Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu City/Aguas Calientes

If you don't do the four day hike to get to Machu Picchu, you have to take a very expensive and fancy train to get there. It is frustrating, but the trip is very enjoyable.

Aguas Calientes, or Macchu Picchu City is a real tourist zone horrible place. The local high school was hosting a soccer match which was interesting.

I got an awesome hotel on the river, powerful noise of white water.

Maras salt mines

These salt mines were used in ancient times and are still used today. Unfortunately when I was there was not the time of year when they appear the most "salty." Something cool and different to look at, the scale is impressive, and you can even walk right on top of it.

Moray

Ancient Inca "biology testing ground," each level of the structure has a different temperature/climate, the residents were able to test out different crops in different climates.

San Blas in Cuzco

I lugged my bag up to San Blas in Cuzco to stay there for a couple days. Essentially still the center of Cuzco, it is up in the hills and slightly less overpopulated with tourism. Also great deals on rooms since its up in the hills.

Cuzco, Peru

Getting to Cuzco, my first destination in Peru, was a journey. I crossed the border from Chile to Peru in a "collective taxi." We went in a rundown car from the 80's, the three back seats and the two driver-side seats were all filled. It was a bit of a tight fit for me with my daypack and all. The taxi driver delighted in telling me about the burgeoning quinoa market in Bolivia and Peru, as well as the Peruvian delicacy of grilled guinea pig, served with head intact. He also claimed that the roadside grass and shrubbery in Tacna, Peru, was being watered with sewage water.

It was clear the second we crossed the border that Peru's economy is nowhere near as strong as Chile and Argentina's. As I fended off my new "friends," attracted by the appearance of a $ tourist $, I prepared for my bus trip from Tacna to Arequipa (followed by Arequipa-Cuzco the same day). The Peruvian bus system is generally of a lower quality compared to the impeccable service of its Southern neighbors, and there is little sense of central organization. The bus terminals seem a disorganized mess of competing autobus companies clamoring for your business. 

This is Cuzco:

Cuzco is a beautiful city. At one time it was the heart of the Inca kingdom, and the city is literally built on top of the ruins of their grand structures. In much of the city you can see that the bases of the buildings are made of the same stones that formed Inca residences and citadels from antiquity. 

Getting to see the culture and cuisine of Peru was great, there is so much history and the cuisine is so good and varied. There is no shortage of delicacies to have, whether it be classics like ceviche or new exotic dishes that delight the palette. It is fascinating to hear about the Inca and other pre-European cultures, and to witness locals speak Quechoa and other indigenous languages to this day. 

Cuzco is also located within a couple hours of Machu Picchu, and is the most common base for visiting the remarkable ruins. It is not the most straight forward task to arrange a trip to the ruins, so I was happy to be able to set it up from a centrally located place near the site itself.  

This cute looking vicuna leapt up and thumped my chest with its two front hooves shortly after the next picture. It was a shocking act of violence. I was told it was because I was wearing a red shirt, although I'm not sure I really buy the the idea it was provoked by the color red.

Chicharrones, with sides of corn, tamale, cheese, and a great yuca or other potato variety:

Rocoto relleno, delicious, spicy pepper filled with meat and vegetable. A regional dish from Arequipa, where I tried one as well later. Usually covered in cheese/cheese sauce, this one was deep fried instead:

Peruvian ceviche:

The pictures in this post are all from the center area, which was very nice to stay in. The city is just very beautiful. A negative part of it being the most common base for visiting Machu Picchu is that it is overrun with tourism; it gets a little oppressive to be approached constantly by people looking to sell you something every single second, and they are not easily dismissed. Still, there is so much to see and do in the city, and the sights are so consistently amazing that it is worth it.