Rest of Cusco

After a good night’s sleep, Sara and I had a leisurely day of shopping, museum touring, and eating delicious food. The day’s destinations included Museum of the Inca, el Catedral en la Plaza de las Armas, and an incredible restaurant called Cicciolina where we indulged in tapas and delicious sandwiches. I have yet to try the two major food groups in Peru: cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca… but it’s doubtful my stomach will allow such consumptions!

That night we headed out on the town and started off with another delectable meal at Incanto. With our bellies stuffed, we went to one of the local discotecas called Ukukus where we listened to Peruvian covers of The Rolling Stones and the like—so funny! We then met up with some new Israeli friends at another discoteca (one of the most popular in Cusco) called Mama Africa. After a night of dancing, Sara and I headed back to our hostel and prepared for another full day of excitement!

We met our group of fellow river-rafters and boarded our bus (whose driver’s abilities were significantly more impressive than any previous one’s… aka I didn’t fear for my life) and drove about an hour outside of Cusco to the Urubamba River. Our rafting experience was pretty normal at first, but we quickly learned our own incapabilities as our raft soon got stuck on a rock, nearly flipped over, and we were forced to evacuate onto the very rock that dictated our fate. I watched as my flip-flops swam down-river away from me…. I suppose they can be my little Peruvian donation. After numerous rescue attempts by other rafts that happened to (thankfully) be following our course, we were saved by a team of guides and steered safely ashore. After a lunch of coca tea, rice, and pasta we headed back to Cusco, a bit more exhausted and shoe-less than before. The night brought little, as we were incredibly tired, more than a good meal of sweet potato gnocchi and sleep! Tomorrow- on to Buenos Aires!

Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!

We arose early onThursday morn, boarded a tour bus, and headed to the Incan Ruins! We stopped by Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, and finally Aguas Calientes. We ended the night relaxing in the Hot Springs and chatting with our fellow hostel-mates. The next morning we arose at 4:40 to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu. It was such a sight-- beyond words. After touring the Incan ruins, we hiked Waynapicchu and stood atop the formidable mountain. The view was, again, awe-inspiring. We headed back to Cusco for a good night's sleep!

segundo dia

Yay! Sara finally arrived! As soon as she unpacked, we embarked on quite the full day! After eating breakfast atop our hostel overlooking las montañas, we traveled to the Mercado right outside our hostel. There was everything from toiletries to ice cream to meat skins to mittens (which I indulged in for app. $3, then we walked up the hill (and the air consequently got thinner and thinner) to the Hilario Medivil museum—where lots of long-necked Virgin Mary’s were featured. After a little shopping and a visit to St. Ignatius’ Iglesia de la Compañia, we overlooked the historic festival de Corpus Christi while sipping Inca Kolas and eating avocado sandwiches at a cute café on the Plaza. The parade was incredible—lots of masked “warriors” dancing to the music of mariachi bands following their trails. After lunch, we headed to the ancient Qorikancha—temple of the sun constructed by Incans and later taken over by the Spaniards and made into a monastery. After a bit more shopping and basking in the beauty of Cusco, we returned to our humble hostel… and rested up for a night of fun, which included a scrumptious dinner, truffles, and drinks at a local pub where we met some famous photographers, the British consul, and many locals. Tomorrow we’re heading to Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu! Hasta luego!

el principio

I have had a love-hate relationship with blogs. My original perceptions of these so called “online journals” were nothing but disgust and horror at the thought of someone broadcasting themselves—thought and emotions—on the internet. I have often thought I had “nothing to blog about” but after more rumination, gosh darnit, I have an interesting story to tell, and especially one for this summer! So here’s my humble attempt at a blog:

Ten years ago, I embarked on my first “big trip” on an airplane by myself to visit my aunt in California. I find it ironic that ten years later, I must call upon that ten-year old independent traveler, and adventure in a land just as unknown as California had been to me then. Gory details: I arrived at the RIC airport at approximately 5:30 AM on Monday morning and all went smoothly. After a ten hour layover in Atlanta, I boarded my next flight to Lima. Lack of sleep overcame me when I departed the flight and realized I had another long layover ahead of me. I went through customs, etc. and waited in front of my gate, striving to keep my eyes open and just read my book. Thankfully I checked my e-mail the first minute I arrived in Lima to learn that my friend Sara’s flight (which was supposed to arrive in Lima a few hours after mine) was cancelled and she wouldn’t be joining me until Wednesday morning! ARGH I’m stuck in this airport, and finally fears of being alone overwhelmed me. But “bastante” complaining.

After calming myself down with the comfort of Starbucks, I felt much better with every interaction I had with a Peruvian. They are all smiles and warm hearts—some o f the nicest people I’ve ever met! My taxi driver regaled me with stories of his life travels and the seňora at my hostel did nothing but take care of me, understanding that it was scary to be alone.

After a good nap, I headed toward the Plaza de las Armas and took care of some business at our travel agency, and sat, for the first time EVER, by myself in a restaurant and drank café, ate CHICKEN (for the first time in four years), and relaxed while I people-watched. After a brisk walk up a very steep hill (the air is SO THIN here—I was so out of breath!), I had one of the most gorgeous views—of the mountains and casa-covered hills. I passed an alpaca on the road and shopped in a few stores. All in all, WHAT a crazy few days it’s been, but it excites me that this is just the start of my adventures!

I’ll have you know, in no way, shape, or form, do I expect ANYONE to read all of this—I’ve been that girl to delete my friends’ study abroad e-mails, etc. But it is exciting to document one’s travels in this new, hip blog-fashion.