Off The Deep End

We woke up the third day and packed up for breakfast. As we were eating a minor drama began developing outside. Our company had prearranged for transportation to the trail head. Another van had pulled up outside as we were finishing up and insisted we travel with them. Our guides told them no and eventually they left. The real van showed up and we began loading our gear. Luis left to get our train tickets for that afternoon and as we waited with Henry the first van returned. The driver started talking smack to Henry and insisting we pay him 3 Sols and ride with him.

Our second day on the trek to Machu Picchu was our first day hiking. We woke up to a home cooked breakfast before boarding the bus to the trail head. The hike started off very steep up through the cloud forest passing maize and coffee and coca growing in the traditional Inca terraced style. After about an hour we passed a little girl selling water and Gatorade in the jungle on the side of the trail. Her chaperon was a little monkey named Lulu. Lulu loved candy and would leap with blinding speed to snatch it from your fingers before devouring it.