We just got back from a whirlwind 7 day trip to Cusco, Peru, and a few surrounding areas. It was amazing! I'm going to break down the trip into three separate posts in order to preserve my sanity. Here's post one.
CUSCO
Dan and I flew to Cusco, Peru starting on Friday, June 1.
Our last flight from Lima to Cusco showed "Just for Laughs" - that candid camera type show from Canada. I was rolling! I loved it. They also gave us some funny named snacks.
We arrived in Cusco Saturday morning and took a taxi to our hotel.
We showered and took brief naps while trying to adjust to the altitude change. They also gave us herbal tea that's supposed to help. It didn't.
After taking it easy for a while, we ventured out to one of my "must-sees." The Coricancha. It's the old Inca Temple of the Sun. The Spanish tore most of it down and built a church on top of it. In this picture, the dark stone is the Inca stonework (1400s). The stone below it is pre-Inca and the stone above it is from the Spanish. They were having some sort of performance on the lawn.
They, just like Utahns, like to put words and letters on their mountains. "Viva El Peru."
Inca handiwork.
Inside the Coricancha. There was an earthquake in the 1950s that revealed a lot more Inca walls. (Funny that the Inca stonework withstood the earthquake when the newer stuff did not.)
They were so precise. I'm looking from one room through another into a third and Dan's standing in the third room - perfectly framed. Amazing!
The inner courtyard.
His best "Hiram Bingham" - the explorer who brought Machu Picchu to the world's attention.
Above: Double doorway means an important room.
I saw a picture of this exact spot on the cover of one of the books I read before coming out. It was from the 1920s or something. I'll have to add it, too. Holes for drainage.
Our hotel. I accidentally booked two twin beds.
Lunch the first day. Best avocado of my life!
Inca ruins above Cusco, Sacsayhuaman (basically pronounced "Sexy woman"). I don't typically say that word, so it was slightly awkward for me... Can you imagine getting those stones into place??
Overlooking Cusco.
So awesome.
Above: Throne of the Inca.
We went around to the back of the ruins to a natural "slide." I did it, but was scared to death! I am a wimp. It doesn't look like much from the video, but I promise it was. Here's Dan and a local doing it.
We walked to some more ruins and then hitched a ride with a tour bus to a few more places Saturday night.
The Inca were really awesome at making fountains and getting irrigation going to places that needed it.
After that, we headed out to a nice dinner at the Inka Grill on the Plaza de Armas and hit the sack in our twin beds.
Sunday morning we got up bright and early to attend church with the local LDS congregation. Dan was embarrassed that I made him take this picture. Their building was really nice.
It was fast and testimony meeting. We really enjoyed it. I only understood about 40% of what they were saying, but was really touched by the people.
After that, we hired a local taxi driver, Willy of Willy Tours, to drive us to a few more sites: Pisac and Ollentaytambo.
The views of the valleys on the way were gorgeous.
Pisac. It was WAY up on a hill. Crazy.
After this we headed into town for their local market. Dan and I found just what we needed for the Inca trail: hats and gloves. The weather was kind of tricky. About freezing in the morning up to about 70 in the afternoon. Had to be prepared. And I found that sweet plaid shirt at the thrift store before we left. It was perfect for keeping my arms out of the sun and it reminded me of my grandma.
Ollentaytambo:
What's that? You wanted to see us kissing at Ollentaytambo? Awesome. here you go.
Cool stonework. The better the stonework, the more important the place was.
Thanks, Willy!
We hit the sack to rest up for the next morning's 5:15 pick up for the Inca Trail.
I told Sam we could do whatever he wanted for his birthday. Thankfully, he didn't really take advantage of that outrageous offer and ask do to anything too extravagant.
First we headed to a local baptist church that has an awesome indoor play area for kids. Sam invited Carter and Harrison, his two besties, along.
Next Sam wanted to go through the car wash. He used to HATE it, but ever since I told him it's like the car is taking a shower, he likes it. But not the HEB car wash, the blue one.
Next was an elaborate lunch of his favorite - a cheesy tortilla and a smoothie.
Following naps, we went to the pool for a little while and then had Kirk and Gretchen over for dinner and presents. He was majorly spoiled and loved everything.
That cake turned out better than I thought it would.
Carter was more than happy to help Sam open and examine each of his presents. It was cute.
Sam is great. He is usually a very good listener and tries to "choose the right" and "make good choices."
He picks out all his own clothes and I absolutely love it. I'm always excited to see what he comes up with. He just got two more superhero shirts for his birthday, but before that, he would wear the same superman shirt for days. Until we made him change it.
He is great with his numbers and I'm trying to help him with starting to read, but it's not really going anywhere, yet.
He wakes up early (6:30 or so) most days and takes a nap about every other day.
He likes to play at the gym and go to "school" - that free 90 minute preschool-type thing the school district offers.
He likes TV - too much for his own good. I need to be better about making him turn it off.
He is a joy and so much fun. We're so grateful for him. I'm excited for this next year. I've only got one more with him before he starts going to school, so I plan to enjoy it while it lasts. We love our Sammy man!
