Bearfort Mountain

[nycmermaid]

I didn't take any pictures from the hike today, though in the morning it was very beautiful. It wasn't even that difficult for most of the day. After lunch we had to navigate a lot of rocks and streams and ponds, and I always get slow when it comes to tedious stuff like that. Of course everyone else confidently bounds over the boulders and slippery logs while I slowly lag further and further behind. The hike leader (Igor) told me I need to work on my confidence and learn to trust my feet more. It was truly embarrassing how far behind I got. At around 1, toward the end of the hike, the rain started coming down. The last part of the hike involved walking along a road. It was just a regular paved road and even then the 2 people who had waited for me zoomed on ahead, leaving me walking along on a sore knee, getting soaked in the rain, singing whatever songs I could think of to keep my spirits up. It's hard walking in the rain when you have no idea how much farther it is to the van, and everyone else is walking faster than you. And yeah, my right knee is sore. I really hope I just came down on it funny and that it isn't the beginning of a chronic knee problem. My left hip hurts too. That pain had mostly gone away up until a couple weeks ago. Maybe all the consecutive days on the Stairmaster weren't so good for it.

Three other girls on the hike today are also going to Machu Picchu, though apparently they are taking a different trail than I am (I was never given an option; who knows). We talked to Igor some about the trip and I asked him what he wished he had known the first time he went. He told me not to stress out this week. He said people who are stressed before the trip are more likely to get sick. Well then I guess I'm taking it easy the next 5 days.

For all the preparation I've done, I still feel like I have no idea what I'm walking into with this trip. It will be the biggest adventure I have ever undertaken. I am going to a place where I will not speak the language, where the water can make me sick, and where there is a fraction of the oxygen that I am used to breathing. And in the midst of that I'll be hiking and camping for 4 days straight. Am I crazy?

Comments

[ravyndamaurot.livejournal.com]

Crazy? Maybe a little... but in the most fabulous possible way. i am so excited for you and also very jealous. The making time for adventures is something i have... it seems i have lost the ability to do. Or time attention to do - there is so much Stuff in my life as is right now. And it's all important, but at the same time it's also all just... stuff.


Meh. Anyway. You rock. i am proud of you and envious and totally looking forward to the stories and pictures to come.

[abitunlikely.livejournal.com]

You should listen to him. Don't worry what everyone else is doing; don't compare yourself. You're you and you rock and you'll go at your own pace and you'll do great. Don't let it affect your confidence and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. You're going to have a time you'll never forget, and you know so many people (me included) who aren't nearly brave enough to attempt something like this!

[sarahsez00.livejournal.com]

You might be a bit crazy, but in an amazingly adventurous way! The things most worth doing are the ones that scare us a bit and take us out of our comfort zones. Most people aren't brave enough to seize opportunities like this, so you're already a step ahead. And no matter what happens, you're doing something you can be proud of!

[cynima.livejournal.com]

Take care of yourself, be prepared, and just enjoy yourself as much as you possibly can. This is one of those things you'll be telling your grandchildren about. And yes, there WILL be grandchildren!

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

Hello. Spotted your journal over in cookie-chef's journal I think. I have no idea if you're crazy or not but if you're going to Machu Picchu, I'm going to be lurking in your journal to follow along if it's ok with you.

[webmd.livejournal.com]

That's cool! I don't know if I'll be posting at all while I'm there, but when I'm back I hope to have lots of stories and photos.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

I'll be looking forward to it. Thanks for adding back.