Friday

We went to the Sacred Valley today instead of touring the city of Cusco because of a strike planned and announced for June 14 - 17. I am not sure if the strike, where they block the roads so there is no traffic, was to only be the 14th and the 17th or all 4 days. Anyway, our first stop was to overlook a stream that had flooded in this years El Nino. A woman and her son were at the vista point with one alpaca and a mother and older baby llama. We then drove past a project that was raising alpacas, llamas and guanacos. It was difficult to see the animals because the fence was made of bushes. We were suggesting they sell the alpaca poop, maybe in the shape of an alpaca. We then went to Pisac and hiked the terraces. The view was beautiful. One third of the group went up and around on a hike and the other two thirds stayed near the entrance and then got on the bus to meet the others at a lower parking lot. I walked up to some of the rooms and there was one spot that did have a fairly narrow path at about 45 degrees. The view was great. We then went to the Pisac market and Carlos, our guide for this southern portion, took us to a silver shop where they showed us the equipment they use to make the pendants and earrings. Some purchased there but the pieces I liked were over my budget, as always. I did find a nice watercolor picture that I purchased. The last time I was in Peru I wanted to buy one but did not. This one is in subdued colors and a nice Peruvian landscape with women and llamas. It is rolled up in a very sturdy cardboard tube for traveling.

We then went to Ollantaytambo and walked around there. Again the group split up and some went up the terraces and others went to the Temple of the Condor. I chose the latter. The Inca stone construction is just amazing and almost unimaginable how well they terraced the hillsides to grow crops and control the water. After Ollantaytambo we went to a womens weaving co-op and got a demonstration of the process of processing the llama and alpaca wool to make items. They showed cleaning the wool, the plants and insects they use to color the wool, and the backstrap loom to weave the thread. I tried on a hat with earflaps since I am going to Alaska right after this trip and of course it was way too small. We had a good laugh.

Tomorrow we head for the Keshwa Chaca - the last Inca suspension bridge. We will be camping tomorrow night. At least this bus ride should only be around 4 hours. Not quite as much time on the bus as when we were in the North.