Exploits of a reluctant traveller

Set aside to the backdrop of dreary London morning, the day begins, much like the previous one, uninspired, devoid of colour, baron to the concepts of culture and the biggest question pressing on any of our lips presently, is 'what to have for lunch? It's hard to conjure delights of any sort peering out toward the Gherkin, double clicking food deals to motivate my bones for the weekend.

Alas, Peru and her allure are a long way off... distant is the memory of the the sticky newly published pages, distant too, the frantic flicking back to front for flight times, and even more remote, the intoxication of knowing, that finally... in 204 days, 43 mins and 22 seconds, I will be there...

For a few moments I close my eyes, I am in my tent having taking the full 'experience' option, of approaching the jewel and her treasure from the arduous hiking terrain (jungle trail) - that I am told... 'opens up' just when your walking ability is fading, your heart wonders how much farther and your sense of not be able to walk one more step is upon you, yes indeed, there is just and valid reason why this 'package' has the title of 'pilgrimage trail' attached to it. I laugh out loud at my stupidity that something of such wonder can not be found at the end of a convenient tube/train stop or that we cannot be 'herded' there, as to some 'blue lagoon' where every current blockbuster or latest Pit Bull music video has been shot.

My concern falls to my ankles which on the rare occasion that the look like they belong to me, I realise the blister has burst and that with it, my will to consider walking one more step, it is at this point, I hear the humming of exclamations, fervour intakes of breath and the rising silence of utter breathtaking brain freeze, they she lies, the gently parting of the remaining foliage, whipping wildly at our feet, one last scramble to he guided edge of the trail, our trek leader, steps back, giving us the time 'we need' to be alone, to absorb this vista, suddenly, everything has fallen silent, silent in reverence, and for good reason.

I breathe in.. the clouds are beginning to part, the Sun hits my weary body I care less about the blister/s or the fact that my hair could be sold to science, now, I mean really now, OMG there it is, I can make out the path, the Incan Citadel, my heart starts to pump even louder as we head toward the path of the sleeper stone, and then..The Temple Of The Sun.

Stay with me, the journey get's even better..

Parker-John