Once upon a time there where was a Group of Antipodes that loved adventure. This is exactly what they sought out and what found them in the most unexpected of places.
It started out with 9 of them hiking up a mountain at midnight for 3 hours in the freezing cold and the pitch black, as our little trekkers in preparation of the cold weather had all completely forgotten torches. The festival they sought out was Qyoriti. However they pushed on with the locals up the steady hill guided by the moonlight, stars and locals candles that they held and lit in part of this religious Pilgrimage. Along they way one of our Antipodes instantly became richer by buying $30 000 US and since then Nick has been extremely generous and done lots of good deeds by tipping the locals very significantly. At the top it was surprising to see the multitude of tents and more astonishingly was the multitude of locals lying on the freezing cold, hard ground under a solo blanket trying to keep warm and sleep. There was also numerous stalls where locals and us Antipodes (being the only tourists) could buy our heart´s desires such as miniature cars and houses which they would then offer to the Gods at the Glacier. This being a sacred place and part of the religious festival for Peruvians alone. The effort put into the dancing and festivities was incredible. Many locals were dressed in traditional clothes (exposing too many bare legs for us rugged up Antipodes) and were wearing amazing masks. The energy levels were incredible and rubbed off on all of us. Whilst a few of our party tried to copy the locals and get some needed sleep Rupert, Harry, Charlie, Louisa and myself felt over taken by this dancing fever and joined in. We sang numerous songs ranging from the Beatles to the Spice Girls and danced every possible imaginable dance we could remember. Popular favourites at keeping us warm and ones our neighbour Peruvians enjoyed watching included the Nutbush and the Hokey Pokey. Finally after awaiting the sunrise for many hours we started our Pilgrimage back down the hill being mindful of the black, white and mushy ice along the way. However afew of us.. (Lousia!) still managed to fall once or twice.
The next day the group of Antipodes accompanied by their wonderful helper Arlich all turned into Little Red Riding Hood´s in their rented Peruvian outfits. Dancing with the teachers around the Plaza de Armas was a real honour for everyone and a good bonding session between us. Our appearance as the only Gringos in the festival (yet again.. we have a habit of doing this) was a small part of the festival that day and again an even smaller part in the whole week of festivals that there has been in Cusco. However no matter how small our part was it meant the world to us and the teachers from Ccorao. They also loved the boy`s lively nature and purchase of fireworks. At the end we were surrounded by photographers for the second time and this time Charlie, Harry, Rupert and then the whole group were invited to make a Peruvian tuna television ad. The question is whose expression is the most convincing of the three to become the face of Parawachi Tuna??!!? At school the next day the 10 little Antipodes worked hard on the green house and looked forward to the day when it can also be planted. This Riccardo assures us to be very soon.
However 2 days of no school due to the 2 largest festivals in Cusco signified more adventure for the group so it was decided that they would split. Bec, Carissa, Liv and Lou all stayed to experience the spectacular Inti Raymi which is said to be the most incredible festival yet while Rupert, Nick, Harry, Charlie, Sophie and I set out to try and make it to Bolivia for an extended weekend…. These little Antipodes didn´t know what they had got themselves into…
After days or hours of the border being ok between Peru and Bolivia the mining strikes about foreign ownership started up again and so did the road blocks. The 6 Bolivian Bandits trying desperately to cross the boarder were left stranded in Juliaca (One of Peru´s most un tourist friendly towns) only to be very kindly taken to Puno where we enjoyed the compforts of a home cooked meal and ice-cream only to find out that whilst we slept the town had experienced a few overnight problems. Happy to move on we were unexpectedly taken away from the town´s Port where we were looking forward to a 9hours boat ride and shoved into a combi. With this change came numerous road blocks where our highly determined drivers moved countless rocks, practically drove off the side of cliffs in the dark and at some points found themselves rather lost in the middle of the Peruvian countryside. After being harassed by menacing, local Grandmothers who kept blowing their whistles looking for more reinforcement we found ourselves walking in the country side as our combi tried to navigate another route. This then caused us to get bogged n several occasions and we all had to look for rocks and grass tuffs to make an easier path. However before our journey ended we were forced to stop somewhere in the ´Great Outdoors´ of Peru as a group of very angry locals held the combi up. We were told to close the curtains, not speak English and put our heads on the seat infront. Luckily we survived the adventure and after about 12hours of this endless journey with had such an uncertain end we arrived at a hostel close to the boarder.
Crossing the boarder elation was felt by all the Antipodes and by Jane as well who had been receiving regular updates. The relaxed atmosphere of Copacabana washed away the nerves as did the mind blowing view across the lake from the top of the nearby mountain/hill. Arriving at La Paz in our hostel the boiling showers signalled that it was all ok and we were happy to meet Liv, Lou and Bec who had caught up on a days travel and met us in LA Paz. Carissa was minding the fort back in Cusco! The adventure only continued in La Paz with us girls nearly getting arrested at San Pedro Prison by taking photos. We also bought some luck at the local witches markets as well as a dead llama. The next day the girls went off to survive Death Road and have a wonderful day riding downhill from the mountains and snow to the jungle and heat below. Rupert and Nick also took off to the unreal Salt Flats in the South of Bolivia leaving Harry and me to climb a 6088m mountain, Huyana Potosi. After battling the snow, ice, clouds, darkness, dodgy ice crampons and altitude we made it to the summit to have a few of solid whiteness. However this didn´t dampen the trip at all with all of our group summiting we were Happy.. and tired.. and cold but Happy none the less Little Vegemites!
Like all good fairy tales there is meant to be a Prince Charming however I think we all only fell in love with LA Paz, Bolivia and the adventure our placement is giving us here in Peru.
Here are a whole bunch of photos. I couldn't decide which ones not to send as I love them all and show the great time we have been having!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment