After two nights of next to no sleep, I could hardly believe I was rising at 5:00 AND after flying for an entire day yesterday, I could hardly imagine I was once again boarding another airplane. That might explain why the Machu Picchu Chicas were just a little relaxed about getting to the airport...BIG MISTAKE! Carrie had a hunch that we had not left enough time and tried to point this out to our guide, but he assured us we would be fine.
When we finally arrived at the airport, we decided we just HAD to have some ¨good¨ Peruvian coffee. Carrie tried to hustle us along, but we couldn´t decide what to order and the server was delighted to have such a captive audience and relished in explaining all the different beans and which part of Peru they came from. It was when we fianlly had our coffees in hand that we heard our flight number over the loud speaker system. Mass panic ensued as we had not even passed security yet. We slapped lids on our coffees and raced through the halls like we were in the amazing race (by this time they were calling our names over the loud speaker). We arrived at our gate just as they were closing. Luckily they let us on, but you can imagine our dismay when they told us we had to leave our coffees behind! All those full cups of coffee left sitting on the garbage can.
The flight into Cusco was quite relaxed and they even served coffee. Our first view of the Andes was breathtaking. At an announcement from the pilot, everyone on the right-hand side of the plane stood up and we all beheld the miracle before us...the majesty and strength of the mountains and this wonderful city of Cusco nestled among them.
I was nervous stepping off the plane as I had already experienced some effects of altitude as the plane was depressurizing. I bought coca candies the minute I got outside, hoping they would help. Our white van took us directly to the hotel where we were served coca tea, even before we checked in. To acclimatize, we promptly went to bed. My room was on the third floor and I could hardly breathe by the time I got up there and my heart was beating so fast.
For lunch we were driven to the most delightful restaurant. We had salad with a very tasty dressing, beef with a berry jus, and potatoes that were to die for. Peru is the home of the potato and they grow over 5000 varieties. For dessert we had a spectacular mousse made from the maracuya fruit. Our guide had told us to eat light, but who could refuse food like that, especially after we had been eating airport food for so long. Alas we could not have alcohol because of the altitude, but we did have the coca tea. It was here that Linda succumbed to the altitude and she had to return to the hotel to rest.
Denis, our amazing guide, took us to Sacayhuman (pronounced sexy woman so he told us). We walked up to this incredible ruin which had once been the home of the Incas. The sun was hot, the air fresh, and the view spectacular. It was in this setting that Denis began to tell us the Inca history. I will never forgot Denis, who is descended from the Incas, walking on these sacred ruins, surrounded by the majesty of the Andes, and so at peace in this space, so respectful of his past and reverent of the calmness and power of the nature around him.
We also visited the ceremonial centers of q´enqo, Tamboma known as the baths of the Inca, and the cathedral; each site so amazing and awe-inspiring.
To finish the evening, Ruth Ann, Stephanie, Janet and myself went out to celebrate my birthday. I was serenaded by a traditional Peruvian music group and given chocolate cake with a candle. What an amazing birthday. I had been given the gift of the glory of the Andes, the gift of friendship and laughter, the gift of song, and the gift of a rose, which was so significant to me as the Patron Saint of Peru is Santa Rosa.
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