Still in Cuzco

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Hello all! I´m still in Cuzco but am feeling much more acclimated to the altitude. My poor old heart is getting a work out!

Spent yesterday visiting three sites, Tambomachay, Pukapukara and Saksaywaman (phonetically sounds like ´sexy woman´). If I didn´t think 3400 m was high enough, Tambomachay is just short of 4000 m, like I said, my poor little heart... Truly incredible sites, hard to describe the size of the stones on these sites, specifically Saksaywaman. My guide book says the largest ones weigh over 300 tons, and judging from the size, I´d believe it. Lots of tourists but I manage to find some moments of quiet solitude at these ruin sites. Sorry, still at the same internet cafe so no pics but I´ll post as soon as I can.

I´ve also come to realize that being so far up and being just south of the equator, sunburns are a natural part of this trip so far. It´s cloudy and over cast for most of the day but I managed to burn my scalp! So today I´m wearing my green safari hat from Mark´s (thanks Jodi) but that´s better than cooking my skull. Yes, I´m wearing a 30 but I think it´s just altitude and location. Oh well, I´m smartening up as I go along. I can blame the stupidity on less oxygen so I have an excuse, don´t know what Í´ll do once I leave...

Today I took a bus to Pisaq, there´s a Sunday market and another set of ruins high up in the mountain. As if I didn´t think I was getting enough exercise, today just about did me in! I wasn´t sure if I was definitely going to make it to Pisaq, my Spanish is not good and since I travel like the locals, not many speak english. But I made it and after a 55 minute climb up (probably could have made it in 45 if I didn´t need to stop and breathe), the views were breath-taking, what breath I had left. It´s indescribable what they built up in these mountain areas. Naturally I wiped out on the way down, lots of gravel and dirt along the stone path (and I use ´path´loosely) so I´m sure I´ll have a nice bruise on my hind end. Yes, graceful as always, even south of the equator, I still can´t keep my feet underneath me.

Tomorrow I´m attempting to get to my final destination, Aguas Callientes which is the town at the base of Machu Picchu. I have to go to Urubamba, then to Ollantaytambo then board a train to AG. I can try to get to Ollantaytambo but I have to catch a bus either at 5 am or 4 pm, neither time works for me since my train is due to leave at 4 pm and 5 am, well, let´s be serious... I wish my Spanish was better or somewhat existant, it takes a long time to ask what I need to but the people are super patient and laugh a lot. Glad to know I can make people laugh even when I don´t know the language.

Okay, enough boring stuff... I´ll update later, likely after Machu Picchu. Saying a Happy Birthday to Carrie and Mitch, I know I´m early but I didn´t want to forget when I update next.

Take care all!!!!

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Comments

[MICHELLE]

SUNSCREEN
I TOLD YA TO TAKE A 45 SUNSCREEN, BUT DON'T LISTEN TO THE DUMB BLONDE.....GLAD TO HEAR YOUR HAVING FUN, CAN'T WAIT FOR THE PICS...KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND...MISS YA XOXO MICHELLE

[Debbie M]

Not boring at all. Sounds like you are having an incredible adventure so far, bruised bottom and all ! Stay safe.

[Renee Reilly]

Hey girl. I am thinking of you! Enjoy! I am so glad I am on your list! Thanks for the updates. I can live through your experience!! BTW I forgot to mention, once above 3500m I wore SPF 50. The sun is so close and hot it is like nothing else I have ever felt! Keep up the awesome spanish. Sounds like you are doing awesome! Have fun.

[[e-mail]]

WEDNESDAY
WELL IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU R DOING ENOUGH EXERCISE FOR THE BOTH OF US, SO I'LL CONTINUE TO SIT ON MY BUT AND WATCH DANCING WITH THE STARS, AMERICAN IDOL, I'LL LET YA KNOW HOW THAT GOES!!!! CHAT SOON XOXO MICH