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Today, October 10th was our first day on our trek of Machu Pichu. The day started off with an early wake up call, followed by a two our drive to the trailhead. The drive included a pass over a bridge made of nothing more than homemade wooden planks. Do not worry to all of our loved ones…we were asked to get off the bus and walk across rather than take any chances as the bus inched along the treacherous pass with our entire team looking on in awe. We encountered a few problems getting some of our group members and guitars through the security at the entrance. Not every day that a total team of 195 people hit the Inca trail! Yes, 195 people including our trekkers, musicians, porters, guides, and many many, many more. Once that was resolved we were on our way, in high spirits. It seems that a large stumbling block was the fact that guitars are not allowed on the mountain. We will make due with pots and pans if we have to and promise to celebrate the lives of all touched by cancer through music.

The first part of the trail proved to be fairly easy with few uphill climbs, and we got to see some truly amazing scenery. It was a long day and hard on all of us, harder on others. Kudos to Michelle for pushing on for 7 hours battling the side effects of food poisoning and to Tracey as she struggled with the thin air and altitude. Tracey, who has overcome stage 4 colon cancer, is the true meaning of survivor and her strength today was an inspiration to us all. They, along with everyone else are resting well as the production crew huddles around the mess tent writing journals, editing pictures and podcasts. We will be without power for the next few nights but we are continuing with our efforts to deliver you the story of Peru Rocks live from the mountain.

For several of us the night wrapped up with another, of many, very touching moments. We are split into smaller campsites at the moment which has allowed us to get to know those we are sharing tents with on a deeper level. In our group, we gathered on a blue tarp and listened to an amazing song by Michael Franti. Michael dedicated it to Otto Schutt when he was first diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Ottos plan was to be with us celebrating his “victory walk”. Sadly it is Otto, amongst many others, that we are mourning the loss of. The song was incredible and I believe was named “Hey World”. It is through his friends, Dex and Lee, and his nephew Otto, that we have been able to feel the presence of Otto and many others. We will try to get you a link to it soon. Not a dry eye was in the house as the song reminded us all of why we are on this journey. In the end, it’s all about the people we are trekking for, whose lives have touched us in an unforgettable way. We hope you enjoy our podcast tonight, filled with antics from the trail. Listen to the song

Tomorrow, we face the hardest of the four-day trek when we hike around nine miles mostly uphill, on our musical journey to Machu Pichu.

Samantha Sussman and Shannon Foley
Inca Trail, Peru
October 10, 2008