The Peruvian Abdominal Workout
Trip Start
Jan 17, 2005
1
36
56
Trip End
Oct 10, 2005
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Ollantaytambo, Peru
Friday, July 8, 2005
Somewhere along the 3 hour journey to get there my health began a further downward spiral (not helped by the last 30 minute leg of the journey in which 19 passengers were stuffed into a Toyota van). When I arrived in town I had a fever of approximately 110. I also had suddenly developed a nasty cough. I checked into the first hospedeje I could find and hit the bed immediately. Unfortunately, no sleep was to be had for the next 5 hours while I lay there and wonder to myself, 'How can my forehead be so blistering hot yet the rest of me shivers uncontrolably?'. Somewhere in the delirium I managed to swallow some medications that allowed me to regain my senses. I felt strong enough to walk about for some air and thought I should eat something, as yet another day had nearly passed on my 500 calorie per day diet. There were lots of restaurants to chose from, though all were absolutely empty. They were all waiting for the busloads of gringos that never came... I felt a bit sheepish stepping into a place and disturbing their conversation with a food order.
Exhausted from consumption of my plate of spagetti, I figured an early night was in order. To ensure a solid night's sleep, I whipped up a cocktail of Cipro, Nyquil and Tylenol PM - that ought to knock me out! After 2 hours of staring at the inside of my eyelids I dozed off lightly, waking frequently. Perhaps 6 hours of 'sleep' in my 12 hours in bed? What the heck??!!! What kind of bizarro virus is this??!!! Never in my years has Nyquil been stymied!!! Despite being more exhausted than the night before when I finally got out of bed, I was slightly improved as the fever and madness had reduced. But now I had a much more violent cough (after a few days of this combined with the previous illness, the abs are looking great! a 6-pack in no time!!). I got out of bed long enough to visit the Inca fortress adjacent to town - this was assisted by its presence 100 m from my hostel door.
After a few more sleepless naps and another struggle with dinner, I thought there was no way I would have the same experience as the previous night! Sleep will be mine!!! After 3 hours of looking at the ceiling of my blackened room, I decided to try and make a game out of it and see if I could stay up all night! My first effort was to pen this story. Still didn't do the job. Then things got really wacky and I decided to start writing haikus. 15 or so haikus later my eyelids began to feel heavy. I dozed off and actually slept a bit. I remember a strange feeling of vindication as I this occurred. 'Hah!!! Take that, caffine virus!!!'
I was going to try and see some other local sites, but after eduring a second evening this I came to the conclusion that bad karma existed in this town for me and I should return to Cuzco.
Oh yes. The haikus. My haikus follow a 3-5-3 rule, not strictly adhering to the traditional 5-7-5. But I did some research and this is still acceptable. I like to think they are more elegant in their simplicity. Here is a sampling:
Oh Fever
Ollantaytambo
Let me sleep
Locals cry
Mister you need stick
no i don't
Inca Flume
Women wash their clothes
don't drink it
Hot shower
the truth, in Peru?
it is cold
French couple
Out of my photo
can't trust them
Toyota
Nine-teen people full
this is tight
Comments
man of many tongues
you have a way with words Maestro!
ollyta
I remember those streets! Took a lot of the same pics. Did you see the fountains on the far side of town? Another interesting thing we saw there was two dogs 'stuck' together. One male, one female. You do the math.
haiku rules
i didn't know haikus could be a 3-5-3. i will keep that in mind!
what's the story on the french couple????