I went on this trip with the excitement of training for the physical challenge (hiking that is). Of course, I was equally intrigued by the culture and the landscape beauty of what was now the 7th Wonder of the World.  I had no expectations of the outcome - just simply looking forward to a vacation with a friend and a great adventure!

Instead, what I re-discovered on this journey was my inner self/inner soul.  The adrenaline that your body produces to get your physical body up every day (altitude), moving every day and through the Inca Trail opens up the lost woman inside you.  You feel sensations long subdued, lost or misplaced.

A woman's life, as in my case, encounters all sorts of obstacles that draws you away from Mother Earth/Mother Nature/your inner self.  As you become 'civilized' and absorb the "proper way to act" or become "part of corporate america", your core self doesn't flow naturally and intuition isn't listened to any longer. 

The Inca Trail is a door/vortex that aids your natural self/intuition to show itself; allows you to sense/feel it.  You hear the water, you feel the mountains, sense your bodies heartbeat/deep breaths/muscle aches and pains/feel hunger and thirst.....all while holding spirit in each and every step (because you feel spirit push you over that mountaintop).  It turned into not only a physical challenge but a personal accomplishment.  The trail will absorb from your body addictions, insecurities, imbalances, abuse, negativity that one might be carrying around with them.  I for one can attest to that!  I jokingly said to my fellow goddesses - if anyone is trying to quit smoking/lose weight - do the Inca Trail!!  Being with fellow goddesses was the icing on the cake - loving support of women makes milestones such as this even more significant.

It's a beautiful journey coupled with the greatest pride not only to say, "I survived the Inca Trail".....but also to have your soul back!

Alice