The first night in Lima we celebrated escaping the Hare Krishna village by going out drinking with fellow volunteers. The tasty pisco sours helped the conversation flow well into the night. The area we stayed in Lima was a lovely surprise. The horror stories we heard about the city were not evident. We were next to the beach surrounded by appealingly crumbly mansions. However, our first time back in a dorm since Brasil was a shock for the system.

On day one at our second eco-village we knew it was not for us. We both felt Eco-Truly was a facade of sustainability. Unused eco-technologies were kept in glass cabinets to show to visitors. The organic vegetables produced were sold and cheap ones bought in for the villages to eat. Those staying there seemed to care little for the environment but a lot about Hare Krishna. We both felt cheated as it was described in a deceiving way.

To celebrate Jim’s birthday he ate an innocent Guinea pig…

To celebrate surviving the Inka Trail we got suitably drunk which is surprisingly easy at high altitude. We were the rowdy enemy of everyone on the train back from Machu Picchu as they tried to sleep. We also had a night out in Cusco with the lovely people from our group. We found a fun locals club, we were the only gringos and danced until the early hours of the morning.

When we signed up to the Inka Trail we had wronging assumed it would be easy. It took four days and three nights and proved to be challenging enough to be for filling. Hot rainy days soaked our ponchos inside and out. The views were spectacular as we walked through tree covered ancient paths. At points we were so high up it felt like we were in the clouds. Due to altitude the hush assents of dead woman’s path were easier for those who do little exercise (like me.

Cusco is filled with people trying to sell you something. We were overwhelmed by the amount of people approaching us. We quickly learnt the areas and eyes to avoid. We arrived in this cold but sunny city just in time for carnival. Parades happened in the street with costumes and dancing. Locals and tourists battled with foam and water balloons. Everyone was smiling rather then the humourless repeated attacks that happened in Bolivia.