Blogs from Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 11

We found out the reason for the time change was that our train was not direct, but that we had to take a bus to Ollantaytambo to get on a train. The train he was going to have us take was full. The bus ride was nice as it took us up through the farming fields. The fields were green and looked very fertile. The village of Ollantaytambo, which is in the Sacred Valley, was quaint. It seemed to be the least affected by tourism of all we have been to. The train was of an older generation but very clean. The tracks followed the Rio Urubanba, which was really roaring. I assume it is high due to it being rainy season. When we pulled into Aguas Calientes we stepped out of the train and almost ... read more

Greetings from Peru, Beth and took the four hour train ride from Cuzco to here this morning. Aguas Calientes is also known as Machu Picchu Village, being that it is only a 30 minute bus ride up to the site. Our plan is to hit it up the bus ride early tomorrow morning and watch the sun rise of the city in the sky. Aguas Calientes is a little town on a small river and surrounded by these lush green mountains the just rocket up almost vertically. I can´t imagine what it must be like to live here. There are apparently hot springs, hence the name of the town, but they have been described as a murky smelly common bath so we are gonna pass. We went to the museum and botanical gardens instead. Yesterday was ... read more

Today was a day of travel, relaxation and preparation for Macchu Pichu. Aguas Calientes is the town only minutes from MP, and it´s purpose is purely tourism. Apparently during tourist season, the town is 90% tourists and only 10% locals. After the four hour train ride from Cuzco, we were greeted by a women with a sign for our hostel and our names (Lizzy´s last name had apparently changed from London to Condor, but no es importante). By the way, the hostel Ima Sumar or something like that was probably the only one we´ve stayed in so far that we really don´t recommend. Our room was right on the street (no, literally right on the street, separated by the cheapest of windows), there were spiders and other jolly creatures and the shower sucked. The town is ... read more

Well just like Paddington Bear I have now packed my bags and left the wilds of deepest,darkest Peru. Two final weeks have finished off this South American journey and now I head to more familiar surroundings. The border crossing into Peru was much less entertaining than crossing into Bolivia, however this time we did get there at siesta time and had to go find the coppers to stamp us through. And the guy wanted money from me for borrowing his pen to fill out the immigration form on the Peru side!! Very nice seeing as hardly any of the pens in the office actually worked. I did my best impersonation of someone who doesn't speak any spanish at all and gave him my last few Bolivianos-useless in Peru and worth about 2 cents!! So here we ... read more

GETTING THERE: Got on a bus at 5:30AM, destination, KM. 82, along the way we got breakfast, and my walking stick (looks just like Da Gou Bang, hehehe). MEMBERS: Raul Ramirez: the knowledgeable tour guide who knows way too much about orchids, one day he will write a book about the 200 plus species of orchids that are found on the Inka Trail. Kim: American from LA Lorna: American from NYC, with deadpan sense of humor Serena: The other New Yorker of the group Kate: Med student from Mass. Sidsel: college student from Denmark, walks very very fast, this is her second time on the trek Poul: Sidsel´s dad DAY 1: The trip starts with the crossing of the Urubamba river. The first day is fairly pleasant. The trail winds through the mountains surrounded by snowcapped ... read more