Day 3 7th April 12

My favourite day of walking began as usual with jokes and coca. The camaraderie of the group was compelling – each member fitting in well with their own personality.

First of all we began a steep climb up to the second pass, passing a lake and some ruins on the way. Due to my over friendly nature and emerging coca leaf chewing habit, I had become somewhat of a celebrity on the trek, and my name rang out across the mountain on occasion from the beautiful Argentinians that accompanied us at various points, to me tune of “coca, coca, coca. Coca, coca, coca” (sing it to the cancan tune, you’ll get the idea what extreme altitude does to me!)

At the top of the pass, we scaled a further summit to make a ceremony to lay stones and make a wish to Pachamama. Back at the base, the 72-year-old German abuelito I’d chatted to the day before requested a photo…of course, I’d oblige. Only to find his wrinkly hand snake around my chest and tickle my right boob! (abuse case no.1)

We continued on down the mountain, stopping at other ruins and admiring the sweeping views down the valley into the Urabamba river. The colourful orchids “looked like the sun had kissed them”. (copyright N. Voyce 2012) At our lunch stop, we arrived just in time for the down pour. The heavens opened as we huddled over our lunch in the tent. We waited out the enormous button-sized hail rocks crashing into the canvas, before taking the final path. As we toured one more ruin, Abuelito jumped out of a doorway and pinched my ass! (abuse case no.2) Not long after, as we were making our way down, we passed the youngest of our porters, Jhon. As I glanced up at him I realised he was pulling up his pant leg to expose himself! (abuse case no.3) How did I manage to be molested 3 times in one day!!

We arrived at our final stop as the sun was setting, and organised ourselves for our final supper. We said goodbye to the porters and collapsed into our cold sleeping bags.