Written by: Natalie
Saturday, 30 August 2008

This moring we all woke up felling positive and looking forward to the day. Yesterday was one of the hardest days so far for me...climbing San Antonio pass was more challenging than I had envisaged. Nonetheless we all did it as a team, and today was meant to be no where near as physical. The trek today took us through a valley, along a massive rivier and culminated in a town called Huaeyappa.
The terrain out of camp quickly flattened and transformed into meadows scattered with large boulders and cute little glacial streams. We walked or rather meandered for a few hours through this terrain and after a while the scenerey started to change, in what could only be described as quiet english country side. Trees started popping up, which was unusual because I hadnt seen a tree since our bus ride to Huruaz. The grass became greener and there were a lot more "rock fences" around (they were used by the locals to keep their animals in). Just as quickly as the scenery changed, it turned back into the rocky, shale like, moon scape that I was used to. The track now took us along the edge of a stream that was gradually gaining momentum. This was quite pretty and relaxing. I was getting used to walking to the melody of bubbling water. We qucikly reached a point on the track were that cute stream fell vertically down and transformed into a gushing waterfall.....strangely enough the track followed the water straight down.

I always find going down hill frustrating because my right knee cant take my full weight, so I have to go very carefully and slowly which is completely against my nature. But this is one of the lessons I have learnt on the mountain (by force) - to go slowly and purposefully instead of full steam ahead. On our rocky descent, the temperature really changed from a brisk sharp coolness to obviously hot...the presence of flies and cacti seemed to confirm this. You could really tell we were descending! At the bottom of the waterfall Zac left us to get to Huaeyappa to do some business. Apparently we were walking to slow for him, so Abraham lead the rest of the way. Abraham was like a gentle granddad, he didnt say much but when he did it was funny.

The stream we were following was now a rapid filled, rushing glacial river. It cut its way in between 2 mountain ranges and was the most powerful river I had seen on the trek so far. We slowed the pace down to enjoy the beauty of the place. Green pastures; differnt coloured flowers; strange little gates scattering the path and this beautiful river - were all very new to us on this trek. For lunch, we sat along side the bank of the river out of the wind and cooled off. It was nice to be so close to nature, and it gave us all a good chance to just chill out in the Andes. It was amazing to think that after today we would be in the Amazon in a week.

After a while, Abraham got us walking again and the town of Huaeyappa came into site. It was quite small, nestled against the base of a large, pointy looking mountain. Because of the size of the moutain and the shadow it cast it seemed like this town was always in the dark. As we entered the town, I got the feeling of emptyness - there was no one the streets, not even kids playing. I followed Jade into this dark little shop and continued out the back..it was like a transformation. The dark dingy shop had a colourful green courtyard and brightly painted buildings out the back. Zac and the arreiros had lucnh set up for us in the back room. Apparently this shop doubled as a hotel and we were going to be sleeping here tonight...that´s why Zac had to get here quickly!! I felt a bit weird about leaving the comfort or rather confines of my little tent, as all of us girls we were all in one big room - but I was thankful for the mattress instead of my self deflating thermarest!

Once we had settled in, it was time to exlpore the town and give away all of the presents we had carried here. My first impressions of the town was that it was dark, dusty and cold. But as we walked around a few more people starting coming out. As soon as we started giving out the gifts, it was like all of the children of Huaeyappa came out from hiding. Walking around teh streets we had a trail of children following us - it reminded me of the Pied Piper. All of the kids were so well mannered and apprecaited all of the gifts. Most of them got pens and a few paint sets.

sOne of the little boys following us had a really bad 3rd degree burn on his hand. So Jade got him to some back to the hotel with us to try and treat the burn with out first aid kit. Along the way we found his mother and sister, so they came along too. Jade did a great job at acleaning and bandaging his hand, the little guy was so brave, he wasnt upset aslong as he had a lollie. He left with his mum and sister, along with some medical supplies...I just hope his hand egts better. No sooner had they left, Zac had organised for some local women to come visit, so that Renee could give away the baby clothes her friend had given her. All in all it was a very productive afternoon!

Everyone was in good spirits so we got some wine and local beer (for the guys) for dinner. I noticed that during dinner Zac kept on disappearing. And it soon became apparent why!! Zac and Jade had organsised for a local musican and his daughter to play the harp and sing for us .-)
The evening turned into one of dancing Peuvian style with Zac, Abraham and the arrierios. It was great fun and a good opportunity for the arrierios to get to know us as more than tourists - even if every song they played sounded like the one before! We went to bed at about 10.30pm - which was late for us....but I quickly feel asleep in my very comfortable bed.

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