Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Days 2 & 3: Sacred Valley
Honestly my dear friends, it is 11pm before my four day Inca Trail trek. So if you will forgive me, I will only briefly list the places we visited the past few days then upload pictures. I just wanted you to know that I'm alive! I'm also excited and nervous but determined for tomorrow. During our briefing meeting tonight the group seemed full of humor & good spirits. I think it will be a most excellent adventure :)
Day 2: Moray and Salt Mines of Salinas:
Moray was magnificent. Three levels of seven terraces each represent the highlands, the coastal areas, and the jungle - with soil from each area to match! At the bottom of the depression rests Pachymama (earth mother's) heart, waiting patiently for her next offering.
Salt Mines of Salinas were very striking built into the mountains. Small channels divert a very salty river into these large flat beds during the wet season. As dry season comes around, all the water evaporates and pounds of salt magically appear. Each family is granted a salt bed based on its size/number of children, and it takes about four weeks to dry out.
Day 3: Ollayantantambo (don't quote me on the spelling it's late!)
In a small town lay impressive ruins cut into the mountainside. We wandered around a Sun Temple, bathing areas, and grain storage structures all set off huge terraces. The 2 hour journey through the mountains was also gorgeous and I can't wait to hike through them tomorrow!
Bestest,
Katie
Day 2: Moray and Salt Mines of Salinas:
Moray was magnificent. Three levels of seven terraces each represent the highlands, the coastal areas, and the jungle - with soil from each area to match! At the bottom of the depression rests Pachymama (earth mother's) heart, waiting patiently for her next offering.
Salt Mines of Salinas were very striking built into the mountains. Small channels divert a very salty river into these large flat beds during the wet season. As dry season comes around, all the water evaporates and pounds of salt magically appear. Each family is granted a salt bed based on its size/number of children, and it takes about four weeks to dry out.
Day 3: Ollayantantambo (don't quote me on the spelling it's late!)
In a small town lay impressive ruins cut into the mountainside. We wandered around a Sun Temple, bathing areas, and grain storage structures all set off huge terraces. The 2 hour journey through the mountains was also gorgeous and I can't wait to hike through them tomorrow!
Bestest,
Katie
Monday, May 27, 2013
Day 1 Cusco
This city is high! And is surrounded by beautiful mountains! And celebrates everything with festivals!
What's not to love??
Chetsi & I arrived at 6:30am only to find out our hostel wouldn't give us a bed until 2pm. Well. That's a serious bummer after no sleep. We wandered around the main town square, Plaza de Armas, for a bite to eat and coffee. We sat on a balcony people watching until we realized they were setting up for some sort of parade or festival. Sure enough, an hour later we surmised they were celebrating elementary school education. Which means we watched three year olds dressed up in costumes parade down the street with the most confused look on their faces. It was adorable and hilarious.
Fast forward through a reunion with Megan and a four hour nap to my favorite part of the day - (can you guess?) - dinner!!
Wait until you see the picture I'll upload next. I had a trout cerviche that was so fresh and tangy. Amazing.
We passed out at like 8:30pm... Day 2 I promise will be more interesting.
Miss & love you all!
Katie
What's not to love??
Chetsi & I arrived at 6:30am only to find out our hostel wouldn't give us a bed until 2pm. Well. That's a serious bummer after no sleep. We wandered around the main town square, Plaza de Armas, for a bite to eat and coffee. We sat on a balcony people watching until we realized they were setting up for some sort of parade or festival. Sure enough, an hour later we surmised they were celebrating elementary school education. Which means we watched three year olds dressed up in costumes parade down the street with the most confused look on their faces. It was adorable and hilarious.
Fast forward through a reunion with Megan and a four hour nap to my favorite part of the day - (can you guess?) - dinner!!
Wait until you see the picture I'll upload next. I had a trout cerviche that was so fresh and tangy. Amazing.
We passed out at like 8:30pm... Day 2 I promise will be more interesting.
Miss & love you all!
Katie
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Katie goes to...
Will y'all forgive me if the blog name does not match my destination?
I've just landed in Lima en route to Cusco, Peru. In a few days, I'll be setting off on the Inca Trail with two dear friends from home, then trips to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa to round out the two week trip. It's the typical vacation length from the corporate world but I guess that's who I am now.
Still though, revisiting my travel gear felt like embracing old friends. Each item brings back memories, both good & bad: a silk sleeping bag liner that saved me from questionable guesthouse sheets. A quick dry towel warming me after a Mekong river swim. A backpack that has been by my side (on my back?) for every international trip I've taken.
Hopefully I won't be resenting my backpack too much on Day 3 of my hike!!
Friday, May 24, 2013
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