[Machu Picchu]: Got visa + back/knee issues

So I have my visa to Peru. :) They had a handful of requirements. The oddest being a day-by-day itinerary with pictures of the monuments! Anyway, it's done.

In less than a month, I'll go to US. And in just a few days after, after the ann arbor trip, I'll be off to mexico then to lima then to cusco. The visa process forced me to make my plans, whatever they are - with reserving hotels etc. I found a "poshtel" in Lima - a new trend I see.

Peru visa requirements

1. Passport valid for at least 1 year.
2. 02 visa application form (DGC-005) duly filled and personally signed by the applicant.
3. 02 passport sizes colour photographs with white background.
4. 01 photocopy of the passport is required at the time of submission.
5. Return ticket or reservation from Peru.
6. Letter from your company indicating the purpose and the time of your stay. (In case of retired, house wife, student, minors etc., covering notes is required for the sponsorship of the trip and all expenses).
7. Proof of financial capability- last 3 months Bank Statement duly stamped.
8. Latest Income Tax receipt of the applicant with Income Tax Dept. seal or Notary seal.
9. Day by Day tour itinerary with pictures of monuments.
10. Hotel reservation from Peru. In case of sponsored trips:

A)    Sponsor in Peru or India should present a written affidavit in which he / she states that he/she shall be responsible to bear all costs of boarding and lodging of the applicant or repatriation in case of traveller has acquired illegal status or does not have sufficient funds to return.

B)    Identity and Financial proofs of the sponsor.

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The pain

The other thing that's taking prime time is my back pain, later knee pain. It started I think with the motorcycle drive from Hyderabad. Long long ride. But nothing happened for a few days. Then the bike didn't start. Then while kickstarting again and again, I got a pull on the left. 

It never starts as a pain. I went to Crossfit after. Slight discomfort. Two days later, I pushed hard at Crossfit. That's it. The pain started. It stayed for weeks. I went to a physio after a week. He was one odd guy. I abandoned it after 5 rounds.

Then I did nothing. Just ran at Juhu from end to end. At the park. At Ahaan's sports day, I ran like mad - for my capacity. I had told him I'll do whatever is my best. I won a silver medal. And the pain automatically shifted from my back to knee. My left knee. Of course, my left knee. 

It surfaced after years. In 2003, at Univ of Michigan hospital a sports doctor told me I had the ileotibial band syndrome. My left knee is more bowed than my right. The deformity has increased over the years! :) crazy.

Anyway, I found a nice physio in Vile Parle - Asha Shah. As good healthcare providers always do,she listened to me intently. The entire narration from 17 years ago to now. Then she examined me. She's been working on my knee for a week now. I'm significantly better. It's amazing how the body functions. Even as my knee started bowing more, it strained the other nerves in the area.

All this is for the Salkantay trek. I was quite nervous a couple of weeks back. Now I know it'll be fine. When I center my knee, it doesn't come - the pain. When I let it go more outward - it comes -the pain. It's so weird, I can't even clearly explain to others but I get it. 

As the body ages, the small problems from youth accentuate. How come we never discuss this in medicine?

Chalo Salkantay, I'm coming soon. Wonder what's drawing me. Hmmmm...something. I can see mountains. I can feel the wind. Of being lost. The ground. The pebbles. The unknown. I just feel so at home.

[Listening to Preet by Jasleen Royal on repeat of course!]