Here are some pictures I took walking around Cusco.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Last Days in Cusco
Cusco, Peru
When I made it back from my adventure to Machu Picchu I knew I had to stay one more night than I was planning because I was not ready to get on the bus to go to Chile as soon as I got back. So I rested and met up with my friends from Chile and they came with me to the bus station to change my ticket because they said it would be easier that way lol. So I changed my ticket for the next day at 2 p.m.
The next day me and my Chilean roommates went to one last lunch in the San Pedro market and they bargained for some socks that I wanted. It was a sad good bye but they agreed they would visit me in Buenos Aires. I got to the bus station and they said that the bus was actually full and that I would have to come back later at 8. These types of things happen often, I have found, while traveling so it is best to roll with the punches and not to try to follow an exact itinerary.
I then went back to the hostel and told my roommates what had happened and they then suggested we go out and do something. We took a taxi to the Jesus statue that overlooks the Plaza de Armas and then we saw that the Sacsayhuaman (also called "Sexy Women" by many tourists) ruins were right next to it. One of the Chileans wanted to go horseback riding so we went horseback riding with a tour of the Inca ruins and caves which was an unforgettable experience.
It was my first time walking through caves which was actually really cool. They were made up of small, intricate pathways. Then, we went on our horses down to the ruins through the back, which was really beautiful. I think the Sacsayhuaman ruins are kind of underrated and I think they are a must see because they are interesting, beautiful, and extremely accessible from Cusco.
This was one of the most memorable days of my trip. After the ruins we went to get Chinese food and then I was on my way to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
When I made it back from my adventure to Machu Picchu I knew I had to stay one more night than I was planning because I was not ready to get on the bus to go to Chile as soon as I got back. So I rested and met up with my friends from Chile and they came with me to the bus station to change my ticket because they said it would be easier that way lol. So I changed my ticket for the next day at 2 p.m.
The next day me and my Chilean roommates went to one last lunch in the San Pedro market and they bargained for some socks that I wanted. It was a sad good bye but they agreed they would visit me in Buenos Aires. I got to the bus station and they said that the bus was actually full and that I would have to come back later at 8. These types of things happen often, I have found, while traveling so it is best to roll with the punches and not to try to follow an exact itinerary.
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| View of Cusco from the Jesus statue |
I then went back to the hostel and told my roommates what had happened and they then suggested we go out and do something. We took a taxi to the Jesus statue that overlooks the Plaza de Armas and then we saw that the Sacsayhuaman (also called "Sexy Women" by many tourists) ruins were right next to it. One of the Chileans wanted to go horseback riding so we went horseback riding with a tour of the Inca ruins and caves which was an unforgettable experience.
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| cave exploring |
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| a heard of sheep running down the road |
It was my first time walking through caves which was actually really cool. They were made up of small, intricate pathways. Then, we went on our horses down to the ruins through the back, which was really beautiful. I think the Sacsayhuaman ruins are kind of underrated and I think they are a must see because they are interesting, beautiful, and extremely accessible from Cusco.
This was one of the most memorable days of my trip. After the ruins we went to get Chinese food and then I was on my way to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Memories with Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, Peru
I am double posting right now so scroll down to see my post I just published!
So my trip to Machu Picchu is quite the story.
I got onto my shuttle at about 8 o'clock in the morning and everyone on the bus was from Chile (everyone I have met has basically been from Chile since they are on vacation). I went the hydroelectric route which is an alternative to taking the traditional train. I do not recommend going the hydroelectric route. The experience can best be explained by imagining driving on Mulholland for about 5 hours on a very narrow road that you feel as if you may drive off at any second. It was pretty windy and scary, but on the bright side, the parts of Peru we drove by were also very beautiful. When we finally got to the hydroelectric station there at about 3pm you have two options: you can either pay an extra $20 u.s.d. that isn't included in your tour to take the hour train ride or you can walk for about three hours to Aguas Calientes.
A few women from Chile and I all decided to walk which didn't seem like a difficult feat at the time. But my bag (I only brought a smaller backpack not my backpacking backpack), was killing my back and shoulders by about an hour in.. which I still don't really understand because I barely packed anything! Though I was physically exhausted by the time we got to Aguas Calientes, it was a breath taking walk and I do think it was almost equal to Machu Picchu in beauty and memorability. I do recommend this walk I just don't recommend having any kind of weighted bag! I didn't get a chance to take any pictures, but Aguas Calientes is has breathtaking surroundings. By the time we got there though I pretty much ate and then passed out because I was so exhausted.
The next morning I woke up at 4:40am and I got Machu Picchu at about 610am. I met with my tour guide and group and 630, which is normal for two day trips to Machu Picchu because the morning is supposed to be the nicest because it is the least crowded. Unfortunately, my tour guide only spoke in Spanish so I understood about half of what she said. At least I was better off than the Japanese tourist in my group who neither spoke Spanish nor English and people tried to communicate with him by hand motion haha. My favorite part of Machu Picchu was the llamas that are so close to you!
I got back to Aguas Calientes by 11 and I was leaving to back to Cusco on the train to the hydroelectric station at about 12. When we got the the hydroelectric station the driver informed us that there had been a mudslide because of the rain and that he didn't know if we would be able to get by. About two hours later, they said that we could go and that we might have to walk for 15 minutes. After about a four hour drive we got to the mudslides and it was raining and the "walk" around was actually a two hour detour down to the river. Everyone in my car (about 20 people) except for two guys decided it was too dangerous and that we should go to the closest town and sleep and then go in the morning when it was clear. We got back in the car for about a thirty minute drive and stopped at a outdoor casual restaurant in the middle of nowhere at about 7 and I thought we were just making a stop for dinner. Two hours later, these Brazilians that were in my tour group inform me that we were staying there until 5 o'clock in the morning. It was freezing and I was so tired but I did befriend the Brazilians and then I tried to sleep in the van which was extremely uncomfortable and cold. I put my pajamas over my pants I was wearing and wrapped my face in my scarf and took of my wet sweater. I managed to sleep for a couple hours and then at 5 we hit the road. We got back to the same spot we were at the day before and the road was still blocked with no progress seeming to had been made. At this point, the driver wanted us to walk and he said he had to get to work (he was crazy) and him and the other people in my car were screaming at eachother in Spanish. He even almost left people in my group while they were going to the bathroom because he said he had to go.
It was already about 8 am and it didn't look like we were getting anywhere so the Brazilians and I decided to go down and cross the river. It was probably one of the craziest things I've ever done. Thankfully one of the Brazilians carried my backpack for me. We climbed down the mountain, crossed rivers three times and then climbed up. We had to walk across the rivers up to our midthighs and my pants, shoes and socks were freezing from the ice cold water. At one point, three of the Brazilians and I were holding hands crossing the river. The memory is so funny. At another point, we had to crawl on this log over the river. But, about an hour and a half later we got to the other side of the road and paid someone 25 soles (about 10 dollars) to take us to Cusco. We had four more hours to go and I was completely soaked and then we had to walk to the hostel and I had no socks on only my shoes slipped on and I felt like a complete mess and I was supposed to have a bus to Chile an hour and half after I got to my hostel (but actually I somehow got a ticket for Friday instead of Tuesday which I guess worked out). So then I decided I needed to rest and I stayed in Cusco for an extra night.
Okay I am not completely up to date but I have to go to sleep because I have to wakeup at 330 to visit the Geysers! I will try to tomorrow if I have time!
I am double posting right now so scroll down to see my post I just published!
So my trip to Machu Picchu is quite the story.
I got onto my shuttle at about 8 o'clock in the morning and everyone on the bus was from Chile (everyone I have met has basically been from Chile since they are on vacation). I went the hydroelectric route which is an alternative to taking the traditional train. I do not recommend going the hydroelectric route. The experience can best be explained by imagining driving on Mulholland for about 5 hours on a very narrow road that you feel as if you may drive off at any second. It was pretty windy and scary, but on the bright side, the parts of Peru we drove by were also very beautiful. When we finally got to the hydroelectric station there at about 3pm you have two options: you can either pay an extra $20 u.s.d. that isn't included in your tour to take the hour train ride or you can walk for about three hours to Aguas Calientes.
A few women from Chile and I all decided to walk which didn't seem like a difficult feat at the time. But my bag (I only brought a smaller backpack not my backpacking backpack), was killing my back and shoulders by about an hour in.. which I still don't really understand because I barely packed anything! Though I was physically exhausted by the time we got to Aguas Calientes, it was a breath taking walk and I do think it was almost equal to Machu Picchu in beauty and memorability. I do recommend this walk I just don't recommend having any kind of weighted bag! I didn't get a chance to take any pictures, but Aguas Calientes is has breathtaking surroundings. By the time we got there though I pretty much ate and then passed out because I was so exhausted.
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| me and the llama chillin' |
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| me and the Chileno's |
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| llama! |
I got back to Aguas Calientes by 11 and I was leaving to back to Cusco on the train to the hydroelectric station at about 12. When we got the the hydroelectric station the driver informed us that there had been a mudslide because of the rain and that he didn't know if we would be able to get by. About two hours later, they said that we could go and that we might have to walk for 15 minutes. After about a four hour drive we got to the mudslides and it was raining and the "walk" around was actually a two hour detour down to the river. Everyone in my car (about 20 people) except for two guys decided it was too dangerous and that we should go to the closest town and sleep and then go in the morning when it was clear. We got back in the car for about a thirty minute drive and stopped at a outdoor casual restaurant in the middle of nowhere at about 7 and I thought we were just making a stop for dinner. Two hours later, these Brazilians that were in my tour group inform me that we were staying there until 5 o'clock in the morning. It was freezing and I was so tired but I did befriend the Brazilians and then I tried to sleep in the van which was extremely uncomfortable and cold. I put my pajamas over my pants I was wearing and wrapped my face in my scarf and took of my wet sweater. I managed to sleep for a couple hours and then at 5 we hit the road. We got back to the same spot we were at the day before and the road was still blocked with no progress seeming to had been made. At this point, the driver wanted us to walk and he said he had to get to work (he was crazy) and him and the other people in my car were screaming at eachother in Spanish. He even almost left people in my group while they were going to the bathroom because he said he had to go.
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| mudslide blocking road |
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| everyone crossing river |
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| crawling on log over river |
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| climbing back to the road |
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| man down |
Okay I am not completely up to date but I have to go to sleep because I have to wakeup at 330 to visit the Geysers! I will try to tomorrow if I have time!
Discotecca's, Pisac, and Cappuccinos
Cusco and Pisac, Peru
Sorry! I have a lot of catching up to do for you guys!
I went out to the discotecca on Valentine's Day and I had one of the most fun nights dancing I have ever had. I love to dance and dancing in South America is completely different than in the United States. Most of the guys know at least basic dance moves and it is so fun. Jacy and I were dancing salsa and even if I wasn't interested in the guy it was so much fun being spun around and dancing to Latin music. It really was the best Valentines day.
On Friday morning I went back to the San Pedro Mercado and got fresh juice from one of the juice stands which was very delicious and perfect because I was feeling a little under the weather. The line up of juice stands is really cool and a nice stop to make in Cusco. Later that day, Jacy and I visited a Museum and enjoyed Cappuccino's in a cafe with a view of Plaza de Armas.
On Saturday, Jacy and I visited Pisac, which is a small town about an hour away from Cusco. It is in an extremely pretty location and there is a mercado there that we visited and ate lunch. I really enjoy driving around Peru, even in long bus rides because Peru is really a very beautiful country throughout.
After, Jacy and I went dancing with my roommates from Chile and it was also a very fun night. I have become close with my roommates and they are really funny and I plan to keep in touch with them. I really love staying at hostels (at least the good ones) because I think it instantly makes you part of a community and it makes it so easy to meet people. I stayed at the same hostel in Mancora and Cusco and they always had activities going on and I even became friends with the staff (I was in Cusco for a long time... ).
The next morning I left bright and early for Machu Picchu!
Sorry! I have a lot of catching up to do for you guys!
I went out to the discotecca on Valentine's Day and I had one of the most fun nights dancing I have ever had. I love to dance and dancing in South America is completely different than in the United States. Most of the guys know at least basic dance moves and it is so fun. Jacy and I were dancing salsa and even if I wasn't interested in the guy it was so much fun being spun around and dancing to Latin music. It really was the best Valentines day.
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| San Pedro Mercado |
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| San Pedro Mercado |
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| Waiting for our Cappuccino's |
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| Pisac |
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| Pisac |
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| Pisac |
On Saturday, Jacy and I visited Pisac, which is a small town about an hour away from Cusco. It is in an extremely pretty location and there is a mercado there that we visited and ate lunch. I really enjoy driving around Peru, even in long bus rides because Peru is really a very beautiful country throughout.
After, Jacy and I went dancing with my roommates from Chile and it was also a very fun night. I have become close with my roommates and they are really funny and I plan to keep in touch with them. I really love staying at hostels (at least the good ones) because I think it instantly makes you part of a community and it makes it so easy to meet people. I stayed at the same hostel in Mancora and Cusco and they always had activities going on and I even became friends with the staff (I was in Cusco for a long time... ).
The next morning I left bright and early for Machu Picchu!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Cusco
Cusco, Peru
I spent the first couple of days in Cusco resting and giving myself time to get better and get used to the altitude (over 11,000 feet) but now I am feeling almost 100% better and I am active again!
At my hostel a couple of my roommates were Brazilian and I watched my first real futbol game with them which was a team from Spain versus England. I am definitely going to have to start getting into futbol now that I am living in South America for 6 months, especially for Argentina!
I met up with my friend that I went to middle school, Jacy, with who is studying abroad in Cusco for dinner last night and I met her Brazilian roommate too. Tonight for Valentines day we are going to dinner and going to the discotecca and going Salsa dancing! I guess they start out with group lessons there which I think will be really fun. When I was walking around Cusco today I bumped into Jacy and we made a plan to also visit some museums tomorrow afternoon and go to the Sacred Valley and do a city tour on Saturday.
If you go to Cusco, I recommend starting to look for your tour tickets early because there are many companies in Cusco because it is such a tourist town and it is very important to compare prices and be knowledgeable about your options if you do not want to be ripped off and it takes time! I had already gone around and asked about day trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco but it is over a 3 hour trip there and it involves multiple means of transportation so I decided I would rather sleep in the town of Machu Picchu which is called Aguas Calientes. Day trips ran roughly around $250 U.S. dollars from what I heard. So then I thought I might just go there myself and sleep in Aguas Calientes and then just hire a guide at Machu Picchu because apparently there are a ton there just standing around for cheap. So then I found that the train tickets to Aguas Calientes are about 110 dollars and then the entrance fee was about 60 dollars for an adult. But while I was around Cusco today I found a tour company that mostly has clients from other South American countries that offered $120 U.S. dollars but we are going another route than from the train that I had read was more inexpensive in lonely planet. The $120 dollars includes 2 days with the tour guide, transportation, entrance fee, three meals, and the hostel in Aguas Calientes which is a great deal and the best I've heard out of all the people I have talked to at my hostel! I am going on Sunday and Monday and I am really excited! We will go to Aguas Calientes on Sunday and then on Monday we will wake up at about 430 in the morning to be at Machu Picchu by 6 to hopefully see the sun rise! I am really excited for Machu Picchu and then I am heading to Chile!
Even though Cusco is touristy it is really beautiful and I think is a must see if you are in Peru. This is the longest I am staying in one town but it is nice to relax and just enjoy the city. I really loved spending Valentines day in Cusco, I couldn't think of a better way of spending it! I wasn't anxious to go to the Artisan market in Cusco because I had already spent alot of time at a Mercado in Otavalo but I ran into it and I actually really loved it. They have tons of stands to get fresh made juices. I plan to go tomorrow morning!:)
The sales people here, including street vendors, can be described as both innovative and aggressive. In South America in general, you can tell everyone is definitely on their grind to try to find ways to make money. You will be on the bus and someone will come on and will be trying to sell some goodie while the bus driver is still driving and then they will get off later. Another backpacker and I were wondering how they get back to where they started since they are usually dropped off in the middle of nowhere.
Well I have to go meet Jacy but I will try to post more often!
I will be spending my last full day enjoying the streets of Cusco tomorrow!
I spent the first couple of days in Cusco resting and giving myself time to get better and get used to the altitude (over 11,000 feet) but now I am feeling almost 100% better and I am active again!
At my hostel a couple of my roommates were Brazilian and I watched my first real futbol game with them which was a team from Spain versus England. I am definitely going to have to start getting into futbol now that I am living in South America for 6 months, especially for Argentina!
I met up with my friend that I went to middle school, Jacy, with who is studying abroad in Cusco for dinner last night and I met her Brazilian roommate too. Tonight for Valentines day we are going to dinner and going to the discotecca and going Salsa dancing! I guess they start out with group lessons there which I think will be really fun. When I was walking around Cusco today I bumped into Jacy and we made a plan to also visit some museums tomorrow afternoon and go to the Sacred Valley and do a city tour on Saturday.
If you go to Cusco, I recommend starting to look for your tour tickets early because there are many companies in Cusco because it is such a tourist town and it is very important to compare prices and be knowledgeable about your options if you do not want to be ripped off and it takes time! I had already gone around and asked about day trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco but it is over a 3 hour trip there and it involves multiple means of transportation so I decided I would rather sleep in the town of Machu Picchu which is called Aguas Calientes. Day trips ran roughly around $250 U.S. dollars from what I heard. So then I thought I might just go there myself and sleep in Aguas Calientes and then just hire a guide at Machu Picchu because apparently there are a ton there just standing around for cheap. So then I found that the train tickets to Aguas Calientes are about 110 dollars and then the entrance fee was about 60 dollars for an adult. But while I was around Cusco today I found a tour company that mostly has clients from other South American countries that offered $120 U.S. dollars but we are going another route than from the train that I had read was more inexpensive in lonely planet. The $120 dollars includes 2 days with the tour guide, transportation, entrance fee, three meals, and the hostel in Aguas Calientes which is a great deal and the best I've heard out of all the people I have talked to at my hostel! I am going on Sunday and Monday and I am really excited! We will go to Aguas Calientes on Sunday and then on Monday we will wake up at about 430 in the morning to be at Machu Picchu by 6 to hopefully see the sun rise! I am really excited for Machu Picchu and then I am heading to Chile!
Even though Cusco is touristy it is really beautiful and I think is a must see if you are in Peru. This is the longest I am staying in one town but it is nice to relax and just enjoy the city. I really loved spending Valentines day in Cusco, I couldn't think of a better way of spending it! I wasn't anxious to go to the Artisan market in Cusco because I had already spent alot of time at a Mercado in Otavalo but I ran into it and I actually really loved it. They have tons of stands to get fresh made juices. I plan to go tomorrow morning!:)
The sales people here, including street vendors, can be described as both innovative and aggressive. In South America in general, you can tell everyone is definitely on their grind to try to find ways to make money. You will be on the bus and someone will come on and will be trying to sell some goodie while the bus driver is still driving and then they will get off later. Another backpacker and I were wondering how they get back to where they started since they are usually dropped off in the middle of nowhere.
Well I have to go meet Jacy but I will try to post more often!
I will be spending my last full day enjoying the streets of Cusco tomorrow!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Mancora, Peru
Mancora, Peru
When I arrived in Mancora I fell victim of the stomach flu so I did not do that much. The beach vibe of Mancora is very nice and relaxing though and it was a perfect place to relax for a couple of days.
I arrived at my hostel at 7am and at breakfast I met three Americans and a girl from Denmark and I spent the rest of day (when I wasn't sleeping because I was feeling horrible) with them.
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The next day, I was feeling better and the Americans had left so I hungout with the girl from Denmark who actually studied in Buenos Aires and gave me great advice on places to take tango classes! When I was with her I met a bunch of people from Chile, and my roommates were three girls from Chile. I realized that all of Mancora was taken over my Chileans and Argentines because it is their break!
I spent most of that day with the Danish girl and the Chileans so most of the conversation was in Spanish. I learned that Chileans' accent is known as particularly hard to understand but they were all really friendly and I am excited because I am pretty sure I will meet with them in Santiago when I go there and they will show me around!
On Sunday morning I caught the bus to Trujillo, and I met a girl from San Francisco who I spent the whole time in Trujillo with we even stayed at the same hostel! I tried my first day time bus which wasn't bad even for 10.5 hours and I got beautiful views of Peru. Northern Peru has been extremely hot and humid. I really have enjoyed Peru so far and their cebiche is supposed to be the best and it is very popular all over. I thought Ecuadorians honk often but I think Peruvians may take the cake. While walking down the street, all you hear is "beep beep" lol which is what me and my friend from San Francisco say. I have also learned that in South America they do not give you the check until you ask for it because it is considered rude and insinuating the people should leave. I have had to get used to the slower service and more relaxed atmosphere but I think it is nice.
I really have enjoyed Trujillo, which I wasn't expecting. We went to see some Inca Ruins today and I have tons of pictures but I have to leave to catch my bus to Lima and then I am flying to Cusco right away!
When I arrived in Mancora I fell victim of the stomach flu so I did not do that much. The beach vibe of Mancora is very nice and relaxing though and it was a perfect place to relax for a couple of days.
I arrived at my hostel at 7am and at breakfast I met three Americans and a girl from Denmark and I spent the rest of day (when I wasn't sleeping because I was feeling horrible) with them.
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The next day, I was feeling better and the Americans had left so I hungout with the girl from Denmark who actually studied in Buenos Aires and gave me great advice on places to take tango classes! When I was with her I met a bunch of people from Chile, and my roommates were three girls from Chile. I realized that all of Mancora was taken over my Chileans and Argentines because it is their break!
I spent most of that day with the Danish girl and the Chileans so most of the conversation was in Spanish. I learned that Chileans' accent is known as particularly hard to understand but they were all really friendly and I am excited because I am pretty sure I will meet with them in Santiago when I go there and they will show me around!
On Sunday morning I caught the bus to Trujillo, and I met a girl from San Francisco who I spent the whole time in Trujillo with we even stayed at the same hostel! I tried my first day time bus which wasn't bad even for 10.5 hours and I got beautiful views of Peru. Northern Peru has been extremely hot and humid. I really have enjoyed Peru so far and their cebiche is supposed to be the best and it is very popular all over. I thought Ecuadorians honk often but I think Peruvians may take the cake. While walking down the street, all you hear is "beep beep" lol which is what me and my friend from San Francisco say. I have also learned that in South America they do not give you the check until you ask for it because it is considered rude and insinuating the people should leave. I have had to get used to the slower service and more relaxed atmosphere but I think it is nice.
I really have enjoyed Trujillo, which I wasn't expecting. We went to see some Inca Ruins today and I have tons of pictures but I have to leave to catch my bus to Lima and then I am flying to Cusco right away!
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