We’ve spent three parts of Friday in Lima, doing our own things, before setting off for the airport late Friday afternoon.
The Big Five decided to hire a minibus for two hours to look around Lima. The first 45 minutes were spent in an enormous traffic jam, meaning we missed the changing of the Guards. At one point, it looked like we may see the ceremonial pageant on Saturday. We did, eventually get to see the main square (cathedral and palace) before going to San Francisco (a centre for church and convent). A delight awaited us in the catacombs, with full sight of 25,000 skulls and femurs, (whoops 50,000 femurs), laid out in creatively designed artistic patterns.
An afternoon at our favourite bar for food and drink followed before we all gathered for transit to the airport.
The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful, apart from the call for a doctor on the aircraft. This turned out to be for James, who was in considerable pain from a constantly swelling elbow. After suppositories and antibiotics supplied by a dentist and a nurse (funny things some people carry in their hand luggage ), we managed to deliver James to the First Aid at Schipol, where he was treated with care before providing his credit card. This episode completed a trio of incidents for poor James – first a fall on the trek, leaving him with a black eye and cuts, then the need for oxygen the following morning, when he woke up unable to breathe at altitude and, finally, the bite that left him feeling something was crawling around inside him. Other than this, he had a cracking time.
We’ve all talked about our various highs and lows.
Everyone is able to add their own to these (and I hope they will) but let me start them off.
Highs? Definitely the initial view of Machu Picchu and the enormous sense of achievement. Very close came the day with the Andean community on Saturday. For me, having a meal with a train passing up the High Street will be unforgettable. Also, seeing my son, Ben, on Day Two of the trek when I was all on my own, ranks highly, as does reaching the summit at 4200 metres with Dave Raine!
Lows? On Day Two, having missed the first stopping point by mistake and thinking after three hours of climbing that I hadn’t reached the quarter point that day (until Ben arrived to find me). Linked to that was the fact I told him to leave me alone. (It wasn’t the time to bond!)
We’ve all achieved and come through in various states of elation and disrepair. The fatigue, the injuries, the foul toilet and washing facilities, the day-long rain on Tuesday and then cramped camping provision will not be forgotten easily.
We’ve all put a lot of effort into both fundraising and the event and I’m sure we all feel it was well worth while, knowing so many kids in the UK will benefit. But we’ve all benefited as well. Those sights, the camaraderie, the various reasons for and personal achievements in completing, the different culture (particularly away from Lima) – all will remain with all of us for ever. And I don’t think anyone sampled the Peruvian delicacy of guinea pig.
I’d like to offer my personal thanks to Children Today for organising the trip and to Liz for leading it so professionally and enthusiastically.
It was a privilege to share the trip with James (great laughter despite his problems already described above), Cath (Scottish aristocracy and so worldly wise), Debbie (determination personified), Ann (shopping queen), Sharon (a supportive inspiration particularly to Cath), Diane (another laugher), Graham (a determined tower of strength), Katrina (wonderful Dublin accent), Amanda (looking forward to her wedding), Jenny (very sweet ), Carrie (where did all that hair come from in Lima? and enjoy that first vodka)), George (not well all the time but battled through and enjoy fundraising in the years to come). Then come the Big Five in Peru. Fluffy David (a great friend and inspiration), Ben (thanks to coming as son to father), Dave Raine (great teamwork) and, of course, Disco (always good company).
I hope you’ve enjoyed following our exploits on this blog and thanks to all who have supported us so far with sponsorship. It’s not been a holiday and has been a massive personal test. Let’s remember the real reason we’ve all done it. It’s to help children in the UK with disabilities. As a group so far, the 17 of us that went to Peru have raised more than £60,000 in total, but there’s still time for more. As for the Big Five, we've already been pledged over £15,000, and we've all paid our own costs. Please visit www.justgiving.com/bigfiveinperu to donate if you can.
By the way, Disco Dave has just cancelled his reservation at Newcastle RVI, as he’s come through unscathed.
Peter
Well done everyone. Good to know you all made it back in one piece (well mostly). I'm sure the descriptions of the toilet facilities don't fully do them justice! I guess there are many things we take for granted in our day to day lives.
ReplyDelete