UJ #14 - Qhapac Ñan

John was
Nick’s
right hand
throughout
the
expedition.
Rodrigo Cabrera / KM Cero
Kevin Floerke
see, not hear or feel. The Qhapaq Ñan is different:
it allows you to move through an Inca construction
and feel its effect on the whole body. You are
experiencing the culture at a much deeper level.
You walked five months along the Qhapaq
Ñan in this expedition, what is the best
you saw?
John: I worked as an engineer for a while, so
what I appreciate the most is how difficult it
must have been to build it. The Qhapaq Ñan is
a masterpiece of engineering; it is a great way
made under the most challenging circumstances
and in the most complicated terrain of the planet.
Basically, the Inca empire became powerful and
expanded due to the quality of this road system.
John’s knowledge of the Andean world comes
from both books and personal experience.
What is the main potential of this
expedition?
Nick: Create awareness. The more aware society
is of what their assets represent, the more they
will know about their origins. That’s what history
does; it connects you with your past. And the
Qhapaq Ñan is a central part of what Peru is. If we
do not honour it or understand it, we will have a
limited vision about it.
John: I see it as a great opportunity to
develop tourism for the Qhapaq Ñan and, most
importantly, for its conservation. Behind this,
there were two objectives: one is to draw the
attention of the people so that they know it,
recognize its value, and that motivates them to
protect it. The other is to encourage the use of
the road through walks so that it does not get
lost in oblivion. Both go hand in hand.
Nick, what is the main lesson you
learned from this experience?
Nick: Taking one day at a time. When you’re
walking, you can only plan an hour ahead. I
have also learned that life is more peaceful than
it seems. If you think that trekking through the
Andes is a dangerous activity, I assure you that it
is more peaceful than you think.
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