Field Trip Peru Day 5: Sacsayhuamán

slide!

Sacsayhuaman (pronounced almost like sexy woman) is a super sacred Incan spot high above the city of Cusco, which was the Incan capital at one time. On the site, which dates back on thousand years, there are wide grassy ruins with polished granite walls made with enormous boulders that were most likely found in this location. There is also a huge granite wall that was used recreationally, as a slide. And like all Incan sites, there are good acoustics from a high point for addressing a crowd and a place where the sun lines up with specific rocks every year on the solstice. Our guide informed us that when the tourists go home at the end of the day, it is considered a romantic place for locals to come on dates. I can see why!

Grazing Alpacas

Baby Alpacas - the best sweaters are made with their shaved hair!

You see a lot of women in the Andes in traditional garb. Some just like to dress that way, and others want tips to have pictures taken. Our guide calls them "professional models"

Most of the pet alpacas have their ears pierced with tassels!

Field Trip Peru Day 4: Air Please!

My savior!

 Arriving in Cusco, which is 11,500 feet above sea level, I could feel it immediately. The thin mountain air making it hard to even get my suitcase of the carousel. So, to stave off altitude sickness, I headed straight for the OxiShot booth in the Cusco airport, where they sold canned oxygen. Having worked for an oxygen company many moons ago, I know the importance of getting enough. Instead of suffering like the rest of my crew who abstained from canned oxygen, I actually did pretty well. No headache or anything, but still, I couldn't eat much and walking fast - let alone running - was out of the question. The rest of the girls tried to rely on coca tea (basically liquid cocaine), which sort of helped, but also kept them up all night. Oh well, can't win 'em all!