Friday, January 29, 2010

last week in Cusco! Goodbye

So, thank goodness the rains have abated and things are getting back to normal. My friends stuck at Machu Picchu were airlifted out today and I am headed out to Puno/Lake Titicaca tomorrow. This week was somewhat tumultuous because of the weather. Turns out there is absolutely no way I can get to Machu Picchu. I had a small break down when I figured this out because I´ve come all the way to South America and can´t see the number 1 tourist destination on the continent. After a day or two I accepted this and decided I´ll return next year and do the Inca trail to Machu Picchu with Alixe or Teddy (sis and bro). I was able to take a Cusco city tour and tour the Sacred Valley where many Inca ruins are located. Part of the Sacred Valley is closed off because of the rains...in Pisac an entire bridge collapsed because of the high water!
Saqsayhuaman ruins above Cusco city. This was an Inca fortress. It is HUGE! This pic is only a small portion.
Me at Q´enquo ruins outside of Cusco. They used to sacrifice people in there!
Tatiana, me and Jordanna at Tambomachay. This was an Inca sacred water worship site.

A view of Cusco city from Saqsayhuaman.

Today was also the last day with my girls at the orphanage. I was surprisingly sad to leave them. This last week I have gotten close to several of the girls. But I know that they are in good hands, and there is a steady flow of volunteers who come to help them. I brought them a cake as a little goodbye present for them and they gave me a handmade purse. It will be such a great way to remember my experience.
The cake maker managed to misspell every word on this cake.


The girls and me with the cake I brought.

These girls are UT fans! Hook ´Em!

Besides volunteering and touring, I´ve managed to squeeze some partying in as well. I´m sure most of you aren´t surprised! I was out this week and recognized a guy. I wasn´t sure from where. We started chatting and turns out he is from New Orleans and went to Saint Martin´s my year. We were both totally pumped about the fact that THE SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!

Samantha and I at Club Inka Team last night.

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