A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Machu Picchu
It all began innocently enough: a reference in one book, a page in another. But like a germ or seed the idea began to grow and finally when my annual vacation rolled around and there was a vacuum of other plans, it sprouted and blossumed quickly. Like Danny Liska and Richard Halliburton before him, I would get to Peru to hike the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu.
You're going where? When?
Being an airline employee has it's benefits, and I've been woeful at taking advantage of them. One is the ability to fly for little or nothing on our planes, and for little or not much on other airlines. So transportation was not a problem. This marvelous communication system of the Internet revealed many places to stay in Peru, and many adventure tour companies to guide me across the Andes into the fabled city of the Incas.
In keeping with the 'little or nothing' theme, and to stay under the financial radar as best I could (Christmas coming up and all), I opted to search out hostels in Cusco Peru, the starting point for most Machu Picchu tours. Google search lead me to Loki Backpackers Hostel, and the prices, well, 6$ for a dorm room (12 beds) and shared bath up to 28$ for a private room (3 beds) with bath screamed VOILA. Capping the deal was the quick and fluent response of Jesse, the head manager by email. We agreed that as I was of a more mature nature than the regular travelers, a small dorm room (6beds) with bath would be a good compromise at 10$usd a night. Done. In addition, Loki has a deal with Llama Path outfitters offering 2 nights free when booking the trip. Woo-hoo! Another quick email to Michele and transfer of money by Western Union (all handled at my laptop in the comfort of my easy chair) and all was set.
This was the first point, but not the last, where I wondered at how the previous travelers managed to accomplish their feats. Not only were they venturing into the virtual unknown (sure, the locals knew of these places, but there was no knowledge in the home country of the traveler), but they had to take all their resources with them as they went. No internet, no ATM's, no Fax, no Western Union.
Reading the material from Llama Path I packed up all my hiking kit, starting with backpack and hiking poles. I would wear one set of hiking togs, carry a full spare (December is squarely in rainy season), as well as long johns, scrubs for sleeping, Frogg Togg rain gear, sleeping bag, z-rest ground pad, toiletries, medicals, water bladder and water filter. About 15-18 pounds worth of stuff.
This I put in a rolling duffel to check onto the plane. I wore my airline-traveling clothes and hand carried a silk sleeping bag liner (worth 10 degrees!), earplugs and eye patch, camera(s), and mini toiletries.
I should have carried more.
You're going where? When?
Being an airline employee has it's benefits, and I've been woeful at taking advantage of them. One is the ability to fly for little or nothing on our planes, and for little or not much on other airlines. So transportation was not a problem. This marvelous communication system of the Internet revealed many places to stay in Peru, and many adventure tour companies to guide me across the Andes into the fabled city of the Incas.
In keeping with the 'little or nothing' theme, and to stay under the financial radar as best I could (Christmas coming up and all), I opted to search out hostels in Cusco Peru, the starting point for most Machu Picchu tours. Google search lead me to Loki Backpackers Hostel, and the prices, well, 6$ for a dorm room (12 beds) and shared bath up to 28$ for a private room (3 beds) with bath screamed VOILA. Capping the deal was the quick and fluent response of Jesse, the head manager by email. We agreed that as I was of a more mature nature than the regular travelers, a small dorm room (6beds) with bath would be a good compromise at 10$usd a night. Done. In addition, Loki has a deal with Llama Path outfitters offering 2 nights free when booking the trip. Woo-hoo! Another quick email to Michele and transfer of money by Western Union (all handled at my laptop in the comfort of my easy chair) and all was set.
This was the first point, but not the last, where I wondered at how the previous travelers managed to accomplish their feats. Not only were they venturing into the virtual unknown (sure, the locals knew of these places, but there was no knowledge in the home country of the traveler), but they had to take all their resources with them as they went. No internet, no ATM's, no Fax, no Western Union.
Reading the material from Llama Path I packed up all my hiking kit, starting with backpack and hiking poles. I would wear one set of hiking togs, carry a full spare (December is squarely in rainy season), as well as long johns, scrubs for sleeping, Frogg Togg rain gear, sleeping bag, z-rest ground pad, toiletries, medicals, water bladder and water filter. About 15-18 pounds worth of stuff.
This I put in a rolling duffel to check onto the plane. I wore my airline-traveling clothes and hand carried a silk sleeping bag liner (worth 10 degrees!), earplugs and eye patch, camera(s), and mini toiletries.
I should have carried more.
posted by Randy Masters at 7:08 AM
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