Wow! What a trip so far. We flew into Lima. A beautiful approach as we passed the majestic Andes on the left. It was unfortunately just a layover. We then flew up into the mountains to a small town called Cusco, at 11,000’.
A beautiful town very similar to old European ones; narrow cobblestone streets surrounded by great old buildings and picturesque mountains.
Seems every building is made with 500 year old stone from Inca ruins. They have to leave the stone where it was and integrate the building around it. It makes for amazing looking structures all around the town.
I especially love the doors around town.
It’s hard acclimating to the altitude while working. We get winded just walking up the streets, but have gotten used to it after spending the week.
We’ve had some great meals! Every night is something different. I tried Alpaca and thought it was really similar to beef. But, can’t bring myself around to try the town favorite, Guinea Pig. Every restaurant has a pizzaria. Hey! I lika the Pizza ya know.
It’s really amazing seeing some of the Peruvians in their everyday clothing. I never imagined they really wear these clothes all the time. Before coming here I just thought it was how they used to dress in the past, or for festivals.
They actually wear these outfits all the time. When the Spanish took over, they assigned each region with their own look i.e. beaded jackets and hats. It was great to see how they carry their babies too.
How 'bout those Llamas! Pretty cool, but you have to watch out from them spitting on you.
After a week in Cusco, we started our journey to Machu Picchu. It was a 2 hour bus ride, followed by a beautiful 2 hour train ride through the Andes.
The mountains are amazing the way they shoot so vertically up with the clouds surrounding them.
We stayed at the base of Machu Picchu in a village called Aguas Calientes. It exists only as stopping point for tourist going up to Machu Picchu, so it was a little touristy and pricey. It's completely surrounded by massive shear cliffs, so you can't see Machu Picchu from there. Here's the main street.
We started our assent with a bus ride up the side of the cliffs to a trail head that leads to Machu Picchu. The gear proved to be a challenge for moving around the site, and we drew a lot of attention. Thankfully we had a lot of help, and came up with the idea of carrying the camera like the Arc Of The Covenant.
The trail leading up to Machu Picchu is great. There's so much excitement in the air as everyone waits to see it for the first time. You zig zag a bit, come over a ridge, and…There it is!!!
Unbelievable! Completely breathtaking. Ok, well part of it was 'cause we just hiked up with all the gear. But Machu Picchu is truly an amazingly beautiful place. And of course the saying goes, pictures can't do it justice.
So just a brief history for you. It was built as a place to hide from the Spanish. There were only about 200 people living here, including the King and all the people who served him. It was completely self sufficient, and had a nature spring that provided water that is still flowing today, and they would grow crops on the terraces.
It's an amazing place, and between Cusco and Machu Picchu, this could go down as the best trip we've had. But we won't know until we hit Easter Island. So off we go. Miss you all. Talk soon.
