Ugh, up at 4 a.m. To catch flight to Cusco. Scheduling error yesterday had us spend night in Lima. Then bus to Sacred Valley. We visit a Chincheros town including a visit to a weaving cooperative, where you we met with locals and learn about the weaving styles and techniques.
Next, the Pisac Market, which dates back to the ancient Andean days when people in the highlands depended on trade. The natives trade vegetables, herbs and potatoes for things like matches, oranges and medicines.
Then to Hotel Boutique San Agustin Monasterio de la Recoleta. Very nice. Tasty food wonderful rooms and great views of mountains with ice cap! After lunch, presentation on origin of potatoes and biodiversity in the Andean countries by Profesor Maywa Blanco Zamalloa, faculty from University Agronomía in Cusco.
This is followed by a trip to Ollantaytambo, a town with original buildings of Inca construction. Here the Inca retreated to make their last stand in the highlands against the Spanish. Running water still flows through the town streets in aqueducts. The terraces above the town still are farmed by hand. The pinnacle above the town is a small burial ground.
Another lecture early evening was by Dr. Theo Paredes, an expert on Andean Culture. He talked about Machu Picchu and its spiritual and mystical significance to the ancient Inca.
Geographic features & Photographs around Urubamba, in Cusco, Peru
http://travelingluck.com/South+America/Peru/Cusco/_3926438_Urubamba.html
Hotel Boutique San Agustin Monasterio de la Recoleta
http://hotels.travelingluck.com/hotel/propertydetails/236113?cid=304686#
Profesor Maywa Blanco Zamalloa
http://tagreen.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/sacred-valley/
Dr. Theo Paredes, PhD – Study of Andean Culture
http://www.crescenterra.com/theo.html
Peru book - Kantupata beyond Machu Picchu
http://www.amazon.com/Kantupata-beyond-Machu-Picchu-Paredes/dp/6124554704
Wiki - Ollantaytambo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ollantaytambo
Photo 1. Wow, streets have no traffic @ 4 a.m.
Photo 2. Finally, made it to Cusco. Back at high altitude we get a cup of coca tea while boarding our bus.
Photo 3. I keep seeing these same photos – even on the travel brochures. Will it look that way?
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay12Of17
