I sat down here, with a view of Cusco from high up. The city is in the color of orange and red with its identical rooftops. I want to think back the past weeks, but the mind seems flowing around. I don’t know what to write down.
May 7th, Phone notes, Ausangatehttps://www.scarlettchangle.com/ausangate-when-solo-took-you-high-up-part-i/ Day 2
I was totally sick by the end of day yesterday. In my life, I haven’t been felt so weak, every step to the camp ground was a count. I had no strength or breath to move more. In the end, I helped myself count.
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.
Stop, breathe. Then repeat.
In this way, I got to this woman’s ranch, with many sheep and llamas, and dogs. Facing the snow peak, with two lakes in front of your eyes, one is reddish, the other is blue but far away. I remember I stopped in the middle of the trek, just wanted to lay down, close my eyes and sleep. I remember my backpack was so heavy and I wish there was a horse to take all my weights. At one point, I almost cried, tears spinning. Not because I was emotional, but exhausted and helpless. The first time, I wish someone could help me. Being an independent traveler is hard. It’s good at a lot of times, but facing the nature and your own limit, it’s good to have someone. I simply realized I cannot do everything independently.
I laid in my sleeping bag around 7pm and had to close the eyes. Then the world started spinning. There were sounds of the nature around me, the llamas, cuys, dogs, the stream never stopping, the sounds from the snow peak, the grande sound. I didn’t know if that was thundering or glacier avalanche. I was in a dream, there were many basic Spanish words, different voices, I felt nauseas. By 11pm, I finally couldn’t control myself and threw out just out of my tent. That was a good throw; finally I could sleep a little. When I woke up at 5am, my head ached so much, I could barely stand. I realized I needed to get myself out of here. But I had no strength.
There was the small tourist group at the site. I need to ask the guide, how to get out of the mountains. I couldn’t continue the trek for sure. No matter how stupid they would think I am, I went forward.
He was helpful, telling me some options, and even came to my tent and offered hot water and food.
“You need hot water. Our organs are not used to this altitude and cold water.”
I decided to stay at the camp for a day, just to feel better to go out.
