Trifter

                As a child, I always wanted to go on an exciting adventure.  When my father and I heard about a hike in the mountains of Peru, we could not pass up the opportunity.  We started researching the trip by questioning people who had recently returned from the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.  The more information we gathered, the more my excitement grew.  I knew then the hike would be a difficult learning experience.  I felt, afraid, but ready.

                We flew into Cusco originally to help our bodies adjust to the dramatic change in altitude.  Early morning on the third day, a bus picked our group up to take us to the base of the Andes Mountains.  At the moment of arrival, I gazed up at the mountains where we were to begin our hike.  The size of the mountains and what you could see of the trail overwhelmed me.  Everything seemed so surreal in this strange new place.  Although accompanied with twelve porters and a tour guide, I remained nervous about what to expect later on in the trip. 

                Our guide began the hike by explaining the struggle between the Incas and the Spaniards.  The Spaniards tried to take control of the Incas, and their main defense was to make the trail difficult for travel.  The only way to reach the top of the mountain is by foot. 

                The porters quickly took off with our bags, tents, and cooking supplies to prepare our first campsite.  It was a slow start.  After the first hour I began to feel out of breath because my body had not fully adjusted to the altitude.  My ankles swelled and my legs stiffened, but I kept moving hoping it would get better.  Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, I could see our campsite.

                The second and third days were to be both grueling as well as exciting.  It was dawn on day two, and I was already exhausted.  I started walking toward the 15,000 rocky steps that we were about to climb.  My competitive nature had kicked into full gear.  I would be the first to reach the top, no matter how much my body ached.  As I trudged up the steps, I constantly had to assure myself I could make it all the way to the top.  The steps that once protected the Incas from intruders would be the most difficult part of the hike.  After finally reaching the top, I was impressed with myself.  With the hardest part of the journey completed, we entered the rainforest.

                The beautiful scenery of the jungle surrounded us.  As we went further, we could see over the canopy.  The view was incredible, and our group now set up camp a mere two-hour hike away from Machu Picchu.

                It was the evening before we would reach our final destination, and I could not sleep.  I decided to go for a short walk, where I accidentally dropped my flashlight over the cliff.  I knew I would be paying for this mistake dearly, for the last portion of the hike would be in darkness.  It was now four in the morning, we would be reaching Machu Picchu at sunrise.  The hike in the dark was petrifying, for the pat was only five feet across with nothing on the side to prevent falling.  I stuck close to my father and the guide, trying to use the lights they had to see where I was going. 

                At sunrise, we arrived at the gates of Machu Picchu.  I could not believe that the Incas had created such a marvelous place.  Clearly ahead of its time, the city had running water that still flows to this day.  There were hundreds of small houses built out of huge granite blocks. I wondered how they possibly could have built all of these structures.  Across the way were men still unearthing more of this great city, and I hoped that years from now I would return to see how large the city really was.

                As long as I live, I will never forget the trip to Machu Picchu.  I left the journey with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that I had accomplished something so few are willing to experience.  It was difficult putting my body and mind to such a test, but I made it.  I learned so many things about a culture so different from our own.  I had my adventure, and I hope to have many more just as amazing.