pamelonian

This is a trip I have been wanting to do for years. Three years ago, I had it all planned out, where I wanted to go, how I would get there. I decided to spend the money on college hours instead to increase my paycheck. I don't regret that decision since now the school district is no longer paying people more to get college hours. Two years ago the opportunity to participate in the Japan World Taigi Competition came up and Peru plans were again put on hold. Last year, I moved into my house, and that took care of any extra money I might have had for travel.

Fooling around on the internet, I found a GAP tour that had my EXACT same itinerary that I had planned two years ago. Hike into Colca Canyon to see the condors, fly over the Nazca lines, and finally hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The trip is full-on adventure, and it will require me to get into shape for 8-hour trekking at over 10,000 feet. One thing I have learned about myself is that I am a sea-level dweller, a flatlander. I don't do well at high altitudes. I will need all the help I can get acclimating.

I am usually all about doing it all myself. The idea of joining an arranged tour takes a bit away from the experience of immersing myself into a new culture. The advantage of group travel is that all the arrangements are taken care of and all I need to do is show up. Usually the group is composed of interesting people from all over the world, like Europe and the UK. I am totally leaning toward the group experience. In fact, I came pretty close to booking it tonight, but I never jump at the first chance. I need to ruminate a bit. I can always arrange to show up in the country a few days early or stay later if I really want the cultural immersion experience. I totally need to put my Spanish back to good use. Sure, I use it every day teaching it, but it is not the same as using it for survival and navigation in a foreign country.