Health First!

The last thing we want is a terrible illness to ruin our amazing trip, so we aren't messing around!

Last week, I booked an appointment at MGH’s Travel Clinic. They were fantastic! For a girl who doesn’t have much time, they squeezed me in on my lunch break and I was in and out in a half hour!

I had a 20 minute consultation with Dr. Ryan, who went over everything. He was so wonderful and put all my concerns to rest. Then a quick 3 shots from the nurse and a few prescriptions later, BAM!! Dunzo. So easy!....except about an hour after my shots I had dead arm in both arms for the rest of the day. Owwwwww.

So here’s the dealio with vaccinations when traveling to Peru:

• Routine vaccines are a must. You will most likely have had these shots already, but it is good to just confirm. I thought I was good with my tetanus shot, but needed another one! Every 10 years, you’re due! Then your other ones: flu shot, chickenpox, polio and measles/mumps and rubella (MMR). 
• Hepatitis A-Highly recommended by the CDC and the travel clinic. It is recommended you get your second shot 6 months after the first.
• Hepatitis B- You most likely had these before you went to middle school. Series of three. I remember those bad boys killed. 
• Yellow Fever-This was recommended because we will be traveling to northern Puno. Check!
• Malaria is prevalent in areas we aren't traveling to, so no go on that.

Other then those vaccinations, the doc prescribed me some altitude sickness pills and a another medication that I won’t go into detail about for your own sake. Trust me. 

Another precaution we’re taking is purchasing a bunch of water purifying tablets. Those are a must! No food and water born illnesses please and thank you.  

Disclaimer: This gal is no Doctor! Go see your primary! 

xo-MC

Flying High

By Meg S. 

We had two options for travel from Cuzco to Lima:

hop on a 23hr, bumpy overnight bus for about $40

OR

take a 1hr plane ride directly into the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima for $100

We unanimously agreed on the plane ride option and booked tickets through StarPeru (http://www.starperu.com/). If everything goes according to plan (easier said than done in a foreign country) our group will arrive in Lima around 10:30am the morning of our departure back to the States. We will have plenty of time to hang out in the airport or do some last minute sightseeing before we leave that evening.

Fearing Altitude Sickness a Little Less...

by Colleen

Altitude sickness has recently been on my mind.  This past weekend I was reminiscing with some friends about my cross country trip to Colorado two summers ago.  One of my old teammates had decided to move to Boulder for the summer and asked if I would join her on the road trip.  We were staying with some of her friends on the Colorado soccer team and being our competitive selves, deciding to join them for a run the second day there.  For those of you who aren't aware, there is a severe altitude difference from Boulder and Boston.  Needless to say, we underestimated the power of altitude sickness and weren't even able to run a mile before keeling over.  This is where my fear of altitude sickness stems from.  Luckily, with the help of these quick articles and plenty of cocoa leaves, I'm hoping to reduce the risk of altitude sickness and enjoy some runs in Cusco before our trek up Machu Picchu. Check 'em out...Article from Runnersworld.com
Altitude Sickness Specifically related to Machu Picchu

Wait, you mean I can't pack a blowdryer or heals?!

So, for those of you who know me, you know I'm obsessed with two things. Hair and Heals. On any other trip, I tend to pack like 5 pairs of heals (exceeding the weight limit of my suitcase...yes it has happened before), my blowdryer (refuse to use hotel blowdryers), flat iron, curling iron, a cornucopia of product, you name it.

So, for this trip, I'm completely letting down my guard, and succumbing to the backpacking gods. I will leave my beloved heals and blowdryer behind. (gasp)

Tonight, while lounging around watching the Bachelor (why did he pick Courtney?! ), little Meg and I were discussing our options for taming our wild manes on this trip. While on the mountain, a baseball hat, our fantastic lululemon headbands/work out headbands and head scarves are going to be the equivalent to like water (well, at least for me). As for just traveling around on our other adventures, we both unknowingly have decided we are purchasing fedora's for this trip! So cute and so casual!

As for the heals, well obviously I'm not bringing them. Hiking boots, sneakers and sandals it is!

Rough Itinerary

By Meg S. 


We have three months left until our departure and our trip planning is well underway. So far we have booked our flights and paid our $250 deposit to SAS Travel to hike the Inca Trail. Our goal is to hit two or three locations before arriving in Cuzco. We have tentatively decided on Ica/Huacachina, Arequipa, and Puno/Lake Titicaca (titty-caca hehe). Here is a rough version of our itinerary with ideas for hostels:

May 20th	Newark → Lima, Night in Lima (1900 Backpackers)
May 21st	Bus Lima → Ica (5 hrs), Night in Huacachina (Banana’s Adventure)
May 22nd	Day in Huacachina, Night Bus Ica → Arequipa (11 hrs)
May 23rd	Arrive in Arequipa in morning, Night in Arequipa (Wild Rover)
May 24th	Day/Night Arequipa (Wild Rover)
May 25th	Morning bus Arequipa → Puno, Night in Puno (Pirwa)
May 26th	Day/Night Puno (Pirwa)
May 27th	Morning transport to Cuzco, Night in Cuzco (Pariwana)
May 28th	Night in Cuzco (Pariwana)
May 29th	Night in Cuzco (Pariwana)
May 30th	Night in Cuzco (quiet hostel)
May 31st	Inca trail
June 1	Inca trail
June 2	Inca trail
June 3	Inca trail, Night in Cuzco (quiet hostel)
June 4	Flight Cuzco → Lima → NEWARK

One very important lesson we learned while booking our Macchu Picchu trek is that you NEED a passport before you book the hike. This is one tiny, yet very important detail Meg S. noticed while looking at tour sites. Yes, I have never been out of the country (well besides Canada but who counts that) and needed to get my passport. Most tour groups will NOT, I repeat NOT allow you to book with them unless you can provide your passport ID number. Fortunately, Meg S. found one company who was understanding of our situation and allowed us to register as long as we sent them my information ASAP. Phew... it was a very close call! Learn from our mistakes and book 5 to 6 months in advance. Happy trekking :)

-Colleen

Trek Training 2/1/12

By Meg S.

With 3 months to go until our trek, we are getting serious about our training. We will be hiking about 6-7 hrs a day up some pretty rigorous terrain in high altitude. 

I am absolutely clueless when it comes to fitness! My first month at the gym was limited to Zumba and the elliptical machine (not exactly the hard core training one needs for the Inca Trail). Luckily, Colleen is a PRO at this kind of stuff and has whipping me into shape! Last night we snagged an open room at our gym, blasted some music and did the following routine: 

1.       Cardio Warm-Up: 20 minutes

2.       Leg Extension: 3x10

3.       Kettlebell Swing: 3x30sec

4.       Medicine Ball Squat and Slam: 3x30sec

5.       Kettlebell Clean and Press: 3x10 (each arm)

6.       Ice Skaters*: 3x30sec

7.       Medicine Ball Woodchoppers*: 3x10 (each side)

8.       Snowboarders*: 2x30sec

9.       Hindu Squats: 3x1min

10.   Burpees: 3x10

11.   Partner sit-ups: 3x10

12.   Stability ball ab tucks: 3x10-20

13.   Stability ball pass: 3x8-10

Notes: 30 second rest between each set. *Planks and side planks during 30 second rest period.