‘Long Way Up’ Recap: ‘Peru’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the seventh episode of ‘Long Way Up’.
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If there is one universal truth that we can apply to just about everything in life, it would have to be; that tough times never last. Because regardless of what kinds of problems or frustrations you are  facing, eventually the issue is resolved and the aggravation fades away, only to be replaced with good times and joy, and this is definitely something that applies to the road trip as well. Because sometimes a voyage on the highways gets to be quite the pain in the rear, to the point where you wonder why you set out in the first place. But eventually, the majesty of the road and the world eventually take hold and all you feel is that aforementioned joy and it just so happens, that the brighter side of the road trip takes the center stage in the next episode of Long Way Up.

Because ‘Peru’ saw the rough roads and the difficult challenges that Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman and the ‘LWU’ team have faced thus far, disappear. Which allowed for all kinds of wonders to take place in this tale. For not only were the lads able to just enjoy the open road for a change and all the sights and sounds that it has to offer, they were also able to take part in the finest aspect of hitting the road. Which is, making the time to visit unique landmarks or places that you’ve always wanted to see in person, and that brought about some special moments for certain. For it turns out that Ewan has always wanted to visit Machu Picchu, ever since he was a boy, in fact. And since the trip was going so smoothly, that afforded Ewan and the team the incredible amount of time they needed to make this particular dream a reality.

Which may sound like an overly dramatic thing to say, since one would think that a stop is a stop, the kind where you get in and get out and snap some pictures while you’re there. But Machu Picchu is actually quite the special place. One that requires a train ride up the mountain where it resides and a crack of dawn push to get inside, since only 2500 people a day are allowed in. But clearly, all that effort is worth it. Because this was simply a breathtaking place to visit. For it features magnificent and peaceful views and plenty of incredible history. But while it was amazing to take in the sheer beauty of this unique and isolated place, the real payoff for the audience in regard to this part of the episode, was Ewan’s reaction to fulfilling a lifelong dream. Because he was filled with utter joy during this visit and it was quite nice to share in that moment of pure happiness. Yet while we could have spent the entire hour with Ewan and Charley in this magical place and not thought twice about it, there was more to explore in regard to Peru, and once we moved on from Machu Picchu, we were able to learn some fascinating facts about this place.

Such as how preservation efforts in regard to the Amazon, are being extended to the locals that live in this forest. Because unfortunately, companies that want their land for logging, offer them ridiculous sums to money to move them out, and they are quick to accept it, in order to make ends meet. But thankfully, the efforts in question involve education and finding these folks sustainable work and income, so that they have no reason to sell, and judging from what we saw here... these efforts are working. Plus, we were able to spend quality time with these unique and wonderful people and learn about how they live and that’s always worthwhile. But despite the fact that this episode offered up a great deal of beautiful and inspiring moments and the smoothest leg of the journey to date, not everything was rosy in Peru. For when the lads reached the border of this magical place, we were able to learn about a humanitarian crisis currently happening in Peru. In that, it is flooded with refugees from Venezuela, who are waiting for either passage to another country or a chance to start over in Peru and it was just quite powerful to learn about the plight of these refugees, and this is a segment that definitely gives one pause. But thankfully, these fine folks have shelter and food at these camps and hopefully they will get the second chance they so deserve. 

If anything, all of these elements made for one powerful episode. Because this particular tale really did celebrate the true wonder of the road trip. For hitting the road is and will forever be about learning and enjoying new experiences and that’s exactly what happened here. Since we learned so much about the people of Peru and Ewan McGregor for that matter as well. For he really opened up to the audience in this tale and it was quite fascinating to really see him in the raw in this manner and well, it is best we bask in the good vibes that this leg of the trip sent our way for as long as we can. Because this particular tale ends on a bit of an ominous note, since the refugee camp and the border crossing imply that a tough and dangerous leg of the journey awaits them in next week’s episode, and it should be interesting to see what kinds of challenges Ewan and Charley and the team are going to encounter in Ecuador. Until next time.

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