June 9, 2012
Most days when we get home, the different
committees break up to prepare for the next day. This includes packing new
supplies and restocking the pharmacy, gathering shoes for the next clinic, and
glasses to give out as well. We restock the forms that we fill out every day
and collect the ones already filled out. We also make assignments for the next
day and make any changes needed to how the clinic functions.
Today being Saturday and a clinic-free day, a few
of us put all of that aside for a chance to see one of the greatest Inca ruins,
Huchicuzco. Our host, Edwin Gonzalez, told us about these ruins inside
the Sacred Valley, considered to be the most amazing Inca ruins in Peru apart
from Machu Picchu and not generally visited by tourists. Excited to
appreciate the wonders of Peru, a group of us walked to the bus station and
hired a taxi-van to take us there. After finally getting a taxi to agree
to the trip, we began driving through town.
We had thought that the taxi would take us directly
to the ruins but in order for the driver to make money on the arrangement he
picked up about 10 other people on the way. Our van suddenly became very full.
Luckily all of the riders were soon dropped off in Calca and the driver took us
across the river and began to climb the mountain side. The road consisted of a
narrowing path that climbed steeply in a long set of switchbacks. We kept
climbing to a dizzying height above the tree line and kept going. Finally, we
came to some extreme switchbacks that required us to make a three point turn
with only a few feet to back up into. The bus became stuck and we ended up
pushing the bus out of a hole. After the second three point turn we decided to
walk the rest of the way.
As sunset approached we quickly climbed the
switchbacks, occasionally taking shortcuts. After every turn of the mountain we
hoped to find this hidden city of the Inca. We climbed for about an hour when
we had to stop due to the darkening sky, only 100 meters from the top.
We followed our better judgment and walked back
down the mountain. By the time we made it to the main road in our van, night
had come. While we failed to find Huchicuzco, we enjoy a spectacular view of
the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba river. We also saw and climbed great Inca
architecture in the stepping terraces that the Inca built for high mountain
farming. Most of all we got to enjoy each other’s company and share an
adventure mixed with terror, exploration, endurance, and determination. All who
went found the trip worthwhile; take a look at our pictures to see why.
5th Year Medical Student, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Clinical Coordinator
Glad you guys got back safely. Stay well and all the best for the next 3 weeks. We got back safely y'day and are missing Peru!
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