Why Now, Why Peru?

On September 29th I will be setting out for a month long trek through Peru. I've had several people ask me why I decided to take such a long trip by myself, and why specifically did I choose Peru. There are quite a few reasons, the first one being that my current employment status leaves me with ample free time. My girlfriend, Kimberly, while adventurous and a seasoned world traveler, has no desire to sleep outside or hike up a mountain. Plus she is far to busy being 'employed' to leave the country for a month.

The second reason is that I have always wanted to go do some serious hiking in and exotic locale. One of the few physical activities, for which I have ever shown any promise, happens to be walking uphill with a lot of weight piled on my back. I'm not fast enough to run cross-country, or strong enough to enter the World's Strong Man, so hiking is my only option.

Several years ago while on a trip with Kimberly to Switzerland, I was able to do a couple of hikes in the Alps near the border with Italy. It was the most beautiful country I have ever seen. This experience wetted my appetite for a longer, higher hike. While watching the movie The Motorcycle Diaries, about a young Che Geuvara's trip across South America, I saw beautiful footage of the Andean ascent to Machu Pichu. After seeing these beautiful scenes I knew I wanted to go there. I consulted my grandmother, who after decades of constant travel is a walking Frommer's guide, and I was ready to go.

Now two years later, I finally have the free time and the cheap ticket that will allow me to see the Andes.