We got up around 5:00 o'clock, packed our stuff and stored it next to the little convenience outlet here where a fellow sells drinks and small things like that. Then we went for breakfast. Once again, I could barely touch my food, just didn't feel like eating although I am taking a lot of fluid. After breakfast we headed for the Lost City. It was a short hike to another river crossing. This time the only option was walking through the river holding onto a rope stretched across the river so you don't get swept away by the strong current. The water was almost waist high. Then the next phase begins which consists of 1300 stairs UP that you must walk in order to reach the Lost City. The boys weren't sure how I would do it but actually I did not too bad and kept up with the group.
The Lost City was quite something, much bigger than I expected. You only see the typical picture of it in the brochures and it looks kind of small but there's much more to it and apparently only about 10% has been excavated so far. It is not as grand as Tikal or Copan Runas but still exceeded my expectations. I just want to mention that when we finished climbing the 1300 steps to the Lost City and just sort of entering the initial territory of the Lost City, there's a ceremony that takes place, Our guide, Santiago, gave us leaves of a certain plant or tree that we put in the middle of the circle and then had to walk around in a circle in a clockwise direction, twice. After that we headed on up to the ruins. Now on our return, we had to, once again, walk the circle twice but in the opposite direction before leaving and going down the 1300 stairs.
After an hour or so, we headed back down all those steps and back to El Paraiso for lunch. Once again, I barely touched my food, just not hungry. We started the trek back down to Wiwa. Ryan and Todd shared carrying my stuff as I just didn't have enough strength left in me to carry my own backpack. It was certainly a great help. It's so humid, clothing gets drenched in sweat. I did pretty good today. I had my doubts but managed to make it to Wiwa in a reasonable time. And, the guide and tour company are taking good care of me as well, helping me across rivers and such. Once in Wiwa they asked if I wanted to rent a mule for tomorrow. We discussed it and after a few minutes of consultation with the boys, they all agreed that renting a mule would be a good idea as we were heading into some of the most difficult terrain.
Supper tonight was rice, potatoes and beef stew - very delicious and I gobbled most of it down right away. I think my desire to eat is slowly returning. It thundered all day during our hike and it started to rain pretty hard by the time we got to Wiwa.
After supper Santaigo asked if we wanted to know anything about him, his native tribe or his family. It ends up that Wiwa Tours is a family-run business by Santiago and his brothers. Santaigo is 30 years old and is married. Apparently in their culture, when a boy turns 14 he gets to be with an older woman to prepare him for marriage. Shortly after the question and answer period, I was starting to feel pretty tired so I hit the sack.
Talk to you tomorrow.
The Lost City was quite something, much bigger than I expected. You only see the typical picture of it in the brochures and it looks kind of small but there's much more to it and apparently only about 10% has been excavated so far. It is not as grand as Tikal or Copan Runas but still exceeded my expectations. I just want to mention that when we finished climbing the 1300 steps to the Lost City and just sort of entering the initial territory of the Lost City, there's a ceremony that takes place, Our guide, Santiago, gave us leaves of a certain plant or tree that we put in the middle of the circle and then had to walk around in a circle in a clockwise direction, twice. After that we headed on up to the ruins. Now on our return, we had to, once again, walk the circle twice but in the opposite direction before leaving and going down the 1300 stairs.
After an hour or so, we headed back down all those steps and back to El Paraiso for lunch. Once again, I barely touched my food, just not hungry. We started the trek back down to Wiwa. Ryan and Todd shared carrying my stuff as I just didn't have enough strength left in me to carry my own backpack. It was certainly a great help. It's so humid, clothing gets drenched in sweat. I did pretty good today. I had my doubts but managed to make it to Wiwa in a reasonable time. And, the guide and tour company are taking good care of me as well, helping me across rivers and such. Once in Wiwa they asked if I wanted to rent a mule for tomorrow. We discussed it and after a few minutes of consultation with the boys, they all agreed that renting a mule would be a good idea as we were heading into some of the most difficult terrain.
Supper tonight was rice, potatoes and beef stew - very delicious and I gobbled most of it down right away. I think my desire to eat is slowly returning. It thundered all day during our hike and it started to rain pretty hard by the time we got to Wiwa.
After supper Santaigo asked if we wanted to know anything about him, his native tribe or his family. It ends up that Wiwa Tours is a family-run business by Santiago and his brothers. Santaigo is 30 years old and is married. Apparently in their culture, when a boy turns 14 he gets to be with an older woman to prepare him for marriage. Shortly after the question and answer period, I was starting to feel pretty tired so I hit the sack.
Talk to you tomorrow.
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| Crossing the river once again |
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| The first of the 1300 steps |
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| About half-way there |
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| The final few steps |
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| Walking the circle |
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| The Shaman (religious leader) and family who live in the Lost City |
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| At the highest point of the Lost City |
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| The final view before heading back down |
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| The long trek back |
Following this with baited breath. Take care little brother.
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