So, this weekend I went on a fantastic backpacking trip to hell and back. Well, not really to hell, it was just EXTREMELY challenging. We went to Lencois for what we thought would be a delightful 3 day trek to see some waterfalls and some mountains in this valley. It was WAY harder than all that. Especially since my backpacking experience amounts to none.
We went to Lencois on an 11:30 pm overnight bus, and got there at 5:30. I, of course, didn't sleep on the way there, so I was dying when we got there at 5:30. Then, the woman at the Pousada told us we were leaving for a trek at 7:30. YIKES! So - off we went, into the wild blue yonder. Or rather, the wild green, purple and brown yonder.
Day 1: Drive 2 1/2 hours to the drop-off point, and then hike up a mountain. This is really rocky and sandy terrain we're talking. Walk across the mountain, and then down an extremely steep cliff to the valley on the other side. I have never felt so weak. I thought my legs had actually turned to jelly. Then, we arrived at a villager's house (there were about 5 houses in the whole valley - probably about 25 miles long) to stay the night. After unpacking and a little bit of rest, we went to a waterfall. This is the george of the Jungle part - the guides told us to wear flip flops. The 40 minute hike to the waterfall included shimmying down rocks and using vines to pull yourself up hills. In flip flops. Oh, I should probably mention that the main guide's only shoes were a pair of ratty teva-like sandals. The other guide's: flip flops. Anyway, the waterfall was beautiful and I passed out for a little while (in the shade, of course). After we went back to the house, we all fell asleep pretty quickly. There were some other guests - typical hippies - They reminded me of Noah Wilson . They played some good guitar and drums, sang some silly american songs (Sugar Ray, Weezer, etc.) and I couldn't keep my eyes or body up any more.
Day 2: Wake up early, eat a delicious breakfast, hike a couple of hours through the valley to the bottom of a mountain. We put our packs down, and started the extremely steep, rocky climb to the top. I got left behind by the main group, and basically scrambled my way up the mountain on all fours out of sheer terror. I am afraid of heights. When I got to the top, this mean american man told me this should be a wake up call, that I should start an exercise plan and "lay off the doughnuts." What a jerk. Anyway, we went through a cave at the top and then to the other side to see the other side of the valley. Gorgeous views. Came down the same way - a little less difficult. Then, 2 more hours of hiking by the river to the next house. That afternoon, we got to go to a little swimming hole. It was quite nice! Again, early to bed.
Day 3: Woke up early, ate breakfast, then hiked for about an hour and a half to this bridge for a break (I fell down on the way there... I have a NICE bruise and cut on my knee.) and to tell us that oh, yeah, you see that mountain beside us? We're going up that to get out of here. So, 2 more hours up a mountain paved with stones at 45 degree angles. It was rough. VERY VERY ROUGH. Then, after we FINALLY got to the top, we had to go across the mountains, then down for another 3 or so hours to get to Andarai. We left the house at about 8 or 8:30, stopped for an hour for lunch, and got to Andarai at 5. You do the math. It's amazing that I didn't get more sunburn!
Overall, the trip was way worth it: It tought me a lot of things about myself and what I am capable of. Like, that I am capable of being the polite person when someone is extremely rude to me. And mom was right when she taught me that saying nothing is better than saying something mean. I had a great time, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the other girls from CCS. Kelly, Emma and Liway. Man, they kept me going. Liway especially - the flip flop guide kept taking her pack and carrying it for her, and then laughing at her when she fell down. Liway doesn't know much Portuguese, and he just kept jabbering on to her. Since he didn't know much English, Liway would often respond with a "Whatever" or "just shut up" and they would laugh it off together. It was HILARIOUS!!!! Or maybe that was just the exaustion? No, still funny.
My body is in serious pain, and going up and down stairs of any kind are super difficult. I hurt in places I didn't even know I used!!! How does this happen!?
Needless to say, this trip included lots of cursing (except from Kelly!).