Inca Trail: Day 1

We started the trek by meeting our cook and porters. Most were in their 20s, but one of them was 50 years old. I immediately had to accept the fact a 50 year old guy was going to school me on the trail.

These porters are amazing. They are carrying 40-50 pounds on their backs and running up and down the hills, some only wearing sandals. And when they rest, they prefer the local corn beer, chicha, to water, which the rest of us are chugging.

I wonder who would win in a battle of Nepal´s best sherpas and the Andes´ best porters. Of course, the match would start after a few days of acclimitization and a neutral location, like the Alps.

Today´s hike was along the River Kusichaka. We got many great views of the surrounding river. They probably say this river has been flowing for thousands of years. But each current carries a new piece of dirt, each sharp turn creates a new whirlpool. They say the river has been flowing for thousands of years, but I say this river flows anew with each passing moment.

When we camp at night I am reminded how dark the darkness really is. There are no street lights or car headlights here. It is pretty friggin´dark.