Beyond Words: Machu Picchu

I love the writing process and creating the perfect flow to my stories. But sometimes words get in the way; they hinder rather than help. The otherworldly vibrancy of an unrestrained forest, the genuine sweetness of a friend’s smile, or the sheer magnificence of an ancient temple cannot be captured in letters. These moments are Beyond Words. I attempt to share such experiences in photos and videos. Enjoy!

Here are some statistics from my trek:

Duration: 4 days/3 nights

Distance: 48 kilometers (30 miles), not including exploring Machu Picchu

Highest altitude: 4,200 meters (13,776 feet)

Greatest ascent: On Day 2, we started at 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) and peaked at 4,200 meters (13,776 feet).

Legacy left on the Inca Trail: One of our porters was a shaman and he performed a ceremony during the trek. He blessed us with cocoa leaves and then gave them back to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Now we will always be a part of the Inca Trail.

The company I used was SAS Travel, and they are amazing! It was the most expensive activity of my trip, but worth it – it is an unforgettable experience. Remember to book about six months in advance. The government only allows a certain number of people of the Inca Trail so reservations fill up quickly. Please send any questions my way or check out SAS Travel’s website.

Five Months In and Machu Picchu

It was pouring rain and miserable on the last morning of our trek. We had woken up at 3 am to begin the last six hours of our hike into Machu Picchu. The night before, I had developed a slight sore throat and cough. Three hours in to the morning’s ascent, coughing brought tears to my eyes and deep breathing was unbearable. Slowly, members of my group passed me until I was the last person. Feeling sick and defeated, I rounded a corner on the trail and made a dead stop. Before me was my first view of Machu Picchu – my goal, my dream, and now my current reality. Without a conscious thought, my tears of pain became free-flowing tears of joy.

In that moment, I realized this is why I had come. I had just proven to myself that I could do it. I had kept a promise to myself that I had made at the age of ten, a promise that I kept making to myself over the years even when others doubted me. Especially when others doubted me and maintaining my faith became work. I had begun my trip a completely different person. Definitely a person that could not have physically and mentally handled this trek. In that moment, alone on that ancient trail, I saw I was no longer that person. I had made it.

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Just chillin' at Machu Picchu. I am totally prepared for the downpour that is about to happen.

Real talk: I barely even remember Machu Picchu. Within 30 minutes of my first glimpse, the fog rolled in and blocked much of the view. Within two hours, it was POURING rain. Enough rain to dissuade all but four of us from actually touring Machu Picchu. Also, I quickly found out that my rain jacket was not at water resistant as I had thought. Already sick, I was miserable – freezing cold, craving a shower and a real bed, unable to see or hear the tour because the rain was falling so hard. Of course I was disappointed, but nothing will ever take away the power of those four days and the moment when I first saw Machu Picchu. That moment will always be tangible to me. It is an instant in which I saw the transformation that had taken place in the past five months. To date, it is my greatest achievement and proudest moment.

I do not think I can ever stress enough that I was nowhere near ready for this trek when I departed from San Francisco in February. I was shy and uncomfortable and had no idea what I was doing. It would take me two days to open my mouth to speak to others in my hostel. I was twenty-five pounds heavier and could not climb a hill without getting winded. I did not know how to push myself past physical and emotional comfort. I hated hiking. What had I gotten myself into?

My trek was the antithesis of my original struggles. First of all, my fellow trekkers made this hike an amazing experience. We gathered as people from all walks, at different points in our lives, and we enjoyed the heck out of each other. Each day was spent laughing, sharing stories, playing games, and teasing each other. We became a family on that trail, bonded by the trek and our enthusiasm. Second, I loved the mental and physical challenges of this hike. I loved being in nature, the silence of the woods, switching between the solitude of my thoughts or a conversation with a hiking buddy, the incredible scenery, the rhythm of my steps and hiking poles, encouraging myself during the difficult sections. This trek introduced me to a passion for the outdoors and hiking. Lastly, l lost my self-doubt. This experience is not for the feint of faith – I was not allowed to doubt my abilities or my strength or my perseverance. It was liberating to know the only solution was to keep going.

Looking back, my trek to Machu Picchu were the pinnacle of the first leg of my journey. I did not realize the extent to which this last adventure would provide the lesson that I needed most before returning home – I can handle this. On this trip, I found a strength that I did not know I possessed. I made my dreams into my reality. I impressed myself by pushing past my perceived limits. It was the most enlightening five months of my life thus far.

Now, back to my city by the Bay. Back to four months of family, friends, work, and familiarity!

Beyond Words: Peru

I love the writing process and creating the perfect flow to my stories. But sometimes words get in the way; they hinder rather than help. The otherworldly vibrancy of an unrestrained forest, the genuine sweetness of a friend’s smile, or the sheer magnificence of an ancient temple cannot be captured in letters. These moments are Beyond Words. I attempt to share such experiences in photos and videos. Enjoy!

Peru was incredible! Though I was sick for half of the month, I packed in enough adventure and beauty and experiences while I was well to make it an unforgettable time. 

Peru

Peru was the final country during the first leg of my journey. Here, I had the highest high of my five months (trekking to and exploring Machu Picchu) and the lowest low (being sick for two weeks).

At the beginning of the month, my parents and I met in Lima. We spent a few wonderful days catching up, eating amazing food, and relaxing before we split off to begin our respective tours of Peru. I began my week and a half journey from Lima to Cusco on Peru Hop, a tour bus company that was created by backpackers for backpackers. The visits about seven different cities of interest in Peru, and I could spend as many days as I wanted in each city and then join the bus for the next leg at my own discretion. Though the pace was a grind compared to my preferred speed, I loved this option. I saw so much of Peru, met tons of awesome backpackers, had some unforgettable experiences, and really enjoyed myself.

So what did I do during my Peru Hop adventures? I visited the “Poor Man’s Galapagos” where I saw seals, penguins, and dolphins. Spent an afternoon zooming over sand dunes, boarding down them, and going hoarse from screaming and cheering. We toured a former hacienda and its claustrophobic underground slave quarters. Learned about and tasted Peruvian pisco and wines. I did an overnight tour of the Colca Canyon that featured jaw-dropping scenery, llama photo opts, delicious alpaca and guinea pig dishes, traditional music and dance performances, and an afternoon watching the condors soar throughout the canyon. A trip to Lake Titicaca to experience the floating islands and the different cultures that live on the Peru-side of the lake. The tour ended with the long bus drive to Cusco.

Unfortunately, the pace, altitude, and a stomach bug all caught up with me once I got to Cusco. Thank goodness I had nine days in Cusco before my Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. In Cusco, I was sick in bed for a solid week and could barely explore this beautiful city. On the last day of my trek, I caught a chest cold and ended up being sick for the remaining five days that I had in Peru before my flight to the States.

Though half of my month was spent in bed, I loved the beauty and rich culture of this desert country. Also I completed my greatest challenge and was rewarded with an afternoon in Machu Picchu (more about that in my Month 5 post). Altogether, Peru was the perfect adventure before returning home.

Beyond Words: Colombia

I love the writing process and creating the perfect flow to my stories. But sometimes words get in the way; they hinder rather than help. The otherworldly vibrancy of an unrestrained forest, the genuine sweetness of a friend’s smile, or the sheer magnificence of an ancient temple cannot be captured in letters. These moments are Beyond Words. I attempt to share such experiences in photos and videos. Enjoy!

I loved my time in Colombia! 'Nuff said.

Minca

Touring Medellin

Hiking Valle de Cocora

Found some salsa-dancing kindred spirits in Cali

Bogota

Colombia

Colombia has a fascinating but violent history. Yet every traveler that I have met that has spent time there can only rave about this country. I am now one of those travelers. Full disclosure: I knew of a person getting robbed in each Colombian city that I visited. Upon arriving in Cali, two different individuals tried to con me out of money within a ten-minute period. But I never felt that I was in danger. Most incidents were a simple pick pocketing that could have been avoided if the traveler had been more aware and street smart. Do not let that stop you from experiencing Colombia. This beautiful and vibrant country entranced and entertained me. I would return without hesitation.

With that, here are the places that I visited in Colombia:

Cartegena – I arrived here by sail boat. Unfortunately, it took me a week to recover from my sea voyage so I did not experience Cartegena as much as I would have liked. Still, I stayed in the Old City. It was a historic and bustling area that had an array of restaurants and bars. The buildings were colorful and striking. I would have loved having my land legs back and explored this city more.

Santa Marta – The reason most people go to Santa Marta is to visit Tyrona National Park. That was my initial intention but I was still recovering and could not muster up the energy to hike in the blazing sun. Per the advice of fellow travelers, I should have moved on and stayed at the beach hostels that are right next to the park. Still, I spent an afternoon sunning and splashing at the beach and did a day trip to Minca. The beach was worth the trip, but I could have skipped Minca. There are better coffee farms and forests to explore in Salento.

Medellin – Oh my goodness, I LOVED Medellin! It is a fantastic party city that has something for every type of traveler. I went to a soccer match and sat in the stands with raucous cheering locals. I did the exceptional FREE walking tour, which went to the popular as well as the gritty areas of the city. As Medellin is located on a valley floor, I took the cable car to the top of the valley one evening to appreciate the view while a lightening storm flashed in the background. I did an exotic fruit tour and tasted over 15 types of fruits, which vastly enhanced my future grocery trips. After all this, there was still more to experience but I had to move on to my next destination.

Salento – This quiet relaxed town was an unexpected delight. It is located in the coffee region of Colombia, and this is the place to visit to relax in picturesque scenery. Ideally, I would have stayed longer than my two short days. Ironically, I came to Salento to visit a coffee finca and did everything else but that. My hostel was cozy and the travelers that I met there were open and welcoming. I hiked the Valle de Cocora, which was fun, challenging, and had amazing photo ops as I walked down through a valley full of wax palms. The locals were nice and the downtown plaza was lively with small town activities such as a nightly open-air market.

Cali – I went to Cali to dance! It is the salsa capital of the world and a common place for travelers to get stuck. I was going to stay a week but ended up staying for two. 

But Cali was so much more than dancing. It was a community of great friends and travelers, days filled with dance lessons and yoga classes, cooking three healthy meals a day, napping in hammocks, going to local salsa clubs each night, and finding a new street to explore when feeling restless. I feel in love with Cali and did not want to leave.

Bogota - During my travels, capital cities have not been impressive. They are crowded, noisy, dangerous, and boring. Boy, did I underestimate Bogota. There is so much to do in this city! I found treasures at the best flea market I have ever wandered through, visited the (free!!) Bottero museum, had delicious meals, and walked around the city just enjoying the views. If I had had more time, I would have visited the Gold and the Modern Art museums, taken the cable car or hiked to the top of the ridge overlooking the city, ne back to the flea market, taken the graffiti tour, and so much more. My one piece of advice is to travel Bogota in a group. My friends and I were constantly harassed for money and I would have felt unsafe had I been confronted alone.

So there you have it, my review of Colombia! Looking back, Colombia was one of the best times of my trip and I am forever grateful for this amazing country. 

Four Months In

Month Four has come and gone! What a fabulous month it was! I spent my time traveling around Colombia and loved every minute of it.

Month Four is the month in which I finally found my rhythm. I fully enjoyed each and every day – even the few that I spent in bed, swaying and trying to get used to land again. The main struggles that I had at the beginning of my trip – feeling alone, stressing when moving from one city to the next, making friends, not knowing what to do with my time – are gone. The prospect of moving on to a new city and meeting new travelers and having new adventures excites me. My friendships are easier to form and stronger in a shorter amount of time. Maybe it is a new comfort with traveling. Maybe it is a new comfort with myself. Whatever it is, I like it!

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At the end of my fourth month, I had a taste of home as my parents and I reunited in Lima, Peru for a few days. Our reunion was a sort of barometer for the changes that have occurred within myself during my travels. The most outstanding difference is that I have found a comfort with myself that I have never experienced before and for which I have yearned. It is calming and freeing. It is a RELIEF!

And with this relief comes the fear. Of course, right? Fear and worry. I fear that these changes are situational. I worry that part of my temporary transition into the real world of work and the Bay Area and “normal life” will also include a rebound to my former stress and impatience and insecurities. I fear that I lose the balance that I have fought so hard to attain.

While on the sailboat from Panama to Colombia, a group of us were talking about adapting to life on the road. Musing aloud and without much thought, I said, “I wonder what it is going to be like to be to fit back into my life.” One of the other travelers remarked, “Isn’t it ironic that you are wondering how you will ‘fit back” into your life? It’s your life but you have to learn how to fit it.” I slowly nodded and so did the others as we realized this struck a chord with us all. How DO we go back to our lives after traveling?

The fact is that I am finally good at this backpacking thing. I am enjoying every day, whether it is a good or bad day. I am grateful for every opportunity and saying “yes” much more often than “no.” My head is clear, my heart is balanced, and my muscles are stronger. Basically, life is good on the road. But my life on the road is temporary. Before my trip, I was stressed, lost, not present, and unhealthy. I was happy but it was fleeting and based on the situation or the moment. I now know that that is not life. That is survival.

Don’t get me wrong - I am beyond excited to return to the Bay! I want to hug my friends and family, to have conversations and share a glass of wine with those I love most, to tickle my nephew and hear his newest words, to return to a job that both challenges and rewards me. If there is one thing I have learned during my travels, it is that fear and worry are a waste of time and energy. So this confession is all the recognition I am going to give to my fear. Rather, I am going to enjoy the heck out of my time at home; celebrating the bright times and breathing through the trying ones. I will hold myself accountable to the lessons learned thus far: gratefulness, openness, understanding, and being present. Though I will not be traveling, the journey still continues, and for that, I am thankful and ready.

Beyond Words: Sailing from Panama to Colombia

I love the writing process and creating the perfect flow to my stories. But sometimes words get in the way or they are not enough or they are too much. So I share some experiences visually via photos and videos. Certain moments, like the otherworldly vibrancy of an unconstrained forest, the genuine sweetness of a friend’s smile, or the sheer magnificence of an ancient temple, cannot be captured in letters. These moments are Beyond Words. Enjoy!

Exploring the San Blas islands via sailboat will always be a treasured experience. For a few days, I was able to hang out in a bathing suit and jump in the water when I wanted and play and discover and be amazed at the beauty the world has to offer. I met people from all over the world who shared their lives with me and listened to my tales. Even now, the difficult times seem hazy and dull. But I can still feel the current carrying my body over the reef as a calmness filled my body and my eyes spied sights I had never seen before. I recall laughing at word games and travel story swaps around the dinner table. The sun, the sand, the water - I feel it all. That is what I take with me and remember most of my time on the boat.

My First Sailboat Adventure

The itinerary for our sailing trip from Panama to Colombia was as follows: we were to sail from our starting port for 12 hours to reach the San Blas islands. For the next three days, we would dock near these incredible islands so that we could swim, snorkel, explore, sun bathe, and just enjoy the beauty of this paradise. Each day, we would sail an hour or two to a new island and would stay there overnight and move to the next island in the morning. Then we were to sail continuously for 50 hours from the islands to our destination port in Cartagena, Colombia. Things did not go as planned as we ended up having 60 straight hours of sailing which turned our 5-day sailing trip into 6 days.

By far, this was the best and worst parts of my trip thus far combined into one adventure. The best part was the San Blas islands. Seriously, I was living in a postcard for those three days. I could not believe how beautiful these islands are, and it just got better once you got in the water. Having never snorkeled, I was nervous. We knew there were sharks near the reefs and I have a slight fear/phobia regarding sharks. But once I got used to the snorkel gear, I found the activity relaxing and magical! We visited three reefs, and each reef was more indescribable than the one before. It was a whole other world that I had never experienced! At the last reef, I did not take my camera so that I could just enjoy my time. It was 20 feet down of just coral wall and brightly colored fish and eagle rays. We swam around for about 2 hours. It was the most calming and exciting adventure yet! Besides the snorkeling, I was traveling with awesome people – two of my closest travel buddies and then some new friends. We had so much fun together and definitely pulled each other through the tough parts. And finally, I had a tan for the first time in years! Apparently, when my skin feels sun, it instantly tans. I was wearing the strongest sunscreen we could find, spent the least amount of time in the sun, and still got the darkest (thanks for your genes, Paps!). For those three days, I fully enjoyed paradise!

The worst part: 60 straight hours of seasickness – I mean, sailing. Hands down, the sailing bit was the worst part of my trip. I was either laying down or sleeping or sitting and breathing deeply; all to avoid nausea and vomiting. The ship was at a dramatic angle the entire time so I was half falling over whenever I was trying to move about the boat. Plus, three days of no showers combined with my constant nausea, a loss of appetite, and a wave drenching my bed on the last night led to me feeling to most uncomfortable and disgusting I have ever felt in my life. Let me tell you, we were all quite a site when we got off that boat.

Nonetheless, I pulled through that part and had one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. I overcame several fears and idiosyncrasies that I had and am proud of the way that I handled those situations. I ended up moving past them and discovering a new passion. Due to my thorough enjoyment and comfort with snorkeling, I plan to get my scuba diving certificate when I travel to Thailand in the fall. This is something I would not have considered pursuing prior to my sailboat journey. Therefore, do I regret sailing from Panama to Colombia? No way! Would I do it again? You could not pay me enough. Will I visit just the San Blas islands next time? Absolutely! I will meet you at the reef!

Beyond Words: Panama City

I love the writing process and creating the perfect flow to my stories. But sometimes words get in the way or they are not enough or they are too much. So I share some experiences visually via photos and videos. Certain moments, like the otherworldly vibrancy of an unconstrained forest, the genuine sweetness of a friend’s smile, or the sheer magnificence of an ancient temple, cannot be captured in letters. These moments are Beyond Words. Enjoy!

Panama City was a wonderful respite from the backpacker lifestyle. Though I visited the historic Panama Canal and stayed in the gorgeous Casco Viejo, the week was a much desired dose of Western modernity before continuing on my travels. I was able to re-stock on quality running shoes and bathing suits that will last me the rest of my trip. The Internet was the best quality that I have encountered on the road. At the local coffee shop, soy AND almond milk were offered (I had an iced latte with almond milk every day – a true luxury!). I reunited with friends that I had met throughout my trip. We watched the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight at the Hard Rock. All this while my friends and I organized and prepared for our sail boat adventure from Panama to Colombia. It was fun, relaxing, stimulating, and exactly what I needed!