I’m a few days behind, so let me catch up. Day 3 of the program (Day 5 for me)
Why am I huffing and puffing after a flight of stairs … still?? I’m telling myself it’s the altitude. Full shout out to Team Peru (friends who did lots of training hikes with me), but these stairs and hikes are kicking my a**. But seriously, I’m holding up pretty well and everyone in our group goes his or her own pace and cheers the others on as we march forward. Plus I have the advantage of being on the Daddy Boone Pepto-Bismal, no fresh fruits/veggies regime which has preserved my gastrointestinal processes. Sadly, almost half our groups has experienced some distress, so much so that we discussed tonight how much personal bio-data is appropriate for dinner conversation. No surprise but the consensus is that less is more.
The views are spellbinding, but you really have to stop to enjoy them to ensure that you don’t (a) trip over some uneven rock, (b) hit your head on a granite outcropping or (c) my personal favorite, fall over the edge of the universe. See what I mean…
Our afternoon was spent learning about the ancient weaving techniques and watching the women do some amazing work ( yet another opportunity to shop). The work was exquisite and the colors fantastic but the women’s faces were what really interested me.
Last adventure of the day was a walk through these amazing salt terraces. For centuries, the locals have been directing the heavily salted mountain streams into these family owned plots on hillside terraces. After the water pools, it then evaporates and they harvest the salt. Yet another job I’m not interested in doing because it requires lugging 50 lbs bags up this hillside. But it is fantastic looking. We traipsed through the plots (carefully) and then headed down the mountain for a great afternoon hike.
Every day is better than the previous one. Thanks for joining me on the journey.
Boonedoggler 