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Published: October 31st 2005
Intrepid Trekkers
From left to right: Nigel, Wendy, Vicki, Caroline, Alison, Sila and Eileen. I was taking the photo. Sunday 30 October
Hi Folks, hope that you all had a nice relaxing weekend. Mine has been great so far.
After updating my diary last night, I headed home to (yes - you geussed it!!) a freeing cold shower!! Guess I´d had my excitment for the weekend by moving to the bottom bunk, and a hot shower was just too much to hope for!!
Slept like a log in my bottom bunk which was great. We headed out at 9am for our hike in the hills. Nigel and Alison (two of the volunteers) are great walkers and have really explored the Andes around Ayacucho. A crowd of 8 of us in total headed off for the trek. Was an absolutely scorching day and suncream was definitely needed. Think I´m developing a bit of a ´farmers´ tan (arms neck and face as nothing else is ever exposed outside!!). Still struggling with the altitude when I go walking. Around Ayacucho (10,000 - 10,500 feet) it´s mainly breathlessness I feel. Give myself a hard time as this kind of thing at home would be no problem!! When I get back down to sea level I should be super fit with all
Building overrun by cactii
The cactoii were everywhere!! those extra red blood cells in my system!! I should be able to combat it by breathing from my diaphragm (have developed this by playing my flute and sax), but haven´t been successful as yet!!
Attached are some of the photos I took on the walk. The coutryside and the scenery were just incredible!! We spotted a typical Peruvian lady in the hills with a flock of sheep, and also came across an old building (not quite sure what it was) which has been totally overrun by cactii!! Also spotted a bird on the wall of the house. No idea what it was as it was much larger than anything I´ve seen at home.
Also attached is a photo of a typical Andean white flower. Reminds me of Edelweiss, but I think it has fewer petals (the experts among you will be able to confirm!!).
We also came across some handsome bulls on our trek (Billy and Paul the attached photo is just for you!!). Fortunately as I wasn´t lost, I didn´t have my photo taken showing the bull the map and asking for directions. This is a joke which relates to our summer holiday in Italy.
Andean Bird
No idea what it is - all suggestions welcome! I´ll say no more.........unless anyone specifically asks!!
It was so peaceful up there in contrast to the busyiness of Ayacucho. It was nice to be outdoors and have some space and time to yourself to clear your head and relax!! I cannot describe the Andes well enough to help you imagine what they look like, and I feel that the photos I´ve taken just don´t do the scenery justice!! It´s incredible!!
We arrived back from our trek at 1.30pm. By this time I was ravenous and ready for lunch. Fortunately, the cook had saved some food for us which was great. Then had a (lukewarm - it´s improving!) shower and headed into town.
I was on a mission to purchase 8 small plastic pumpkins for WW tomorrow. Had bought lots of things to put inside yesterday as a treat for the kids (chocolate raisins and relatively healthy sweets with plenty of vitamins). Was successful with my purchase, but the girl in the shop didn´t have any bags. I had to walk home (a good 20 - 30 min walk) with them strung together in my hands. I got some really strange looks and comments (fortunately I couldn´t
Andean Flower
Unusual in that it hardly has a stem. Reminded me of Eidelweiss. understand most of the cheekier ones!!) and some of the local kids were even asking if I was selling them - how´s that for an alternative career??!! Have cardboard and paint for the kids to make masks, and orange and black paper for them to make paper chains to decorate the WW room. Should be fun - will update you re how it goes tomorrow.
Was full of good intentions re finding the methodist Church and going to the evening service. They fell by the wayside, as I got back to base, decided to read for a bit and promptly fell asleep for 3 hours!! Must have been all the fresh air this morning as I haven´t had any late nights!!
Heading home now to prepare for WW tomorrow.
Hope all is well with all of you.
Take care!!
Lesley x
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