STEEP. For someone afraid of heights, I did really well. There was only one time, I could not go any closer and even had to ask Mai-Liis to step back from so close to the edge. Most of it is looking out and not straight down, so I was ok.








We had a short rainshower. Of course I forgot the rain poncho Emelio gave me.......... but it didn't last long and actually benefited us as we also forgot the sunblock. Another blessing :-)
I thought this was an interesting picture - color flowing down the steps.......
And then there were the "lawn mowers". Sometimes they were real close, someone across the way petting one of the llamas. There were quite a few there. Yesterday I appreciated them all the more while listening to gardeners with their noisy tools.

Manifesting the Vision

This is how I imagined myself at Machu Picchu. I look a bit like a pack mule here... My pockets filled, water bottles and camera. On the first day, it was hard to take pictures without people, but sometimes they were just as interesting too. I'm glad we opted for not having a guide, because I felt more playful, able to sit or walk - no agenda. Sometimes it is so tedious having an agenda. We were approached by a nice man. We met him at the gate and it took me awhile to figure out he was selling himself as a guide. I can be so naive sometimes.
There were so many people from different countries and my impression that you should be fit and healthy, although would be better, was not necessary. Even the fit were not immune from altitude sickness as we were to find out in Cusco. Elder groups of people were there and I even saw someone with a crutch.

Arriving.

The bus ride up to Machu Picchu was beautiful, but also a bit nerve-wracking if you are afraid of heights. Especially when another bus was coming in the opposite direction and the driver had to move to the side of the road which I could see as being a bit too close for comfort! Yikes!
We had arrived! Looking at pictures is one thing, but being there is something I will not be able to share with words nor pictures. This is an experience one must be there for.
On our first day, we were amidst MANY tour groups and sometimes would stop to listen and other times move past them.
We went straight up the first day and it tested us. We were advised to take it slow and we did, moving to the side, when we needed a break to let the beating of our hearts slow and catch our breath. It was also an opportunity to listen in. One guide that I liked talked about the mountains and the respect for the land. Each morning an offering was given to Pachamama, mother earth as she is called here. The names of the mountains were said, followed by breathing, blowing across the water bottle he held. Turning in each direction and then pouring the water onto Pachamama. I followed his direction and gave Pachamama, our beautiful mother earth, my gratitude and blessing with my water.
Moving on, the sights filled me up with such deep gratitude for being here.
I am so blessed.

Aguas Calientes

It is a small town, just to house and feed those who go to Machu Picchu is my guess. There are stores selling more treasures to take home.. We found a good restuarant. But first we had to walk through a market to get the bus to Machu Picchu... we would have to come back to that.
This is a Peruvian dog. Hairless, with the exception of a little tuft of hair on top of his head. They wear clothes to keep them warm. funny looking guy.........

Almost there.......

Near this sign were some people outside the train as well as the dog. I wanted to feed it. Soon enough I would be feeding another furry friend when we reached Aguas Calientes. He followed us to the bus eating most of my energy bar. He needed it more than me........

VISTADOME

The train station was close to our hotel and we walked there while out bags were "taxied" over. Again, we were approached by many natives selling their items. I bought another woven piece - an Inca calender. Cheap. Whenever the train stopped there were women outside on the tracks holding up blankets and other woven items.
The train was wonderful. It was a luxury. Peruvian music played while we were given snacks and drinks. I always opted for the coca tea. That's all I drank, that and water. I am sure that is what helped me feel good and avoid any altitude discomfort.
I truely enjoyed this train ride. Ollantaytambo was much closer to Aguas Calientetes than Cusco where many people take the train from. Many times I was overcome by what I saw, moved to tears by the beauty of all. We live on a planet that has so much beauty to offer us. Snow capped mountains in the distance, riding along the river and sometimes catching sight of the trail that many hike to Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes is at the bottom of Machu Picchu. From there, we took the bus to the top.
Luckily for me, they were selling the multi-pocket vest on the train that I had wanted but hadn't gotten for this trip. THAT came in handy!!!



You can see part of the Inka trail here...........

Not your ususal traffic....

How's that for a blue sky? This is Mai-Liis at Moray. After leaving there, we drove to Maras. These roads were even scarier than the previous ones. Our driver had to back up to make an extremely tight hairpin turn. At one point had to get out of the car to remove rocks on the road. We ended up at these salt mines. What wasn't told to us was that these places cost money to get in. Not a lot, but it was a bit annoying and then we realized, it wasn't just the place to take pictures, but there was always some one there to sell us stuff. The place in Maras was a more sophisticated shop, with quality merchandise and of course higher cost items. I did buy a ceramic mug here. It was of a woman flying, so I had to get it! I also bought my first T-shirt for John. I always buy T-shirts on my trips and I just wasn't seeing anything I liked......

This was getting to be a familiar site. After taking pictures of the animals on the road, one young man wanted me to pay him. I gave him my apple.

Weavers

Two happy ladies. Such a colorful people making such beatiful things. We went through piles and piles of weavings. They showed us the flowers and berries they used to make the colors. I think I should have gotten a hat :-)

Two happy ladies.

Moray

Moray is an agrigultural place where they experimented with growing at different levels. It was cool and I'm sure we would have gotten more out of it if our guide spoke english. He tried hard though and he was very nice. Our attention went to the weavers. More shopping. This is where I bought the wall hanging that will hang above John's chair. I knew it was a good choice when I came home to find out he was sick. I think he is a healing god. Actually it looks really cool on the chair... but knowing John, it's best hung on the wall. I ended up buying two woven pieces. The other is on the back of my chair. I made these ladies very happy. One called me mama. They actually ran after us as they saw us leaving without buying. They are very aggressive with regards to selling things and sometimes, especially towards the end of our trip, I would just say no and walk away and ignore them. Or say that I already had one!

a side trip........

I really love this hotel we were in.
We had our lunch and then our driver met us. He gave each of us a bag with some water and snacks in it. Cleaned his car before we got in. He did not speak English. We were taking a tour through the sacred valley opting not to go to Pisac market because it was too far. Instead we were going to Moray and Maras. He stopped for us to take pictures along the way. This was frustrating at times because of the language barrier, but I had fun never the less. Some roads were so narrow and close to the edge of the moutain, I had to look away. Mai-Liis was feeling it too. Once she said, "So be it", I knew she was as scared as I but it was all in the "hands of God". He was an excellent driver. I could not have done what he did. Nor do I ever want to.

One of the things I wanted to know about, was why they had writing on the side of the mountains. He said "propaganda" and he meant propaganda. Politics. Once the person is elected, it grows over. How the heck do they do that????
We have billboards and posters - they have mountains.
We continued to snake up the moutain........

TAXI!!!!

Mai-Liis took the taxi down to the hotel, but I wanted to walk. There were some pictures I wanted to take and I knew I could make it down in a short period of time. We were to meet our driver for a tour into the sacred valley after lunch.
As she got into the cab, I had a strong feeling come over me that I could easily be a "world traveler", that this was a comfortable feeling. I could see us traveling the world, on safari, adventuring this amazing beautiful planet of ours.

The familiar sight of these bulls or cows on the roof tops. I later on bought 2 at a market. They were" good for the home" I was told.

Got Milk?

While Mai-Liis was inside shopping, I watched this little girl, hands full, balancing, making her way up the steps. I asked her mom if I could take her picture. She did not ask for money and tried hard to "prep" her daughter for the picture. Couldn't get a smile out of her :-)
I did get a reaction though when I showed her the picture in the camera.
This river was alongside the road up from our hotel to the square. The stone streets took some getting used to walking on. I really liked this place. We had a lot of fun here and the people were really friendly. I bought my hat here with the intention of giving it to John, but I don't think that will happen. I've grown attached to it.
We had a lot of fun choosing hats. Mai-Liis bought a beautiful red one. Many women helped in the process. They were always grateful to make the sale and I was always happy to oblige.



I think this guy has had enough of our bargaining!

Reasons to Return

It is impossible to do all you would like to do in such a short period of time. Even the things I thought I did not want to do at the time, I do want to do them now.
Choices. One becomes so overwhelmed with so much to offer, that it is hard to choose. Even with buying things. Now, I wish I had gotten more. Sometimes, it is just the little things - another water bottle holder as a gift or more of the little worry dolls. Take more pictures. Climb these steps. Our time was limited and we did the best we could with it. Therefore, I would definitely go back :-)
One thing that always kept me in awe was what I saw whenever I looked up. Fortresses and steps in the mountains. Make sure you click on each picture to get a closer look....
We as a people are so amazing. Think on all the things we do and create...

the Procession

On the ride to our Hotel Pakaritampu in Ollantaytambo, I noticed shrines with crosses. Large crosses with Christ's picture and sometimes corn on the cross. When we arrived at the square, they were parading around the square with these crosses, ending up in front of the church.
This was a Thursday and not sure what the ceremony was about. We did hear noise from our hotel at one point, sounding like gunshots and upon inquiring, we were told they were having a festa.
Stopping in front of the church the priest led them in prayer. Although it was in Spanish, I knew by the intonation, they were saying the Our Father and Hail Mary.

Children of Peru

Walking around in the square, I was enthralled by the people. Laying out their wares on blankets, eagerly waiting to sell. I bought some fava beans my sister suggested. I still have them and will use them in some artistic way because I didn't like eating them.
Inside a market, we walked around, looking at vegetables, then chicken - the whole chicken with the heads and feet still on. Walking further inside, I noticed the flys and looking around, dead animals hanging... that was a bit much for me and shaking it off, left quickly.
I saw this happy little girl dancing in the alley. I watched for awhile. Carefree and joyous. She stopped and I took her picture. With children, I always showed them their picture in the camera after I had taken it. It was cool watching their reaction. Children were one of my favorite subjects.

Ollantaytambo - AM

After a wonderful breakfast of a most delicious granola, of which I wish I had taken some home, with yogurt poured on instead of milk and mango.... we journeyed into "town".
We walked up the cobblestoned road along a river. I now got a close up view of the buildings made from their earthen bricks. Corn on the roof, peeking into a restuarant with colorful tablecloths.
Our first purchase was a waterbottle holder - very practical. Inside were woven bags, sweaters, a weaving loom and other "treasures". Mai-Liis searched for treasures for her shrines and found some small woven pictures of shirts that were glued on small paper. Very unusual pieces.
This was the beginning of learning how to "haggle".
Mai-Liis was my mentor here. Not being attached to it and be willing to walk away was key.

Pakaritampu Hotel - Ollantaytambo

After driving through the Sacred Valley, seeing what I considered poverty, we arrived at our hotel.
Paradise. We were in Paradise!
The driver honked, gates were opened, we checked in and led to our rooms. This was very nice. Yes, this was making my heart sing. It was beautiful!!!!
Mountains surrounded us. The grounds filled with flowers.
We ate at the restuarant that was there. I ate a lot of fish in Peru. One thing I learned quickly was that they did not like the dollar to be worn or ripped. If you go to Peru, bring crisp, clean dollars.
The next morning, Mai-Liis got up first and opened up the curtains. She called me to come see... they were mowing the lawn. I wasn't sure what to expect.......
Two alpaca and two men.
Yes, a quiet way to mow the lawn. I imagined how funny it would be to have alpaca in one's back yard "mowing" the lawn... beats hearing those loud mowers and leaf blowers!