Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I started this blog just mainly be able to bitch about whatever I wanted to bitch about. But I’m gonna move a little way from that this time, and I am gonna to tell you a little story. Sitting outside and it is raining. I love the rain, it doesn’t rain that much in my state so when it does I like to come out and ponder. I do not have any fancy degree, nor a fancy school to write about, not a fancy car, or a fancy house, but what I do have is lots of love and people who love me. I am truly blessed. 9 years ago I was a fucking mess. Wasn’t able to go more than two to three hours without a drink before the shakes would come along and I would drown myself again. Showed up to court looking pale, gray, and yellow, didn’t have laces in one of my shoes. A Ugly mess folks.
After some time of being sober I wanted to find even a higher, higher power. I made a plan to go to Peru to do some soul searching. When I made the connecting flight at LAX, I felt like a little kid in a candy store, I was flying to Lima, Peru on a 787 Dreamliner which for me this aircraft is wonderful in my eyes. One funny thing was that I was sitting next to a professor from a bigger school in the east. He looked out the window, looked at me and said “The damn wings are bending in half.” I chuckled under my breath for a second, then I assured him that it was designed to flex like that and everything would be fine. The rest of that flight he and I were relaxed and calm. Landing in Lima and departing from the 787 there was a horrendous smell that almost made me gag. It was the smell of the refineries and the smell got worse as I traveled north to a small city but close to the coast. I was staying with some new friends and thank god I was, because I don’t speak a lick of Spanish.
During my stay I was just taking it all in and learning. Looking at this family that took a stranger like me in and treated me very well, I was shocked because I hadn’t felt love and kindness for such a long time. I marveled at how the whole family was laughing and joking being playful and loving, To be honest I was kind of jealous because my family wasn’t near as caring but then again I burnt those bridges long ago in the wake of my past. I stayed in there care for a week, tried some new foods such as guinea pig, authentic ceviche, and chicken broth / leg soup.
After the stay I was on my way for the main reason I went to Peru. Machu Picchu, just the name makes people think of the beautiful ancient city ruins in the clouds. But they don’t really tell you that it is a journey to get there even after your in Peru. Hop on a little plane, fly to Cusco, ride in a train to Aguas Calientes, get on a bus up to Machu Picchu and then you have arrived. Oh wait still need to hike. I was where I wanted to come for so long and the weather wasn’t cooperating, with a light drizzle and darker clouds coming in. I knew that I didn’t have much time but to hike up one of the two trails, I chose to hike up to the Huayna Picchu mountain just north of the Inca ruins. Great hike but thousands of steps. I am a history buff which was good because on my way up I came across a stone step that had Hiram Bingham etched in the surface, which was awesome! He was a explorer that was there at that same place I was back in 1911. After a good minute I started up the mountain again. The rain had picked up and thunder was off in the distance. I was going up as fast as I could and right before the summit, literally 50 yards more I was stopped by the Peruvian Guards, I was aggravated I could finish my goal. I rearranged my camera gear and a pack of smokes fell out of my backpack and I hurriedly put them back but I was noticed by the guards. I thought for sure they were going to fine me for smoking even though I hadn’t had a cigarettes the whole time I was up there. One of the guards said in broken English “American, American smoke.” I said back to him “Yes I am American and these are from America.” they both put out there hand and gestured for a smoke, I gave them some and even lit them up. They really enjoyed American Cigarettes’ apparently. We tried to have a conversation but it really was no use they allowed me to have a smoke with them as well and the three of us sat close to the summit not really saying anything just taking in the view and having a smoke. It was surreal to me. Thunder and lightning were close with heavy rain coming down, by this time my backpack was getting really wet with all my camera gear inside. I had to move quickly back down the thousands stairs.
Half way down the trail my knees were buckling and it was getting hard to keep a fast pace it is a very steep trail. I stopped in a cove lit up another smoke and looked down at Machu Picchu and realized at that moment with the all this searching for a higher higher power it was with me and around me this whole time. I had a very powerful god shot and felt at that moment complete serenity. I took some pictures and calmly walked down the trail drenched by the rain, knees almost giving out. My mind was clear and heart full I knew that the path that I was on was meant to be.
Ever since that trip I have always tried to be a balanced person. Even to this day quite some time later I still am sober and loving life. Sure it has had its up’s and down’s but I have never giving up on that feeing I had on that truly awesome mountain.
BullSh!t 