Man Overboard!
- 2 Nov 07, 10:48 AM
Posted from:Machu Puente
Today started rather inauspiciously as I jumped into my canoe at the place where I left it last night and capsized after about half a minute on the water! I hadn't put my back-rest in properly, which was a little embarrassing, particularly because my confidence in the water had been so high yesterday, but I guess it's important to get a reminder that I'm not unsinkable!
Bruce's boat capsizes
Eric and I had a great paddle along the gorge: we went through beautiful canyons and then past the hacienda in Machu Puente, which is where Eric lived with his father until the age of seven. Eric, in addition to being an incredible canoeist of international standard, is a really great guy, and I've really enjoyed learning from him on the water.
At midday we got back on dry land, and by this point I started to feel pretty rough. I think this is because the last week has involved some hard treks, during which I've been suffering from bad guts, and then a lot of kayaking. So my immunity and physical strength has taken a bit of a battering and I'm starting to feel it.
Experiencing Day of the Dead whilst feeling pretty unwell wasn't the easiest but it is a fascinating ceremony held throughout Peru and it was very interesting despite feeling under the weather. It's not just about remembering your loved ones, it also seems to be about re-living experiences with them. People first go to the graves in the cemetery, bringing food or artifacts that were important during their loved one's life, and then food is shared with other people. It's a really important way for people here in the Andes to celebrate life, and the crew and I were lucky to experience it.
This blog was transcribed from an audio recording
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