Heading into the Maranon Canyon

9:48 a.m. Aug. 19, Cajamarca, Peru

We are sitting in the offices of IN. GOD. WE. TRUST. Tourist agency in the Plaza de Armas. Two days ago, following a nice tour of Granja Porcon, we decide to throw our hat into IGWT's ring for a ride to Kuelap via the Maranon Valley, which is said to be deeper, wider and more spectacular than the Grand Canyon.

A combi arrived this morning at Posada del Puruay and picked us up around 5 a.m. We spent one and a half hours on a seriously bumpy dirt road on the way to Celendin and the canyon with something went wrong with the suspension of the combi. The driver announced we would have to turn around and return to Cajamarca. We rolled into town around 8 a.m. and were taken here from a mechanic's shop where the combi is being repaired.

UCM interrupts: A combi is essentially a combination between an SUV and a minivan. Also "IN. GOD. WE. TRUST." is the proper name of the company, including the curious punctuation marks.

In a short time, we are expecting to lunch the journey *again.* My tailbone is already hurting (as I feared it would), and there is a solid 14 hours or so of driving ahead of us.

It will be a test of perseverance. All I can say now is that the ride *back* in the combi was excruciatingly bumpy -- so it's good we turned around. I am hopeful that the repair will make the combi a little less jarring. However, I think the chances are pretty slim given the feel of the ride *before* the suspension broke.

Although we arranged for a private excursion, we have lots of company on this trip. The senora who owns IN. GOD. WE. TRUST. Travel agency sent her two daughters along as companions for us so we wouldn't be molested by the driver. The driver in turn brought his wife and daughter. So there are seven of us going on this journey today.

My only hope is that it doesn't turn into some Peruvian version of "Groundhog Day," in which the same sequence of events is played out over and over again.