Into Peru, down in the dirt
I am on the dirt roads between Huancayo and Cuzco. They take me over passes that are mountain high and down valleys that are river deep. I can struggle up to a place where the snow is falling and rattle my way down to desert heat on the same day. The climate contrasts are amazing and so is the landscape. Unfortunately I usually have to keep my eyes on the road, where all I see is gravel, rocks and sand. I also have to keep my eyes closed, as every time a car pass I am left in a cloud of dust and dirt.
I and the bike dig further down in the dirt when I fall for the first time on this journey. Then I do it a second time, a third time, and a fourth time. I only get a few scratches and bruises on a body which is rather filthy anyway. During one stretch I don’t shower for five days and my skin is covered in a dried up mix of sweat, sand and sunscreen. Sometimes I stay in places where I can wash myself, but sometimes I only pick out small flies from the corner of my eyes. These are probably my dirtiest and difficult weeks on the road.
As the dust settles from the passing cars I meet the people who move just as slow as me. Shepherds in traditional dress herd their animals in the hills, children in school uniforms walk in groups on the roads and voters in their finest clothes are on their way to the national polling stations. Some days the farmers give me picnic-potatoes from their harvest and some evenings I receive dinner from their gardens and a place to rest. As one family serves up a three course breakfast, I ask them how they like the secluded life up here along the dirt roads and they say that it is both hard and great. After my weeks here by bike, I can only agree.
Du beskriver allt sa bra, man riktigt kanner solen,kylan, sanden och hur du sladdar pa gruset! Ta det lugnt pa ditt satt. Massa kramar till dig fran oss!
Tack Anna, vad jag älskar dina kommentarer.
Massor av kramar tillbaka från de lite lugnare asfalterade vägarna och kullerstensgatorna.
I love you!!! me oh my – what a wild ride you are on. Sending you love and strength. xoxo
Thank you lovely. I will keep that strength, I think I will need it further down the road.
I hope everything is well on your ride of life xxx