MPA Peru Trip

I just wrote a blog entry only to have the computer I´m working on die on me. So, this one may be a bit shorter as we´re a little short on time!

The past few days we´ve been in Cusco, what the Inca called the "bellybutton of the world", their capital. We have seen ruins that surround the city of Cusco as well as the city itself. It has been amazing to see the architecture of the Spanish and the Inca mixed.

Yesterday we headed to a family member´s house of Sra. Castellanos where we challenged many of her family members to a soccer game. To be honest, I don´t know the score as they were playing on a small field. I think the Americans may have won though!

Today we will be heading back to the U.S. so this is most likely our last entry.

See you all tomorrow!

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Machu Picchu, meaning "old mountain" in the Quechua language is one of the most impressive and awe inspiring places one can visit. They say that it has a spiritual feeling about it that is incomparable. I think the MPA kids and teachers would have to agree.

This morning we woke up a little bit later, 6 AM, to eat breakfast and then make our way down to the train to catch to Aguas Calientes. The town of Aguas Calientes is at the bottom of Machu Picchu mountain and the closest one can get to Machu Picchu without paying from $800-$1000 a night to stay right next to Machu Picchu. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes up was only about 20 minutes.

We arrived in Machu Picchu around 11 AM and were guided around the agricultural center as well as the peasant housing. After lunch we re-entered the grounds to see the astronomical centers, the quarry from where all the rocks were carved and made into walls, and the religious centers. It was a full day.

Tomorrow, the 4th of July, we will be going back to Machu Picchu to climb Huayna Picchu, which means "new mountain" in Quechua. In the pictures of Machu Picchu it is always the mountain in the background. We will also all be taking the first bus up at 5:30 AM to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. It should be breathtaking!

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Impressive is the word that comes to mind after viewing the ruins in the Sacred Incan Valley. Early this morning we took a bus from Ollantaytambo to Pisaq (Pisac) to see the ruins of a religious center as well as take in the agricultural expertise of the Inca. We found out that the Inca grew, and still grow, over 900 varieties of potatoes. And as there was little space in the valley for cultivation, they used the mountain sides by building terraces throughout the valley. After lunch near Pisac, we headed back to Ollantaytambo to see the fortress near the city. It wasn´t actually a fortress, but Francisco Pizarro assumed it was as he lost a major battle to the Inca at the site. In reality it is a religious ceremonial ground.

Tomorrow we are heading to Machu Picchu where we will spend two days there.

I apologize for not uploading any photos today as the computer I am using is a very slow processor.

Until tomorrow!

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Today was a travel day. We left Iquitos at around 8 am to fly to Lima where we had lunch. After that, we continued on our next flight to Cusco. Around 2 pm, we landed safely. It has been a long day as we went from sea level to 11,000 feet above sea level. After arriving in Cusco, we immediately boarded our bus for a two hour bus ride in the Sacred Valley (El valle de Urubamba). We are staying at a beautiful hotel called Pakaritampu.

Tomorrow we will be visiting Pisac: the ruins, the town, and the market. In the afternoon, Ollantaytambo. It will be a busy day with lots of hiking, eating, and shopping.

The kids tell us they are very happy with the experience and excited for the next few days. They are very cooperative with excellent attitudes. It is a great tribute to our MPA families.

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