Hey Guys
Am writing this from our hostel in Cusco.... As you may have read, our day yesterday started at 3.50am when we started the last part of our hike on the Inca Trail. I'm sure you can imagine that by the time we had lunch at 2pm, and were told to board a train back to Cusco at 5pm we were already exhausted... The train trip to Cusco was meant to take 4hrs, so our plan was to arrive around 9pm, grab some food and head out to meet our Inca guides at 10.30 for Salsa.. but as we have quickly learnt, not much goes according to plan in South America.
After playing cards on the train for about an hour, eating snacks, chatting and comparing photos the train threw on its emergency brakes, we heard a bit of a thud and saw a few drinks flying across the carriage... despite the intial concern it soon appeared that nothing drastic seemed to have happened and we kept on going, albeit a little on edge.
Not too much further down the line, we stopped again.. This time we were informed that there was a landslide ahead and we would need to wait 30min for the rocks to be cleared and the line to be restored. After an hour of waiting, we asked again what was happening and were told that the rocks were still falling on the line and could we please stand to the right side of the carriage as we were going to try and go through it.
To make it all a little more chaotic, our train had a glass roof, and we were currently stopped on the edge of a cliff. It was dark so we couldnt see the drop, but all noticed the train tilting as everyone moved to the right side. Our guide tried to convince the staff it was completely unsafe and we should just go backwards to the last town and we could catch local buses back. Unfortunately, our pleas were ignored and we proceeded through the landslide - the amount of rocks that had fallen were massive... It was the kind of experience you just know would never happen back home, but thankfully we made it through...
Arriving at our hotel close to Midnnight we scoffed a pizza and went to bed..... until during the night both Leah and I started taking turns in the toilet. This morning I went to cancel our Quad Biking that we planned for today, and Leah still hasnt' made it out of bed (its 3pm). I am barely holding off throwing up, but my stomach is certainly in crisis which sucks since i have only had the last 4 days where i havent' felt sick.., and poor Leah is very sick today... I stumbled down town earlier and tried in my best spanglish to get some drugs for her so hopefully she will start feeling better soon. Turns out7 of us out of our group are sick today so I suspect its not just coincidence.. Today's sickness now pretty much means every single person on this trip, all 16 of us has had stomach problems in the last 3 weeks... Is definitely not a continent for the faint hearted.
Drugs taken to date.
2 bottles of cough medicine, one each.
1 round of cold antibiotics, for me... You can get antibiotics for anything over the counter here.
1 round of stomach antibiotics, for Leah
2 lots of cold and flu tablets, one each
Lots of Gastro stop!
Malaria tablets
Altitude sickness tablets
Lots of Buscopan
Antibacterial stomach tablets
\
And the tally keeps counting.|...
Tomorrow we dont fly out until 12.30 so hopefully we will be in a better state by then....
Take Care...
L and K.
Any nurses on this excursion?? You may need drug resupplies with a few more weeeks ahead. I can only imagine a florid vomit phobia, Katie and it would not be good.It was probably best that you did not see the train incline. That in itself could set off a wave of sickness and at least there won't be photos!. Have just booked an Eiffel Tower dinner,Seine River by night and show at Le Lido. Another option to consider - classical concert in an old Berlin palace? Perhaps you might consider something like this next holiday?? Sad you missed the Salsa night. That really would have been fun!.
ReplyDeleteLove you and stay safe and well.
Mum
Wow.....deep breaths, deep breaths......
ReplyDeleteExhaustion, altitude, and the stress of hairy train rides through dangerous rock slides is enough to make anyone sick before you add dodgy pizzas to the mix. Hopefully, the day's stop will help all of you to start to recover. The salsa dancing can wait - it will be easier with two legs and functioning calves then anyway. Get well soon, both of you.
Take care, We send love and big hugs to you both.
Mum and Dad xx xx
Hi there, hope you guys get well soon - hopefully you have purged whatever dodginess it was that you ate/drank and are feeling better by now. I'd rather be vomiting in South America than at work today. Take care xxxxx Peter
ReplyDeleteWhat with all the exercise and the inability to keep any food in your system I think we had better stock up on some lollies, M&Ms and Cheezels for you to munch on when you return to the office. You must be fading away to nothing!
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll be feeling better before your flight. Looking forward to reading the next instalment - just hope it's nothing to do with bodily functions!!
Be safe, S xxx
Hang in there, sickies! hope you will get better soon :)
ReplyDeleteLove the story about the train! that is pretty priceless, you are right, that would have never happen in a Western world, LOL!
What are you missing the most about home now?
Hey guys
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well wishes.. I'm feeling better today, and after 35hours in bed, Leah can now stand up, albeit isn't eating again yet....but we are definitely on the mend i think...
As for what I'm missing - obviously all you guys... second to that, my baby Lucy.. Otherwise, i'm pretty happy being on holidays!!
Bark there
ReplyDeleteBark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark
Everyone telle me to stop barking but..bark bark bark
Miss you so much. Lucy