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Published: September 16th 2008
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I wanted to make one more entry before we began our trek at the delightfully early hour of 5:15 a.m. on September 12, but uploading the photos was going very slowly, so here it is a bit late. We are back safely from our trek over the Andes to Machu Picchu and will write and add new photos of that adventure very soon.
After nearly 48 hours in buses and border crossing, we arrived in Cusco in mid-afternoon on September 9. Though long and somewhat tiring, the bus rides were definitely interesting. We took a Chilean bus, Pullman, to Arica, the northern most city in Chile, known for world championship surfing. Unfortunately we didn’t get to stop to look at the big waves. We had cama (reclining) seats on the bus and our fellow passengers were very nice. I managed to have a few conversations in my poor Spanish.
It is interesting to note that everywhere we have been at least one or two people want to discuss the presidential race with us. We met a couple vacationing here from Spain and they have been following the campaigning very closely. The nice thing about my weak language skills is
that it keeps me from inserting a foot in my mouth when it comes to discussing something as highly charged as politics. Even if I had the desire to get into a serious discussion, I don’t have the vocabulary. I think I will behave as if I don’t possess adequate English skills either. To paraphrase a Buddhist monk, “It is a good idea not to speak unless you are certain that you can improve upon the silence.”
The trip from Horcon to Arica took about 27 hours. From there we made arrangements for another bus to take us to Cusco, Peru. However, we first had to take a collectivo across the border. The driver of an early seventies Chevy was young and very helpful. We took the ride across the border with three other passengers, all young students from Arica going shopping in Tacna, which is the first Peruvian town after crossing the border. I inadvertently attempted to commit a crime at the border crossing by having an orange in one of my bags. It was confiscated with a smile and a shrug. We arrived at the bus station is Tacna thinking we had just a short while to
catch our bus. What we discovered was that we had to go to yet another bus station. Our collectivo driver couldn’t take us because he drives a Chilean taxi, so he hailed another cab for us and rode along to the next bus station where he got us checked in with another bus line, San Martin. There we waited for nearly three hours for our next bus. Another 17 hours and more than that many stops, we arrived dirty and travel worn in the Gringo capital of South America. Steve said that he read that Cusco sees more than four million tourists each year.
The streets in the city center are filled with people of all ages, but a great number of children, selling hats, finger puppets, dolls, paintings and more. If you stop for one, you are quickly surrounded by a half dozen kids doing their best to sell you something. Also within just a few hundred feet, we were approached by four different people trying to tempt us into a particular restaurant. It is a little overwhelming.
Last, but most important, I want to write a little about the hostel where we are staying and where
we will return for two nights after our trek to Machu Picchu. It is called San Juan de Dios and all of the profits from it go to support a hospital for crippled children which is just next door. We have gone over there several times to help with the children during meal time. There are over forty children who reside there plus local children who are seen as outpatients. The handicaps all appear to be pretty severe, but the spirits seem joyful, generous, and kind. In my humble opinion it is a residence of angels, both the children and those who care for them.
These children and their caregivers are pretty strong reminders of all I have to be grateful for. They also make me more aware of the mysteries of this life. These beautiful spirits in frail bodies certainly are master spiritual teachers. Humble, gracious, and living in the moment, in a very brief time they have given more to me than I have to them. I know there are other sites we could have seen here, but being with these people will be one of the most precious memories I have of our travels.
If
you want to learn more or make a donation, please check out their website at www.clinicasanjaundedioscusco.org
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Jayne
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Enough Said!
Shannon, as always, I loved the pictures! But what grabbed my heart the most about this trip was the way the children at San Juan de Dios made you feel, I could almost share those feelings through your words and pictures, thank you so much for sharing that wonderful moment in time! I love and miss you way lots and hope your having a wonderful time, duh!!!( M.M.S.)