Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday in Cuzco
Wake up call at 7:30, breakfast, and getting ready for the day. Patricia, our local guide for yesterday and today, met us and we started out for Saqsayhuaman. We will go up to the cedar line (tree line), visit the Sacred Valley, have lunch at Pisac and visit the Ollantaytambo temple.
We stopped for a view of the city of Cuzco from above and the received a lesson in silver jewelry making and the difference between the lama, alpaca, as well as the wild guanaco and vacuna. I think there were a few gift purchased here for home. We then drove above the tree line, 12500 feet on our way to Pisac.
We stopped for a view of the city of Cuzco from above and the received a lesson in silver jewelry making and the difference between the lama, alpaca, as well as the wild guanaco and vacuna. I think there were a few gift purchased here for home. We then drove above the tree line, 12500 feet on our way to Pisac.
Some more shopping in the market in Pisac. More of the same trinkets. Buffet in Pisac featured some more local food such as lupin and quinoa a well as alpaca meat. We saw plantations of both in addition to the huge-kerneled corn on our drive.
A longer drive to Ollantaytambo where I am sure there were a few naps taken on the bus. We toured a typical 4 dwelling house of the Ollyantaytambo people. Then we visited the Ollyantaytambo stronghold. Just about everyone rested their high altitude lungs and leg muscles on the 700 steps up the terraces.
Monday
Out first stop was at the Qorikancha that had the main Sun worshipping square, earthquake proof designs and the golden garden in front.
Then we went to a cathedral that had some examples of Inca architecture and art along with the Spanish influence that came later. The last supper painting in Cuzco serves up local fruit and Guinea Pig.
Then we went Saqsayhuaman (sounds like sexy woman) which was a huge palace with that held the biggest Sun worshipping festival of the year on June 21 which was also the fist day of their year. We visited some caves that were used for mummification.
Then we went to a cathedral that had some examples of Inca architecture and art along with the Spanish influence that came later. The last supper painting in Cuzco serves up local fruit and Guinea Pig.
Then we went Saqsayhuaman (sounds like sexy woman) which was a huge palace with that held the biggest Sun worshipping festival of the year on June 21 which was also the fist day of their year. We visited some caves that were used for mummification.
Each place that we visited today was part of a very large section of the city shaped like a Puma.
Sunday
I apologize for no posts yesterday. I was having difficulty figuring out how to do this from my phone. I think I have it figured out now and we will attempt a photo today.
Flew from Lima to Cuzco. Had some free time for lunch on the main square while were waiting for the Michigan part of our group to arrive on another flight. The weather was nice when we arrived but would later rain and turn cool.
I will write more as the day goes on about yesterday and today. I need to check some facts. I will not be able to post them until I have Internet service later today.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Afternoon...
We toured downtown and the Miaflores area by bus with our local guide Natalia. We got out at the Main Square downtown and toured the Fransiscan Monestary. Lots of great spanish architecture and Catholic Art. The catacombs under the Monestary will be memorable for many. The typical pigeons being fed in the courtyard and vultures in the bell tower added to the atmosphere.
Then we went to the National Museum of Archeology and History of Peru. There were many artifacts on the Incas (1500s), Wari (1100s) and Nasca cultures.
After that was some free time for lunch and to explore the area closer to the hotel.
Tonight we are going for a chicken supper. The restaurant is in a mall by the ocean. It is quite the view from the mall that is built into the cliffs.
Tomorrow morning we have a wake up call at 6 am and we head to the airport at 7 am with our boxed breakfast. We will make the hour flight to Cuzco at 10am. (Other half of our group flys to Cuzco at 9). Everyone has started taking their altitude sickness medication and tomorrow afternoon will be for aclimitization.
The weather her was a little overcast, but everyone was comfortable wearing shorts and sandles. (We have heard there is a little snow in Didsbury)
I have forgotten a chord to download a photo on here. I will have to find out who has one. Tomorrow I will try to post a photo.
Mark
We toured downtown and the Miaflores area by bus with our local guide Natalia. We got out at the Main Square downtown and toured the Fransiscan Monestary. Lots of great spanish architecture and Catholic Art. The catacombs under the Monestary will be memorable for many. The typical pigeons being fed in the courtyard and vultures in the bell tower added to the atmosphere.
Then we went to the National Museum of Archeology and History of Peru. There were many artifacts on the Incas (1500s), Wari (1100s) and Nasca cultures.
After that was some free time for lunch and to explore the area closer to the hotel.
Tonight we are going for a chicken supper. The restaurant is in a mall by the ocean. It is quite the view from the mall that is built into the cliffs.
Tomorrow morning we have a wake up call at 6 am and we head to the airport at 7 am with our boxed breakfast. We will make the hour flight to Cuzco at 10am. (Other half of our group flys to Cuzco at 9). Everyone has started taking their altitude sickness medication and tomorrow afternoon will be for aclimitization.
The weather her was a little overcast, but everyone was comfortable wearing shorts and sandles. (We have heard there is a little snow in Didsbury)
I have forgotten a chord to download a photo on here. I will have to find out who has one. Tomorrow I will try to post a photo.
Mark
Saturday Morning, After over 24 hours of travelling through Dallas and Miami (unexpected) we have arrived in Lima. It is overcast, but warm, with no snow!! We have checked into our hotel, had showers and everyone is just about done breakfast. Breakfast started with toast and eggs and contiued to get better with salads, fruit salads, tamalitoes (sp?), and excellent coffee. We have learned all about the federal elections on our way to the hotel and that Lima is a city of over 9 million people. We are going to start with a tour of Lima at 10 am. After a tour we will have a little time to explore later this afternoon. Of interest will be a mall that is built into the cliff beside the ocean. More later.....
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