Machu Piccu and Beyond

Final installment of my summer 2012...

Once our time in Lima was complete, some of the group went home and others went to Machu Piccu. I was really excited to be in the second group! We flew to Cusco and stayed there. Upon arriving I was not feeling too well due to the extreme altitude change...Lima is at sea level and Cusco is at 10,000 feet...but after sleeping all afternoon in a comfy bed, I was ready to explore.

I may or may not have mentioned the unique foods that I tried in Peru. Ceviche and alpaca were two of them. The first is a raw fish that is marinated in lemon juice and the alpaca is related to a llama, a meat without cholesterol. We were also able to finish our shopping in Cusco as well as a beautiful street market in  Pisaq. Unlike the markets in Zambia, these shop keepers are willing to bring down the price and only sell you the item that you ask about. No stress for this buyer!

After finally getting our bearings, we were leaving again for the ruins of Machu Piccu. To get there you must take a train down to a town called Aguas Calientes at 6,000 feet, then take a bus on switchbacks up to 8,000 feet. Too much change at once is hard for the body. Despite that, we were all extremely thrilled to see this place that we had only seen in books. Out tour guides gave lots of information and took good care of us. My group went up onto the peak that overlooks the ruins first, then made our way down into them. Look at my pictures on Facebook. It was uncharacteristically warm that day and I did not dress correctly, but it was still worth it. There is one peak that they only let 400 people climb a day. The oldest person that our tour guide took up there was 82 years old...my sister and I want to go on my 83 birthday...haha! It will probably happen before that day but oh well.

At long last, it was time to return back to the U.S. or at least we thought. There is only one United flight that leaves Lima for Houston. Once our plane arrived that night, the rumored "strike" came across as a dud fuel filter in our plane. Four hours later, after waiting/sleeping in the terminal, the attendants told us that we needed to leave and come back tomorrow. Another 2 hours later, we were watching the sun come up as we stood in line for hotel vouchers and food vouchers. That was the least they could do for all the trouble. But wait...there's more.  We had to figure out how to get to the Sheraton. A charter bus came to pick us up:

Problem 1: It was very old and should have retired.
Problem 2: Not enough luggage space
Problem 3: Not enough seats
Problem 4: As it pulled out of the parking lot with all but 10 people on it, it dropped its transmission never making it out the gate and everyone had to pile off again.

Now it was just funny!
We finally got into taxis (the VIP taxis if I'm not mistaken) and made it to the hotel (quite an accomplishment in Lima traffic). Running on naps that we took in the terminal and the taxi, we ate and fell into our beds. Whew! Never wish to do that part again.

The rest is history. We made it home a day late and my sister and I were surprised with new (to us) cars! I sadly was sick and waited another 3 days to enjoy it. All is well now and I am digesting it all. What I learned, what I enjoyed and what's next.

This "World Traveler" is tired and content. Who knows what this last year of school holds for me.
Thanks for reading!