Day Three: Machu Picchu

machu pichchu is a 3 hour train ride away from cusco. we had splurged on a nice train with big windows along both sides and on the ceilings of the car allowing for optimal viewing of the scenic landscape. there was a moment of confusion as all the groups tried to figure out the seating arrangement. although everyone had purchased numerically consecutive tickets, the seats were actually not together. in the end, we were able to get seats together.

i dozed in and out of sleep during train ride, listening to music, and reading bits and pieces of "conversation in the cathedral" by mario vargas llosa. before i knew it, we had arrived!!

machu picchu is simply breathtaking.

our tour guide "charlie darwin" reminded me a little of joe pesci. he was great and liked to address us as "my dear friends" and told us about the great incan traditions. at the end of the tour, he hawked his $30 book to us and suggested various hikes/tours we could take.

CD: the key is to walk S-L-O-W!!! some elderly tourist had a heart attack. yep. no luck for him. he died.

um. o-kay! the tour was nice because i got to learn about the construction and history of machu picchu. i just wish i had more time to explore the various trails. . . the day passed too quickly and before i knew it it was time to get lunch and head for our train back to cusco.