Saturday, April 30, 2011 – Sunday, May 1, 2011
Woke up at 6:30 in order to meet mom and dad at the airport. Turned out their flight was supposed to get in earlier than I thought so I rushed out of the hostel searching for a taxi. Got there with plenty of time and was anxiously awaiting their arrival. Cried when they finally walked out of the doors. So wonderful to see them after 4.5 months; am so excited to have them here.
Transferred to hotel and checked-in. Went to Jack’s for breakfast; my first time eating there in the morning. Such huge portions: banana pancakes, fruit bowl and a scramble egg dish with delicious sauce. Walk around Cusco for a bit. Visit to San Pedro market, enjoying the chocolate row but avoiding all the intestines and heads hanging from the meat vendors stalls. All exhausted; back to hotel for a nap.
Dinner at Cicciolina, modern restaurant with deep red walls; could be in any city. Excellent dinner – shared starters, one seafood skewer dish and one cuy causa (guinea pig); I ordered the alpaca, mom a salad and dad the duck special. First night together so naturally had to order dessert – chocolate pudding and sweet pears. Fantastic end to their first day in Cusco.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Day from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. Vladimir picks us up at 7:30. Beautiful drive into the Sacred Valley. Pisac ruins with a local guide (who also happens to have little items for sale). Quick stroll around the Pisac market. Drive to Ollantaytambo. Lunch at Heart’s café. Ruins at Ollantaytambo with another local guide (has lots of photos on hand). Starts raining while we’re there without our umbrellas. Train to Machu Picchu. Pretty tight fit. Mom and I sit across from a Swiss couple after dad convinces them to change seats so that we can all face forward.
Pouring rain when we arrive in Aguas Calientes. Find hotel person and wait for rain to let up since we need to walk. Doesn’t stop so we eventually head out. Hear back from Rudy (guide) while we are waiting for our room; agree to meet after dinner to discuss tomorrow. Large room. Dinner at 7:45. Three-course meal. Dad and I start with two different types of ceviche and mom with some type of fried chicken dish. Mains. Dessert. Way way too much food. We are all so full by the end and dreading the early wake up to get in line to climb Wayna Picchu (only 400 people are allowed up per day and so it is necessary to queue for a spot).
Dad and I meet Rudy, since mom is exhausted and ready for bed. He tells us of an alternative hike, up Machu Picchu, which doesn’t involve getting up at the crack of dawn. Agree this is a good plan. Confirm in Lonely Planet that Machu Picchu Mountain is actually better because it gives a view of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. Perfect solution.
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