Perhaps the biggest lesson of all came a few weeks after the trek, as I was writing the blog itself. This lesson was in non-attachment. Because this trek was so awe inspiring, I couldn't leave out many details. This being so, I spent at least eight hours writing the first entry. I was revising it for the last time when I accidently erased the entire thing. In the moments of panic that followed, I had no choice but to be present during my freak out. My notes, of course, I had thrown out the day before. After some deeeep breathing and support from Vern and Katie, I decided that I would try to re-write it. With Cuba Libre (rum and coke) in hand...here I go. Maybe the first attempt was too long anyway...
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Although the following may sound like a tale of unfortunate events (omitting the above paragraph), let me assure you that every minute was an adventure. Had things not unfolded the way in which they did, it would not have felt like 'our' trip. Strange and random occurrences seem to be the norm of our travels. And besides, the amazing untouched beauty we experienced, as written beautifully in Vern´s pervious blog, made it more than worth it, but it always does.
The moon is nearly full. We will probably be hiking towards Machu Picchu at its fullest. I have as many questions floating in my head as there are stars in the sky. It is not often we are blessed with a sky as clear and bright as this. Our faithful guide, Orion, is shining with strength. A shooting star races across the sky...then another. The sound of the river below is a soothing melody floating into my ears and washing over my soul. Maybe it´s because I grew up in a valley, but being in this canyon (the second deepest in the world) makes me feel at home. Clouds illuminated by the moonlight show off a zoo of animals. The ridges of the descending canyon look like faces of grandfathers past. I long to ask them of my fate, my purpose in this life. They would only slyly smile back, for I know that these are not questions to be answered by even the wisest of souls. These are for me to discover for myself. I sit in silence for a moment of peaceful solitude in the grass. Silence provides my mind a break from the busyness of thoughts. A burning excitement runs through my being. A calm warmth resides in my heart. My lesson here is patience. In time, the answers will come.
my favorite time in Canoa and my favorite time to surf. Things seem quieter at this time. Like the waves this particular afternoon, the vibe in the water is playful and jovial. 
