Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
In September of 2013, a decade ago this week I travelled to Peru. When I was 10 I saw a picture of Machu Picchu and told my teacher I was going to go there when I grew up. Nearing the end of my 49th year, while cruising on my motorcycle one evening, I realized it would be my 50th gift to myself.
A group of friends from Canada, 6 in all, met up on a tour with 2 couples from Britain and 7 college friends from various parts of the US. Our GAdventure truly was a brainscar. Along with our Guide, Nuri, we formed a bond, dubbing ourselves the ABCs and have kept in contact ever since. We in various groups have visited each others areas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Barbara, California, Kananaskis, Alberta and Kent, Uk.
I bonded especially with one of the couples from the UK, and was blessed to spend two weeks with them as hosts in their home 4 years ago now. It was very busy and full of adventures, a time that I can only describe as a gift from the Incans.
My heart will always carry the memories of that time, a decade ago and a continent away
I awoke to the offer of breakfast and the sun breaking above the horizon out my plane window. I know that Peru is now in the past and that I am going to have to disturb the woman in the aisle seat soon to let me out for relief. I sleep off and on again …
It seems that most of us were unable to sleep well as the whole crowd was there for breakfast together. Seems like we had barely settled in when it was time for Craig and Lorraine to leave. There was much hugging and taking of pictures together. Once they were gone we took Ruthie up on …
I awoke with a sadness, perhaps even at heart the feeling attached to the word tattooed on my left forearm… saudades. The knowledge that this was our last day fully together as a group in this wonderful country hung like a rain cloud in an otherwise clear day. We gathered and loaded the bus to …
What a day! Up and ready to roll by 7:40 am. I feel so much better it´s a miracle. I did start off feeling as I had when suffering from pneumonia but I am sure that was the altitude combined with the lack of oxygen due to the stuffed up head and chest. I had …
I shall not go into much detail about how rotten I felt this morning. I arrived in the lobby ready to leave with a bandana tied over my nose and mouth so to somewhat limit the spread of germs. Everyone was so sweet digging into their personal stores to share decongestants and lozenges. We hauled …
Was up many times in the night, very congested. FInally got up at 815ish and readied for the day. Down to find most of the group at breakfast. As Colin and Wendy are early birds they were already gone so I took opportunity to get the ones who were there to sign the anniversary card …
After a pretty good sleep we once again got ready, packed all our belongings and trudged down to the lobby to leave by 555 for the restaurant that was storing our bags while we spent more time on the mountain. I managed to barely get down half a small cup of coffee and we were …
This morning began hideously early having woken up or at least bothered to look at the clock every hour through the night. I have a sore throat which is usually the first sign of exhaustion for me. I managed to get everything packed and brought down to the lobby as we were only taking overnight …
Today began a little later as we were doing tours in and around Cusco. One glance out the window proved the forecast to be true as the sky was a stunning blue. Our new friend Tammy showed up with Adelki and we walked down the street to Qorikancha the Convento De Santo Domingo Del Cusco. …
I fell asleep last night with such a strong feeling that I was home, that’s just the only way to describe how I had felt all day. It doesn’t make sense as I don’t speak Spanish or Quechuan or any other local dialect which should make me very uncomfortable. The reality is I feel safe …
This morning began a whole hour later, such a luxury. We met for breakfast, left our suitcases with the hotel in storage as we had packed our duffels and day packs with the necessities for the one night away and waited with anticipation as we knew we would have to hustle out to the street …
We were able to sleep in until after 6 this morning! It stormed most of the night, they say but I slept through most of it. I feel so blessed for the timing of it all. We all packed our duffel bags and met for breakfast where we also arranged for two envelopes that we …
Quarter after 5 awake again after an amazing sleep and then a breakfast of eggs and bacon and fruit, oh the fruit! It was nice to see the site in the daylight for the first time. I found it challenging to dress covered from head to toe for our morning hike through the jungle. After …
Up at quarter after 5, a quick breakfast of a very tasty maize pancake and once again coffee that even I watered down. We loaded all our gear and selves onto a private bus and headed to the airport. About a Km away I realized my camera had been left behind. I remained calm and …
Good thing the excitement for today overruled the agony of the alarm going off as we had to meet for breakfast at 6 and be ready for our tour at 7 in order to get back in time to attend the meeting for the start of our tour and meet our fellow travelers. We ceremonially …
I apologize for the spelling errors and abrupt ending to the last post. I am attempting all this on an ancient iPad and borrowed wireless keyboard which seems to like to duplicate or drop entries willy nilly and then I managed to post without correcting…Argh. I have to get up in 5 hours so I will …
This day began for me at 12:15 am when we boarded the plane from LAX. I was fortunate to find myself in a window seat sitting next to a 23 year old Brazilian electrical engineer who was on his way home from schooling at Waterloo. João was such a treat; so smart, funny and engaging …
The day began with no alarm clock, my system eager to get rolling. I had much to do having packed only the night before. After a short amount of sleep I emptied my bag, removed 1/3 of the clothing from the pile and repacked. The decision was made to take less, buy what I need. …
triumphgal 