lele.gemma@ntlworld.com  (should you wish to contact me)

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------                                 An account  of my Peru trek

 First of all  I'd like to take the opportunity  to thank those of you who have  kindly given me emotional and practical support, as well as sponsorship money.  A special thank you goes to my partner Mark;  his constant encouragements and practical help for the events organised to raise money were invaluable.   He's been  truly wonderful and hard working. Thanks Mark.

I was back from Peru on Sun Oct 1st and was then rather wobbly with a tummy bug, which left me weak and miserable for two days!  Ironically, I picked it up on the journey back to the UK

Trekking the Andes was an experience that I shall never forget.  Firstly because, although  trekking is a hobby of mine, I'd never been to such altitudes before and, secondly, I'd never trekked in such weather conditions either.   It was tough and difficult because, unfortunately, although physically fit, I did suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) which gave me nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, bowel problems and breathing difficulties. However, I resisted the invitation to go on the horse guided by Alfredo, both of whom so faithfully followed us on the trek.  I was also disorientated, but I don't  know if this was because I overdid it on the cocoa leaves!  Chewing cocoa leaves or drinking cocoa leaves tea is what the locals do to minimize the symptoms of AMS, which, I can assure you, were very debilitating, especially during the very steep ascents, when it rained and snowed; in fact one day we found ourselves in the middle of a sort of snow blizzard. Visibility was so poor that we missed seeing the glacier next to us.  Fortunately, as we started the descent very quickly, the weather improved drastically, as well as visibility.  We all cheered up.  Half hour earlier we'd all been crying tears of relief for having  made it to the summit on the second day.   It was an extraordinary feeling; one of being overwhelmingly humble against such powerful forces of nature and the sheer majestic presence of the ragged and steep mountains we’d climbed.   I was all so very emotional.  In addition, I  loved the remoteness of the mountains.  

The start height was 2962m and we trekked to a maximum of 4706m on the second day. We descended  to 3800m on the same day  and then reached 4445m on the third day and then ended to 3827m and so on in order to get to Machu Picchu on the fifth day.   I trekked with five other women whom I’d never met before; all of us up there with the same aim of  raising money for Cot Death for FSID.  Unfortunately,  Jo had to be taken back on the first day because of AMS.   She was really ill with the symptoms, which were exacerbated by her asthma.    We had two wonderful guides, both women, both very experienced; their support was invaluable.  Six porters, all of whom I'm glad to say, carried only what seemed adequate, functioned as the wonderful guys turned chefs.  Horses and mules carried the heavy stuff.   These people were truly amazing, in that, nothing was ever too much of a trouble for them.   They really looked after us properly.   They had two hot meals a day ready for us and our tents were pitched before we arrived at each destination.   We camped near small Andean communities.   The experience was enlightening; the toilet experience, on the other hand, when it wasn't a hole in the ground, was truly something else!     

The views were breathtaking at all times.  All around, there were mountains and then mountains again.   The habitat changing according to the altitude.   We passed small villages of thatched stoned houses, which blended with the colour of the earth.   We followed mountain streams and valleys of pastoral farmlands with lamas, alpacas, sheep and cows roaming.   Every now and then, we would come across locals; men and women, both dressed in their traditional colourful clothes.  The women often carrying their babies or goods on their backs; the men only goods.   We saw huge lakes and waterfalls in the midst of yellow-brownish looking mountains and well-defined valleys, which looked so tiny and pretty from the top.  The rocks would take some very lively shapes, which changed from different perspectives.  They were so fascinating and I took my time in admiring them.  

The walk to the hot springs of Lares was the most enjoyable, as it was truly lusciously green and rather flat.   Also the thought of relaxing in the hot springs to sooth my aching knee joints was alluring.   It was a sort of nature walk; many flower species could be seen; a gift of early spring.   It was a serene walk, which was helpful to my mood.   I was chilled and no longer had any AMS symptoms, so much so that the following night I had a beer in celebration and merely settled in my tent . Unfortunately, my blissful world was abruptly  invaded by a storm of overenthusiastic students on a school trip whom didn’t seem to need any sleep!

Machu Picchu was the real treat.   It is an amazingly spiritual place.   I got to learn a lot about the Inca and their veneration for nature. Our guide, Mr Castro, spoke with much enthusiasm and passion; his voice became almost hypnotic and, as he spoke, I tried to imagine what it must’ve been like to live with such a philosophy of life.  The forces of nature being the driving force from which to draw from.   The Inca seemed to celebrate nature; they worked with it rather then exploiting it.  It couldn’t have been any different from today’s reality and the crazy lives we seem to live.   And this is aside from any considerations of environmental issues.   My head was spinning round with all these thoughts.    I found myself contemplating the meaning of life, as I looked at the breathtaking views that surrounded me.  Forest covered mountains all around.  It was a hot sunny day, the sky was blue with scattered small fluffy clouds and the whole atmosphere was one of calmness and serenity.  I would've loved to stay there longer, but the rest of the group had had enough, so we took the coach back and the train to Ollantaytambo.   The train ride in itself is wonderful.   The river Rubamba (The Sacred River, as it was known) runs along the railway line; powerful and picturesque, it adds a grounding and almost romantic look to the valley which is very green.  All around, terraces like rice fields are seen, still in the original stonewall; crops were grown by the Qechua people.   The Inca, it was explained to me, was just a family and not as I thought the whole population.

I hope I've been able to give you a feel of what it was like trekking the Andes and that my short account of my experience has interested you

Once again, thank you  with all my heart for your support.  

Take care

                 Lots of love

                                     x lele x

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTERESTING LINKS**

 www.perutreks.com/index.html

 www.ecotrekperu.com/english/lareshotsprings2days.html

 www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/destinations/lima/index.html 

 www.incanatura.com/treksincusco_asp 

                  **UPDATES ON MY FUNDRAISING** 

 My very firtst fundraising event was very successful and encouraging; in fact, I raised £275 through  a "Work Christmas Raffle".   The prizes were kindly donated by:-

 - La Bottega Italiana in Watford - hamper won by Mark Wilsher

 - St James Reasturant in Bushey - meal for two won by Laurel Locker

 - Body Beauty in Palmers Green - massage won by Alison Brooker

My second event at Kandi Klub in Watford on Feb 28th , sponsored by  "Simply Pleasure", was very successful.   A big thank you to Carrie, manageress of Symply Pleasure at Watford branch; her enthusiasm and organisational skills made this event happen. Also Tasha and Kelly who were excellent hostesses on the night.   Another big thank you goes to Neil Campbell, owner of Kandi Klub, who kindly provided the venue.   Also thank you to those who provided prizes for the Raffle:-

 - Rob, manager of Health Suite at Hilton Hotel in Watford

 - Andrea of Wembley and L'Orchidee Beauty Clinic- Watford

 - Symply Peasure- Watford

 The event raised a surprising £730!!! 

 My third event  took place at Marks & Spencer in Watford on Apr 13th/14th.  Volunteers helped to  Pack the bags at checkouts at the Food Department from 10:00 to 17:00. Much preparation was required and Mark, who's been a real darling, made the T-shirts and labels for the buckets.  Other helpers were my son Dane, Earl Weimar, Rowena & Fred Chilton and Maria Cheetham, all of whom willingly and cheerfully endured many hours at the checkouts.    A special thank you to recruitment manager Wendy Borrows, all staff at the checkouts who were very friendly and, of course, a big thank you goes to all customers who so generously gave donations.

 The two day event raised £989.29!!

                                                                                             August update

 Although I'm over my target, I continue fundraising for this worthy cause. My efforts   have donated £1,125 to a local scheme for CONI.  CONI (Care Of Next Infant)  whose parent body is FSID, supports families who have experienced a Cot Death in the past and who now have a new baby and are understandably extremely anxious.   I am pleased to say that this money will pay for three much needed Eastwood Mattress Monitors to be used in Enfield, the community in which I work.

My partner Mark willingly let his house in Cornwall as a holiday home in the summer term and he was able to raise £800 + gift aid, which helped pay for my travelling cost.   He tells me that it was a good opportunity to clean the fridge and those obscure places that tend to be forgotten!