13th July 2012: Evening Inca trail Brief, Cuy Eatery:

In and out of the hotel, to the next door Pre Inca trail brief, where we meet our guide and asst guide, and the other 14 (+ the 3 of us) people doing the trek with us. Formal individual presentations should be made today. Guides goes through, what must now be mundane issues and worries of the excited lot.
We are handed a sleeping mattress, and a bag to put the stuff in. Snag, the bag c/w all its contents must not exceed 6 kilos...!!! Mattress is 1, sleeping bag is almost 3...so that leaves just 2 for all the clothing, snacks and toiletries for 5 days...!!!!

Time 8.30, dinner time. We stop by a nice Resto called Inca Grill, recommended by our guide for the city tour on the eve. Full house on ground floor, so we head to the balcony. Table for 3 it is. and guess what folks? the chicken of yesterday, graduated into adulthood, and Francis goes on to order the Cuy. This version of guinea pig is a sanitised version, with the head and feet removed, and the body split into different parts, so it doesn't look as gruesome as the traditional 4 legs up with blank eyes staring at you type presentation. Francis comments that it does actually look and taste like quail and is quite happy with it. Sarah ordered a veggie risotto, and fettuccine with mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and Prosciutto for me.

Getting ready for the food...!!!!

 Sarah not looking too happy there...!!!:P

 "Am I really going to eat that rodent..????????"

 My Plate...:) Yums...:)

 We can see the hesitant and puzzled look on his face...:P

 AND HE GOES FOR IT...!!!!

"Am I really going to enjoy this...???"

 OH YEAH...!!!!

Before

For reference, this is what the traditional version looks like...!!!

Finish the night out with a take out 'yajuu', which is our fav fresh fruit juice place.

Back at the hotel room, we ask for a scale, and literally start to weigh everything down. The extra pair of trousers and fleece to sleep comfy at night, chop...additional spare clothes, chop, extra cereal and energy bars chop...and the list goes on...
I end up with just undies for each day, socks for each day, 2 cycling shirts, 2 shorts, toiletries and a few small bits and bobs. Everything in excess of that basic 6 kilos is either left behind, or put into day pack, which with 2 kilos of water, adds up to a chunky 14 kilos...!!!!
End up going to bed at 12.30, with all that shuffling around.
It's 5 am, and unfortunately, breakkie not ready...so I'll just have something on the go...we still have those fresh fruits bought from the market.
Inca trail, here we come...!!!