We’re back from a wonderful week in Peru. Matt, Jenna, and Reese lived there for a month while Matt did a rotation on tropical medicine. Diane and I met them in Cuzco, where we all holed up in a hostel.
Then Matt and I set out on one of the most challenging and breath-taking hikes of my life. We did the four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which has recently been named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Up and down the Andes for four days. Can you imagine? I bet we didn’t take 50 level steps. Even though I made it fine, I felt like a guy who’s 51! (Let me add this: as I continue to age, I think I like the IDEA of staying in a tent much more than I like actually SLEEPING in a tent.)
Diane, Jenna, and Reese stayed in Cuzco for a couple days, then took a train to Aguas Calientes, and then a bus on up to Machu Picchu to meet us on our final day of hiking. Here are a few pics.
Guahhhh, what a good-lookin’ man!!! I MEANT FAMILY!!!!
Two peas in a pod! Talk about look alikes! I know you never want to know you have become your parent, but Matt, you look like your dad. Are you like him as well?
I told my husband the other day, sorry honey, I have become my mother!
Can be a good thing……it could happen!
The first picture is precious! What a wonderful memory to share with Matt:) I am so thankful that you have such a wonderful relationship. You have one beautiful family. Looking forward to Easter morning.
What a precious treasure of a trip for your family! AND, to one of my very favorite places in the world I’ve visited - Machu Pichu. AND, the pictures beautifully express the closeness of your beautiful family - the shared enjoyment of the adventure. Beautiful, that’s all, beautiful!!
WOW!
Looks like Reese
has heard you preach
You have a fine looking son, Mike. I’m sure that you and Diane are proud of him.
I love hiking in beautiful spots too. But that area looks to be one of the best. Glad you had a good trip.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
Peggy - People have noted before how much Matt, Chris, and I look alike. However, go down to that fourth picture. There’s quite a difference. The face of one says: “Wow, that was amazing. I wonder if they’d let us hike back.” (In fact, he got to Machu Picchu and did the extra climb up Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking MP.) The face of the other says: “I should have taken my younger son out of school and out of baseball and made him come with us, because a few years from now I will not be able to do this again!”
I made several trips to Peru in the mid-1990’s when my company was investing in power plants there. Unfortunately, I spent all my time in Lima. Like many other countries in Latin America, Peru suffers from the stigma of the media where many can only think of Shining Path and violence. I found Peruvians to be incredibly kind and joyful people. And as your pictures show, it is a very beautiful country.
So glad you got to share this experience with them. Glad you could share together some of God’s amazing creation. We enjoyed getting to share some of the beauties & history of Paraguay with Jeff & Amy. Machu Pichu is still on my list of places to see.
As I get older, I find that I am not as willing to challenge myself physically — I wonder if I am also not as willing to challenge myself spiritually. Hmmmm……
Looks like you all had a fantastic time. Being with people you love in a place like that - amazing stuff.
Those pictures of the alpaca make me homesick for South America! Glad you got to go.
God bless,
Ken Hines
Mike, I really loved the pictures of Machu Pichu! I know it must have been a wonderful trip. Hope you are all well and relaxing after your trip. Love, Aunt Carol
Great pics … I am almost jealous.
Seeking Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
What an awesome experience! So glad you were blessed to take in such beautiful scenery with your beautiful family.
I can’t imagine my children living in another country for so long, but I guess they grow up and it happens! Sounds like a great experience for your son.
Love the pictures! Wow! M You all look great. Reese will have some reall life experience to go with the “Is your Mama a Lama?” book! And great pictures. maybe she will see all 7 wonders before age 7?
I was blessed to go to Peru last November on a medical mission trip with my 72 year old father. After a week of medical procedures, we went to Cuzco for a couple of days and made the day trip up to Machu Picchu. Although we didn’t hike the 4 day trail, it was wonderful to be in that beautiful and inspiring place with my father. Thanks for sharing these pics. BTW, did you eat any llama or guinea pig? Yum-Yum.
Stephen - We passed on the guinea pig, delicacy though I know it must be. We did have some wonderful alpaca, however!
Mike, that first pic of you….you’re looking pretty buff. You must be hitting the weights!
That’s a great place. Can’t think of a more beautiful location on Earth than the “Old Peak”…
I’ve always been a fan of Machu Picchu, a dreamlike place indeed…
I see you hiked the Inca Trail, it must have been an extraordinary experience!
Good luck, success & more great trips to Peru!