Week 102: to Celendin - 2600m: donkeys and milk cans - Racpat RTW 2015-2017

March 8, 2017

Week 102: to Celendin - 2600m: donkeys and milk cans

"It's donkey milk runs" Rachel says as we see the Peruvian morning routines unfold descending to Celendin. This is dairy country and people are in the pastures milking cows, or busy transporting the milk cans. The milk is then transported to Lima for processing before being shipped back to the countryside in pastuerized boxes and cans.

After enjoying a cup of hot coffee and oatmeal, we pack up the wet tent and gear. This time we unload the bikes to get under the barbed wire fence. While we expect mostly downhill there are a few sections with short climbs. All along the way we see silver milk cans at the side of the road or being carried by donkeys to a central location for pickup. Cars with loudspeakers strapped to their roofs pass us, only to then stop to sell something to the locals. The country side is beautiful with green pastures and wooded windbreaks.

We arrive in Celendin early enough for a nice lunch of roasted trout. We check into The Hospedaje Mi Posada y B&B, across from the Hotel Villa Madrid. Very friendly with nice rooms and an electric warm shower. The WiFi though is quite the struggle, but the lady spends at least an hour trying to get it to work for us, then calls someone to come to help, so you have to give her credit. She is more patient than Patrick, but she gets it to work so we can post this update. What sells this place though is the nice courtyard and ground floor rooms, so no hauling stuff upstairs. The tent dried very nicely spread out in the sun in the courtyard. Thank you Andrew Prenty for giving the recommendation. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/letsridebikesca

Like most towns we have visited Celendin also has a nice Plaza with some shops and restaurants. We are able to replenish some of our supplies, the next couple of days are going to be lean. We do not expect internet for about a week, so please "stand by".

The stove works again, so we have a hot breakfast of instant oatmeal and coffee.

Donkeys are used to transport the milk to collection points.

Guys waiting with their milk cans at a collection point.

Celendin is known for its hat manufacturing. At the entrance of town is this huge hat. Rachel is just passing underneath it.

Today's ride: 38 km (24 miles)
Total: 28,788 km (17,877 miles)

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