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Published: January 24th 2013
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We knew we were in for an adventure when we got to the train station and walked into the waiting room. The chairs were comfortable c hairs, think of a Lazy Boy without the retractable foot rest. We sat down and waited for our train. Apparently word has gotten out amongst the Condor staff that the Steinbrechers require their own bus for their luggage as we rode over from the hotel in our own 10 person bus. We purchased a bag just for souvenirs and assorted things…so now we are up to four bags and counting. We had hoped to leave South America with only two but you know the TUPAS stores just have a way of calling out your name!
We met our Australian friends and boarded the train and found out we were sitting right next to a gentleman from Denmark that we had met the night before at Maggie’s. This truly is the way to travel. The seats are comfortable, there were only 36 passengers aboard the train and we were treated like kings and queens.
Be sure to check out the video of Steve playing the flute and air guitar with the musicians on the
train as well as Carol making her first Pisco Sour as the Andean Express’s Head Bartender!
As we traveled through the towns on our way to Puno it was evident that there is still so much poverty in this country. The Andean people work very hard and it is up to each and every member of the family, even the children to help with the daily work. We are not sure there are many Americans who would last very long in this country. We are so accustomed to our instant lifestyle. Many of the photos we took today were pictures you probably will never see in a travel brochure about Peru, but we have decided to build a single album entitled, “The pictures you will never see in a travel brochure.” But it is the real world of Peru. We have read so much about the differences between the people in Lima and the interior of the country and the Andean people versus those on the coast and it is very evident. These people are steeped in their traditions and their beliefs and have absolutely no desire to change. They are a very proud people and they continue with
the old traditions. But, as we have found all over this vast country, they are friendly, approachable, and they do want to know who we are and where we come from. As you will see in the photos, the houses go back to the days of the Incas in that they are adobe and stone, covered with straw roofs, in most cases the cooking is done over an open flame and the homes are very minimalist. Children work in the fields and play with a soccer ball in the rural areas while you see cell phones in the city. Tourism is very important to this country and now you understand why you are mobbed by artisans selling their wares when you walk through the streets. For some of these people, the cost of our train ride today ($220) is two or three month’s income. It is a reminder to be thankful for what we have. To appreciate what we are given and to be generous when we can.
We stopped at the summit of the pass at approximately 14,400’ and took photos of the amazing top of the Andes mountains chain, and then headed down to the “Alto Plana”
(high plains) to Puno, which sits at about 12,300’. We are amazed to be sitting in this beautiful train, drinking Pisco Sours, listening to and watching traditional Peruvian music and dances, all the while the thunder storms at 13,000’ rip the skies around our small train.
We arrived in Puno at 1750 and were transported to our hotel, which is “high end” for this city of some 290,000 people, but on par with a Holiday Inn Express in America. Everyone is tired from the long train trip, and tomorrow is a big day that begins early, so we hit the rack pretty early, but not before we find out from our son Dan that the Niner’s kicked some Packer ass today! YES!
Lake Titicaca, here we come!
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