Perú: Day 6 with Condors

Maricela OP
Jul 20, 2017 · 5 min read

Our fourth day with Contiki started before the sun was up. For that reason, I stared out the window of our bus hoping to be lulled back to sleep with the soft melody of the yellow plain fields and rolling hills. But Gladys shook me wide awake when she began telling us about how indigenous people used to change the shape of their baby’s craniums 4,000 years ago. She explained that adults used to place a piece of wood on each side of an infant’s head and tie them together to elongate the skull. Back then, long skulls were a sign of beauty and status. Just then, a cloud of smoke forming behind a hill caught my attention. Noticing my distraction, Gladys paused too. Taking a peek, she quickly switched topics, taking advantage of the sight the nature Gods were offering us.

It was the Sabancaya volcano in action. Gladys informed us that it exploded 47 times a day. This and other volcanos were the cause of daily tremblors in the region, some of which were felt while others went unnoticed.

With such an engaging morning— it wasn’t even 8am yet — I knew I couldn’t fall back asleep. There was so much to learn and see, like the llamas and alpacas waiting for their gratuity at the first photo op.

Doorway to the Sun Gods.
Is that a dinosaur on the top rock?
It was recommended we pay one sol for every photo. Totally worth it!

I never quite learned the difference between a llama and an alpaca despite my two weeks in Peru. The llama is supposed to have a longer face, like the animal on the right. An alpaca has a smaller one, therefore it was the one on the left. Allegedly.

Fearless. The llama, I mean.
Embodiment of Peru captured in this shot: mountains, the native woman, and an alpaca.

After capturing the perfect, enviable Peruvian shots for Facebook, we continued on to the main destination for the day: Cruz del Condor in Colca Canyon.

Condor Canyon.

Condors are the sacred bird of Peru. Gladys explained that their wing span can measure up to three feet wide. And they don’t fly, they glide gracefully in the air. Gladys asked us to pray to the Gods to get a glimpse of them because not everyone always did. She told us to stay quiet and remain patient. We had two hours to test our luck.

Condor Sanctuary in Colca Canyon.
The canyon.
With Maika and Kelly. The wind kept things chilly.
Her phone almost fell into the canyon.
First sighting!
The mighty condors.
Looked ginormous over the people.
Stunning.
Speechless.
Here’s looking at you.

We saw about a dozen condors that morning. Despite the noise we tourists collectively produced, the powerful birds dominated their canyon rightfully so. It appeared they enjoyed having an audience, stopping to rest on a boulder closest to the crowds, showing off their strong wings and limbs, diving out of no where, waiting to be admired. And admire we did.

Back on the bus, Gladys reminded us how fortunate we were to have seen the mighty birds. The glimmer in her eyes revealed how moved she, a native, was by the experience even though she had probably stopped at this canyon a hundred times before. And that’s what made this opportunity all the better. Sensing how important the condor was to Gladys touched me even deeper. I was feeling what she was feeling, a plethora of blessings and peace and freedom, bursting from my chest.

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Maricela OP

Written by

I’m an introvert who doesn’t say much because I’m shy and decide to jump in too late when it’s irrelevant. Until now.

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