Life After Sore Muscles

Dear Mom and Dad,

We have been camping out here in Cusco since the hike. Mostly resting. We looked into doing some volunteer programs, but unfortunately all them have a two week trainng program before you can actually get started. This means we have some free time to do whatever we please until we leave. I can't believe we are leaving so soon. Where did the time go? Charlie wants to check out a town that has some large sand dunes to ride down. It was recommended to us by other travelers. I don't care where we go as long as the weather is nicer. It has hailed and rained here even with the temperature being around 60 degrees. It's very odd. At least when it rains, it's never for very long. We have gotten a lot of compliments on our rain ponchos. During the Inca trail trip, we stayed the dryest out of everyone, and our jackets dried the fastest. Here I am in downtown Cusco going to dinner.

We went out to dinner with the Australian family we met on our Machu Picchu trip. They were very fun to hang out with and chat about places we have been. For dinner, we all stared the traditional "cuy" or guinea pig for an appetizer. It tasted salty and gross. I just couldn't get over the teeth hanging out of it's mouth. Of course, Charlie didn't mind it.

Charlie had a little too much fun with the head of the pig. You're probably thinking to yourself, "Charlie sure is looking scruffy with that facial hair." I thought the same thing when viewing those pictures, so I suggested shaving. Bad idea. He is now sporting a full mustache with handlebars except his hair is so blonde from the sun, you really can't see the mustache. His solution? Use my brown eyeshawdow to darken it. Our friend Harrison Hargett sports one on occasion, and Charlie was directly inspired by him. I'll be sure to thank Harrison when I get back to the states.

We came across a small festival by accident in Cusco. It was really fun watching the people play instruments, sing, and dance. We even got pinned with a Saint and their picture. At the end, they light off a very sketchy series of fire works. We knew something big was about to happen when the entire crowd turned to run the opposite direction. Thankfully we followed. Charlie got hit in the arm with one firework that left a slight mark. He was luckily wearing a long sleeve shirt. The statue is very heavy, and you can tell this by the look of sheer pain on the peoples' faces who are carrying it.

A random downtown picture of Cusco. It doesn't do justice to the beauty of the area because the weather is gloomy. It really is a beautiful town here.

We have really been enjoying our time here in Cusco. Last night we played for almost 2 hours with the three kids who live at our hostel. Charlie and I were playing gin and drinking some wine before going out, and they started to "spy" on us. Somehow it turned into both of us making forts and throwing paper balls and airplanes at each other. We would capture the little boy and girl and tickle them until their older brother came and rescued them. We couldn't really talk to each other because of the language barrier (I had a hard time understanding the 4 and 7 year old, but the 12 year old spoke a more clear Spanish) but we had a blast!

Charlie is down another pair of boxers. We have no idea where this pair disappeared too. Magic elves keep taking them. Doing laundry after Machu Picchu was the worst experience ever. Everything smelled so bad and handwashing the clothing took forever. We do currently have clean clothes. I'm ready for a washing machine and dryer.

Once we have definite plans on where we are going, I'll inform you. Less then two weeks, and we will be home. Gifts of food would be appreciated. :)

Love always,

Matti Jo and Charles Dale

Machu Picchu

Dear Mom and Dad,

The pictures you have been waiting for. We woke up at 330 am to start our trek to the Sungate. I was a little disappointed because I lost my sleeping bag this morning. I didn't have it tied on properly, and 30 minutes after I had my bags packed I realized it was gone. We hadn't left the campsite yet, and I spent the morning asking around to see if anyone came across it. Of course, nobody did. Someone is probably sleeping well in my bag. At least it served it's purpose, and we still have the second one if I get too cold in a hostel. Charlie always seems to run warm. The first few pictures are of us looking over at Machu Picchu through the sungate. We were very lucky with the weather because our guide says you can never see the sun rising in the rainy season due to overcast clouds and rain.

Here we are walking on the trail towards Machu Picchu. The first picture you can see us really well, and the second picture you can see Machu Picchu really well.

Here we are before we entered Machu Picchu. If you look closely from right to left, you can see an Inca person's facial outline. The big peak is the nose and the mouth and prominent jaw follow. I can kind of make out the eye line above the big peak.

Even though I could barely walk at the point, I was so excited to make it! Charlie even joined in on the cheerleading "high V" pose.

The whole group made it.

70% of the sturctures at Machu Picchu are original. The top parts around the structures are what the National Park as restored. Pretty amazing that after all these years, it's almost all intact. It really is one of the seven wonders of the world. Unfortunately it is sinking due to natural causes, so the National Park is trying to figure out ways to preserve this beautiful place.

The Incas made a replica of the mountain profile to use as a map. Looks pretty close even after all these years.

Listening very closely to explanations given at each site.

Riding the train back towards Cusco was a fun experience. Unfortunately Charlie and I could not sit next to each other, so I was forced to people watch the entire time. I couldn't help but judge individuals on whether or not I thought they actually did the Inca Trail hike. Charlie and I giggle about which people did not make the trek and why afterwards. It's mean, but we were bored and couldn't talk to anyone sitting next to us since they only spoke Spanish. I attempted too, but the people just wanted to sit quietly and read. Fortunately, the train served salted peanuts and beans as snacks. Very delicious. I also enjoyed coca tea. It's a local tea made from cocaine leaves. It's supposed to help with the altitude sickness. I just think it tastes good. The top of the train was glass, so it was also fun to look out and see the terrain we corssed from a different viewpoint.

Our bus ride back to Cusco from the train station was anything but fun. Charlie and I always manage to find the craziest driver. We made it 15 minutes faster then anticipated. Two kids behind me were puking the entire route, and then the girl to the left of me started yaking. I couldn't have been any happier to get out of that mini-bus.

Tipping after an event like the Inca trails is something that I think is inevitiable. It caused some tension when we decided to tip the cook, porters, and waiter as a group. Of course, Charlie and I wanted to tip what the company deemed reasonable, but a few thought that was too much. As a whole we all agreed on a set number, but it was left up to the individuals to leave as much as they thought appropriate. I didn't think that was fair because if we give a lump sum from all of us, but one person puts in less then the amount, it reflects on everyone. I was just glad that we tipped the guides individuallly and hoped for the best.

Overall, the Inca Trails and Machu Picchu have been the highlight of our trip. Nothing was as difficult or rewarding as doing the hike. I now want to visit all seven wonders of the world. Words and pictures cannot describe the magnitude of Machu Picchu. GO VISIT IT.

Love always,

Matti Jo and Charles Dale

Continued Inca Trails

Dear Mom and Dad,

Day Two Continued:

After walking up and down in the rain, it was finally time for lunch. The rain always seemed to quit after lunch time. The longest we actually had to trek through the rain was 2 hours, which wasn't so bad. The weather was warm, so it was only a little bit wet. Here's a picture of our lunch spot. Some tours decided to call it quits after "Dead Woman's Pass." They camped at our lunch spot. We treked on for three more hours. Badasses. It made for an easier day the next day. We only had to walk until lunch time on day 3 and rest for the night.

 

 Views from hiking on Day 2

Day 3:

I was really nervous for day three to begin due to the soreness my entire body faced. At least I knew we wouldn't be hiking the ENITRE day. Day three's hike was entirely on the original Inca Trail. Here we are going through one of the Inca caves.

More views from day three:

 

Another archaeological sight:

The sites were my favorite part for many reasons. 1. They were really cool to look and learn about. 2. It meant we got to sit and rest for at least 20-30 minutes.

Once at the campsite, we relaxed the rest of the night. Our chef made a special CAKE surprise for dessert. Yummm...He knew exactly how to hit the spot.

Here's a picture of the entire group, porters included. We had two cooks, a waiter, two guides, and 20 people to carry the food, tents, chairs, etc. You could also hire a porter to carry your things. Charlie and I opted to carry our own things. The people who visit Machu Picchu, 10% of them actually hike the four day trails. Of the people hiking the trails, 5% carry their own things. I don't know if I would actually carry my things given another chance and knowing how difficult it actually was. I'm glad though to have made it!

Last picture from day three. Trying to go to sleep because day four we had to be awake at 3:30am in order to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

Later today or tomorrow I will have the rest of the pictures up. Machu Picchu! Snack time for now.

Love always,

Matti Jo and Charles Dale