Lares trek, day 1

Thursday
The group gathered at 4:00 am. Yes, 4:00. Then rode in a little bus for 3 hours to the tiny mountain town on Lares for a pit stop then onto a mineral springs place for a couple hours to go in the hot springs or rest then have breakfast before our trek. The hot springs didn't look appealing to me, so I relaxed and watched the others soak in warm, murky water that other people might have been bathing in or who knows what. I was happy with my decision. Anyway, the cooks made fruit salad, quinoa porridge, pancakes, coffee, hot cocoa and coca tea. They set up a little table for us with tablecloths, silverware and even little stools.
We began our hiking trip at 10:00, hiked/climed about 3,000 ft to our camp site. We visited a private home along the way to see inside the house - a typical Peruvian high country home with stone walls, thatched roof, stove for cooking and keeping the place warm, an L-shaped bed for the whole family, and guinea pigs. Guinea pigs live in the kitchens of Peruvian homes (and wander wherever they want, but they like to stay away from the humans). Their purpose is not to be family pets, but to be a meal on special occasions. :(
The room/family home is about 25 ft. long by 10 ft. wide. It was truly amazing to be able to be a "guest" in someone's home to understand how they live. In exchange, we gave them little gifts and/or soles (Peruvian money). After much talk about guinea pigs in Peruvian life and how they are a delicacy and usually eaten at special occasions, most of the group decided they wanted to purchase 2 of them from that family to have our cook prepare for dinner tonight. I'm sure you can imagine who in the group did not vote for this. Anyway, it's a little bit of a somber evening for me since I'm so sensitive to these little creatures even though I understand that it is just a part of life. Ugh.
The porters carry our tents, sleeping bags and all our personal items that we don't need with us during the day. They also carry all the cooking accoutrements and dining & cooking tents, also a "toilet tent". They dig a hole about 10 inches deep and maybe 5 inches diameter then put the little tiny tent around it. I'm sure the height and width is fine for little Peruvians but it's another one of those Tall Person Challenges. Regardless, I appreciate not having to go find a toilet spot on my own :)
The porters also set up all the tents and put foam mattresses in each one, clip a towel for drying your hands after washing them in the nice warm bowl of water and bar soap they deliver to each person at their tent. When we arrive at camp we pick up our duffel bag of personal items and sleeping bag that the porters carried then go right to our tents to get all our stuff situated.
Each meal is about 4 courses-a small appetizer, soup, main dishes, dessert. Then tea.
Our camp is located in the high country within a community of a few homes. The altitude is 12,000 ft.
Tonight we got to bed early around 8:15 and we need to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow for our big/high altitude hiking day. Nighty night.