Flight of the Condors

After a short stay in Chivay we decided to take the local bus up the canyon to the famous viewpoint where you can usually see Andean Condors circling the canyon. Our journey began with the 4 AM bus. As our bus drove up to the terminal in the dark already half full, we quickly realized the 60-80 people will not fit. Apparently the locals knew this too, and the next bus was many hours later – It turned into complete mayhem. Renee stood in the line to board into the doors with the day bags, I tried to make my way to the undercarriage bins to load our big packs. (The bus was like an old greyhound).

Renee was able to make it onto the bus, while I tried to fit these dam bags in the bottom of the bus. I was only able to fit one, than I realized the bus was full. There was still 25 people waiting in line to get in the stupid thing, and Renee was trapped on the bus. There was yelling and shouting everywhere, complete crazyness...did I mention it was 4 AM and Cold and Dark. I pushed my way right to the front of the line because there was no way in hell I was not getting on the bus. I still had the big bag under my arm. They were yelling and screaming at me in Spanish, but I did not care. We pulled away with 3 people hanging off the doors and mirrors, finally the bus driver shook them off and away we went.  I got to ride 2.5 hours standing on the stairs at the entry of the bus. There was more than 120 people on a bus with 60 seats.

We stopped 10 minutes into the ride to pick up a 121^st passenger...he wanted on really bad so they let him crawl into the undercarriage with the bags. We stopped 10 miles down the road and he hopped out.

We made it to the Condor viewpoint where we did see a Condor at a distance...they have a wingspan of up to 10 ft, a huge bird. There were local school kids there who thought Renee and I were an incredible attraction because we are so tall. They lined up in a row and took pictures with us 1 by 1 (every single one of them). About 25 in all, I think it was for their yearbook or something.

From the Condor viepoint we carried on to Cabanaconde.

COLIN