I know this isn’t the first time I’ve said this, but it feels like a lot more than seven days have passed since I posted the last Photo of the Week. Since then, Zoe and I said goodbye in Arequipa, I ventured into the Colca Canyon and back, I headed back to Cusco, Anders arrived, I went on a Stand Up Paddling Cusco research trip for a freelance piece I’m working on, and I’ve spent the past seventy-two hours practically chained to my laptop furiously catching up on writing work and blogging.
So it should come as no surprise that I’ve run myself straight into the ground and am able to post this only by the grace of near-overdose levels of vitamins and ibuprofen. I’ve got a few more days of staying still and working before I’m on the move again, and I’m going to try to squeeze out every last second of productivity out of them — Vitamin C willing.
Photo A
A backyard shrine in the canyon town of Cabonaconde
Photo B
Deep in the Colca Canyon
Photo C
Me and my mule
Photo D
On the outskirts of Cusco
Photo E
Stand Up Paddling around Lake Piuray
Which photo is your favorite?
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I wrote a personal guest post called Why I Blog for travel site Go. See. Write. this week. Check it out for insights into how I ended up where I am today!
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Every morning this week I’ve been tuning into the news to see updates on Typhoon Haiyan’s destruction. I feel especially connected to this tragedy as many of the places I visited in the Philippines this March are now in ruin, including Malapascua Island — one of the highlights of my trip. I know there are many, many worthy causes for donation, but I’d like to take a minute to point out the collection fund that Malapascua-based dive shop Thresher Shark Divers has set up to help rebuild. One of my post-Burning Man resolutions was to donate a portion of this websites’ profits to a different cause each month — thank you for helping me make my November donation toward rebuilding Malapascua.
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You and your mule! 🙂
Thanks Teresa! Not sure who the star of that shot is… 😉
Photo A. The others are spectacular, of course, but I have a soft spot in my heart for folks who find strength and solace in Mary, mother of Jesus. Gaia, Hera, Athena – they all pale compared to this exquisite queen!
Peru is a devoutly Catholic country — there are shrines like this one all over the place!
I like E, except I think he might need to work on his technique, he’s going to have a tough time paddling like that.
I hope you feel better, you should take some time off, that’s what it’s all about, that and other stuff.
Yeah, it’s weird, people keep telling me there is more to life than working and blogging? Not sure what they are getting at there…
Just kidding. It seems no matter how far and wide I travel, my American work ethic never leaves me!
B….it gives an idea of how rugged the country really is
Peru has amazed me with its diversity. From the lush Amazon to cosmopolitan Lima to this remote, deep Canyon country… it’s amazing!
Saw your story on go.see.write.
Nice piece.
D.
Thanks David! You probably know all too well those “after prom parties that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere…”
Photo D or E love the mountains and yoga so hard to decide
This tour was the perfect combination of both 🙂 Looking forward to posting more about it!
No. (E) give you full of courage and sense of self-confidence ..Breathtaking nature, trees hugging the water ..I wish you luck, dear
Thanks Sameer!
B, spectacular scenery.
Thanks for voting Steve! It was a beautiful hike.
D. The Mule all the way!
Thanks for voting, Chris 🙂 I feel that shadows have becoming one of my signature shots!
Your work ethic astounds me! Please rest as much as you can! I love the mule. And good on you for supporting the Philippines, I will be too.
As I said elsewhere in the comments… that American work ethic is hard to shake! Luckily I’ve been able to stay in one place for six whole nights… a record thus far on this trip!
I just love your pictures Alex! The headstand on the paddle board is awesome but I think the mule takes the cake. How fun 🙂
Thank you so much Shaz 🙂 This comment really made me smile!
D. I love the flowers! flower/valley photos trump sunsets, beaches.. anything!
Well in that case, I have some Inca Trail fauna coming up that is really going to blow your mind 🙂
Photo E. Doing a headstand on solid ground is a mean feat – hats off to this talented individual that has good enough balance to do it in a paddle board!
I am still working on mine on dry land! I was wowed 🙂
Love the one of you and your mule!
So sad to hear about the Philippines. I think it’s great you’re donating part of your profits to something you love so much!
It really is a tragedy. It makes me want to return sooner rather than later — I’m sure they’ll need tourism dollars more than ever once they are back on their feet.
I love photo B, the one with the cross. It looks so peaceful! Did you trek in the Colca Canyon at all? I am currently considering it, but it is 6 hours away from Arequipa, so not sure I can cope with such a long bus journey (I am having far too many of those in Peru and Bolivia).
Yes, we trekked all the way in! You can break up the bus journey with a night in Chivay and zipline/hang out at the hotsprings!
Photo E is my favorite. In a word, amazing!
Thanks so much Rashaad! Have to agree 🙂