The plane flight from the jungle to La Paz, taxiride downtown, undetaining our passports from immigrations, a taxi back uptown, and 4 hr bus and a two hour open air boat ride across Lake Titikaka was nothing compared to the climb to our hostel on Isla del Sol.
The sun set behind us as we braved the daunting stairs up to the town area on the north side of Isla del Sol. One step at a time, one breath at a time. Keeping my eyes on my feet, stepping from stone to stone, focusing on the bright green grass between steps, focusing on the patches of white daisies framing the path, focusing on anything but my bodily senstaions: a combination of
. To the right of the path, a stream of water rushed down the hill, reminding me of the direction my body wanted to go, down. But I pushed against gravity and the 20 plus pounds on my back, knowing I could enjoy this picturesque ascent, when it was a descent. A young boy scampered up the hill in front of us, completely accustomed to running at 4280 meters. He offered us a sprig of natural mint to calm our panting.
We fell through the door of the hostel in a breathless pile, tossing our backpacks, bags and water bottles on the concrete floor. After ordering our things, we left to climb the hill further, the thought of warm food and a beer reeling us up the hill. Quinoa soup, stuffed trout from the lake, and banana leche juice at a candle lit table next to a woodburning stove made the crazy day worth it.
Woke in the middle of the night to a bright light outside the window. The moon had risen and cast a thick white beam across the sea size lake.
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