April 27, 2012
Hey! Looks like I´m sticking to the once a month blog posts...oops! Well since last time I wrote we have accomplished so much. We did what, in my opinion, was the hardest physical challenge of the trip : The Santa Cruz Trek. It was a six day backpacking trip that came with quite the amount of challenges. The greatest challenge that we all faced was the flooding in the Cordillera Blanca, where the path is. The floods and intense rains had washed out most of the path, forcing us to scale mountain sides and walk through flooded and muddy areas. Despite all the challenges, it was one of the most amazing things I have ever accomplished. When we summited the pass at above 15, 000 feet above sea level, we were all encompassed in the most amazing sense of accomplishment we had ever felt. After the Santa Cruz trek, we had only a few days to prepare for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We moved into Cusco, Peru, which is SUCH a beautiful place, to have classes and get ready for our 4 day trek. Machu Picchu was also the parent trip, so I got to see my MOMMY! It was so amazing to see her for the first time in 2 months, and it felt like a dream! It was also so incredible to hike Machu Picchu with her, and there was the most breathtaking sight at the Sungate. After the trek ended, my mom unfortunately had to go home, ): After all the parents left, we had some more classes in Cusco, and then headed off to Lake Titicaca! We visited the floating islands on this massive lake, and also did a homestay with a family for the night. We went to a fiesta all dressed up in indigenous dress and it was so fun. After that, we headed off to cross the border to Bolivia! We are now on the other side of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and the reality of the end of the semester is now scary! We are staying in another hostal and having a ton of classes and preparing for our finals. I come home in 2 and a half weeks and I could not be more excited to see everyone in Boulder. I love and miss you all and cannot wait to see you!!!
Lots of love,
Sarah
