Day 25

School then sightseeing.  Today the man from the travel agency was to come and collect my money for my trip to Machu Picchu.  The day before he had said 269.  I figured that was cheap after all you get two days, one night hotel.  My one day trip in Lima was 114 soles so it seemed commensurate.  Ah, no!  As I handed him my 269 soles he said no, the price is 269 dollars!  Ouch!   I told him I'm sorry I didn't understand and that I would get back to him.  I thought that was just a little high.   As it turns out the train ticket is more then half that amount a out 170 dollars.  So he wasn't gouging me, just a little high I thought.

For the trip the first stop was the market in Pisaq.  This was some place interesting.  I passed a tourist agency that had just Sacred Valley for the day for 34 soles.  That's a bargain so I signed up for that for Saturday.  His tour to Machu Picchu was also 2 days but costs only 149 dollars.  Ok here is the difference.  His tour is a van not the train, but he had a very well made slide show with pictures to show me the difference in the two route,  he had the train option too.   Ok, so I had seen tours offer hiking through the Inca Trail and I thought no, I'm not a hiker.  But after he explained that by taking this van which include a walk around, I would be able to see wildlife and orchids and maybe Condors.  Also I would see the backside of Machu Picchu that is of some interest.  I decided why not?  Time enough to pay extra for trains and extreme comfort when I'm old and feeble.  I may regret this come Tuesday morning, but I took the van and walking option.  So for 100 dollars less I get three days of tours instead of two, and many more sights.  Now since I am walking I will travel very light so that means no IPad,  so you will not hear from me Sunday and Monday.  I get back late Saturday so odds are I will be too tired.

The food here is offal !

Today I walked through the Market of San Pedro again and this time found the meat market.  Ok, almost had to turn around and get out from the smell in one area.  Donkey heads, entrails, stomachs, chicken feet, and cow noses.  Yes that is right just the mouth and nose,  I asked what they use the donkey head for and she said to make soup.  Ok I may not eat another bowl of soup again.  I tell you, the food in Lima was wonderful.  Cusco is scary and navigate well my friend, you just don't know what will end up on your plate.

I guess I've gone native.  After my lunch I sat in the plaza and watched the people go by.  Really had little interest in moving for a while.  There was next to me a chocolate factory with free tours but I think one of my professors is planning on taking us there.  So I waited. 

There were two young girls with a small llama.  Now I could not leave Peru without having my picture taken with a llama.  I asked how much?  She said it was voluntary up to me.  Well the women with the lambs charged 1 sole.  So after my picture I thought I was very generous to give her 2 soles.  She tried to ask for 10 and wanted something for the girl that took the picture.  I said, no way but I did give the girl that took the picture one sole.  They said thank you and I left.  But really 1 sole is about 35 cents.  A lot of people here earn about 2 dollars or 6 soles a day.  So while it isn't much to me it is to them.

Yesterday the salon wanted 25 soles to wash and dry my hair.  The water in the showers here is not a strong force and again it is cold as heck.  So I am not interested in trying to wash my own hair. I thought she was trying to gouge me because it was only 10 soles in Lima.  Today I tried another place and sure enough it was only 4 soles.  I tipped her 3 soles.  You don't really tip here so I know she appreciates it.  

I took a taxi back home because my hair was a bit damp and I thought It best not stress my feet before this weekend.  Speaking of taxi's. I know my husband is looking for signs of altitude sickness and acting goofy is one of them.  This morning I decided I was late for class because it take me 30 minutes to walk and it was coming up on 8:30. Classes start at 9.  But for some reason I decided I don't leave by 8:30 I need to be at school by 8:30 so I took a taxi.  Now it cost the equivalent of 1 dollar to take the taxi so it wasn't a waste of money but yes I got to school 30 minutes early.  Can't blame it on the altitude I've done the same thing back home when I'm working in a different store with different hours.  

I still fill up very quickly and walking a flight of stairs is taxing.  But I think I am adjusting.