We started off in Pisac - visiting a traditional market that seemed to go on for ages. They sold everything from dolls and jewelry, to pottery and keychains.
At the ruins of Pisac, our guide told us about the way of life for the Inca people. He explained the farming and extensive layers of the terraces, and the holes in the sides of the mountains where the dead were burried. We explored the ruins of Pisac on our own for about an hour...which was only enough time to get started!
After Pisac, we headed on to Ollantaytambo for.....more ruins! (It really doesn't get that old)
I caught a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes where I would meet up with a new group for the Machu Picchu tour! The group had just spent the previous 4 days hiking one of the many treks to MP, and were well established as a "group" by then....luckily they were all extremely welcoming and I immediately felt like part of the group. The next morning, we were up at 5 for breakfast (did I say breakfast? I meant a roll of bread) and an early bus up to Machu Picchu. We got there just after 6, allowing us to experience the impact of MP without the millions of tourists. And now I will let some of the pictures do the talking...
The first proper view:
After our tour, several of us hiked Huayna Picchu (Waynapicchu)- a peak overlooking MP. The hour hike was intense...almost straight up...at several points there are cables provided for use as extra support. Along the way, we found a terrace with gorgeous views of MP.
As we carried on up the stairs of death, we were met with more terraces...with even better views...
...until we finally reached the top. We found a nice, quiet spot and enjoyed some snacks (hello, Doritos!) before making the knee breaking hike back down the stairs of death.
We reached the bottom just in time for the rain to hit! We wandered around a little longer before catching the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.
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AND THEN CAME THE RIDE HOME....Let's start with the train ride. Not only did a giant creepy clown thing jump out from the bathroom, frightening those of us sitting with our backs to the bathroom, but then he continued to dance down the aisle, grabbing women up to dance with him as he went.
This carried on for a while and was quite entertaining. BUT THEN...the fashion show began. The train attendants dressed up in various alpaca sweaters and scarves, walking up and down the aisle for everyone to see (and feel). Of course, our clown friend returned...in a ski mask this time. I'd be willing to bet that these people don't get paid enough...
Well I thought that was a nice, entertaining end to a wonderful trip...but then I got on the collectivo back to Cusco....Everything started off normally. I was sitting in the very back next to two girls from Reno. When asked where they were from, they responded with "America"...thank you. Perhaps they didn't realize that there is more to "America" than just the U.S. So then I asked what part and got the answer of "Reno. Do you know where that is?". Again, thank you. Most people would start with "U.S", then continue with "Nevada", then if asked again, "Reno". SO....they were nice girls. We talked most of the ride back...until the one on the opposite side had to pee. They asked their guy friend (2 seats up) to ask the driver how far we were...he didn't ask, but assured them we were still almost an hour away. As he was saying that, we passed a sign indicating we were really just the next town over. I told her we were only 15 minutes away. She chose to believe her friend (that's cool)...but that meant she couldn't "hold it" long enough. What happened next was...interesting, to say the least. The girl asked me to pour a little water into a plastic bag to make sure there was no holes. Then she peed in it. Honestly, I'm not sure how she did that. We were in a small back seat and a van full of (luckily) sleeping people. And she peed in a bag. I'm not sure whether to be weirded out, or impressed. Of course, the van started to smell of urine...so she dumped it out the window. Not the whole bag, just the pee. She didn't want to litter. Obviously. Wowza! 15 minutes later, we pulled into Cusco and unloaded the van. I pretended not to notice that the ground was slightly wet....We had a good laugh, but I'm pretty sure she was slightly drunk. And I apologize that there are no pictures to go along with that story, but I thought that'd be for the best.
Sacred Valley, check! Machu Picchu, check! Uncomfortable situation in the back of a collectivo, check!
~Jac
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