La ultima dia (the last day)

So here I am. In Lima, Peru, sitting in an internet café on my final day in Peru, and South America for that matter. It's incredible to think I've come this far. Flying into Santiago, cycling north from Ushuaia for three months with Thomas. Then traveling the length of Chile with Ralph and Thomas by car. For the last month I've been traveling through Peru on my own; from the end of the world to the top (the end being Ushuaia, the top being Machu Picchu). It has been an incredible journey. Even in my last two weeks I've met so many amazing people. I was thinking two days ago how I might sum up my time down here. I finally came to the conclusion that it's truly impossible to do so. I've nearly 3 notebooks full of writings and over 50 entries on this blog. It has been great. I'm not sure what else there is to say. Thanks to everyone I've met along the way. Many are still traveling or studying, so please enjoy the rest of your time in South America. That's all there is to say. The last entry. Thanks guys.

Chao chao!

Zach

Feeling the Pull

I'm beginning to feel the pull. The tug. The aching for something far too familar. Please kill me now for I know in 3 months I will feel sick from too many familiarities. I long for my own bed. For my own pillow. My old friend: the White Jeep. I wish to pet my dog. Drive down the road, sit by the lake. I wish to play tennis. To hit my ball from the sandtrap. Ride my bike side by side with Mr. Mt. Si. And I know it. I must be nuts. Am I homesick? I think not. Simply weary from 4 months spent on the road. I simply feel the need for something stable. Something concrete. A place to permanently drop my luggage. To rest my soul. And feel the end of the road and the end of spinning tires forcing me northward. I feel the need to stop for awhile. To regain composure and plan my next excursion. For now I am aching, and longing. One more week, one more week and I'll be missing the one thing I have grown weary of...


Zach

On Machu Picchu

wow so here i am back in cusco. the trip to machu picchu was amazing. i wish i had more adjectives because im sure youre all sick of reading the same ones over and over but i really cant help myself. i was so fortunate to spend my time biking and hiking to mp with great people. i have definitely forged more reliable contacts in europe. now i have a trail leading all the way from the netherlands down to spain!

anyhow mp. lets see. we woke up at 4 am and sleepily walked from our hotel down the road to begin the hike up. pitch black and humid we hiked up using headlamps. our goal was to reach the summit before dawn. and we did. me and avi reached the top in just over 40 minutes and were in line before they opened the gates. once they did so around 6 am it was a mad rush to get to huyanapicchu (they only allow 400 ppl on the trail all day) and we got there with no problem. lots of people were running to get there but there was no need. we got the ticket for 10 (two times are available: at 7 am and 10 am) and then set out to explore the place before we met up for a tour at 7 am. it was just incredible. i was so lucky to have spent time there. just before the tour and the sun had risen over the tops of the mountains, we hiked up to the house of guardians for the classic machu picchu photo then we hightailed it down to catch the tour. i took the spanish one just bc the english one was overcrowded. after listening for 15 minutes the sun had risen over the mountains and i decided to bail on the tour and return to the house the guardians for more classic mp photos. i was happy i did. i got some great photos. and actually a little bit later i saw the group and met up with them halfway through the tour! afterwards we went to climb huyanapicchu. i was abit scared bc we had heard that it was dangerous but ultimately i decided to go. the other ppl from my group were wishy washy but eventually 3 of us. Me, Avi, and Kevin decided to do it. and we were all glad to have done it. the hike wasnt as bad as the initial hike into mp and it wasnt scary at all. apparently 7 ppl died on it last year. no worries, the view was amazing and we had to climb an additional 400m to the top. it took me about a half hour. it was spectacular. the photos really are out of this world. afterwards we hiked back down, got our passports stamped, and met up with Gabriel for lunch. Then we climbed back up to the house of the guardians and relaxed on one of the terraces. i could have stayed there forever. around 1 pm we met up with avi and decided to spend our last 2 hours going our own separate ways. i went to relax in the shade of a different terrace but got a whistle blown at me and i had to get off. i decided to make one last climb to the house of the guardians to say goodbye to mp properly. the view is just incredible and really just crazy. my entire life thats the one photo ive seen as has everyone else and i was there. we all were there. and it was just great. at 3 pm we met up at the entrance and walked back down to aguas calientes where we picked up our train tickets and grabbed some dinner. we got back to cusco around 10 pm and now im here today planning my exit from peru and the continent. just about 5 days left. incredible. for now i am out. talk soon. take care.

zach

whoa, hey!

Hello hello! Looks like this is my 51st post on my blog in the past 4 or so months! Incredible to think I've come this far. From landing in Santiago, Chile, to riding north from Ushuaia and now Peru, It's incredible to think I'm finally here. We´ve been biking and hiking our way towards Machu Picchu for the past 3 days and this afternoon we finally arrived in Aguas Calientes, the final city and last jumping off point for Machu Picchu. It's been a great journey. The group I have been with is exceptional, and quite diverse. A Spaniard: Gabriel, two Hollanders: Kevin and Avi, the two brits and honeymooners: Becky and Tony, and myself, along with the great guide from Cuzco: Hugo (El Jefe).

The first day we cycled 45 km (mostly downhill) from 4100m to 1500m to the first stop of Santa Maria. It was amazing to see the landscape and terrain change before our eyes. Halfway down we encountered jungle for the first time. Once in Santa Maria, we took dinner, had some beer, chatted, and slept.

The following day (yesterday) we left at 7 and hiked for 7 hours. We also walked on a 500 year old Inca Trail only just discovered 11 years previously. Literally one meter of walking space, and a sheer drop off nearly 1000m down to the river below. Amazing. At the end of the day we celebrated by relaxing in the hot springs of Santa Teresa. Last night we again drank beer, chatted, and played cards before turning in for the night.

This morning we took breakfast at 830 and headed out of Santa Teresa at 9 am walking upriver through Hidroelectrica, and eventually to Aguas Calientes where we are currently. Amazingly during our trek today we were able to see portions of Machu Picchu and we even paused momentarily at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Tomorrow morning we wake up at 4 am to hike 400m to reach Machu Picchu before dawn. It will be incredible. I can't wait.

And thats that. Tonight we take dinner at 7pm, and head to bed because we have to wake up so early. Tomorrow night will see us all back in Cuzco and once again as is always the case, heading our own separate ways. I will most likely head down to the coast before heading to Lima for my flight back home on the 1st of June.

I'd like to thank all of you for reading and commenting on my posts throughout the duration of my trip. This has been an amazing experience and I'm glad I was able to share it with all of you. Until next time, chao chao!

Zach

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On Being In Cusco

Wow so here I am. At last. The pinnacle of my trip to South America: Cusco. I thought I'd be here by bicycle, and with my best friend Thomas Schultz but it didn't work out and regardless I am here. It really is amazing to think about. I love history and I remember I learned about the Inca's and Machu Picchu. I've seen countless TV shows on The History Channel, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel: Anthony Bourdain, Samantha Brown, Andrew Zimmern, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd find myself here. Incredible. This trip has taught me so much. I've seen so much. Photographed so much. Been to so many places and met amazing people along the way. I'll be back in the states within 3 weeks. Sad to think that it is drawing to a close, but one thing I've learned is that letting go, moving on, does not always have to be a sad time because I'm moving forward, onto another journey, another stage in life, and from it I will gain more life-experience. I was just telling an old friend that nothing is out of reach. If you really want to travel then do it. I spent so long talking and not enough doing. I've done something and now I want to do more. And so I think I will...


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On Visiting The Islands of Taquile and the Uros

After visiting the Island of Taquile, I understand why it is said that to fully appreciate the Island it is necessary to stay one full night. The island is relaxed, its people trying to lead traditional lives. I think it is much the way it was when the Inca ruled all the surrounding land. The clothes, dresses, cloth, all in bright colors; reds, pinks, oranges, greens, and browns. The people of the floating Islands of Uros; incredible the way they live life. On nothing more than several layers of reeds, some live their entire life. The islands last 12 - 13 years, then must be replaced. As Westerners we pass through and wonder how they live that way, seemingly on a floating prison, the only company seven other families. But that is always the Westerner perception. Who are we to question their way of life when they've survived in just this way for decades; predating the Inca by one-thousand years? Modern day western civilization has been in existence for just over 100 years and it has come through like a hurricane and pushed the environment to its limits. We should be taking a lesson. As we cruise through Lago Titicaca we are simply exposed to a glimpse of their lives. I see people like this and I feel sorry, but why? Because I feel they have nothing? Because I feel I've so much more? I suppose it is all in the eye of the beholder: a car, a house, schooling, a career If I want one, are all things we as Westerners seek or tend to think of as what one needs to survive or succeed. But it is untrue. They've so much more out here. We all need to realize this. That our lives are not better, just simply different...


Zach

Valley Record Article

We finally got our 15 minutes of fame in the Sno-Valley Record! And here it is:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/lifestyle/44402347.html

Pretty cool if you ask me. Ok, chao chao!


Zach

quick update

hey just a real quick one here guys. lets see. im in arequipa now. its been about 2 days. thinking i'll go for some white-water rafting the day after tomorrow. been seeing a lot of the town the last couple of days. i think i'll take tomorrow to relax. after arequipa i'll head to puno for 4 days or so, and then up to cusco. i was looking in the book here at the hostel and for $220 usd you can do a 4 day half-bike half-trek up to machu picchu. $220 covers entrance fee, food, lodging/tent, and the train to and from cusco. it sounds like a pretty good deal. we'll see how it goes. cant believe its already the 12th of may, the month is almost half over! ok, for now i'm out. talk soon! chao chao!


zach

El Ciervo Cabañas Massacre

Traveling with four people for so long finally pushed Thomas over the edge...

puerto montt

Taken by Thiago on our last day with Thiago: Ralph, Thomas, and I...