Getting ready to go ...

Greg and I are going on a trek to discover the lost world of the Incas!  Our trip begins with an extended layover in Panama to see the great canal and its jungle.  Because we cannot fly directly into Cusco from outside of Peru, we have a quick overnight layover in Lima, Peru.  Upon arriving in Cusco, we spend the next 3 days acclimating to its high elevation while exploring the Sacred Valley.  Then we head out on our 4-day hike on the Inca Trail to our final destination: the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu – one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

Preparing for the trip is half the fun for us.  We didn’t do much to help acclimate to the 10,000+ elevation, but to train for the 28-mile hike, we kicked our gym routine up a notch and spent3 ½ months,  5-7 days  a week together doing a regime of exercises – one of which included a “test” hike to Half Dome.

Choosing to expand beyond the comforts of traveling to Europe, traveling to Peru and south of the equator is quite new for us.  As the trip quickly approaches – unfortunately compounded by the stresses of work - I find myself a bit nervous about the adventure and its unknowns.  From high school, we remember just enough Spanish to get us into trouble instead of out of it.  Speaking Spanish would help us avoid trouble, like falling victim to the many scams pulled on tourists.  Between the high altitude and different food bacteria, I wonder if we will succumb to the statistic of 50% of tourists who get sick.  Greg and I worry how much of the Inca Trail his knees can tolerate.  Lastly, there’s the unease of leaving our children – though they are in very good hands while we are gone.

Modeling after backpackers – even though the porters carry our gear - we aren’t bringing any excess luggage.  Immediately after he finished packing, Greg sensed something was wrong … surely he forgot something if all of his clothing fit into 2 travel cubes!  We won’t be winning any fashion contests, but we will be comfortable.  And with the extra layers of clothing I packed, we will <hopefully> be warm during the evenings when the temperature falls below freezing!  Our biggest extra is a large backpack full of school supplies for the adorable Peruvian children.

Our flight leaves Sacramento at 8:15pm tonight!