Tired, so not a full update.
We got up today at 3:30am, started hiking up the mountain at 4, and reached the park gates for Machu Picchu at 5am. We were about 15th in line and once they opened, it was a 1/2 kilometer race across the park to be one of the first 400 people in line to hike Waynapichu (aka Huayna Picchu), another 300-meter climb that overlooks Machu Picchu. Until the pics are up, you can read about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu (it is the large mountain in the background on all the¨postcard¨ pics, including the first one on Wikipedia). We were the 8th and 9th people allowed in and after another hour of steep path and stairs, we had an amazing view back onto Machu Picchu. One of the great things I´ve experienced in life. Amazing views in a historic and beautiful place.
Seeing hundreds of people dash across the park at 6 a.m. to try to get a spot at Wayna Picchu was hilarious. This thing is more competitive than i-banking career nights!
......POWER WENT OUT LAST NIGHT WHILE WE WERE AT AN INTERNET CAFE, SO CRAIG COULDN´T FINISH THE BLOG. TARA HERE ADDING TO THIS......
Today we had the incredible journey back from Aguas Calientes, starting with a hilarious train ride including a traditional Incan ¨dance¨ by a masked steward in the aisle and an Alpaca wool fashion show (Literally. They turned the aisles into a runway!). Some English teenagers on the train decided to draw a phallic symbol on the right cheek of their friend who was fast asleep. The entire car -Americans, Peruvians, Brits, etc. was cracking up at the sight and some tourists even started taking pictures as he awoke. I guess this old college past-time is funny in every culture!
Due to an upexpected twist of events, including driving around Urumbamba for half an hour looking for a hostel that apparently doesn´t exist, and taking a two hour taxi ride with a bunch of Peruvians, we´re now back in Cusco until the 7th.
After some sleep, we´ll update on the last couple weeks and post photos, including:
Pisaq - More Incan ruins, near Cuzco.
Cuzco - One of the neatest cities in the world. Closest major city to Machu Picchu.
Samara - Beach town in Western Costa Rica where we spent 4 days surfing, hiking, and yoga´ing.
Rincon De La Vieja - Volcanic park in Northwest Costa Rica
Monteverde - Ziplines and jungle tours
