Cusco, Peru and My First Wonder of the World: Machu Picchu

I lost my breath, my heart stopped, and my jaw dropped when I caught sight of this beautiful wonder of the world. Machu Picchu: one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Machu Picchu

About a week ago, I went to Cusco, Peru on a school planned trip. When we arrived, we were in awe on our 15 minute bus ride to our hotel, Hotel Prisma. The mountains surrounding Cusco as well as the streets of Cusco were gorgeous. When we arrived at our hotel, we were instantly greeted with trays of Coca Tea (yes, you are thinking the right thing) because it helps with the change in altitude. We had been told to take it easy when we first arrived because the sudden change in altitude would make us sick if we weren’t careful. Although many students in my group did feel effects from the altitude, I was fortunate enough to not have any effects myself.

The first day, Thursday, we went to a Convent and a Catholic Cathedral. Both of which were great sights to see. The Cathedral was gorgeous inside, consisting of room after room of extravagant alters made of gold and silver. Unfortunately it is disrespectful to take pictures of a Cathedral and you will have to take my word for it. That night a Peruvian professor that came with us, Roberto, took us to a pizza joint and of course the pizza was delicious!

The second day, Friday, we traveled quite a bit. We went to Saqsayhuaman, pronounced “Sexy Woman”, which was huge and breathtaking. We climbed one of the hills and were met with a wonderful view of Cusco from above. We then went to a couple of smaller sites including a Templo del Agua. Before lunch, we ventured to a market in Pisac where I bought a couple of little items. We went to lunch in a small town along our way at, what we considered, a high-scale restaurant. When we arrived there was a buffet set up filled with choice after choice (along with the BEST desserts!) and a gazebo filled with tables just for us! From our seats we had a wonderful view of the garden, parrots, and llamas. Of course after lunch we needed to burn some calories so we drove to a fortress and climbed stair after stair to the top! We did take constant breaks along the way but eventually made it to the top! All throughout the day, we had been driving through the mountains and I was in awe of the beauty that was in every moment. One of my favorite things in Cusco was their traditional Quechua dress. Many times, there was the opportunity to take pictures of people for a small price of 1 sol (less than 40 cents). While we were on our bus tour and driving through the mountains, we passed many small Quechua villages. These villages were simple and traditional homes of the indigenous people that have always lived in the mountains, long before tourists began disrupting their lifestyles.

After a near two hour drive back to Cusco, we arrived about 7-8 o’clock and went exploring the town for a bit. Couldn’t stay out too late though, we had a bus to catch at 4am for Cusco!

Quechua dress! So colorful!

Panoramic view from atop Saqsayhuaman

In the mountains overlooking the Sacred Valley

Atop the fortress that we hiked up!

“You need to be on the bus at 4am sharp! Not 4:01, not 4:02. The bus leaves at 4:00. So be on the bus by 3:50. You are on American time, not Peruvian time!” This is how the UPC professor that came with us to Cusco said good night to us on Friday night. Saturday morning we set off from Cusco at 4am for an hour and forty-five minute bus ride to the train station. The train, which was an hour and a half ride to Aguas Calientes (town below Machu Picchu), was a tad bit scary at first because I have never been on a train ride before. The train rocked from side to side, which I guess is normal, all the way and we had a wonderful view of the river outside the window, which was literally right next to the train about half of the way. On the train, I sat across a mother and daughter from Colorado. What a small world! They were in Cusco doing a mission trip and asked us what our recommendations are for things to see in Lima. Since we have been here for almost two months now we are experts! When we arrived in Aguas Calientes, next step was getting a bus up to “That Mountain Place,” Machu Picchu!

The bus ride up the Mountain was an experience all in itself. On the trail barely big enough for two buses to pass, the bus driver drove fast and went around curves hoping that there would not be another bus coming. I had seen pictures of Machu Picchu before and heard about it but nothing prepared me for what I was about to see. My first view of Machu Picchu my heart started racing and I was a wide eyed little kid in a candy store. When we finally walked into Machu Picchu and I could see the whole civilization in front of me, that is when I lost my breath, my heart stopped, and my jaw dropped. Nothing had prepared me for seeing this wonder of the world with my own eyes. That very moment I fell in love with the mountains, I fell in love with Machu Picchu. We took a two hour tour of Machu Picchu and then had the rest of the day to venture wherever we wanted. After the tour, which was of mainly the lower parts of Machu Picchu city although there was still hiking involved, our group hiked up to the watchman’s tower. I most definitely got my workout that day with all of the stairs I hiked up. While up at the watchman’s tower, we took an Incan trail that went along the side of Machu Picchu mountain. At the start of the trail we had to sign in, which after finishing the trail I understood why. The trail consisted of dirt/rock paths that went alongside the mountain. The trail was no more than four feet wide and many times the edge was a sharp drop off down the mountain. Although I was a tad bit afraid for my life at the moment, I am really glad that I went on this trail while I was there.

View out of the train. The waves in that river were going crazy!

Inside Machu Picchu!

Sarah and I on our way up to the watchman's tower

Me at Machu Picchu!!

The UNK group

After going back down, which was much easier than going up, a group of us decided to go down to the city to do a little bit of shopping! In Peru, there are many markets with handcrafted goods, or typical souvenir items. Unlike the US, these markets do not have price tags on items and you have to barter for a good price. I did a little bartering while I was shopping and one item I bartered for, originally 45 soles and I paid 30, was a necklace that symbolizes Pachamama, mother earth in Quechua (a traditional language of the region). After a long day at Machu Picchu I was sad to leave. Machu Picchu is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. We traveled back to Cusco and arrived at about 10:30. All of us were beat and probably should have gone to bed, but most of us decided we only live once and the nightlife in Cusco was calling our name. Mama Africa is the popular club in Cusco and we ventured here, about a ten minute walk from our hotel, to do a little dancing on our last night in Cusco. I took hundreds of pictures on this trip, yet pictures do not do justice to the beauty that I saw this weekend. This is truly one of the most beautiful places I will ever see in my life. Oh Cusco, how I will miss you!

"Oh, the places you'll go!"

I have now been in Lima for 6 weeks and have been to some historical sites as well as fun-filled tourist spots!

I have been to La Plaza de Armas twice now since I arrived, once at night and once during the daytime. La Plaza de Armas is Lima’s central plaza. Historical + old architechure = Beautiful place! There are cathedrals down every street that allow people to stop and pray in while they are out during the day. They are impressive and elegant and a site to see!

One of the churches that we peeked in!

Plaza de Armas in the daylight... Much more peaceful

I love the architecture of the buildings around the plaza

I have ventured to two ruin sites that were similar, yet had their own significance. With my Spanish professor Christian, our group traveled to Huaca Pucllana, a ruin site in Miraflores where we took a tour and learned about the religious significance that it had hundreds of years ago. Last weekend, I also ventured to Pachacamac, another ruin site that is on the outskirts of Lima. We walked throughout the ruins and also trekked up to El Templo del Sol, which is where people hundreds of years ago would take their sacrifices. This ruin site was much more spread out than Huaca Pucllana and I definitely got my workout in that day!

Huaca Pucllana tour. As you can tell, it is in the middle of Lima.

Going up to the Templo del Sol at Pachacamac.

This is still at Pachacamac. When you first look at this picture it doesn't seem significant, but I must point out that when I took this picture we were at the Templo del Sol. We had walked in a round about way from the start of that trail, which is to the right of the trees in the picture. This ruins site was much more spread out than the other and we did a lot of walking!

Now who wants to hear about the fun stuff?! Of course, there has been shopping involved in my time here. I have been to some places that have been cheap with adorable items! I like cheap, and I like adorable… I like shopping here! I have been to Gamarra a couple of times. Gamarra contains street after street of stores, many similar to each other, that sell pretty much everything, including cheap shoes and clothes. I have bought a few items there for cheap compared to US prices. I have also been to Mercado Indio (Indian Market) a few times. The first couple of times I was just browsing and getting an idea of what I wanted to get, but I went back today and bought some treasures. These treasures include many souvenirs for family and friends (I can’t disclose what these items are, I want them to be surprised!) as well as a few things for myself as well. The items here are extremely cheap as well. These are the types of places to shop here in Lima and I am sure I will go back before it is time for me to go home!

Of course, since we are extremely close to the Pacific coast I HAVE to go to the beach!! I have been to the beach three times so far, with another trip planned for tomorrow! The best beach I have been to so far is Punta Hermosa, which is over an hour bus ride south. That is a long time to spend on the buses that stop and go the entire way there, but the ride is worth it! The ocean is peaceful and gorgeous. The last time I went we actually swam and the water was freezing! I love the ocean and I think that is one thing that I will miss when I go back to Nebraska. I feel so at peace and relaxed while I’m getting my tan on at the beach! 

Punta Hermosa! The best beach we have ventured to so far!

Me at Punta Hermosa!

Although I am having the time of my life while I’m here, it’s not all fun and games. I have two classes that I am taking her in Lima as well as two online graduate classes that consume a large chunk of my time. All of the classes I am taking have helped my experience here in Peru. My Indigenous politics class has made me start looking around when I am out at the lifestyles that people live. When I am on the Cambies (still not the most pleasant experience) or walking around Lima, I notice what people look like and guess where they might be from. My Peruvian literature class, which is my only class that is taught in Spanish, has made connections for me to many sites around Lima. We had read a story about the Pachacamac ruins before I visited and it made the visit more interesting and thought-provoking. My two online graduate classes have talked a lot about diversity and being aware of different cultures. Perfect classes for me to take while I am in Peru, I have first-hand experience of what it feels like to be the minority and discriminated against. I have had just a couple of incidences where the term “Gringa” has been thrown out there as a derogatory term, which I am sure has happened more times than I have actually heard. It is very helpful that I am able to make personal connections with these types of experiences and know what it feels like.

Coming up quick is a month of trips. Next weekend we are traveling to Cuzco, which is a 1 ½ hour plane ride to the East of Lima. Here we will visit historical places and also visit Machu Picchu. Another weekend we are going to Ica, Peru. I am unsure of the itinerary for this trip, but I am sure it will be a weekend of seeing the city. We will also be venturing to Arequipa, Peru, which is the second largest city in Peru. We plan to take a 2 day tour of Colca Canyon, which is like the Grand Canyon. I am very excited for these trips to places other than Lima. Let the busy upcoming month of traveling/homework begin!!

Comida!

This past Friday I was invited by a friend to come cook some traditional Peruvian food. I love food so of course I said yes! We first went to the supermarket to purchase the ingredients for our creations. Once we purchased our ingredients we were off to start cooking!

I will begin with the eh, so-so dishes before I move on to the really good ones! One of the dishes we made is called Anticucho. For those of you that do not know what this is, it is cow heart. I was told that it is very tasty and tastes like steak. I beg to differ. It wasn’t the worst thing I have ever tasted, but not the best either.  Another dish we made was Causa de Pollo. This consisted of a casserole type dish: one layer of mashed potatoes with hot sauce mixed in, then a layer of chicken, mayonnaise, and onions, then another layer of potates, etc. On top of the casserole were avocado pieces and mayonnaise decorations. According to the Ashley and Adriana (American girls that I went with) this dish tasted like American Potato Salad. This dish wasn’t too bad. My favorite food dish was Causa Enrollada. There was a thin piece of chicken with ham and cheese, then it was rolled up into a pinwheel and dipped in egg, flour, and a seasoning that was crushed bread. It was fried and then cut into little pieces. Tasted wonderful! With our meal we had Jugo de Maracuya. At first I was hesitant, but when I took a drink it tasted like a mix between mango and orange juice! It was also wonderful!

On the Left Plate: On top of the rice is the Anticucho (cow heart), there is a piece of corn on the cob and the Causa Enrollada (the pinwheels). On the Right Plate: Causa de Pollo. The Jugo de Maracuya is not pictured as I was still finishing my lemonade :)

Lena, the Peruvian girl that invited us, and Pablo, the “chef” that helped us cook, were really fun to get to know and hang out with! Time to try some more traditional Peruvian dishes… Wish me luck!

I am in the back. Left to right: Pablo (the "chef), Lena (Peruvian), Adriana,  and Ashley