On to Aguas Calientes-MP pueblo

Also known as Machu Pucchu Pueblo. 

We were fortunate enough to take a morning walk around Cusco and just explore. Chris wanted to spend some time wandering the streets so we did. The city was just starting to wake up at 8am this morning. We actually took photos at the Cathedral. 

And in the Plaza de Armas. Each city in Peru tends to name their main plaza the Plaza de Armas. Chris reminisced about plazas in Central America. There was a parade (as there is every Sunday sponsored by a particular school) but the ladies dressed in traditional Inca clothing with their llamas were not present. I'd been saving soles for just such photos. As we've driven through the countryside there is a very large population who still wears indigenous clothing. Their children are tied on thei back by a colorful blanket. I'll try to snap a photo. 

We said "hasta luego" (until later) to our wonderful host. She insists we come back & leave our packs with her the afternoon we return to Cusco. And we took a taxi to a particular corner to catch a collectivo bus to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. 

We kept our bags with us on the bus to Ollantaytambo rather than having them strapped to the top. Here are our knees. 

Thankfully it was only 2 hours. Chris wrote the Sacred Valley blog while I concentrated on visualizing the horizon. 

This was Chris' first time as a tourist on a train. 

Our rain had beautiful sky windows through which to take in the sights. 

However, I bought our tickets online and happened to purchase 2 aisle tickets of the ONLY ROW facing backwards. I tend towards extreme motion sickness on a good day. I didn't feel great & only had to stand up once to face the right direction. We have been blessed in terms of motion & altitude sickness. We traveled along the river & had some beautiful sights out the window. 

I tried the traditional Inca Cola that looks toxic. Tastes like line cream soda. I was a bit apprehensive. 

We arrived in Machu Pucchu Pueblo which is just breathtakingly beautiful. 

We have found most tourists look young. And some look really rough. I'm guessing many have come off of the Inca Trail which includes 4-5 days of trekking & camping. Each day I am thankful we did not do the trail. (I don't camp. The temperatures are about freezing at night. And I'm not in shape.) although we've come down about 1300 meters, I still was hoofing it & struggling as we climbed up hill to the hostel. I'm convinced my pack is getting heavier. 

Also in MP pueblo, there was a consistent noise. And everyone was stopped. 

It's World Cup finals. And the world has stopped. We are sitting at a cafe, drinking pisco sours, watching the game. 

Even the police stopped to watch. We are rooting for an Argentine win. Not sure that's going to happen after Germany's recent score. (Yes, I'm blogging having an awesome seat to watch the game. Priorities.)

I booked our lodging because it was not on the main strip & thus should be more quiet. Since guide books have been written, there is a new street in town and a new disco in front of our hostel. Should be interesting. We are supposed to have internet at Denny's House, but this far we haven't been able to connect to the actual internet on it. This posts may be a few days delayed. 

Also we are taking photos with ourold school digital camera, not our iPhones. They are just for "quick shots" when our camera won't do. Thus we are limited as to what pictures we can post on the blog. You're seeing the "best" of the iPhones. 

The plan for tonight is to head to Aguas Calientes (the hot springs for which the city is named). Not sure how I feel about putting on my bathing suit when it's 40 outside. But this place serves pisco sours. My buddy Marv would have been jealous. I'm sipping some for him. Well, we didn't don our suits & head in the water but wish we had as they are closed tomorrow. 

We ate an early dinner of alpaca steak & papa a la huancaina. 

We are trying to get internet connection to upload this revised version before bed (it's 7:15). Tomorrow is an early morning (4:30am) to make it up to MP for the sunrise. It's hard to imagine we are finally here. A lifelong dream about to be realized. Thanks for traveling with us!!