Hanan Pacha, Kay Pacha, Uku Pacha... PERU

The Incas were not fools. Well, THE Inca [Enqa (illuminated being), to be proper], ´cause, different to the knowledge spread by the Spaniards who intended to once settle here, the Inca was just one, the "king", no one else. The rest were Quechuas (Qechuas, to be proper), and so they called themselves.

So, the Inca was not a fool. Nowadays, millions of euros would be paid in order to be able to open your eyes and get overwhelmed with those glorious views every morning,  day after day. I have never felt anything like that anywhere else in the world. In fact, I even thought that I was already used to amazing landscapes. It´s been a few that I have seen without batting an eyelid. However, one can chew the energy here, like it or not. Those mountains trap you, wrap you and me, they flood me with an energy that lifts me, it fills me up. Call me crazy and exaggerated but that´s exactly what I´ve felt here. 

There is no doubt that the city of Machu Picchu is impressive. Specially, when you arrive up there exhausted and craving for oxygen due to the height, after having climbed those "little stairs" up to the top. You see the dimension of the place and wonder: "How the hell did these half-a-metre-tall Incas manage to build all this up here?!" Unbelievable. And, nevertheless, the bunches of tourists that cover it like ants are so many, that the magic out of that first impression vanishes in a fingers snap.

Nope, the city of Machu Picchu did not engage me, to be honest. But what did stroke me deep in the heart were those magnificent mountains that surround it. Most of the time I was there, (and it was quite a few hours), I spent it sitting facing the mountains on one side and the other. Letting that dense energy wrap me. Indescribable. Without any doubt, my number one.

I have not seen much more of Peru. Cusco, a bit of its surroundings, a bit around Machu Picchu and, of course, Machu Picchu. Little time but many people, fantastic experiences and a lot taken on board. 

I have "re-learnt" that fear does not exist out of my head, but I let it limit me and I hyper-protect myself. Yes, exactly so, just like my own mum would, preventing her little girl from having a bad time.

I set off in a 5-day trekking (well, 4 in the end, thanks God or the the divine Universe. Right, Alistair? ;) ) going up to 4650 meters high, on the way to Machu Picchu. That was after 4 days in Cusco, unconsciously suffering from altitude sickness, with diarrhoea and out of breath just walking around the city. I felt like a little piece of shit (never better said), feeble. Going trekking without any training, my knee, not being prepared for the cold weather we were definitely going to suffer, the altitude, my weakness,... in short, everything worried me.

I was this far (and I mean, absurdly close) from cancelling the trip, faking a sudden, serious ailment and asking for a refund. In my mind, an amazing outburst of excuses. Fortunately, my "irrational" and passive side kept repeating: "You have already paid, my dear, so deal with it!". And a shy little voice: "I think that... yes, you can..." So, inertia packed my fears in my backpack and there we went, only to confirm that, yes, it was hard; but so far from what I had foreseen. And YES, I CAN. Every sigh was well worth it like any other before.

It is true that, in the end, I got so motivated with my physical power that my limits may have dissipated a bit too much. I still do not master the "neither too much, nor too little" thing... never mind, one cannot learn everything in a go. That way, there´s still something in the things-to-learn suitcase and I come back soon, cause, yes, I´LL BE BACK!

Kokopelli Hostel. Cusco, Peru.

Experience... Colombia

I`ve left Colombia without seing much, to be honest. A pity, ´cause it is a paradise country for the traveller. From the Caribean to the Amazon. Sea, mountains, jungle, culture, coffee, music, a lot of "rumba" (party), a lot of life. 

My trip through Colombia hasn´t mustered so many places to remember as has experiences. Experiences that have proved me that the best thing to do is letting oneself flow in life and trust it. Life takes you where it has to take you and crosses your path with that of the people you have to meet, right when you have to meet them. I know it seems just like another New Age clichè but the more I live, the more real it becomes in my life.
My trip through Colombia has not stopped reminding me that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. When I think about it all, I can´t help but being astonished. It is clear to me that this country was unavoidable in my Latin-American trip.

I must admit that before coming here, I was a "tiny" bit scared. Will I be robed? Hijacked? Will I leave the country safe and sound with my backpack still on my shoulders? No other country has generated so many: "Ana, take care, you`re travelling on your own!". I got tired of so much "be careful" and of so many fears hosted in so many heads. I am, by default, cautious and suspicious, a bit too much many times. It has pissed me off having to fight against others´ fears not to let them limit my experience. Well, I´ve not been hijacked, I have left with the same backpack on my shoulders and have not been robed (ok, almost, hehe).
It is true that I have met people who have been robed and even armed-robed but I´ve also met people who have been robed in Spain or Australia and that doesn´t put anyone off when thinking of travelling to these countries.

Is Colombia more dangerous than Spain? Yes, for sure, but it also depends on where you go and how coutiousless you move yourself around. One does the harm, and another bears the blame. The Colombian people I have bumped into have always been terribly welcoming and willing to help, simply charming. Party and happiness is in the air in an amazing country, to my surprise. And also a country through which travelling becomes easy. Here, I´m coming back for sure!

It has been short but intense. I take with me many things I´ve learnt and many others still to learn. But the best part is those people I´ve met here and whom I know I will keep on enriching myself with. In four words, Colombia has been awesome.