I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m riding the bike a lot again, or it’s the altitude, or not resting after climbing Machu Pichu but I feel tired all the time. Cold and tired. Days like today don’t help.
Crossing the Altiplano from Cuzco to Puno (on Lake Titikaka) I had to ride through a storm. I won’t repeat the content here but you can guess the internal monologue as I saw the skies darken ahead. Initially pleading it would pass me by. Then rage against the thunder, lightning and dark curtains of rain sweeping across the plains towards me. There’s only one road along that route and not many places to stay so it was either forward or backward and I was damned if I was turning round just to do the same tomorrow. So another case of: “Suck it up Abrahams and see what happens. Surely it can’t be that bad.” Oh but it was. Hail stones the size of marbles were thrown down with such ferocity that they actually hurt my hands and thighs. Within an instant the road was covered with ice balls and freezing surface water. This time I did stop and take photos. Otherwise you’d never believe me. It wasn’t as if I could get and wetter (or colder). A miserable day.
Heading to La Paz in Bolivia tomorrow, to rest for a few days. Need to try and shake of this malaise.
Tags: altiplano, bolivia, cuzco, lake titikaka, puno