June

June 10

The old woman rises out of bed, her energy belies her years

She spots a group on the horizon, and promptly goes to fetch her beers

She loads them in her backpack as she has done so many times before

She checks the hiking group's position and promptly strolls out the door

Traversing three hours of mountain track with her little dog in tow

She arrives at a popular lunch location that only she would know

It is there she is greeted by a thirsty group of hikers ready to pay 

And thus we sipped on cold beers that night (and what a business model I must say)

June 9

The first day of the Quarry Trail (a three day pleasant stroll)

Ascending 4.5 km, accompanied by horse and hiking poll

Dusty then spectacular, with a dose of I can't breathe

Playing catch with local Andean kids made it difficult to leave

We had cooks and tent setter-uppers which was a rather extravagant

At times I did feel compelled to help out, even just for a stint

The campsite that night was breathtaking, at 4000m high

But beautiful, and chilly and a picture perfect sky

June 8

The parents are in Cusco! Well this is quite a feeling

After so long on my own the familiarity is healing

They're in excellent shape considering the altitude

We wonder around the city sampling shops and food

Thoughts turn to tomorrow when we'll be leaving for the Andes

Dad is sure to stock up on muesli bars and candies

Which he promptly leaves behind in the chaotic pack

I'm too busy being pleased to see them to really worry about a snack

June 7

Nothing screams a good time like a party shirt

You go from luke-warm to full blown extrovert

The shirt becomes a beacon of hope for the party

People flock to feast their eyes at something so hearty

The classic style has quite overt Hawaiian roots

Too big, a collar and short sleeves - among other attributes

But to really bring it home, the pattern needs to be

So clashing that you really should have got it for free

June 6

My time at the bar has come to a close

I can't believe my good fortune with the place that I chose

Or rather it chose me, or there was no choice at all

I've barely left and I'm already in withdrawal

When I arrived I barely knew how to make a drink

I stuck close to the dishes that piled up in the sink

Now I'm a wizard, you should see me pour

One taste of my Pisco Sour - you'll be gasping for more

June 5

Swervey bus rides and spilt hot water

Exploring markets as the day grew shorter

Pizza sculpted by magicians in aprons

Instruments, jewellery and animal skins

Fruit to feed a small city or two

Sales pitches to wipe off the bottom of your shoe

A taste of the Sacred Valley, but there's always more

Plotting and planning new places to explore

June 4

Next off the reel was a film called Wild

A quiet Saturday, onto the couch we piled

Reece Witherspoon plays a wandering soul

Walking to think, after life took its toll

I love those films that catch you off guard

A window into your own life, and the occasional shard

Lodges inside, to be carried wherever you go

A song or a sight might trigger an afterglow

June 3

Watching X-Men in Spanish is like seeing an art exhibition

Your initial confidence turns into growing suspicion

That you really don't understand a thing

You're as clueless as a toddler on a swing

Ah, but when the action starts

You're back on track like remodelled go-karts

Amidst the chaos a plot appears

You can join in on the smile that everyone wears

June 2

Blood oozing from ravenous faces

The paint passed around, leaving traces

Horror night at the bar, I'm the Joker in pijamas

They don't breath well, it's hotter than the Bahamas

The scream mask creeps up on oblivious prey

Various creatures prowling for people to slay

The blood-red shots turn the night up a notch

This party's not fading, not on my watch

June 1

June first, the first of June

The thirst of adventure, the taste of a prune

The waste of friends that waste away

The trends of cleansing baffle me today

The raffle of choosing someone for the ride

The bruising of losing someone by your side

The tide of the change sweeps all in a stroke

The debris looked strange as the world awoke