This morning we were up with the sun for breakfast and met our guide Leo. A bus took us up the winding narrow path up the mountain to the famed Inca ruins that are visited by over 5000 people a day.
Leo took us on a detailed tour of Machu Picchu (pronounced: peekt-chu). We climed all over the city and saw where the people lived and completed their rituals. The views of the mountains surrounding the city are breathtaking! It is a palpably sacred space.
When we arrived, about half of us thought we would like to take the extra hikes to the Inca Bridge and the Sun Gate, but after our tour only two actually went up further. The rest of us took the bus back to the town for lunch. We ate at a restaurant overlooking the river where we laughed and reflected on our day.
Mid afternoon it was time to board the train back to Cusco. We were served a grand snack and entertained by the staff with a short play and fashion show. Our group had a blast interacting with the actor and clapping for the 'models'.
That night we relaxed and walked around the nearby plazas. Kristen, the pastors Mike and Keen, and I tried the Peru version of Chinese food; it was delightful, but not knowing the portion, we way over ordered. To give an idea of value, I paid 40 soles for our meal of two soups, two large entrees, and four drinks; which translates to $18. Crazy.
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