Snapshots from the Sacred Valley

Below are some pictures that relate to my last posting that I wanted to share with you.

View from my last-minute hotel booking in Urubamba - right on the river!

Inside a local's home in the Sacred Valley - with guinea pigs! These little guys will one day be served up in a restaurant :(

Ruins at Ollantaytambo

Ruins at Ollentaytambo

Locals dressed for dancing during a festival

With Emily and Chris Knight in Moray

View of the snow-capped mountains from the Moray plateau

Salt mines in Salinas

Ruins in the Sacred Valley - guard gate of the Incas

What's wrong with this picture? The missing "h" or the fact that there is a Baghdad cafe in the middle of Cusco?? (and no, they don't serve Middle Eastern food)

I've enjoyed a great last couple of days with the Knights here in Cusco. I met up with them Thursday evening and heard about their past two days at Machu Pichu. Their account of seeing the lost city and hiking around the ruins made me so excited for my trek in early June.

On Friday, their guide Oswaldo took us around the sites of the city of Cusco. We first walked through Qorikancha, which are Inca ruins that form the base of a massive Catholic church in the middle of the city. Afterwards, I went with the Knights and Oswaldo back to the three ruins I visited the first day with Tara and Cheryl; I figured that that day was such a blur, I could use a return trip with the guide to actually understand what the sites meant! We then took a great tour through the cathedral in the center of town. I hope to be able to attend a service there at some point during my stay.

After a nice lunch at a courtyard restaurant, I headed out with Emily to do some shopping. We then had a great dinner inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art last evening, which was a wonderful way to wrap up their stay. They left this morning for Lima, and then an evening flight home, and I waved goodbye to them this morning after a final breakfast together.

I have absolutely loved seeing them here, and I was so sad to say goodbye. It has been a great couple of weeks here in Peru with my friends and with my family - and it makes me wish I had such great travel companions for my entire trip. To Tara and Cheryl - thanks so much for making the trip here to Peru and for organizing a great trip. Sorry to hear about the strike troubles down in Puno, as it sounds like it was certainly an adventure. I look forward to catching up with you in July.

Emily and Chris, seeing you in this country was such a highlight for me. I know we all miss Ben so much, but at least having part of our family together made it a little easier for me over the past few days. I had such a wonderful time with you and am so appreciative that I could tag along at the last minute on your trip through the Sacred Valley and in the city. I look forward to seeing you for the one day I'm home in June. Safe travels home, and I love you!