Day 7 - October 12th
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They say that if pressed, you can do almost anything for 1 day. Yesterday almost proved that adage wrong, but for my desicion to draft a local Peruvian (probably Quechua) into service as a porter. I had my guides, Celso and Marco find me another for today, relieveing me of my 12 kilo pack for the best 70 soles ever spent. For the equivalent of around 50 bucks, I was able to have two of the best days of my life.
I awoke this morning to a scene from a movie thats run in my head for years as I thought about the days that I might spend trekking to Machu Picchu.
Tucked into a valley surrounded by towering mountains pushing through the clouds, our campsight had been the scene the night before of the musicians singing each others songs, of many silly hats and laughs brought on by altitude and sleep deprivation. Considered an easy day after day 2, today was “rolling hills” with stairs and ruins and jungle and drops and caves and flora reminiscent of an Indiana Jones movie, all leading into Waynamachu, the gateway into Machu Picchu. Here we were to eat dinner, rest easy, grab a couple of beers and sleep, with a 4am wakeup call to head up to the sacred mountain, there didnt seem to be much else we could do. But leave it to Love Hope Strength to change your plans in mid-step.
The planned mini-music jam turned into a gathering, bringing all our trekkers together with locals and other hikers for an amazing show in which Mike and Nick sang their own music and some of David Bowies, Brian tore through a rockabilly classic, and the boys from Fast Ball sang a song in Spanish which had the Peruvians dancing out of their seats. After the concert, we thanked and said goodbye to our porters, cooks and guides (nearly 100 strong) without whom we could not have done any of this.
Sleep came, maybe not quick enough though, i knew 4am was looming.
Ilan Baril
Inca Trail, Peru
October 12, 2008
*Diaclaimer* All images are for promotional use only. No guitars were played in these photographs.
Hey Cy and Friends!
Congrats on climbing another mountain with the hope to make a stand! I wore my Fixx shirt and Cy bracelet to the Apple Festival & Run yesterday, to show everyone how proud I am to be your fan and friend! You sounded FANTASTIC on Remember Me! Tell the Fastball guys I had forgotten what good songs they have, too, and that they’ll probably sell another album or two soon. Don’t look down on the way down…look around at all the beauty of that place you’re in (and tell us about it when we see you again)! XOXO, C
Dear Mr Admin Eric
If no one’s told you yet, I will: you’re doing a grand job!
A special hello to my friends, Mike and Jules, and Lyn. I hope you are all doing well and I can’t wait to hear about your trek! I’m thinking of you all and I am at a loss to try to comprehend what you are experiencing! Best wishes.
Love,
Nancy
Linn,
Thanks. There was an issue with some permissions not being set right that prevented a bunch of messages from posting. Once I can communicate with Aden again hopefully we can get those up, albeit, late.
Admin Eric
Katy M,
We miss you and hope you are having an unparalled time. We cannot wait to hear from you and see you again soon. It’s too quiet at home!
Hugs and kisses,
Daddy and Rubydoo
George–
Congratulations! Another successful trek. What an amazing testment to you! I’m sure you and the New Jersey contigent are full of emotion. You have made us extremely proud, once again.
The Devanney Clan, in Berkeley Heights, is tired but we are managing since it will only be a few more days before life return to “normal”(there’s a Ben-10 alien stuck to the ceiling…and other crazy remnants of the week)…I’ve learned sleep is really over rated anyway ;0. Baby Abbey continues to grow bigger (we need to buy stock in Carter’s or Gymboree) and Ryan has taken his role as man of the house quite seriously. The dogs, turtles and fish are all alive (for now). Lidia kept the household under control while we conquered the Liberty Science Center & toured the Statute of Liberty from the Jersey side this morning
And though I am trying to get some work done in my office, it seems our six year old is enamored with his new science experiment kit…he tried to blow up my paperclips on more than one occasion today.
Please come home safe and soon! We miss you– but I miss you most
Love,
Angie
PS– XOXOXOXOXs to Kelly, Cherron, Big Ryan, Armando and Mayor Jim (as Ryan likes to call him)!! Be safe our little Union County family.
Hi Flaco,
W and I survived the El Cosmico event this weekend. We are both very pooped. Ruby Tuesday was the most photographed thing there. W was a close second. All is well here as we decompress and prepared to return home. We sure do miss you and can’t wait to catch up soon.
Much love,
K&W
Helo Jules and Mike,
Thinking of you daily. Paddy is adamant Dylan is not sad at all that his Mama and Dada are up ‘the mountain’!
Cariad mawr,
Michele.X
continued safe trekking - there’s no shame in hiring a helicopter- love, jim
Vickie & Julie,
So glad to get your call! Sorry to hear about the mishap, but glad you are both safe!!! Just left a message for your folks and called Jamie. Jarrod accepted a job with ACS this morning.
Love you guys! Don’t forget to come home.
Love ya,
Billy Bob
Hola Merc, congrats on making this journey, hope you and everyone else is safe and healthy. Can’t wait to see you and hear all about your experience. Love, Anna
Hi Jimmy,
Hope you are really having a wonderful trip with no dizziness!! There was a wonderful article in Sunday’s Star Ledger, Union Co. section that features Kelly Coyle (Hi Kelly!) and her preparations for the trip. It also mentions you and George (Hi George!)and said that the Union co. group is doing well!! Thank Goodness!! Miss you!
Love,
Lori
Shannon W.
Hope all is well with you on this awesome adventure! We are so proud of you and are thinking of you daily!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Love,
Marianne, Greg, Peyton,and Nathan
Harpaldinho
right foot volley, 20 yards top corner, shearer salute, london pride, salt and vinegar crisp packet folding……………………… ‘up the burbage’. keep yer tongue out harpic
Jules and Vickie,
I am giving you both a great big hug right now on your awesome trek and promising you in a few short weeks that we will be toasting you with yummy mudslides on a much more relaxing, less strenuous vacation (one more my speed)!
I can’t wait to hear about all your wonderful…uh, adventures, but we can skip the one with the “beautiful bigger than life tarantula” that served as the camps “rooster”…I got the heebeegeebee’s just reading about it!
love and miss you both,
-j
Hi Nese,
Wonderful thing you guys are doing. I have everyone at work looking and talking about it.
A funny note for you. Last night Cooper and I were laying in bed, he was curled up against my chest with his head resting on the pillow beside mine. We were listening to coast (I’m sure he will have stories to tell you). Anyway first we heard Bob beside us snoring away, I tapped him and he rolled over and quit snoring. Then Coop and I closed our eyes to listen to coast again and we heard a snoring even louder than Bob. You know who, Robin. I swear the walls were a shaking.
Be Careful.
Love,
Mom
Hi Alex,
Don’t jump!
Your Friend,
Doc Pomus
P.S. I’ll tell Jimmy Scott you say hello.
Team Otto!
Give Thanks & let the ashes fly! This is the trip that Otto thought about and spoke about throughout his last days. Thank you for completing it in his name! Wave the prayer flys high & Give Thanks!! Otto we LOVE YOU!
Your big sister ~Lita
Thank you Team for making Otto’s last wish come true.
Hi Alex,
the kid from brooklyn strikes again
hope all is well good luck to all be safe & god speed.
U J & A M
ROCK ON
Hi Mom (Kathy),
How are the legs feeling today? We’ve really enjoyed the photos and videos to date. What an amazing experience! Can’t wait to hear your stories.
XO Jen
Katie M
Well done so far!! Especially as you only just got your kit!!Sarah is baking you a special welcome home cake Woop! Woop!!(As some would say)…….big hug from across the seas…..Mum and Dad (+xx)
Hey, Ilan! We hear you were “up”, and now you’re down!! “OOOrah!!!” to you and your fellow trekkers from all of us here and in California! what marvelous stories you’ll have to tell! We love you,
Mom and Dad
hi to all
hope everything is going well
and hope everyone is fit and well
not sure when it is but happy anniversary to mike and jules
sending good wishes from manchester england
love hope strength to everyone
chris (or as mike called me at snowdon mr manchester city)
Hi Aunt Jaime,
We were just thinking about you and hope your are having an amazing adventure. Good luck on the rest of the hike!
Hey Tracey! I hope your final trek today went well and you were over the effects of the altitude. I really hope you got to take that pic ; ) I’m so proud of you!!! You got a mention in the Philly Inquirer today. I posted the link for all the NTW girls to see. You, and your fellow trekkers, are truly an inspiration.
Sending big love up the trail…
Stacey xo
Merc, hello again. I just received your email and called your mom to let her know everything is fine. Seems that your husband was on line also and called your mom. She sends you her love and can’t wait to see her baby.
Hi Sweetie (Meggie),
I’ve been following your trip using the daily photo gallery; I finally found one of you….. yeah! Peru is truly beautiful. We’re all still employed; at least through tomorrow…hee,hee. Received an email from Aunt B’s friend Barb. Aunt B seems to be doing okay. She is able to get up for meals, bathroom, etc. using her walker; she is still very weak. I’ll let you know if anything changes. Stay safe and have fun. We all miss you. LOVE YOU! MaMa.
Hey everybody,
Here in Edinburgh it has been a lovely clear, cool, dry Autumn day. The sky is clear tonight & I can see stars when I go outside. I wonder what the night sky looks like from where you are. You’re south of the equator & you’ll see constellations that I’ve only read about.
Love to you all, look after your feet.
Ross
Team Otto~
Missing you guys. Hope all is well. I can hear the “Otto” calls from the trail all the way in L.A. Anticipating your return and eager to hear all the stories from your trek. Much love.
Hi Shannon,
I have on my Peru Rocks T=shirt in honor of your last trekking day.
Love Mom
Grandma Kathy,
Hope that you are not too sore! Max is great and looking forward to hugs from his favorite grandma! THinking of you- Love Ker, Rob and Max
Hey Nick, I hope you - and the Lowden! - have both made it to Machu Picchu to make beautiful music together… and I hope your trek has been everything you hoped it would be, and more. Missin’ ya over here! Hugs, Pxx
Awesome! You guy’s have successfully completed your mission
Can’t wait to hear all the stories and watch the footage…it’s been kinda like a black-out here and you went behind the dark side of the moon or something 
Love, Hope, & Strength to ALL!
Alan from California
Pick one for the address:
Huey, Louie and Dewey,
The three stooges,
the three musketeers,
Screaming Sisters??? (must be you)
Foley Phillies,
Mouseketrekkers,
Erin, Molly and Shannon,
Soak up every minute of this grand adventure. I’m sure it will be a life-changing experience. Can’t wait to get the chance to hear all about it from you.
Stephanie Kessler
Hey J! Hope everything is going well for you. It sounds like you guys are having a good time. The holidays were good at home and dad made history… he allowed us to leave a service early!! He was so tired from Germany that we left Kol Nidre services before the sermon. Big deal in the Aisner household!
I hope you enjoy the end of your trek and that your P90X training helped you out!! Send my love to Sam, Jaime, and Heather
xoxo S
Now I know what it was like for those at home following our journey in Nepal last year. I love checking in and reading the journals and watching the pod casts. I can guess who the “screaming sistes” are and a few of the others from the journal entry the other day… but PLEASE fill us in on which nickname belongs to who!
My Love, Hope and Strength are with you all and wishing you a successful, healthy journey… and on free from any more LARGE spiders.
Stephanie
Hey Tracey! Hope your trek is going well and you’re getting used to no electricity and no baths but having the time of your life! Remember to go to Prune in Lima on the way back home for some “civilized” shopping!
We’re all rooting for you back home!!!
Hope you’re still hanging in there ! You looked super happy in your picture,what a great adventure! Thinking of you often. Take care of yourself. Shirley & Don
Hello Shannon, Molly and Erin -
You are all looking good in the “Peruvian Alps”. a place once visited by my parents - but not accessed by “trekking”. When you get to the top please remember my mother Muriel Reilly who died of breast cancer & a friend Denise Tempro of Pocono Manor who is living (with her family by her side) her last days with the disease. Love, strength and hope to all of you in your adventure for a good cause.
Aleta
Hey Speedy!
P.S. Say “hey” to Katy 4 me.
Been watching UR progress. Guess what? U’ve earned a new nickname through your perseverence. I’ll tell you what it is when U get back. Way to show your spirit and feed your soul!! You’re a great example!! BTW, it’s gotten cold here since you left and the mts got covered with snow this weekend. Pretty soon it’ll be time to ride (woohoo!!!)!!! Now, stay healthy and DON’T DRINK THE WATER
Cheers!
- T
Hi Mom (kathy) Hope you are doing well. Our boarders have arrived, we are enjoying their company and great stories from their honeymoon. We cant wait to hear about yours. See you soon;)
XO DS and LS
HI FOLEY GIRLS!!!!!! I’m thinking of you every day and know that you just kick ass and I can’t wait to hear everything. I am so proud of what you are doing. I’m watching the Phillies right now - Game 4. We are leading the series 2-1 if you don’t know.
Love to you from Philly and SF:)
Love ya,
Jeannine
Hope you all got there OK. No helicopters required this time to get back though.
Matt we miss you, kids back at school today & it’s raining!!
Love
Kris
Hi Ya Katie,
I think of you in Peru everyday. For this must be a trip of a lifetime. I can’t wait to hear all about it and see many pics. You rock girl! LOVE YA.
James and the rest of the LHS Team,
Thank you for all you are doing! Let’s continue to hope that someday people won’t have to worry about losing their loved ones to cancer. I look forward to that day.
Hopefully you’re all enjoying a nice hot shower right around now. Enjoy the rest of your trip and thank you for all you do.
Sarah
Merce,
Received your email. Sounds like everything is as it should be. Awesome!
Can’t wait to hear and see pictures. Just make sure you take a shower first.
XOX
Merce,
Just received your message. I’m glad you are safe and made it through the trek. I’m with Lisa about showering before we see you! LOL! I was thinking about our trip to Boston b/c it was during this month. I decorated for Halloween today since I had the day off for Columbus Day. Hope to see you soon. Love ya!
Nancy
To George and the UC trekkers: Thinking of you each day, and hoping that you are well. The vistas are amazing! Stay safe, Vikki
hey james - and mike and shannon and whoever else makes the decision about where to go next year - i was going to say be sure and make it someplace amazing but really - anyplace that needs the help given thru lovehopestrength works for me!! so u can just go ahead and sign me up! watching everest rocks was convincing enough already but keeping up with u guys on a daily basis is even more so!! i’m going to the trekkers bios to see who is writing the journals and who they are writing about - you and the spirits of all u brought along with u are all amazing!!! i’m counting the days till next years rockin trip!! and i’ll let the inspiration of all of u help me run an extra mile tomorrow!!! climb on - rock on!! lovehopestrength - tetia
Hi Shannon Woolsey,
So you must have made the whole trek … so awesome!!! You’d better send us the pictures when you get home.
What an amazing experience you have had! Scott is so jealous! I actually am too!
I’ve been thinking a lot about my friend Nancy (do you remember her … she came up to Carp) who lost her battle to breast cancer. I also have a good friend, Joan, who is a breast cancer survivor!
This group is doing amazing things! How great that you get to be a part of it!
Hi Nickyy!!
Grr.. We can’t look at the videos!! We all hope you’re having a GREAT time!! We’re emaganing what’s going on with a lot of ‘over-the-top’ ideas!!
LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH
lil xxxxxxx
Nick
Hey you, have a great show tonight and a triumphant finale in Lima. You rock!
Thank you for showing us the strength to go one step further. Think of us, as we’re thinking of all of you.
Lx
Hi to Kat & jackie, Mike & Jules,
You are all doing so fantastically well and we are all so proud of what you are achieving. Enjoy the rest of the adventure with love hope and strength. Looking forward to seeing you in January.
Love Nikki & Matt(Cov)
Hey Sistas! The pictures are beautiful! It looks like your views are amazing! I miss you all and can’t wait to hear all of the stories.
The Phillies have a big game tonight- will let you know tomorrow how it turns out. LOVE YOU!
Ilan, Everyone here seems to be trekking with you, as all want to know how(and where!)all y’all are, and send love and strength to you and all your friends. Keep the music going!
Love,
Mom and Dad