Urubamba, Peru – Having flown from Lima early this morning, we drove by bus through the mountains to Urubamba, which provided everyone with an opportunity to absorb everything that surrounded us.
And there was much to absorb: from the smells of eucalyptus and diesel to the panache of colourfully dressed women sporting a variety of top hats, bowlers and cowboy hats – set atop long black braids that hung down their backs, tied together at the waist. From stray dogs loping through refuse piled in the gutter and dodging rocks thrown by an impatient man, to the persistent buzz of three-wheeled motorcycle taxis, there was so much to see, to smell, to feel.
Some absorbed the multi-coloured patchwork fields nestled into valleys punctuated by the jagged teeth of the glacier-tipped Andes. (Tufts of cloud appeared to nest atop many of the peaks like whipped cream.) Others were struck by the roughly constructed clay homes topped off by steel sheeting, or by mechanics trying to repair a rusted-out truck resting on the edge of a precipice.
Passing through stunning vista after stunning vista as we rounded hairpin turns with our luggage strapped to the roof of the bus, there was never any question of our surroundings attracting rapt attention – especially given that this was many team members' first experience in the developing world. Though dulled, all senses remained on alert – even with bleary eyes from the extent of travel and lack of sleep we have experienced over the past two days.
Yes, it really is that incredible here.
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