Our alarm failed to activate at 3:45, but our host thankfully came knocking right on time.
A quick coffee, juice, bread and cheese, and then we were taxiing through the deserted streets of Lima to the airport. We caught our flight to Cuzco, were met by our driver Jesus, who then took us to the Inca ruins about 5 miles outside (and above) Pisac, at about 10,000 feet.
He dropped us off, and we agreed to meet him three hours later back in Pisac so we could walk through the ruins and then hike the trail that the locals use to get to and from the town. Little did we know what awaited us.
What makes the ruins so spectacular is their setting on practically vertical, rocky slopes that scrape the roof of the sky. There's something both humbling and mystical to tread the same paths that people have been using for centuries. It's hard for us to comprehend, but generations of families live beyond peaks and roads, depending on switchbacks that defy the steepness scale. They bring their homegrown veggies to the markets, and haul their provisions back.
We were blessed to come upon Rolando, a teenager from the roadless area who's now going to school in Pisac and sees his family by making the trek home when classes are not in session. He's a gifted panpiper, and he gave us our own personal concert, while we were seated in the Throne of the Princess at what once was the magnificent Temple del Sol.
Suffice it to say that an uncommon peace descended on us at that moment. A mere photo does not do the moment justice (we'll try posting a video when we find a better wi-fi connection):
By the time we descended the side of the mountain, we were an hour late in meeting Jesus. And then we spent another hour at the Sunday market filled with crafts, jewelry, fruits, veggies, coca leaves and restaurants.
It was then another hour's drive to our home for the next two nights, Ollantaytambo. It's charming, but the woman at the next table at dinner, Maria from Nuremberg, said it best: Ollantaytambo has an elevated energy, a brilliance. And the people have an uncommon heart."
One of those people was our waitress, Lynda Morrisey, who allowed us to use her Mac to make this post when our laptop experienced some jitters (probably from the altitude).
Before sharing just a few other photos from the day, we want to give a shout out to Karen's sister and brother-law, Sharon and Wes ... hope your 29th anniversary is the best one yet!
The Pisac Ruins, site of an Inca citadel
This is at the top of the ruins, where there's a "hitching post for the sun."
Yes, it is as scary as it looks.
Can you tell I forgot to pack my hair gel?
The Pisac mercado, also known as Wal-Mart of the Andes.
Let the adventures continue.
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