Last Full Day in Cusco, Peru...

Started the day out with a nice breakfast (and some pics of the monastery where we were staying) and then we drove to the Saqsaywaman Park area.  More and more stone work… and the Inca’s did it so precisely to withstand earthquakes.  You look at the way the huge stones fit together and marvel; and the size of the area… where they had to drag the stones from… and remember, Inca’s did not invent or have wheels… makes it all the more impressive.

One hillside looks funny with just stones spaced sporadically on the area… come to find out, these smaller stones were taken down into Cusco, after the Inca population was wiped out with the Spanish invading the territory, and used to build churches, etc.  so, so, so sad.  I remember in Rome, the Coliseum had marble and other stones removed and recycled for use in the St Peter’s Basilica and other buildings in the city back in the day.  I often wonder what things we do today will affect the future… kinda scary…

We also made a visit to one of the markets there.  WOW!  I love our markets, like Harbor Greens, so much better.  The meats in the open... don't like that too much!  Lots of potatoes in Peru... all kinds and all quite good!  And varieties of corn... 

We finished up about 1ish and we were all pretty tired from the Machu Picchu experience.  Our original plan was to rest a bit and go out and explore some more… we rested for sure, but never went out for more exploring.  It’s been three weeks since we left home, so we’re in a slowdown mode at this point!  We have loved Peru, but are ready for our own bed!

They were trying to get Laurie in their pictures we realized when they were inching close to us.  Told Laurie and so she just went and posed with about 10 different kids and their moms.  So funny... One girl wanted to pose with Jerry... what a hoot! 

Cusco from the hill

So many older people hunched over... so sad... lots of hard work in their lives!

Sun Gate or Bust!

 Woke the next morning to leave at 8am for the hike to Sun Gate, a much more strenuous hike.  Wasn’t sure if I was gonna go when I went to bed the night before… sore knees and bruised tendon… but, next morning, was rearing to go.

So many more people going to the city area of the temple… glad we went yesterday when there were much fewer people!  Fortunately, not as many wanted to go to Sun Gate.  Sun Gate (Inti Punku) once was the main entrance to Machu Picchu.  The hike follows an original Inca Trail that steadily climbs through Machu Picchu’s agricultural terraces, south of the city itself.

Our whole group went, but ¾’s of the way up, three of us decided we had done our best and needed to go back.  The climb up is harder, but the one down is at times harder! 

Jerry and the rest of the gang proceeded up and got a pic of Jerry there.  Bill, one of our cohorts on this journey, when he saw me back at the sanctuary, he said I made the right decision.  Well, duh, I knew that!!! But very glad to have it confirmed.

Check out was 11, so we had to hustle to get out on time.  Then, down the switchback hill to the train station… a 90 minutes ride.  Then off the train and back on a little van for the two hour ride to Cusco.  We were beat and not much conversation on the way home.

Got to our hotel… an old monastery and it’s very unique and beautiful!  They have done a great job refurbishing it.  

Train Entertainment

We're Here!!!! Machu Picchu!!!

We didn’t let any moss gather under our feet.  After lunch & checking in at the Sanctuary, we began our first adventure to the famous Wonder of the World.  It was beyond description.  The walk was a bit of a climb and the group rested at times.  This altitude thing really gets to you!  We were totally rewarded with the sites.  First from above, then we ventured into the city that was never completed and never had anyone live there.  Saw some of the temples in process… the stone work and how precise it was… and the Inca’s had no wheels ever invented in their time.  Moving all that rock… clearing all those trails and laying stone… How did they do so much and then so sad  when the Spanish came to the territory they literally decimated 90% of the Incan population and took or destroyed most of their artifacts. 

But, enough on that… Let’s talk about Jerry’s legs!  He forgot to put on bug repellent and he paid for it.  A gazillion bites… different than normal Mosquito bites… I was so fortunate not to have gotten any! 

Got back to the Sanctuary just as the rain started… AND it was in buckets!  Lightening and Thunder… I was in heaven as I love those kinds of storms especially when I'm nice and dry in our room.

Tomorrow, San Gate!

This incomplete temple is on the mountain top you see in the pic...