Following in the footsteps of the Inca

Colombia left a lasting impression and the journey to the airport and accordingly to Peru was uneventful, as Max and I reflected on the last days and weeks. Due to time constraints, we had to change our route again and skipped the stopover in Ecuador. The destination was Lima, the capital of Peru, which unexpectedly greeted us with a cool night. As smooth as the journey was, the hotel check-in and tomorrow's check-out proved to be more difficult. But everything in due time. 

The Uber dropped us off at the correct hotel address and we took our belongings out of the car, looking forward to a meal and bed. After walking up and down the street several times, we realized that the area was once again dark and unpleasant. There was also no sign of a hotel anywhere. When a local neighbor helped us, we found ourselves in front of the 'guesthouse' ringing and knocking to be let in. Our local help explained that the reception often closed at 3 pm. It was already 8 pm. Without internet and without a hotel, we stood in a side street and tried to come up with a solution. Finally, about 45 minutes later, a taxi stopped at the door. A young woman got out and entered the hotel. She let us in and told us that she didn't speak English and didn't work for the hotel. She gave me the phone and I called the owner of the guesthouse. It turned out it wasn't a hotel, but rather a small, cool and tasteless pension. The owner on the other end of the line told us that he had no reservation, but we could still stay for one night. Since the room had to be paid in cash, Carlos, the owner (Car-los = autolos :)) who didn't have a car, wouldn't come by. So he suggested that we give the money to the taxi driver who would take us to our next hotel in the morning. Sounds easy and understandable. But it wasn't!!! 

We had no cash and Carlos told us that the nearest ATM was at the airport. Carlos explained to me that the taxi driver would pick us up, take us to the airport (located outside the city), and then drive us to our new hotel (located in the city center). We agreed on the time and the price set by Carlos. The Wi-Fi and therefore the internet were on our side and showed us many ATMs and banks nearby. I hung up, the young lady disappeared, and we had the whole house to ourselves. We looked at each other and knew that we would now go and get cash and book an Uber in the morning to get to the center of Lima. 

The alarm clock rang, we got up, got ready, and the taxi driver was at the door at 9 am sharp. We tried to explain to him that we already had cash and no longer needed his taxi ride. Unlike Colombia, far fewer people in Lima speak English. So a discussion ensued in German, English, and Spanish. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the young lady in her pajamas appeared at the door and supported the taxi driver, who insisted on his ride and the money. He pulled out his phone and I had the pleasure of talking to Carlos again. The conversation became somewhat heated. Carlos was surprised that there were indeed ATMs nearby. The end of the poorly composed song was that we went straight to the center and paid less than the agreed price. Car-los wanted to rip us off, but now he was without money and without guests!!

In the center, we visited the historic old town and the many government buildings and realized that Lima is even bigger than Bogota. Due to the cool weather and the constant gray cloud cover, the city center left a rather gray and colorless impression, which was not confirmed in other areas. While Colombians are extremely attractive and beautiful people, Peruvians resemble their indigenous ancestors much more. This is not meant as a derogatory remark, but rather as a surprising observation. 

Our third stop within Lima, before we were supposed to travel to Cusco, was the tourist district of Miraflores. Here, tourists and the wealthy upper class of Lima greet each other in the street, in luxury stores, or in overpriced restaurants. We stayed in a hostel not far from the nightlife and under German management. The weather was always cool, as we were now on the southern hemisphere of the world and it was winter. Over the next few days, we explored the area day and night. This part of the city is much more modern, dynamic, and colorful, both in daylight and at night. Before we make a leap to the breathtaking ascent of Machu Picchu, let me tell you the abridged version of one of our nightly adventures. 

During a mild evening in Miraflores, we decided to go to a bar for a drink. An Englishman from the hostel heard our plans and we set off together. While I supported the Englishman in purchasing illegal but extremely euphoric and perception-altering substances, Max was already in the agreed-upon bar, ready to try the strongest drink available. When I arrived at the bar, it was closed, Max was gone, and I was confused. After a hopeless search among all the people, I went back to the hostel and waited for Max. With a split lip, black eye, blood on the forehead and ear, as well as scratches on the neck and back of the head, Max got up the next morning and we headed to the airport. Max was beaten up by a COLOMBIAN WOMAN. :) :)

We got off lucky again and landed in the mountain town of Cusco, located 3,399 meters above sea level. In the heart of the city is the historical quarter with the main square, Plaza Mayor del Cusco. We quickly realized that Cusco is the gathering place for all travel-hungry tourists. A unbelievably large number of backpackers could be found there. Cusco felt like a base camp during a mountain climb, as you can reach all the sensational sights of Peru from here. Cusco was also a base camp for us on our way to one of the seven wonders of the world: Machu Picchu. 

We booked a two-day tour from Cusco. The tour included a 5-hour bus ride to Hydroelectrica, from where we hiked 10 kilometers along the train tracks, in the middle of the Peruvian jungle, to Aguas Caliente. After a night in the hostel, we had to set off at 4:30 am to climb Machu Picchu. The whole journey, the walking, and the effort were quickly compensated by the overwhelming uniqueness of this place. Of course, there were countless tourists on site. Many indescribable impressions, a 2-hour guided tour of the Inca ruins, and picture-perfect weather were the ingredients for a nearly perfect day. 

Back in Lima, we rested for a few more days and prepared for Miami and the impending end of our trip. None of us wanted to go home, but everything has an end, only sausages have two. 

Until next time.

Simon (Sascha) & Pumba (Max)