Happiness is an ill-planned roadtrip: Paucartambo’s Virgen del Carmen
Paucartambo's famous bridge - Puente Carlos III.
Dancers waiting to enter the cemetery.
Sunrise over Manu National Park from Tres Cruces.
Chullpas - Incan funary pyres
All images: Camden Luxford
Happiness is cheesy 80s music and a bottle of Pisco on a late night drive. It’s waking up in the pouring rain in a borrowed tent you failed to notice the night before was less than waterproof. It’s sunburn and rich lamb soup on a muddy Andean morning. Buying warm beer and swapping slightly off-colour jokes with the señora, waiting hours for the dancing to begin.
Happiness is abandoning the tent and snatching a few hours sleep stretched out in a Volkswagen Combi; then waking up at 2 am and watching Willy navigate the perilous road to Tres Cruces with half his body out the window because the windshield won’t defog.
It’s taking out the back seat of the van and snuggling under blankets and sleeping bags, clutching hot tea and watching the sun rise over a blanket of clouds spread over Manu National Park.
Happiness is driving home with the roof off, wind tearing back hair and scarf, through dry, brown, Andean valleys.
and yes, meeting up for a drink would be awesome! And I know!! I’m such a...
Sounds very, very good. Count me in next year..I think.
It's lovely! We'll get planning your holidays here soon…
2010/7/23 Disqus <>
Nice pics, Camden. I went to the Paucartambo festival last year as well as the Tres Cruces sunrise…I was slowed down a bit by food poisoning, however. Glad you could make it. Is the hostel open yet?
Jason
Almost there – August 1 is the official opening date, although some friends
will be doing a test run stay this week. I'll be very, very happy to see
the doors open at last!
2010/7/23 Disqus <>
Gorgeous photos yet again. I always love the story you tell through these photo posts. Looks like a breath-taking area. That last photo really captures the idea of happiness and being on the road that you describe.
Thanks Suzy – I love that photo too.
2010/7/25 Disqus <>