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.

trekkers in the mist

I really enjoyed shooting Machu Picchu before the clouds disappeared in the afternoon.



This photo was taken on January 24, which was one of the last days it was accessible to the public before the flooding took its toll. What a strange place it is. It took us so long to get there, and even longer to leave. Can you imagine how Hiram Bingham felt in 1911 when he "discovered" it way up out there? I like to imagine that feeling. It is, I think, close to the feeling you get when you fall in love.