I arrived in Cusco on the 6th of May and was excited about the prospect of some partying as it had been a fairly quiet month. We were staying in The Wild Rover which has quite a reputation. On our first night we put it to the test...
There was glitter; dancing on the bar; nurses hats; random banter; pints of rum and coke; lots of smiling and laughing...and rather a lot of missing memory. I remember buzzing around the bar talking to many different people - Rhian confirmed this and the great big grin on my face...I'm just not sure how I ended up in the right dorm but the wrong bed. The only reason I found out was because the correct owner of the bunk arrived back at 7am..at first I denied everything, but it quickly became apparent that she was right and I was indeed in her bed. I quickly apologised and snuck into my own for a few more hours kip. Luckily Rhian also had some significant gaps so that made me feel considerably better.
Saturday was a fairly non day apart from a massage in the afternoon - one of my favourite hangover cures. Although I did get a little concerned whilst waiting for my massage when an American gent was being fairly vocal about how much he was enjoying his massage - had I stumbled into a den of ill repute? Luckily no, he was just a twat! Hahahahahaha!
On Sunday there was a big 'Killer' pool tournament - I declined entry, but did get chatting to a lovely couple called Joanne and Matt. We were having a splendid time and being marginally foolish. Matt won the tournament and therefore we had to dance on the bar to celebrate! After that we decided the casino was also a marvellous plan..Joanne declined, but Matt and I were all for it. (I've never been into a casino in my life, and still haven't as we were declined entry because we were too drunk - even after I tried to explain in my best Spanish!!).
"Where now?" I enquired.
"To Mama Afrika's," replied Matt.
After that it all becomes a bit blurry again...I know there was dancing though, lots of dancing. And Matt wearing my hat.
Monday was a strange day...I really wasn't happy about two nights with so much missing memory. I was also feeling kind of down as I knew I would be going in a separate direction from Rhian and Simon the next day. It was a vulnerable and fragile day, for different reasons. I decided an early night was the best plan of attack as I was heading to Aguas Calientes the next day and would be hitting Macchu Picchu on Wednesday.
Unfortunately an early night was impossible with the noise from the bar; the noise from two of my room mates who kept coming in and out of the room in various stages of intoxication and the noise from my brain over thinking.
The journey to Ollyantambo was spent mostly asleep; as was the train trip to Aguas Calientes to be honest. The train runs through a beautiful valley, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes we were met by a guy from our hostel (there were a few of us who had taken the trip from Cusco). After being shown my room I went wandering and later bumped into the others and spent some more time wandering with them.
We were met by a guide later that night in the hostel and advised to get up and leave the hostel by 3am in order to get on the first bus to Macchu Picchu - this would mean we would be able to be one of the four hundred who are able to get tickets to climb Huayna Picchu. However, our hostel told us they would get breakfast ready for 3am - this seemed reasonable (as reasonable as getting up at that hour in the morning can be!). By this point it was about 8pm and I retired, once more hoping for an early night...
But, no...across the street from my room they were refurbishing a shop - this went on all night. I finally got to sleep after midnight and only slept for two to three hours. Regardless of this fact, I was still one of the first to breakfast.
The two hour wait at the bus station for the first bus at 5.30am was tedious and I got a very numb bum. Sleeping for about twenty minutes on the actual bus did not make up for it. We arrived at about 6am...our guide wasn't due until 7.45am. The others went off wandering around the site but I didn't want to do that as I knew I'd pay no attention to the guide if I'd already looked around - I know what I'm like.
I spotted some folks I recognised from Friday night - they confirmed that I had been highly entertaining...when they went on their way I found a quiet spot and waited for the sun. It was perfect, I watched the sun coming over the mountain tops and slowly lighting up the whole site. Just beautiful!
I had this lovely spot to myself for some time - until tour groups started arriving with guides pointing out the incredible view. I was glad to have had my own tranquil meditation with Macchu Picchu.
The guided tour was much as I expected, at times interesting and at times a little dull. The site is incredible though and it was definitely worth going. Unfortunately though, my fear of heights kicked in a couple of times walking around, so I decided there was no way I would cope with the climb up Huayna Picchu - just looking at it made me feel sick!
Lack of sleep sometimes made it difficult to pay attention and at one point I almost fell asleep on my feet! Snacks purchased in Aguas Calientes helped me to stay awake. When the tour finished, I spent some more time wandering on my own and got back to Aguas Calientes by lunchtime. The afternoon was spent mostly eating or reading 'The Motorcycle Diaries', which I found in a bookshop there.
I finally got back to Cusco at about 11pm - it probably would have been wise to go to bed. However I grabbed a shower and joined the party!
Another marvellous night ensued - one which I actually remember - hurray! More bar dancing in several different locations; cartwheels on the street; running round different streets to beat the others back to the hostel; boys play fighting; post beer burgers - I ate Matt's, oops! He forgave me though and wouldn't take any money.
Thursday - by the time I got up, Matt and some of the staff were already on the shots (and it was only midday!). The afternoon progressed into a loving jamming session - with Shaun (who I jammed with in Santiago), myself and Rowan (bar staff). It was a really lovely and chilled afternoon - perfect after a ridiculous night! Or it was, until someone said something particularly nasty to me.
The nastiness may have come from a kind of jealousy, or a nose being put out of joint, but it was unnecessary and unkind. It also made me make the decision to leave Cusco the next day and follow Matt and Joanne to Lima, I wanted to be around good people. I also decided that from Lima I would head on to Huanchaco to catch up with Ursula.
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