Day 11 - Peru - Cusco

T'was a free day and I had big plans. But between my severely swollen and painful ankles and lower legs, plus frequent bathroom trips, I decided to forgo my tour of the Sacasayhuaman archeological site. I slept in until 9:30 am! Wow, that felt good.

My sister and I walked to the Centro Artesanal market to pick up a few more gifts, then we came back to the hotel and closed our eyes for 15 minutes.

We weren't hungry so we skipped lunch and walked over to the Museo Inka. It was a fascinating and well curated museum. I wish all of the signs had been in English though, and no photos were allowed except for outdoors - grrrr. There were rug weavers working in the courtyard in much the same way as we saw in the Sacred Valley.

I was most fascinated by a man with an amazing array of native instruments, including flutes made from condor bones, whistles that could imitate humming birds, and larger clay pot-type of dishes with holes. With these interesting looking things, he could imitate various animals simply by slowly moving the object in a downwards motion. When he moved it upward, it made another sound altogether. It was extremely cool. The instruments were for sale and were pricey, but he also had a CD of traditional music which I bought. I hope I like it!

When we left the museum, there was a light rain. I had decided not to bring a jacket today because I have packed one around for the past 3 or 4 days and not needed it. Also, the internet said it would be 23 C and warm. I froze.

We walked a few blocks over to the chocolate museum to learn about the process and of course, to try some samples. We also bought chocolates, some for gifts, others to eat.

On our travels, we happened upon a group of young boys dancing in the street! They were led by a couple of men and there was live music. I have no idea what the occasion was, but they were remarkably attentive and well-trained, and I was quite impressed!

By then it was 5 pm and we were hungry. Across from the main square was the same restaurant we'd been to the other day, Papachos. The food was good and the service was fast. We split an alpaca burger then walked back to our hotel, taking a short cut.

It is 8:40 pm and I must pack my bags. I'm going to enjoy my bed as soon as I can!

Day 10 - Peru - Machu Picchu, Train, Drive to Cusco

I had a rough night and didn't sleep well due to many visits to the bathroom. When the alarm rang at 4:35 am, the last thing I wanted to do was get up. But it was Machu Picchu day again, this time with a guide.

There are so many people heading there in the early morning, we had to line up about 3/4 of the way up the hill. It took about 45 minutes before we could board.

We had some free time there until our tour started, so I found a place to sit and rest. We were told that Machu Picchu is always cool and foggy in the morning until about 9 or 10 am. Nope! Not today. It was clear, sunny and very, very warm. The hoodie and Gortex jacket I brought stayed in the backpack - again.

At 8:30 am I went to the arranged meeting place and began the tour. He was most knowledgeable, interesting, and enthusiastic. He took us to various spots and explained what we were seeing.

He talked about the advanced knowledge of the Incas, for example, they knew the world was round long before Europeans figured that one out. Their 'Temple of the Sun' has 2 windows which let the light in so that it falls to the back wall on June 21st and December 21st. With their Southern Cross rock, it pointed to the north, south, east and west exactly.

Anthropologists figured their community was about 1,000 people and their agricultural practices of the Inca supplied much of what they needed. They also traded with other Incan tribes.

Punishment for crimes was swift and deadly so as to keep order in the community. And handicapped infants didn't stand a chance. It was survival of the fittest. It sounds pretty cruel by today's standards.

After the tour, I didn't stay, due to the heat and the fact that I wasn't feeling very well. In Aguas Calientes, I found a bank machine to replace my dwindling supply of soles, then killed time until our 12:30 lunch get together. I ordered a small, thin-crust pizza.

Our train back to the Ollantaybo station left at 2:50 pm. I was hoping to get some shut eye, but passed the time instead, with some very agreeable seat-mates. We had to pick up our regular luggage at our previous hotel, then we took a nice big bus to Cusco.

We are back at our same hotel, but this time our room is in the new section and is much nicer than before. Supper was soup and it was so slow I wanted to cancel. Oh well, it was good - quinoa and onion.

I hope I feel better in the morning. I have 30 - 40 bug bites on my legs and I fear I am having an allergic reaction to them. My ankles are huge and they hurt. The joys of travel!