Ramoscucho bound

Remember that 4:30 alarm?  Ugh!  

Banana for breakfast at 5:30

Out of the bach around 5:40  (Just Celmira and I.  Pilar wasn't scheduled for the meetings in Ramoscucho.)

On the combi (vans used for public transportation) right at 6:00

Pulling out of the "terminal" in Cajamarca between 6:05 and 6:10

There are a number of gold mines in this part of the country.

Lots of pine trees

Another gold mine

Above the clouds

Parts of the road were paved and parts were not.

Looking down on Hualgayoc, the town where don Gilberto and Sra. Gregoria are from

Those hats take up quite a bit of room on the bus! 

Central market of Hualgayoc

Beast of burden

Entering the clouds again

It's a cold ride up there!

Caterpillar in Peru

Entering Bambamarca, where we would meet up with Almansor, Jairo and Olinda

"Legal sale of cocaine leaves" says the sign

Two hats

Once we arrived at the "terminal" in Bambamarca around 8:40, we proceeded to wait.  There was a bit of confusion regarding which terminal we were going to meet in.  The only thing that made it any kind of a big deal was that I REALLY had to go to the bathroom.  

The little lady across the street was selling different kinds of herbs.  

Here's "Natur's Center" for all of your health needs.

Apparently, that "terminal" across the street is a new one, and our fellow workers weren't sure about its location.  

If only I were a cow, I wouldn't have to wait to locate a restroom.  

Finally, Almansor, Jairo and Olinda found us, and then the five of us proceeded to wait for our driver and his uncle to take us the rest of the way to Ramoscucho.  Lisho, one of the friends from Ramoscucho, owns a truck but doesn't drive, so his nephew, Johny, was our chauffeur. 

Notes from my journal:

1. Route from Bambamarca to Ramoscucho is a photographer's dream  

Unfortunately, I was unable to take any pictures from the truck due to a) being squished in the back with three other people and b) rain.  (I should also note, before you feel too sorry for the four of us in the back of the cab, that there were three grown men in the front seat.)

2. If you think you should maybe go to the bathroom before you leave Bambamarca, GO!  IF you don't really have to go, try.

Fortunately, I had located a restroom before we began this part of the journey.  Otherwise, I would have been in the most serious kind of trouble.

3. Singing hymns as you ride along is a bit like trying to sing in a blender.  (I would imagine, anyway.)

At one point, our driver began to get a little sleepy and suggested that we sing hymns.  On these roads, vibrato comes naturally!   

These few pictures were taken when I requested a photo stop not too far out of Bambamarca.  I just couldn't lose my opportunity to try and capture the awesomeness of our surroundings.  As always, such a thing can really not be accomplished, but here's the result of my attempt.

Arriving in Ramoscucho