Day 72 - Abancay, Peru
averaged about 30 km in an hour of riding). But the scenery was fantastic. It felt like I was taking a helicopter tour through the Andes. The heights were mind blowing. The vertical dimension is like nothing I have seen in North America.
We have been getting a hero´s welcome in every village that we pass through. Now I have a taste for what it would be like to be famous. The kids all lin the road to wave at us and shout greetings. Even the adults get in on the fun once in awhile. Every time we are about to make a wrong turn, someone comes up to us and points us in the right direction.
Today when we stopped in a village for lunch, we drew a crowd. People were fascinated by our bikes and our gear. Soon the kids were trying on our helmets and gloves. As usual, people expressed surprise and delight when they learned that we had ridden the bikes all the way to their village from Canada. When I couldn't get my zipper to close on my duffel bag, I had half the village trying to help me (and once a pair of plyers were produced, they somehow fixed it too).
Peru is a much vaster country than I imagined. I knew that it covered a lot of territory, but what I wasn´t prepared for was the 3rd dimension: altitude. At times, it can take hours to get from point A to point B despite the fact that the two points are in visual range of each other. This is because the road has to swithback down the side of one mountain and then back the other. The change in elevation can be thousands of metres.
We have been traveling on gravity defying dirt roads for days now. Yesterday we made it less than 100 km (from Ayacucho to the village of Ocros). Our accomodation in Ocros cost us a grand total of 10 soles (about $3). Today's ride from the small town of Ocros to Abancay was among the most spectacular rides of the entire trip. It was slow going because the road was narrow (often with nothing but abyss on one side) and there were many sharp switchbacks.
I have been sick since we arrived in Lima 5 days ago. It started with the digestive problems I´ve already mentioned. When the fury of that subsided, I was left with a nasty cold. Yesterday was the most miserable. My nose was running non-stop. Worse, my middle ear was unable to equilibrate pressures, so everytime we changed altitude (which we did non-stop), my ear felt like it was going to burst. To add to my discomfort, the road from Ayachucho (when we finally found it) was filled with giant potholes. There were so many and they were so big that they were impossible to avoid. This did not help my aching muscles. Did I mention that it was damn cold too? Ah it feels good to complain.
We have been getting a hero´s welcome in every village that we pass through. Now I have a taste for what it would be like to be famous. The kids all lin the road to wave at us and shout greetings. Even the adults get in on the fun once in awhile. Every time we are about to make a wrong turn, someone comes up to us and points us in the right direction.
Today when we stopped in a village for lunch, we drew a crowd. People were fascinated by our bikes and our gear. Soon the kids were trying on our helmets and gloves. As usual, people expressed surprise and delight when they learned that we had ridden the bikes all the way to their village from Canada. When I couldn't get my zipper to close on my duffel bag, I had half the village trying to help me (and once a pair of plyers were produced, they somehow fixed it too).
Peru is a much vaster country than I imagined. I knew that it covered a lot of territory, but what I wasn´t prepared for was the 3rd dimension: altitude. At times, it can take hours to get from point A to point B despite the fact that the two points are in visual range of each other. This is because the road has to swithback down the side of one mountain and then back the other. The change in elevation can be thousands of metres.
We have been traveling on gravity defying dirt roads for days now. Yesterday we made it less than 100 km (from Ayacucho to the village of Ocros). Our accomodation in Ocros cost us a grand total of 10 soles (about $3). Today's ride from the small town of Ocros to Abancay was among the most spectacular rides of the entire trip. It was slow going because the road was narrow (often with nothing but abyss on one side) and there were many sharp switchbacks.
I have been sick since we arrived in Lima 5 days ago. It started with the digestive problems I´ve already mentioned. When the fury of that subsided, I was left with a nasty cold. Yesterday was the most miserable. My nose was running non-stop. Worse, my middle ear was unable to equilibrate pressures, so everytime we changed altitude (which we did non-stop), my ear felt like it was going to burst. To add to my discomfort, the road from Ayachucho (when we finally found it) was filled with giant potholes. There were so many and they were so big that they were impossible to avoid. This did not help my aching muscles. Did I mention that it was damn cold too? Ah it feels good to complain.
My dear friend! I am so thankful that you are safe and sound, (for the worry you have inflicted upon your mother and I, I have no sympathy for your cold though). Your adventure sounds amazing. I pray God continues to keep you safe, and .... in good health. I love you!
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Dear Tyson,
I am at Andrea's house this Monday evening and your Dad and Mom showed up so I decided to say Hi. Ever since Eddy's tragedy I've been alternating with Mary and staying with Andrea as she is having trouble staying by herself.
I'm really happy for you and your travels. It's what every young person should do, of course I think any person of any age but young at heart should do the same. Expand you horizons, travel with a pure heart and return safely. Just remember if somene asks you to pick up nails and fill a bucket for a nickle, be humble, you never know where it may lead.
Second don't get drunk and smoke a wooden cigar.
Love your old buddy,
Blake
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