Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
My trip to Peru was really incredible in every way. It’s shocking how much things change in ten years! Or rather, eleven years. For this post, I went back thus far to revisit one of the trips where I walked the most. Those shoes were really put to good use. In one of the days I walked as much as 40 km (25 miles), no kidding. In another day, I went up to the worldly famous mountain Waynapicchu. It’s affectionately known as the Stairs of Death. Only when you pass through them you understand why.
Cusco
The first thing that happened to me when I got out of the tiny airplane in Cusco, I felt breathless. Yes, the city is incredibly beautiful and breath taking. But at that moment this was more of a physical condition: due to the altitude it’s really hard to breath. It’s true that after only a couple of days you already feel better, your body gets used to it. It’s a good thing to get acclimated if you plan to climb some of the mountains there.
Everywhere you look you see traces of the Inca empire side by side with the Spanish colonization. You see that in the architecture, in the people and in the food. Ah, the food was delicious! I will always remember the ají de gallina I had there. It is a creamy dish made with chicken breast, white rice, and potatoes. Also the fruits and vegetables are always fresh and full of flavor. I miss that about Latin America.
Machupicchu and Waynapicchu
We took the Inca Rail train in Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. This city is known for its thermal baths and as the gateway to the nearby Inca ruins of Machupicchu. People told us that there are trails all the way up to the mountain. We preferred to take the train and bus. But after Machupicchu there’s the other majestic mountain, Waynapicchu, which can only be climbed on foot.
Its peak is a staggering 2,693 meters (8,835 ft) above sea level. This is about 260 meters (850 ft) higher than Machupicchu. The Incas built stairs up to the top where they have built temples and terraces. It takes between one to three hours to get there, depending on the trail that you take. The steps are steep, narrow and slippery. Looking back from above you have the dizzying impression you can fall all the way down to the river valley. No wonder it’s known as the Stairs of Death.
At the end of the trip those pair of shoes were all worn out. I loved them more because of where they took me, than for the model, quality or brand.
Comments
One response to “The Stairs of Death”
I remember this trip! Experiencing all the Peruvian culture and adventure was absolutely amazing. Not to mention the food 😋. The ‘Stairs of Death’ were intense, but totally worth it for the views and the thrill.