Back to Backpacking

Due to a delay in Buenos Aires, I missed our flight to Cusco on Saturday afternoon, so I had to spend the night in Lima. Lima was an okay diversion, but the trip really began when I landed in Cusco on Sunday morning.

The 11,000 feet of elevation has been playing games with my head and lungs, but that has not stopped us from hiking several miles yesterday and going for more today. We have arranged our hike on the Inca Trail for Thursday thru Sunday.

Cusco
Once the capital of the most expansive empire in the world, Cusco is still a beautiful spot to visit. The surrounding mountains are beautiful and the colonial architecture and the narrow, climbing roads have been fun to wander.

Devlin and I have been staying at a hostal up a hill from the plaza de armas. It's been great to get back into the backpacking lifestyle. We have met Argentinas, other Americans, and Australians all on their respective adventures around the world or throughout South America. It's amazing how many people from various countries are taking the time to get to know the world.

Backpacking is a subculture that is several worlds away from the Sheraton in Buenos Aires, but there is something about roving the world on a shoestring budget that appeals to me. Especially when that part of the world is South America. It's been great to talk with Peruvians about the rest of their country and to talk with Devlin about his plans to visit Colombia. It reminds me that there is a lot of South America that I have yet to discover!

Coca
One of the best parts of the trip so far has been drinking mate de coca and eating coca candies. For thousands of years, coca leaves have been chewed and used in teas and food to help the natives tolerate the difficult conditions. Since arriving here, I've had at least a couple doses of mate de coca per day, and more than a few pieces of chocolates de coca!