During a 2-week journey to Peru, we visited Puno, Uros Island, Cusco, Urubamba and Machu Picchu. We visited temples and many Inca sites. To get to some of them, a lot of hiking was required. In the beginning of the trip, my fear of heights showed up and almost paralyzed me. The only reason I made it through and back was because of those who showed up in a big way to hold my hand, to cheer me on, or to give me invaluable advice – your feet know what to do, trust yourself, don’t look down, look at your feet only, you can do it! The fear showed up again in other hikes that were not so difficult but yet scary. Again I counted on others for support, encouragement, and a calm presence which helped me to keep going.
On our last day in Machu Picchu, we were advised that the guide had purchased in advance, tickets for us to climb Wayna Picchu, but only those who thought they could handle it should go. I talked to those who had climbed it at another time. The women explained how hard it was, but encouraged me to go for it. The men mentioned the strength needed and figured I could probably handle it. I was very close to not going, but then I decided that since one of the reasons for going on the trip was to transform myself and to expand my comfort zone, I owed it to myself to go for it. I had also been advised that failing was not an option. There would be no one or no way to go back in case I realized mid-way through it that I couldn’t do it – very reassuring.