The Sacred Valley

Hmm... where did I leave off?

Our guinea pig dinner was interesting... They brought the whole cuy to our table to take pictures of the little guy then took it back to the kitchen to slice up. It's salty and meatless. There wasn't much to enjoy. They also served alpaca, chicken, sausage, peruvian cheese, and a corn bread kinda thing with the cuy. It was a very different meal to say the least but a fun experience!

We have spent the week in Cusco taking Spanish lessons. The more we learned the more we realize we suck at Spanish! However, the classes were helpful and we have improved. The week here has been pretty rainy with blue bursts that are just gorgeous.

Ryan Niboaur got to Cusco on Thursday and we went to Machu Pichu over the weekend. The trip consisted of a bus ride to a train ride. Crashing out at 10P.M. to get up at 3:30 and hike up the Inka stair master for 1 1/2 hours to watch sunrise at the gate to Machu Pichu. We wanted to get there early because there is a second hike to Wayna Pichu that they only allow so 400 people into per day. After wandering around we did the second hike for 50 minutes of more stair master to the top of another hill with ruins that overlooked Machu Pichu. It was incredible! Pictures and words cannot do this place justice.

Now for the pics.... the first is of Hank and I at the top of Machu Pichu, followed by Hank and I with some girls on the street in traditional clothes in Cusco.- Plus my new pet! Then the cuy from our delicious dinner! Doesn't it look yummy?! More Machu Pichu- Hank and Ryan climbing the stairs throughout the ruins, the three of us at the top overlooking the site, and lastly, the hardest steps we came across but an idea of how we climbed for 2 1/2 hours starting at 4 A.M.

Enjoy!

We leave for Buenos Aires tonight on a 65 hour bus ride (assuming they are on time!) to meet Abe and Mone Haen! More news from another country to come....

Xoxo- H&D