3400 metros sobre el nivel del mar

I tend to walk fast. I tend to walk fast even up the steps. I tend to walk fast even up the steps with a heavy backpack on my back.

And now for heaven's sake what is this I can't breathe somebody HELP! Surely this is not happening. Surely this is not possible!

One step. Good. Two steps. Fine. Five steps – now what did I do what have they done here please somebody bring me some oxygen now!

I had read about this. But no, I did not think it would affect me. I am young. I am fit! I am a flautist and have great lungs! It is simply not possible that I feel like dying after five steps uphill!

Headache. Nausea. Lightheadedness. No appetite. Tremendous fatigue. I have it all. I am just going to go to bed and wake up to a world where I don't need to stop gasping for air every three metres.

Of course, my Couchsurfing host lives in one of the highest areas of Cusco; steps [huff] after steps [puff] after steps. Now, who had the great idea of building a city at these altitudes?!

Wikipedia: Altitude sickness