Arrival

he airplane bounces off the Andes and falls to Cuzco airport with a hop. The Dragon grabs his head in his hands and squeezes gently, trying to hold his brain in. It throbs and pounds to escape, wanting to seek out more of the elixir it discovered last night. More Pisco Sour.

Last night. The Dragon vaguely remembers it. He met up with old friend Wayne in Lima where Wayne was visiting on business. They went to dinner with a couple of Wayne's colleagues, he was introduced to the Peruvian version of a Margarita, the Pisco Sour, and the... what? Blackjack, a bar, some billiards maybe. Next thing he knew it was morning and he was sentenced to a flight from sea level to 3326 meters above. Between the hangover and the altitude he was sure to die yet.

Jeanne helps The Dragon find his way to the baggage claim and props him up against a pillar to await his backpack. She then walks to the end of the belt to stand lookout. From under the brim of his hat The Dragon sees a gray-haired man of mid thirties starring at him from across the conveyor belt. He turns away and watches the spinning of the belt, the seams going round and round and É. He looks up again, snatching his eyes from the motion of the belt and once again sees the man stare at him. He pulls the hat lower on his head and closes his eyes.

"Excuse me."

The Dragon opens his eyes to see the man standing next to him. "Yes?" He replies with scratchy voice.

"I couldn't help but notice we made eye contact. What do you have to tell me?" The man says a bit over zealous.

"Ah, WHAT?!" The Dragon shakes himself in confusion and stares blankly at his vocal assailant.

"You're here about the Prophecies aren't you? I can tell. We made eye contact twice so it must mean I have something to learn from you, some little tidbit of information or perhaps a clue to where I should go next." The man is spewing with enthusiasm.

"I have no idea what the Hell you're talking about buddy. We didn't 'make eye contact', you were staring at me. I have nothing to tell you, or say to you, and if you don't know where it is you're going next you're in worse shape than I am. Now I suggest you look at your baggage tag, get the little number off of it, find a bag that matches that number, and take it and yourself out of the airport and find a hotel. Enjoy your stay and see you!" The Dragon notices his bag swing around the bend of the conveyor belt and walks off to retrieve it, leaving the man stand smiling by himself.

In Cuzco, The Dragon and Jeanne find a suitable room at the Amaru Hostel where The Dragon crashes for a few hours to fight off his renegade brain. The fight, however, is unsuccessful and he awakes with an even worse headache. He succumbs to it superior force and goes out into the city to seek food to try to appease it. They stumble into a quaint little place just off the Plaza de Armas that incorporates one of the old Incan walls into their dining hall.

As they read the menu the waiter walks over with their complimentary Pisco Sours, bring a bubbling groan from the depths of The Dragon. When Jeanne quickly explains the headache the waiter suggests The Dragon try the Andean remedy for headaches and altitude trouble: coca tea. Coca tea, The Dragon is quick to learn, is made from the leaf of the cocaine plant and is said to have soothing properties. After a few cups the headache is indeed subdued. Now if The Dragon could just avoid random drug testing for a few weeks, who knows what the leaves would show!

The Dragon stays in Cuzco for a few days adjusting to the altitude and seeing the sites of the city, then is off for a few nights in Aguas Calientes and a visit to the magical Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes

he train departs Cuzco for Machu Picchu at six in the morning. After a series of four start-reverse-starts to make it around the first bend the train is on its way for the scenic trip to Aguas Calientes (a city famous for and named after its hot springs). For the hungry passengers, the train offers a plethora of local cuisine at each stop as locals crowd onto the train to hock their wares: tamales, steamed corn, fruit, soft drinks (the bubble gum flavored Inca Cola), cheese sandwiches, and a plate carrying a full roasted pig (just pull off what you want and get charged by the handful).

The Aguas Calientes train station sits in the center of town surrounded on both side by the marketplace, the tracks making up the town's main thoroughfare. The Dragon climbs down from the train and offers a hand to Jeanne. Then out of the corner of his eye he catches glimpse of the man from the airport stepping off the train one car down from him. Trying to avoid another chance at eye contact he pulls at Jeanne's arm and tugs her into the doorway of a hostel. He keeps watch outside until the man has passed out of sight.

"What was that all about?" Jeanne asks.

"Nothing, its uhm..."

"Looking for a room?" The desk clerk chimes in.

"Yes!" The Dragon replies looking over at him then turns back to Jeanne. "Its just this is the place I want to stay and I wanted to rush in to make sure we can get a room." It is obvious to him from her look that Jeanne does not buy his story but that she'll let it pass. They are led to their room and along the way The Dragon gives his regards (and a biscuit or two) to their macau mascot. The afternoon is spent exploring the miniature city and hot springs while avoiding the annoyance of the mysterious gray-haired man.

In the evening The Dragon is reminded it is his birthday when Jeanne takes him out to Chez Maggy for his favorite meal: pizza cooked in a wood burning oven. He looks over the menu and asks the waiter to bring him a large vegetarian pizza. She takes the order and walks off to the kitchen pointing the way to the washroom before she goes. Jeanne stands and excuses herself to the washroom.

The Dragon leans back on the stool and stretches, noticing (and nearly leans into) a young woman with blonde dreadlocks smiling at him from the next table. She greets him with a friendly hello. The Dragon nervously glances around to see if there were someone behind him she could be speaking to then returns the woman's greeting.

"You must be here about the Prophecies." She tells him rather than asks.

"Um, no. What are you talking about?" He asks, half turning to face her.

"You know, the 10 prophecies of the ancients. The secrets of inner peace and tranquillity. I noticed you ordered vegetarian, it must mean you are on the shining path." She talks in a smooth tone.

"Path? Oh you must mean the Inca Trail. No, we decided not to do the hike. We're doing a jungle trek instead, you know time constraints and all. As for these prophecies I haven't a clue, we just happen to be vegetarian." He half turns as the waiter brings their drinks to the table. "Now if you'll excuse me, my Cerveza is here."

The Dragon turns back around and takes a long pull from his beer as Jeanne return to her seat. He begins to tell Jeanne of the woman's strange comments when his pizza arrives and the thought fades from his mind.

Machu Picchu

he morning brings a bout of the Incans' Revenge as The Dragon awakes with stomach pains. He curses himself for adding the crushed chilli to his pizza, knowing that was what gave him the Peruvian souvenir he definitely did not want to receive. But the lost city beckoned and he was not going to miss it for the world.

The bumpy, twisting-turning bus ride up the mountain is murder on his insides and demands a quick breather before entering the ruins. After a short rest they hike the path leading to the ruins and come face to face with the magnificence of Machu Picchu.

The sight of the lost city is amazing. The Dragon forgets the fury inside his stomach at once and is lost in the compelling beauty of the ruins. He reaches out and touches the stones, envisioning the culture that put them here so many years ago. He hears the bay of llamas grazing on the steppes just above him. They look down into his eyes, urging him to go on and explore the wonders of the ruins. He does just that.

The morning falls away into afternoon. The Dragon finds himself sitting in the center of the ruins nibbling on their picnic lunch, weary not to eat too much too soon. As he sits in conversation with Jeanne he doesn't notice an unexpected visitor come up from behind and drop down to sit beside him. The Dragon turns to see the gray-haired man.

"Hello again. Fancy meeting you here. Must be another once of those coincidences don't you think?" He says with a grin.

"Coincidence? Right. Its a coincidence for a visitor to Peru to be seen in the biggest tourist site in the country? Yeah, some coincidence." The Dragon looks over at Jeanne and rolls his eyes. She looks at him confused. "Jeanne this is..."

The man leans in for a handshake. "Hello, I'm Bob. Are you here seeking the Prophecies as well?"

Before she can answer The Dragon does for her. "No she isn't and neither am I. What is it with these coincidences and prophecies?" He asks rhetorically, though that point is lost on Bob.

"The Prophecies of the Ancients are here to lead us to enlightenment. They have been discovered recently in the mountains surrounding Cuzco. I am on the path to discover their secrets. Having experienced two coincidences with you already I assumed you were also on the path." Came Bob's unwanted reply.

"What coincidences!?" The Dragon asked in frustration. He could feel his stomach acting up again.

"When we met last you made a comment about my luggage tag. You said to look at the number, remember? Well I did and I found it to be the same as the street address for the Holiday Inn Cuzco! I went directly there and asked if they had a room. They said they just had a cancellation and could give me that room. Well, it turns out that staying in the room just next to mine was none other than Professor Warren, one of the academics who found the first two Prophecies and is now looking for the tenth one! Boy, what coincidence! He helped me along to the seventh Prophecy. Now I can see glowing auras, commune with nature, and other neat stuff!"

"Wow, great. But I think you are really reaching my friend. My comment about the luggage tag was just a...uhm," The Dragon staggers for a word other than...

"Coincidence?" Bob throws in.

"Uhm, yeah I guess." The Dragon looks perplexed.

"There you go! Well I best be off. I have to breath in the energy of the ruins and share my glow with a few trees. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon. Nice meeting you Jeanne." And with this Bob walks off.

The Dragon stands and helps Jeanne to her feet. They head out to explore the ruins further.

Pisac

he Dragon passes through the intricate the

As he approaches nearer he can make out the lower buildings of the site. They represent the living quartes and high above them sits the religious center. He pauses for a moment and inspects the carefully cut and place stones of the gate, amazed at how the Incans managed to form the rocks and lug them up the steep cliffs.

The Dragon and Jeanne weave through the ruins, exploring the lower levels before heading higher to the temple area. At the top a German tour group takes turns posing before a stone gate while a group of American College students wind pass them and down the mountain.

The Dragon sits down for a short rest, whipping a stream of sweat from his brow. The weather had been unpredictable and the cold morning has burned away into a sweltering afternoon. He peels off his sweater and unzips the side vents on his hiking pants. He then reaches into his bag and pulls out a packet of vanilla wafer cookies and a water canteen.

As The Dragon leans back to take a swig from the canteen, he notices out of the corner of his eye Bob sitting just next to him. The Dragon quickly turns that direction but sees no one. Confused he once again takes a drink and sees Bob there beside him, the site very faint but there nonetheless. This time The Dragon waves his arms over the spot, feeling nothing material, yet a strange tingle shoots through his hand.

The Bob materializes next to him. "Hello there!"

"Where'd you come from?" the Dragon asks.

"The other plane of existence! I've reached the final stage and now am pure energy. I no longer require anything of this worl- hey, are those vanilla wafers?" Bob reaches out and takes one before The Dragon can reply. He shoves several in his mouth and chews them quickly. As he swallows the cookies his body sparks and fizzles and slumps to the ground with a thud.

"Oops, guess I'm back in this plane for now! Damn!" Bob hits the ground.

"So Bob, what's it like on the other plane?" The Dragon inquires.

"Wonderful! Its fuzzy and light all over, you get a zillion channels on TV, all the Mountain Dew you want, and everyone looks like Christie Brinkley!" He answers with a grin.

"Really?!" The Dragon jumps to his feet.

"Nope." Bob rolls his eyes then glares at The Dragon. "But perhaps you will find out for yourself one day." He stands and brushes himself off and shakes hands with The Dragon. "Well, so long friend. I'm off to the mountain top to try to gather enough energy to make it back. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Peru, perhaps we will yet meet again." And with that Bob strolled off (stopping briefly to liberate The Dragon of his remaining cookies).

The Dragon looks at his hand and notices it is now aglow with an orange aura. As he looks around him he notices now that everything is surrounded by light. Amazed at what he is seeing he reaches down and picks up the now empty bag of wafers. "Wow, gotta get me some more of these!"