Stuck in Aguas Calientes

Our overnight trip to Machu Picchu turned into a week-long adventure when torrential rains caused landslides, rendered the roads into town impassable, and stranded us in Aguas Calientes for five nights. We were eventually evacuated by helicopter. I took this photo while Stuart and I were being airlifted out on the sixth day. This guy is telling us to crouch and shield our eyes as we approach the helicopter.



With each helicopter carrying only 7-25 passengers, it took a long time to evacuate some 2,000 of us. Uncooperative weather, disorganization, and the priority situation in Haiti made things even slower. Luckily Stu and I steered clear of most of the melodrama, and for the most part people were calm and peaceful. If you ever find yourself in an emergency zone, pray that it's with a bunch of hippie backpackers; they're not quite so prone to anxiety and mass hysteria.

If you click on the photo, it will take you to a set of 20 photos from the week. I was waiting on publishing these because I've been trying to sell them, but I don't think this will matter. Anyhow, this photo, along with one other, was published on Matador Trips yesterday.