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quiggsy on tour
So we managed to watch the England game, not great but at least we won. We set off for Cusco, about 2 days drive away from Nazca. Unfortunately we didn't get as far as Geoff had hoped we might as it was slow going through the mountains and so we ended up almost at the top of a high pass (around 4300m we think!) when the sun was starting to set. Being this high as soon as the sun goes down the temperature drops, fast. So we get out and start setting up camp (yes, camping at 4300m) and getting dinner ready while there was still some light. Meanwhile I was also trying to get as many layers on as possible (flip flops and shorts, not that warm). We reckon the temp went down to about minus 5 but just being outside for any amount of time left me with no feeling in feet or hands! Went to bed in thermals and hat with my big new alpaca blanket wrapped round me. Although I wasn't freezing cold I cant say it was the best nights sleep I have ever had. Woke up thinking it must have been about 4 in the morning (we were getting up at 5 to get on the road as soon as poss) but it was only midnight argh! Managed to get a couple of hours sleep in between convincing myself out of having a panic attack - the air is v thin and when you are all wrapped up in a sleeping bag and stuff you get really short of breath, I thought I was just being stupid but apparently lots of people had the same experience! Luckily that was the only effects I felt of the altitude. Lots of others in the group were quite ill though, so everyone was glad when we came down to about 3000m the following day.
So we finally made it to Cusco at 6pm last night (long day in the truck). This is our base for the next week as we are setting off tomorrow on the Inca trail - we end up after 4 days at Macchu Piccu. Hopefully it wont be as cold camping as it was the other night but it sounds like luxury in comparison to what we have been used to - horses carry all our gear, we have cooks to make our meals, they set up our tents and they even bring you tea in bed in the morning!! That said, I reckon its going to be hard work as most of the trek is around 4000m high and you really can feel the effects of the altitude when you actually do exercise.
Cusco is a really nice town, although it is literally full of tourists, all doing the same thing as us. So we went to an Irish pub last night for dinner and happy hour (gin and tonic for about 80p!), tried to teach people how to play 21s (seriously, it is not that difficult is it??) and then went on to a club/bar called Mythology. Awesome night.
So that's it for now, wont be online again until after the trek, that is presuming I get through it!
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