The Sacred Valley or Valle Sagrado

Today which was really 3 days ago.  As you see I am so keeping up... We are headed into the Sacred Valley to see the Inca ruins and we will end up in Ollantaytambo and take a train to Aguas Calientes which is the jumping off point before you take a train up to Machu Picchu.  Of course we could avoid the bus saved about $24 and walkup up the mountain and then back down.  The tour company booked the bus so I guess we can save the walk for next visit.

Our tour guide Johnn is with us for a second day, can you believe it.  We are off at 8AM, Johnn s suggestion.  At this point I need to tell you I am using the business center computer and it is a Peruvian keyboard so I can t find the apostrophe.  But it is faster than typing on my phone which is what I have been doing.  Our driver is also the same and it is amazing he is able to negotiate all the streets and traffic.  No rapid transit only buses and not a lot of signals to regulate people and cars.  People just walk when they want and cross the streets.  The streets are all cobbled and uneven and sometimes the step to the sidewalk and shops is easily 10 inches or more.  Back to the trip.

First stop is the Pisac Ruins.  We arrive on the top of the hill and there are only 3 or 4 buses, some private vans but it is doable.  The ruins sit on top of the hill and it is one of the ruins that features all types of Inca architecture, agriculture, hydraulic, military, residential, and religious.  Peru is amazing in being able to perserve the ruins.  The Inca worshipped the sun and water had special signifcance.  They created ways to manage the water and built canals to prevent the water from undermining the city.  The dead were buried in hillsides if there was no family available. The ruins are outside of town and up in the hills so it is thought this set of terraces and activity was actually a fortress.

We then drive down the hill and into the market.  It is a great market full of are the usual Peruvian nick nack things, lots of shawls, blankets, table runner, llama wooden and ceramic, stuffed llama, jewelry, and dolls.  This is a treat for Dan who is so wool allergic he turns red just touching it.   No shawls, scarfs, or blankets for him... The end of the market is the food.  Any type of fruit or spice you can imagine not to mention breads, cheese or meat.  After the market, don't forget to bargain we are off to our next stop which is a picnic lunch that the travel company packed for us!

After the market it is off to Ollantaytambo, more ruins and we have to take the 3 oclock train.   In Ollantaytambo there are more ruins and we are actually learning a little bit about the Inca and are able to appreciate their ability to create cities and fortresses with block and stone.  There is no known written history of the Inca so all history is what has been learned by current day historians piecing together artifacts.

I hope this isnt too much of a travel log.  Most of these are just my photos, wait until you see what Dan, Don, Patti, Blanca and Tim have taken.  I am sure we will be able to bore you for hours.  The landscapes are taken from the van, there is a group shot in Pisac with the ruins and in the market.  The picnic area with free bathrooms, no paper but "free" and the Cow in the corn, I think it is actually a steer in the corn.  I have also included some shots from the train to Macchu Picchu and Ollantaytambo Ruins.   The Sacred Valley has many more towns and I really think I would like to come back to explore some of these towns.  People have been friendly and safety has not been an issue so far.

  The train was amazing.  Very comfortable, some room for luggage but not a lot.  On the train in the 90 minute ride they serve alcohol for a fee, juice and a piece of carrot cake.  Upon exiting the train guess what..... yes you get to walk through another market.  Also it seems you will walk through the same market on your way to the train the next day.  So you have 2 more options to get the great Peruvian souvenir for someone back home.  Just so all the happy family and friends that are reading the blog have no fear your treasure will arrive soon.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes we locate the hotel about a 5 minute walk.  Rooms are spartan but will do the job it is for sure not a Marriott property.  We have dinner in the bar and watch the end of the Saints game in Spanish.  This works great for football.  Eat dinner at the hotel, seems it is Pizza night so we are all in.  Fairly good pizza with a thin crust.  The hotel service is great and they are very helpful with anything that is needed.  We are to meet Johnn in the morning at 6AM, yes Don was bright eyed maybe not bushy tailed but he was present and accounted for along with everyone else.  Breakfast at the hotel was great even fresh squeezed orange juice and cooked to order eggs.  TOMORROW IS THE HIGH LIGHT   MACCHU PICCHU   Yay!