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.

the children on top of the stairs

I was pretty in awe of the children in Aguas Calientes. The town is built into a hillside, so it is steep stairs and cobblestone slants everywhere. While I am scared of eating concrete every time I take a step, these kids are chasing balls and butterflies around with fearless agility. One day we even saw two kids sharing a pair of rollerblades. They wear each wearing one rollerblade and were just tearing down this ramp and grabbing a hold of a metal rail where the ramp suddenly gave way to a drop overlooking the soccer field.



Part of me wanted to collar them as they sped by. Instead, I just watched them run back up the hill and do it again.

the iron rooster

Stuart and I went for a walk along the tracks while we were stranded in Aguas Calientes. The trail was sporadically populated with workers and hikers coming in off the Inca Trail. It's so strange to come across a steady stream of locals and foreigners in a place that feels like the middle of nowhere.



It was really hot and sunny that day, but the tunnels were cool, dark, and drippy. But see that light at the end of the tunnel? That's your weekend coming right at'cha! Sure looks lush, don't it?