machu missiOn impossible
Chapter 24
When executing ‘the audacious,’ need to hatch a crafty a plan and be acutely aware of any ‘ripples’ signaling it’s time to radically shift course.
Tom preparing for their most daring escapade ever, doing some research …
“Hey dog, ya know some bored professor named Hiram Bingham got sick of doing theory, sitting in comfy chair pontificating. He was curious. Had just enough evidence to make a radical life change. Decided to get his hands dirty, take a calculated risk and lo and behold discovered The Sacred City. Something not even The Conquistadores, Bolivar dare would do.”
“Also says that Bingham’s ‘La Aventura’ was inspiration for ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’”
Dog replied, “I love that movie.”
“Who doesn’t. ‘In 1911 he directed a Yale archaeological expedition whose main objective was to find the “Lost City of the Incas,” the secret mountain stronghold used during the 16th-century rebellion against Spanish rule. Prospects for locating it were poor, not even the Spanish conquistadores had discovered it. The expedition owed its success largely to Bingham’s steadfastness and courage, sometimes risking his life to do so.’”
“Hey that’s kinda like us, Dad.”
“I wouldn’t go that far but thanks. Now here’s another one from a girl whose a self-proclaimed dog travel pundit …”
“You can get your dog into city square of Machu Picchu but can’t enter the Citadel, the Sacred City.”
“When somebody says can’t do it, what’s your reaction Little Twinkles?”
“We laugh at people like her. Further solidifies my desire to prove them wrong show that I CAN, I BELONG! Well this bitch will show that bitch. Dad sounds like this one will be tough, do you have a well thought out plan?”
“Remember the backpack drill in Guatape, Colombia? Climbing the 742-steps to ‘Greatest View in the World?’ We do the same thing except here stakes much higher. We travelled a long way, cannot have a goal-line fumble. All I need is 30-seconds of confinement in the backpack. KAZAAM, we’re in, you will have forever bragging rights with dog and human alike. You will be the first dog to explore Sacred City.”
“Vamos Dad! Took a while, but I have earned the right to be THE FIRST DOG IN THE SACRED CITY!”
Amazing happens when audacious shared goals combine to achieve ‘The First.’”
After a brutal bus ascent, they arrive at the entrance. Rather than jumping into shortest of the five entry lines they sat back and chose the one where security appeared to be less diligent.
“No rustling, no barking tiny dog.” She hopped into backpack, it’s now fully zippered. Little claustrophobic but trusted Dad. She was agile, couldn’t have been done with a big dog. Boom they’re in.
Tom walked like he had a rocket in his culo, unzipped the backpack and few steps later, WOW! The view was majestic, celebrated our accomplishment, then Dad said. “Twinkle you ever been to a place ya thought was gonna be great? This delivered beyond expectations. The Peruvians have done a fantastic job of keeping their crown jewel unpolished.”
They couldn’t help but posing with two alpaca for a photo opp. Hanging with Peru’s iconic mascot, Tom reflected back to the glamor days when he was wearing an alpaca sweater. Never thought he’d ever meet one. The on-lookers in pure amazement. The dog who was theoretically not allowed, entered against the rules, brought so much joy to alpaca and human alike.
Dynamic duo harnessed their ‘well-honed crafty’ to gain entrance through the ‘front door.’ of the Sacred City. They were curious to discover how 4-centuries ago fellow interlopers would attempt to enter the ‘back door’ to the Citadel.
As they approached the entrance to the Inca Bridge, Tom couldn't help but wonder why he was asked to show his passport. It dawned on him that it wasn't about confirming his identity, it was about leaving a record, a trace of their presence in case they didn't return. The Sacred City was not just a destination, it was a place of great mystery and danger, a place where the uncertain future awaited them.
Getting to the Bridge requires a hike along a narrow path with some sheer drops down into the abyssal canyons below. And while plenty of tourists hike up Sun Gate, not many seem to go—or even know about— or dare traverse the tricky trails to the Inca Bridge. Built into a spectacular path along a sheer mountain side, the Incas strategically constructed the simple plank bridge so that it could quickly be removed to scupper the progress of any unwanted arrivals.
“This path is beyond narrow, uneven. Twinkles I am officially scared to death. One bad step and it’s over. And you’re coming with.”
The modern day interlopers, Tom and Twinkles dared to cross the Inca Bridge. They embarked on the treacherous, dangerous path that the Incans had meticulously designed to deter people like them from entering their citadel. The journey was fraught with peril, and they knew that the path was not for the faint of heart. It challenged their courage and curiosity, but they were determined to leave their mark on a place that had long been shrouded in secrets.
Another Mission Impossible had been successfully completed, and as the adrenaline of the day's countless dramas began to subside, pure exhaustion set in. Tom and Twinkles had awakened early, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. They had overcome obstacles, navigated treacherous terrain, and defied the odds throughout their journey.
Acclimated to the 5,000 feet altitude in Medellin, they were now at an even higher elevation. Sacred City sat at a towering 9,000 feet above sea level, and the thin air made each breath a bit more laborious. The altitude presented its own unique challenges, leaving them both physically and mentally drained.
Throughout La Aventura Tom had emphasized the importance of ‘the sixth sense’ to Twinkles, teaching her to recognize the subtle signs and signals that heralded trouble. As a result, Twinkles had become an astute observer, always alert and ready to react at the slightest hint of danger.
Their sixth sense had become a lifeline, a guardian against the perils of their adventures. It was a testament to the remarkable bond they shared and the lessons they had learned along their journey – that sometimes, survival depended on the instincts that resided within and the unwavering trust they had in each other.
Then a ripple in the universe. Twinkles sensed danger then Tom saw danger.
She tactfully barked under her breath to advise Tom. Authorities were closing in, ready to oust ‘the ones that don’t belong’ from their hallowed grounds. Tom and Twinkles were on the brink of being discovered and ejected from the sacred haven they had fought so hard to reach.
“Oh dios there is a storm on the horizon dog. See the fella in the red shirt, he’s Peruvian version of Park Ranger Smith. We got a spot of bother here what should we do?”
Dog’s sense of smell 60x that of human. She sensed ‘Park Ranger Danger.’ Quick thinking, Twinkles made a serendipitous discovery. She pulled on the leash ran into the arms of a fellow Colombiana, Tom could tell by the colors of her sweater, her accent.
Both Colombianos, dogs are crafty, they possess a set of survival skills unlike anyone else in the world.
Their new amiga didn’t need to persuade Peruvian Park Ranger Smith. She was decisive and used her powerful presence, a derivation of The Force, then whipped out a ‘Jedi Mind-Trick.’ Almost as if she said in a Colombian accent, ‘‘This is not the dog you’re looking for.” With Colombiana protecting the interlopers from a dire situation, he retreated defeated.
In this case, Tom acknowledged he didn’t posses the skills to address this tricky situation. So simply deferred to those that did, Colombiana and Tiny Dog. They were uniquely qualified, used their unconventional super powers.
A perfect chance to have an impromptu Colombiano festiva. Laughter echoed, filled the air as the threat that had dispatched the authorities turned into a comical misunderstanding. Tom and Twinkles, with the help of their newfound friend, had managed to navigate yet another perilous situation with grace, guile, and a dose of laughter, celebrating their improbable triumph in the heart of Sacred City.
“Twink, you’ve come to appreciate the key element to Mission Impossible. Never get too comfortable. You stepped up, so proud. ‘Uncomfortably Aware to Achieve Awesome’ was one of their trademarks.
As they exit, in wonderment Tom asks Twinkles, “Dogs like you are world-class quick thinkers. How do you do that?” “Well we got high ‘sensory processor sensitivity.’ Our sense of smell, hearing, those are our ‘hummingbird eyes.’ All environmental info is sitting in our RAM. So when there’s a disturbance in The Force, we execute a logical rapid response based on information that’s already been processed.”
”Is that instinct?”
“For us it’s simply natural. My job is to protect my Dad.”
“That’s why we been paying you caninos the big bucks for the last 30,000 years of service.”
Just when Tom and Twinkles thought they had experienced the best day of their lives, it got even better. As they stood on the platform, a touch of magic descended upon them. They were involuntarily upgraded to the luxurious Hiram Bingham Train. A travelling monument.
Yes, they had displayed courage, endeavor that day, but it paled in comparison to that of Professor Bingham, the one who took a huge risk to discover this magical place.
They had unknowingly chose perfect time to visit, had the whole ‘vagon’ to themselves. Could hear the band playing in the bar vagon, would have been fun to partake, but they were exhausted and knew they had already pushed it way too far.
Their journey had taken an unexpected turn as they found themselves in a world of elegance and opulence. The white tablecloth-covered tables, plush seats, and the overall ambiance left them in awe. Twinkles, peeking out from her backpack, could hardly believe her eyes.
Once a small Chihuahua who had chased ducks in the park, she was now about to dine on the very creatures she used to chase. It was a surreal moment of transformation, a testament to how far they had come on their journey.
This, they knew, was the ultimate victory. As they settled into their newfound luxury, Tom and Twinkles cherished the experience, fully embracing the incredible turn of events. It was a day that surpassed their wildest dreams and a reminder that sometimes, life had a way of surprising you with moments of pure magic and unbridled joy.
Well when you’re blessed with abundant grace, enjoy it while it lasts kids.
Tom’s hubris would result in what should have been a 7-hour trip from Cusco, Peru home to Medellin, Colombia into a 24-hour TOTAL NIGHTMARE. They spent night on Bogota airport floor, Tom clutching Twinkles, his computer bag, on a sleepless night. Massive immigration issues. Dog paperwork got totally fucked.
The magic evaporated just as quickly as appeared.
P.S. Go back and take a hard look, the far right side of the Twinkles and Colombiana pic JAJAJA!