Last Day!!!

We can't believe it!!!
The first day on our own in Lima, we went north along the coast. Yesterday was our marathon (poor Brett), 8 miles, probably, heading south. Today we went east. We were hoping to see the ruins of Huaca Pucllana, a pre Inca site, 200 - 900 AD. The ruins themselves were closed today. Bummer. But we walked around the perimeter, and got a look at them. They were game sites of some kind. They're made of adobe style bricks. We have no idea how they have lasted in thismoist, foggy environment. We were told on our arrival in Lima that these ruins were discovered as a new condo or apartment development was being started. It's very impressive from the outside. We'll have to do some research. There is so much to find out about now!!!
The grand finale was a wonderful dinner on a pier that you can see in the first Lima post. It was fun, and another great meal. The meals and cooking here have been absolutely outstanding. We have never eaten better fish, prepared so well. OUTSTANDING!!!!!
We leave our hotel at 6:30 Lima time - 4:30 Del Mar time, and we should get home around 10:30 - 11:00!!

See you soon!!!
Adios!!!

Lima, Peru

We can't believe our trip/adventure/expedition is almost over!! The tour ended Sunday am, or really Saturday night. Most of the group had a 6>30 flight to Miami, but we're staying until Wednesday. Yesterday, Monday, we walked probably 8 miles. Poor Brett!! We went from the community we're in (there are 14 in Lima), Miraflores, down to the beach, along the Lima equivalent of PCH for a couple of miles, until we came to a big gate of some kind. Along the way we saw some surfers going out, a military training facility ON THE BEACH, and sort of met/talked with a fisherman, as Brett inspected their handmade wooden boats. We came back through two other communities - Chorillos, and Barranco. Great early dinner at a little caf right across the street from our hotel, and back later for Pisco Sours!!!
It's a busy city, VERY cloudy/overcast. We're told that it is ike this 8 months a yar, and then it rains. But it's easy to get around, and is friendly. Warnings on the map about pirates, but it hasn't seemed pirate/like at all. What fun! ! !
Photos when we get home!!!!
Adios!!!!

Cusco

We had a wonderful day in Cusco. We first went up to Saqciwaman (sp?) to see some Incan ruins. Over and over the Spaniards destroyed most of an Incan structure, and then used the Incan foundation for their own construction. Often they plastered over the Incan built block walls and painted Spanish frescoes. This site was right above the city of Cusco, so we had a fabulous view of the city.
We went, next, to what seems to be the main Cathedral of Cusco. The remaining Incans, minus any rulers, all of whom were executed (at the Cathedral), seemingly adopted the Catholic religion. There were some wonderful Incan artists trained in the Spanish Colonial style (remembering that I know little or nothing about Art History). These artists painted huge oil paintings of many religious scenes. By far, our favorite painting was of the last supper of Jesus. There are twelve disciples and Jesus having their dinner – roasted guinea pig, an Incan specialty. The fruit that they were eating was all Incan fruit – strawberries, avocados, etc. And the best part is that Judas’ face is . . . . . .PIZARRO! ! ! !
After lunch we were on our own. We walked around the town for a few hours, had a coffee drink and a new beer, and are turning in early. This morning we didn’t wake up until 6:40! ! ! Unheardof for us!! Tomorrow we have to be ready to go to the airport to fly to Lima at7:15, and you know we can’t skip breakfast!! So it will be an early morning!!!

Adios!!!

Machu Pichu #2

Up bright and early for the sunrise hike to the Sun Dial. It wasn’t dark. The sunrise we were looking for was the sun just coming over the mountains. Off we went. This was little higher than yesterday’s walk. But we we went slowly. Lots of huffing and puffing even at slow speeds. Only three of us and the Tour Guide, so we could move along.
We got up there in time. Some people find Machu Pichu to be the center of the world, as they do spots in Nepal or Sedona, Arizona. A few people who got there before we did were posed and ready for the sun. I had to remind Brett to be very quiet. It was a very contemplative site, being on top of a mountain, and seeing first the rays of the sun, and then the whole sun come up over the peaks. Our guide told us that the other primary sites for viewing the sunrise can be a little noisy, crowded or boisterous, so it was a good choice to come to the quiet spot. There were maybe 10 people at the Sun Dial.
After breakfast we went on the REAL hike, up to the Sun Gate. This was a 4 mile round trip hike, with a 2,000 gain in elevation. Huffing and puffing does not exactly explain it adequately, especially when the starting point is 7,000. Plus, some of the rocky “steps” are 18-24 inches. ARGH. Again, it was an incredible view. We were ABOVE some of the peaks and the ruins!! Insane.
Leaving Machu Pichu in the afternoon, back on the train to Cusco.
Adios!!

Machu Pichu #1

It’s time for Machu Pichu!!! We went on a bus from our hotel to Ollataytambo, where we visited ruins the day before. There we got on a train, that followed the Urubamba river up an incredible gorge. Huge, rocky, steep mountains on both sides. Very beautiful!! There were some ruins along the way.
You arrive in a town called Agua Calientes. The hikers that do the entire Inca Trail hike are probably happy about that. Then we bussed up to our hotel, just outside the Machu Pichu National Park. We immediately went into the park, and up to the Guard House. Just for some altitude references, Cusco is 11,400 feet. The hotel at the outside of the park was 7,000. There aremountain peaks all around, going up to 16,000 and 18,000 feet. We went slowly up to 7,500. You couldn’t take it all in. The engineering and organization of this site is phenomenal. There are buildings and rooms for so many functions. There’s original paths that go EVERYWHERE. The rocks, like yesterday, are HUGE. When you get to these various locations, you just can’t believe what you are seeing. This was all built in the 1400s, and wasn’t discovered until 1909-1911, when Hiram Bingham, a Yale professor from Hawaii, got some kids from the local villages to bring him up here (by ropes!). Fortunately, the Spanish didn’t find it during their plunder.
Tomorrow we’re planning on two hikes – up to a spiritual site, the Sun Dial, for sunrise, and a little later to the Sun Gate, where the sun comes through for the Summer Solstice.
Adios!!

Peru Day #2

It is absolutely amazing to be in this area. The terraces and many buildings are from the 1400s. Many of the most remarkable structures were built with the sun's rising for the summer and winter solstice appearances. The aqueducts are still here, bringing water from the glacier. The walls are built like enormous legos, carved and moved by hand.

We spent the morning at the fortress of Ollantaytambo, at the end of the road from Cusco in the Sacred Valley. We climbed the 300 feet. Whew - 9000 foot altitude makes a differencee. (Gulp- tomorrow is Machu Pichu - 1000 feet I think we were told!)

In the afternoon we saw a beautiful mini-horse show - Peruvian Paso horses. I even rode one!!! We then visited a world famous ceramic artist's studio. He has work in the Chicago Field (I think) Museum, and he recently gave a talk in Washington D.C. on Peruvian Art. His name is Pablo Seminario.

We riding the train tomorrow!!

Adios!

Peru Day #1

Here we are in Peru, land of the Incas!!! Hard to imagine that I am in Peru. I've taught (maybe) about the Incas so many times, and HERE WE ARE! ! !

We flew from Lima to Cusco this am, after a long day of flying on Sunday and overnight in Lima. Right down the middle of the Andes - snow, villages, lakes! It was incredible. Although it wasn't so companionable, we both ended up with window seats,on opposite sides of the plane.What a flight it was!!!We headed straight for the the "Savred Valley of the Incas." We stopped along the way at a reserve for Camelidae - llamas, alpacas, vicuna. We were able to be in the pens with them and feed them!!! We followed Urubamba River, through the Urubamba Valley.

There are many little towns along the river. Two of them were celebrating their patron saint today, so there was a parade going on in one. We saw oxen doing their job, etc.etc.

We're now in an incredibly beautiful lodge for tonight and tomorrow, and it has Wi Fi, so maybe we can send some photos!!! Tomorrow we're doing some walking - we're not sure how high. We were at 11,000 feet, but down in this beautiful valley we are closer to 9,000. It's noticeable, but so far so good! ! ! !

Adios! ! !