Day 4 - Thursday - Pisac/Ollantatambo/Cusco
Another VERY full day. We drive to Pisac to visit the ruins and shop the market. I am slow climbing to the top of the ruins but it is so worth it.
Seeing how their agriculture system works was very interesting. The terraces built into the hills were amazing. They were everywhere. Each individual level was suited for what would grow there. The higher terraces had plants that grow in higher regions and the lower terraces had plants that grow in lower regions. When they collected the seeds, they would also collect the soil from the location the seeds came from so the seeds didn't have any adjustment period. So each terrace could have different soil. Their farming methods were very advanced and very successful.
After the ruins and terraces, we shopped the market in town (village) and take photos. I purchase a peice of art from one of the vendors after much negotiation on price. All of the local people are dressed in traditional clothing. We get a photo of Jaimey with one of the local women and a small girl.
In the afternoon we trael by bus to Ollantaytambo. The town was high over the valley. The town was actually build by raising the ground and building.
On our way we stop and talk with a vendor selling quwi (guinea pig) on a stick. We got pictures but did not eat any. The guinea pigs were on a stick so it was a bit too odd for me. We of course paid homage to the statue of the guinea pig. :-)
Ollantaytamob was great We walked the streets before climbing to see the temple and more terraces. The was water from the mountain running through the towns on the sides of the streets i little culverts. The waster comes from the mountains and is used for washing clothes, cares, etc. It is nto used for consumption. We watched a little boy put a piece of Styrofoam in the water and chse it as it sailed down the street. Boys will be boys!
Before leaving we visit an indoor guinea pig farm. We had to take photos and talk to them. Very cute.
Our ride back to the hotel was filled with breathtaking views that I will never tire of.
We stop on our way to the hotel at a local bar. We stop to sample the local beer. Cicha. It's made from corn.
First, we played a game in the outdoor patio of the bar that reminded me of a coin toss game. Boys against girls. GIRLS WON!
After we went into the bar (which held about 20 people max) we got a brief demonstration on how it was made and then we sample it. It definitely wasn't my favorite but the experience was wonderful!
One more stop on our way back to the hotel was a potter's shop. Oh my gosh. I love pottery to begin with but this was amazing. We watched him spinning and looked at all of his wonderful work. Very talented man that had gone to school and definitely had talent for making pottery. We bought a couple pieces from him and were thrilled for the experience.
In the evening 8 of us visit a local family and have dinner at her home. It was a woman, her three grandchildren and a teenage girl she "adopted" to be her helper. The food was great and we had great conversation! Gary (our tour guide) translated a lot for us. Her husband had passed away, her home had been flooded a couple years ago when they had the terrible flooding in Peru but she was still smiling! Wonderful woman. The children were just as great. One of the little girls seemed to have a mild case of down syndrome. VERY sweet girl.
After dinner we head back to the hotel where we have no trouble at all falling alseep...........
Day 5 - Friday - Machu Picchu
So this is how is how the whole trip started to become a reality. Machu Picchu. We had no idea of the magnificence!
It was a very early morning. Up at 4:30 to board the bus to take us to the train station. We get to the train station with no problem and board the Inca Rail in Ollantaytambo.
The train ride on the Vista Dome was beautiful. We followed the river straight ot Machu Picchu-Pueblo. The we had to board the bus that would take us up the mountain on the switchback road to the ruins at Machu Picchu. The road wasn't as scary as I thought it would be fortunately. Still a bit scary as the turns were very high and very sharp with no wiggle room, but they could have been worse.
We reach the top and from then until the time we leave, I have no words to describe the beautry. JIm Jaimey and I do not stay with the tour group after the first hour. We explore on our own. We climb to the Guard Tower. We meet alpacas. We enjoy breathtaking views. Jim makes friends with an alpaca and has great conversations with him as the alpaca leads us down a path toward the exit.
After a couple of hours, it is time to go back down the mountain.
We spend a little time in the town visiting the shops and taking in the views. Then we board the train and say goodbye to Machu Picchu. Such an experience!
On the ride home there is entertainment. We pulled to the side of the tracks thinking we were waiting for another train to pass. Instead, we have entertainment. There is a local dressed in traditional Devil clothing that is part of a celebratory custom in Peru. He strolls up and down the aisle of the train kind of dancing and kind of walking. This was followed by a fashion show of sorts. There was a young lady and a young man that would walk down the aisle and model clothing. They changed at least 5 times. Afterward they rolled the clothing they had modeled down the aisle on a rack and tried to make sales. Interesting.
At the end of the day, we get back o our bus that takes us to our next resting place in Cusco. The bus has already taken our luggage to our new hotel so our luggage is waiting for us in our rooms when we arrive. This is by far, the nicest hotel we have stayed in so far.
We end the evening by going to dinner with two other couples. Jaimey is exhausted and chooses to relax in the room. We meet Jay, Pennie, Rajitha and Sanjay. We walk to the Inca Grill in the town square which Gary has recommended. Once we reach the square, we are greeted by dancers in traditional clothing preparing for their pilgrimage to the mountains. We are overwhelmed. The fact that we are there the one time of the year they have this celebration is amazing. The six of us have a blast. We dance around the square, take photos and thoroughly enjoy everything that is going on. It is a total party atmosphere.
We finally go in to the restaurant to eat and have a wonderful experience. The six of us enjoy each others company, share food and share MANY stories. Jim's stories of cow tipping and other Midwest shenanigans convince everyone they should not move to the Midwest......... (kidding, of course. unless this is his intent?)
When we leave, there are still dancers in the streets and there is still a very "party" atmosphere. We are all so grateful that we have stumbled across this wonderful tradition and been able to participate in their celebration!
Now, time for bed. Feeling so grateful!
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