Fighting the Coca

Arrived in Cusco after a 20h bus ride and started the next day with a 4 day guided trek towards machu picchu. The first day though begins with 5h downhill mountain biking with a twist. The "twist" is as always random events and lack of organisation that seems to define life in Peru. This time the results are roads blocked by massive rocks falling from above, heavy machinery to cruse between on the way down, and a strike closing the road access to the village where we are to spend the night.

This particular strike concerns the Presidents policy of making coca plantations illegal, arguing they are used for cocaine production. When I and the group of about 15 foreigners are leaving the village, we get applause from the crowd shouting "Gringos" at us. Obviously they have realised the irrationality in making us "the white people", a symbol of Americas heavy monetary, military and political "war on drugs" that could be seen as the reason behind the policy of the President. And simply they are chairing us on, wishing us a safe journey...

To be fair this is the only time in this country (and in many more) I´ve felt some kind of hostility due to the color of my skin or my nationality.