Hola
Well so much for being fine...we got back to our smelly hostel room and we were both wiped. Andrews headache intensified into 100 monkeys playing bongos in his head...unable to sleep a wink all night...we tossed and turned in our sleeping bags..mid night, I started feeling sick to my stomach...it came in waves the same as in the restaurant. Unable to get my stomach settled, we were quite the pair. Near early morning I finally threw up and began to feel better...meanwhile the monkeys settled down in Andrews head. We got a total of half hour sleep and up at five to get ready for our tour guide to show up with our tickets. We half hoped she wouldn´t show so we could go back to bed!
Anyway wonder of wonders...there she was right on the dot with our tickets. Of course our host at the hostel tried to slip a few more soles out of us...but wé are catching on and wising up!!!
Off to the train station...after trying to give us some fake money for change we were finally on the train and off to the magical Machu Picchu. Who knew it would take so long just to get out of Cuzco! The rail system is quite dated and the switchbacks intense. People are early risers here and we got to see more of Cuzco...I can´t imagine how annnoying the train blowing at 6am every day must be...altho they are up and working it seems...
It is a 4 hour train ride through the Sacred Valley and it wasn´t long before we were glad to pay every penny we did for this amazing trip. It is how we imagined Peru! Lush green land, with backdrop of the Andean mountains looming over head...we are entranced at the beauty! The Andes make our Rocky mountains seem like foothills!
The train makes a slow chug all the way through with a few stops along the way enbling the mountain people to sell their crafts to all the gringos! As we were taking pics of the chaos at a stop, our camera batteries died!! Our spare also!
So without a camera going to world famous machu picchu......
As we arrived into Aguas Calientes, we found our Canadian friends Leah and Janessa. They were heading up to Machu Picchu just for the day...it was nice to see them one more time b4 they continue on their world tour.
We found our hostal in the small villge...right on the river...it was beautiful...and off for a sleep!
We woke starving as we were taking it easy on the food, and off in search of a great restaurant. We chose a small french peruvian restaurant and we both agreed it was the best we have ever had. The french know how to cook! We had a 5 course meal with fresh juice for $30...it would equal to a $200plus meal in Canada!
Feeling stuffed, we waddled up to the hot springs for relaxing dip...it was beautiful right next to the river...palm trees, andes as backdrop, lush tropical flowers!
After a great sleep, we woke early to pouring rain. Our plan was to arrive b4 all the tour buses and experience the Machu Picchu with as much quietness as possible. As we were waiting for the 5;30am bus, we began to think we were in the wrong spot since the bus didn´t come and it was getting on 6am. We started down the hill thinking we were at the wrong bridge and a little old Peruvian lady came and asked us what were doing. When we told her we were waiting for the bus, she took off down the hill at a run motioning for us to follow her....she took us to where all the buses were. Andrew asked the bus driver when the first bus left and he said at 5;30am, turns out our alarm clock was set one hour ahead...I must have bumped it when checking the time in the middle of the night!!! Oh well...no chance of being late anyway!
When we arrived through the gates, there was an eery quietness with clouds creating a mist all around. There are no words to describe the feeling when you first glimpse this magical hidden city of the Incas. Can´t imagine what Hiram Bingham felt when he first discovered this city in 1911. With mouths wide open, we managed to use up a disposable camera b4 all the yellow raincoats arrived! We had a tour thru the ruins and were amazed at this 1300´s architecture! Hard to believe all this work to build this phenomenal city, only to live there for 172 years!
We met some fab people in our group and climbed together to wanupichu the mtn behind the ruins and got some more great photos, and visits,
As the hords of people began arriving around noon, we decided to head down for lunch and catch the train.
Back to Cuzco in search of a battery charger and a better hostel! Finding a better hostel was easy, finding someone who would charge the batteries was not!! We did manage to find someone...only when we went to pick them up there was only one ready. It is festival day here...not sure what festival but looks religious and everyone is celebrating...so we were promised they will deliver our other battery at 8pm tonight! We hope so since we leave early morning to head back to Lima.
Hope this finds you all well. We are having a fab time even tho we are saddened by the children following us everywhere asking to buy whatever wares they are selling so they can eat. How can we help them all??? It is very thought provoking. They do know how to play on emotions...altho when it is for their survival, we give them credit for their cleverness. We have supported them of course, but feel helpless since we know their plight will only continue....
Please give thanks tonight for all that you have...there are so many without!
Sobered, happy and grateful...
Andrew n Katrina
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