Sunday, Oct.7 we think

Well, Madge just got a nice blog typed in for today and lost connection and lost it, so, since it is late and we have to repack for flight to Lima early in the morning, I am filling in for her. We had a pleasant day today after a night in a room with glass wall overlooking a roaring mountain stream and then on to spectacular mountains. I guess any day after a trip to Machu Picchu would be a bit of a step down, but it was really nice. We got up early and wandered down the riverside and around town after breakfast. We found a super bird reserve (actually the grounds of a really upscale hotel) and saw at least 5 varieties of humming birds. M. attempted to get pictures but the little critters are not great about staying in one spot long enough to have their pictures snapped. Then of course M. had to get in a bit of shopping wandering thru the thousands of "folk art" (i.e., T-shirt, sweater, and tourist glitz) stalls in Agua Caliente. We had lunch with the group and then boarded the train with our trusty guide Freddy to head back to Cuzco. The bus made one stop between Ollymtambo (sp?) and Cuzco -- for a rest stop, and to show us how the local corn brew is made. It was terrible -- you shoulda seen M's face when she tasted it. Then we learned to play the local gambling game (getting in all the Inca vices) where you throw 12 brass coins at a brass frog's mouth with holes around it. Finally got back to Cuzco and after quick stop at hotel, drove up the mt. to see the city at night and then on to a Peruvian folkloric dinner. Food was so-so, but enjoyed the music and dancing. Peru has been wonderful.

This hotel in Cuzco is built in an old monastery. There are two new wings that were added on the sides and that is where we stayed the first two nights. We were delighted to find tonight that we were put in the monastery part and it is really nice. It has 14 ft ceilings and polished plank floors, and each room is different. And it has wireless access from the room-yea! In the others I had to come up to the lobby to access it. So we are happy campers tonight. M