Larry the Lobster goes to Machu Picchu
Larry the Lobster was the Karl Pilkington of crustaceans. He was quite happy being a soft toy and knocking about with the other toys at Tescos supermarket. He had no desire to see the world, or even leave the store, but that was all about to change.
Two girls pinched and squeezed him, ohhhing and ahhhing. Larry gave them his most fierce scowl, but they were oblivious, and he got biffed into the trolley along with an assortment of English lollies and treats, as well as a thing called a kiwi fruit.
Larry was purchased as a gift for two travelers from New Zealand. He had only heard of New Zealand because Legolas, a Lord of the Rings figurine from a neighboring shelf, wouldn’t shut up about how beautiful it was. Multiple times Larry had responded that Legolas was made in China, and he didn’t know anything about a country in Europe.
The New Zealanders were on their way to South America. He recalled Padding Bear’s stories about ‘deepest darkest Peru’ and was convinced that upon arrival he was going to get robbed at gunpoint, murdered, forced to join a drug cartel, sexually assaulted, or a combination of the above. He hid in the backpack for days, rummaging to the bottom and hoping the Kiwis, as he heard others addressing them, would forget he was there.
“Where’s Larry!?” He heard the pretty and intelligent girl say, “we have to get a photo of him up the top of Machu Picchu!” Larry had no idea what Matchu Peachu was but he didn’t like the idea of leaving the comfort of the backpack one bit.
The girl found Larry and gave him a bone crushing hug. She took him outside and showed him her favourite spots of Cusco. He had never seen anything like it. Mountains surrounding a quaint town - it looked like something on a Mother Earth muesli bar box.
A lady with long black plaited hair, bright clothes and a hat that looked far too small walked past. Larry flinched expecting to be shot at any moment, but instead the lady gave a radiant smile and said, “Buenos dias.”
“Buenos dias senora,” replied the pretty girl. She explained to Larry that it meant “good morning” in Spanish. Dora the Explorer had taught Larry a few Spanish phrases, but now he had a insatiable appetite to know more.
The road to Machu Picchu was a long one. It involved a 6 hour bus ride to Hidroelecrica, a 2 and a half hour walk to Aguas Calientes the closest town to Machu Pichu where they would spend the night, and then a sweaty 2 hour climb to the Incan ruins. While waiting for the bus in Cusco the girl taught Larry how to do hilarious perspective photos that will make all his friends back home in Tescos jealous.
The bus finally arrived. Larry was a big fan of the driver because he had bought a bag of bread and every time the driver saw a dog he would chuck a slice out the window for the pups to gobble up. So far he had seen no evidence of drugs or guns, just kindness.
The walk from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes following the train tracks was stunning. Now Larry really felt like he was in an ad for an energy drink. Surrounding them was high mountain peaks and the roar of a raging river.
Larry struggled the following day climbing to Machu Picchu, so the generous boy fed him a big wad of coca leaves to give him energy and help with the high altitudes. Larry felt like Popeye does after a can of spinach and he raced up the hill.
At the peak Larry was so happy to be at the Incan ruins that he wanted to copy all the tourists and do a star jump.
He marveled at the architecture in this mountainous terrain. It is one of the most complete Incan ruins as the Spanish never found it when they invaded in the 1500s. They climbed Huayna Picchu because Larry had overheard someone say that the layout of Machu Picchu is meant to be in the shape of a condor bird, one of the Incan gods. Larry couldn’t really see it.
Exhausted, they returned to Aguas Calientes. Larry flopped in to bed with a huge smile. He couldn’t wait for his next adventure.
Two girls pinched and squeezed him, ohhhing and ahhhing. Larry gave them his most fierce scowl, but they were oblivious, and he got biffed into the trolley along with an assortment of English lollies and treats, as well as a thing called a kiwi fruit.
Larry was purchased as a gift for two travelers from New Zealand. He had only heard of New Zealand because Legolas, a Lord of the Rings figurine from a neighboring shelf, wouldn’t shut up about how beautiful it was. Multiple times Larry had responded that Legolas was made in China, and he didn’t know anything about a country in Europe.
The New Zealanders were on their way to South America. He recalled Padding Bear’s stories about ‘deepest darkest Peru’ and was convinced that upon arrival he was going to get robbed at gunpoint, murdered, forced to join a drug cartel, sexually assaulted, or a combination of the above. He hid in the backpack for days, rummaging to the bottom and hoping the Kiwis, as he heard others addressing them, would forget he was there.
“Where’s Larry!?” He heard the pretty and intelligent girl say, “we have to get a photo of him up the top of Machu Picchu!” Larry had no idea what Matchu Peachu was but he didn’t like the idea of leaving the comfort of the backpack one bit.
The girl found Larry and gave him a bone crushing hug. She took him outside and showed him her favourite spots of Cusco. He had never seen anything like it. Mountains surrounding a quaint town - it looked like something on a Mother Earth muesli bar box.
A lady with long black plaited hair, bright clothes and a hat that looked far too small walked past. Larry flinched expecting to be shot at any moment, but instead the lady gave a radiant smile and said, “Buenos dias.”
“Buenos dias senora,” replied the pretty girl. She explained to Larry that it meant “good morning” in Spanish. Dora the Explorer had taught Larry a few Spanish phrases, but now he had a insatiable appetite to know more.
The road to Machu Picchu was a long one. It involved a 6 hour bus ride to Hidroelecrica, a 2 and a half hour walk to Aguas Calientes the closest town to Machu Pichu where they would spend the night, and then a sweaty 2 hour climb to the Incan ruins. While waiting for the bus in Cusco the girl taught Larry how to do hilarious perspective photos that will make all his friends back home in Tescos jealous.
The bus finally arrived. Larry was a big fan of the driver because he had bought a bag of bread and every time the driver saw a dog he would chuck a slice out the window for the pups to gobble up. So far he had seen no evidence of drugs or guns, just kindness.
The walk from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes following the train tracks was stunning. Now Larry really felt like he was in an ad for an energy drink. Surrounding them was high mountain peaks and the roar of a raging river.
Larry struggled the following day climbing to Machu Picchu, so the generous boy fed him a big wad of coca leaves to give him energy and help with the high altitudes. Larry felt like Popeye does after a can of spinach and he raced up the hill.
At the peak Larry was so happy to be at the Incan ruins that he wanted to copy all the tourists and do a star jump.
He marveled at the architecture in this mountainous terrain. It is one of the most complete Incan ruins as the Spanish never found it when they invaded in the 1500s. They climbed Huayna Picchu because Larry had overheard someone say that the layout of Machu Picchu is meant to be in the shape of a condor bird, one of the Incan gods. Larry couldn’t really see it.
Exhausted, they returned to Aguas Calientes. Larry flopped in to bed with a huge smile. He couldn’t wait for his next adventure.
Larry is one lucky lobster! can't wait for his next adventure
ReplyDelete