Machu Picchu

Boarded the train this morning and traveled for a little over an hour to Agua Callientes. Then another half hour up the mountainside to Machu Picchu. Although we have seen a lot of Inca ruins, this was jaw dropping. The day was clear and sunny, although our guide said it is often misty, adding to the mistique of the area. There are 18 different kinds of walls, some with huge blocks so well shaped that you can't fit a credit card between the stones, others more slapdash held together with mortar. We hiked around for several hours. It's so hard to believe that these people did this all without the wheel, computers, etc. There are no remains of a written language, but they used knotted ropes to keep track of stuff, like an abacus. Sadly, they concentrated power in the hands of a few, which the Spanish killed and all that knowledge was lost with them. Tonight we are staying in Agua Callientes at the Sumaq Hotel which is lovely. Again, I wish I could send photos. It's almost Pisco Sour hour. More later. BTW, we did eat guinea pig yesterday, tastes like honey boney chicken. Check that one off the list.

Tuesday July 10

How could I have forgotten the guinea pigs? We went to an authentic Inca house where they live with their guinea pigs ( which they eat). There were about 30 of them scampering around on the floor, squealing to beat the band. Today, we went to a market in a small town with a local chef, tasting all kinds of unusual produce and seeing all different kinds of potatoes. Then we went back to his restaurant where he made us chicken salad in avocados, a vegetarian cerviche with mushrooms and asparagus and lomo saltado (marinated tenderloin, onions, peppers) served over potatoes - what else? dessert was a castle apple mousse. This afternoon we went to an Inca ruin where they did a lot of agricultural research, a weaving and dying operation, and a salt mine. Tomorrow Machu Pichu.

Monday July 9

I don't know what happened to my original post from yesterday, but it disappeared into cyberspace, never to return. So, we flew to Cusco, hopped in the van and headed out to the Sacred Valley. First stop was to watch the local people preserving potatoes the Inca way. They spread them out in the sun, they freeze at night, then dry out. The women skin them with their feet. This way, they will stay without refrigeration forever. Then we went to see the llamas and alpacas. The baby alpacas have such soft fur! They are greedy little devils when you have timothy to feed them. We went to an old hacienda for lunch: causa (this time tuna salad between two slabs of mashed potatoes), cream of corn soup and grilled trout. Later we went to Ollototomba an amazing old Inca ruin. All the running on the treadmill paid off as i was the only one in our group who made it to the top. Our hotel is beautiful, lot of flowers and individual little casitas. Pizza and beer for dinner. The weather is very cold at night and clear blue skies and warm during the day. Perfect.

Later on Sunday

Had a great tour of Lima this afternoon. This is a city of 9 million people, so there is a lot to see. Our guide was fantastic, very well educated and a native Liman (?). Our first stop was an archeological museum, really didn't now how long and how many cultures pre-dated the Incas. They were a lot like the Romans, building on other cultures. Then to see a Spanish monastery and cathedral. It looked so much like the places we saw in Sevilla with a lot of Moorish influence. dinner was at a great restaurant where I had filet of sole covered by scalloped potatoes (what else?). Early to bed as tomorrow we need to meet in the lobby at 6 to go to the airport and fly to Couzco. would like to stay in Lima for a few more days. Too much to see and EAT!

Sunday July 8

The weather here is very Port Angeles-like - overcast and high 60s. Walked around Lima this morning. Can't say much for the architecture, sort of soviet inspired, all square and plain. People dress casually for the most part, jeans and t shirts. The food is amazing. The things they do with potatoes and corn! Took a great photo, but can't get this pos apple product to upload it. Off for more exploring.

Peru

Well, we made it to Peru. In the Lima airport, there was a beautiful golden retriever sniffing produce from peoples luggage. She was a very clever dog. nailed one lady for contraband apples and another for grapes. The hotel is gorgeous, right on the ocean with lots of flowers. It's late, so will post more tomorrow

12 more days!

Only 12 more days until we leave for Macchu Picchu and the Galgpagos!  I will be reactivating the blog then.  Stay tuned!