the end of Cusco

So after many complaints that I have not written I decided I should write another post before I lose my audience! haha.
Where to begin since I last wrote.....

So last week a few others from the orphanage and I did white water rafting. It was wicked! We drove two hours away from Cusco to the mountains and the scenery was just incredible. We were given (rather tight) wetsuits, a lesson and then off along the river. It was so much fun but bloody cold. We got told we could have a swim after quite a while of rafting so I assumed that meant it was the end of the trip. The water was freezingggggg! Unfortunately it wasn´t the end of the trip and we still had another 40mins of rafting to do so my hands and feel were so cold. I was also having a go at the front of the raft so jsut kept getting all the water in my face. Not as much as Sadir though. Our guide thought he would have a joke on him and move him to the front where he got soaked!
There were a few hairy moments when, for example, we got stuck on a rock. I thought that was it - we´re all going in. The guide sorted the weight balance by moving a few of us and we managed to stay in the raft. My biggest fear of the trip was that I was going to be the moron that fell in and had to be rescued by the guides following in the kayaks. I wedged my feet firmly in the raft to avoid this!
After two hours rafting we got to use the saunas and hot showers which were well needed after the cold. Then lunch and back home. Top day out.

Another trip which obviously had to be done whilst in Peru was the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. All I can say is thank God I only picked the two day trek because it was hard work. I would like to blame altitude for it being so difficult but I think I have had enough time to acclimatize now so it must be down to me being so unfit!
The trek was hard but obviously it was worth it. It´s incredible there. I don´t know whether I was more impressed by the views or the way the Inca´s lived and the things that they built.

As we were up at 4am (for the second day running) we managed to get on the list to climb Wyna Pichu. Only 400 people can climb a day and I was almost tempted to say no when I saw it. When we arrived at the Sun Gate the day before I thought the guy was joking when he pointed the mountain out because I was thinking there was no way I was going to make it up that. Anyway, I knew that I couldn´t go all that way, have the opportunity to climb it and not do it. I did it with this lovely Australian couple and an American girl also on my trip but I had to put my ipod in (glad I listened to Chloe for once) and not speak. It was quite funny walking up because everyone just looked shattered and sweaty and people had to keep stopping to catch their breath. Once we got to the top though it was all worth it and the views were amazing. By the time we got back down again it was lunch time so we headed back on the bus to our hostal and there was an all you could eat buffet - perfecto.

As I was going away for two days I decided it was best to say my good byes at the orphanage before the trip. It was really sad to leave the kids. They really are lovely. To think about how much they have gone through and the lives they have had, it´s remarkable how some of them have coped. I got a bit emotional leaving one of the boys behind - I seriously contemplated whether I could adopt him or not. He kept asking when I was coming back and it´s so hard to give an answer as obviously I can´t be sure and I don´t want to promise anything.
A few of us went out for lunch and then I said I wanted to get a cake for the kids as a leaving present. The boys found this hugeeeee tub of ice cream as well. We took it home and the kids got so excited. Afterwards we had a bit of a party. I love those moments when all the kids look so happy, dancing and being silly - doing what children should do. Unfortunately, there was a downside to the party which was that the night before one of the boys had escaped. I don´t think he will come back now to be honest. He´s one of the slightly older ones and has escaped many times. I just pray he manages to stay safe wherever he is.

Well my last day in Cusco is here. I am quite sad to leave to be honest. I feel settled here. Last night I stayed in a hostal in the plaza. Breakfast this morning was the perfect way to end my last day. Sat with a window view of the Plaza de Armas with the sun shining - que lindo.

Cusco y mis amigos aca - les extrañaré muchisimo.