A Visit to the Sacred Valley

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The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a lush and fertile valley not far from Cusco and along it are several sacred Inca sites. Another day of admiring and photographing impressive Inca stonework. I dread to think what Lynne will think when I produce reams of photographs of Inca walls upon my return home. The most impressive site today was Ollantaytambo, a town built on the base of an old Inca town. The streets are the same as the original Inca layout and again lots of Inca stonework to look at. The town is dominated by the Inca fort which stands over the town and at the top there is incomplete temple which was in the course of construction when the Spanish arrived on the scene. There was a big battle here between the Incas and the Spanish and initially the Incas were victorious only to be defeated in a return match
Also visited the small market town of Pisac and did a trip round the market itself. Absolutely incredible the array of goods for sale and the stallholders (mainly women) were all dressed in their local and colourful attire. Impressed by the hens for sale in large sacks especially when they tried to escape. The large peruvian lady caught them by the throat and stuffed them back in the sack
The trip took us through towns and villages and one is struck by the poverty that is rampant here. Most of the houses are built of mud bricks and appear very small for a family to live in. There is a general air of economic neglect and this is reflected in the unkempt roads and pieces of land surrounding the houses. The poverty shows through in that every place where we get off the coach we are surrounded by locals trying to sell us tat or demanding payment for taking photos of them. The best example today was a young girl selling toilet paper outside public toilets.
Don't get me wrong this is a fascinating country with a very rich Inca heritage and wonderful mountain scenery but you cannot get away from the fact that the majority of the people here are light years away from having a standard of living we enjoy in the West

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Photos

Ollantaytambo
The unfinished temple and surrounds at the top of the Inca fort

Pisac
The local women at the market selling their vegetables and fruit

John with the locals
Picture taken at a view point on the road to Pisac. Payment was made!!!

Comments

[Lynne]

Poem for the blog
A QUESTION FROM THE MISSUS ... You've been to the jungle And slept near the stars, You've been to the cities Jam packed full of cars. You've seen chickens in sacks And spoken of gold, Of the treasures long lost And the battles of old. There's something that's missing I want to know where, In all of these travels Is Paddington Bear? xxx

[Jayne Adams]

This is an amazing trip you are having - seeing so many interesting places. Your photographs are great and give us that bit more of an insight into this very different country. As you say they are light years from modern life as we know it. Have been visiting friend Patricia today who has travelled extensively in the past and is very envious of your trip. I said "would you have done the jungle bit" and she said "yes - of course." Not happy to hear of the chickens in sacks, but Patricia says it is a common practice in these types of markets - and worse. So - on a lighter note - hope all continues to go well for you - home will seem like a palace when you finally get back!! Take care - Jayne xx

[John from Totnes]

Where is Paddington's home ?
According to that fountain of all knowledge ,Wikpedia, Paddington left ''Darkest Peru'' after living in the Home for Retired Bears in Lima. Apparently he was sent on his way by his Aunty Lucy. When I am back in Lima I will seek to locate this important historical residence. For some reason it does not seem to be mentioned in any of the official guides. I wonder why? I wiil investigate.

[lynne]

Ref P Bear
There should be a blue plaque somwhere so you need to have a good look when you get back to Lima.

[D MJ Binkley]

We loved the Sacred Valley
It is a beautiful part of the world.