. This can cause altitude effects to those acclimatised elsewhere in the world. Some of the path was cut into the mountainside and passed through caves.
The terrain I was entering now was easy to identify - cloud forrest. Lush greenery with a whitewashed background of mist. I realised that if you want to enter a cloud forrest, you don't get to complain about the weather. My beanie was saturated but my socks hadn't soaked through, so it wasn't all bad.
The placement of some of these cliff-hugging ruins is really quite awesome. These people woke each morning with a spectacular view. These particular settlements were used as signalling posts across the mountains. Location, location, location.
Some of the agricultural areas used soil from 40km away. The terraces at this site were used for "agricultural experiments". I figure that means something was lost in interpretation.
The word "Inca" today is used to refer to the people of the Incan Empire, whereas it originally referred to just one person, the king. It's like the difference between a Pharaoh and an Egyptian. Here it's spelt "Inka" and pronounced with the production of a mild phlegm ball.
Today, the lunch site was campsite. That gave time to try and dry some gear, but although the drizzle had fizzled, clouds still obscured the sun. The idea was to get an early sleep in preparation for a 3.30am awakening before the march to the "lost" city.
After dinner, our team of porters and the chef plus assistant were individually introduced. We presented them with their well-deserved tips and many muchas gracias's.
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