The title of this post could be taken in two different ways. Way #1, I am posting pictures of the last two days, or way #2, I am very sad to be leaving such a beautiful place in just 2 more days. If you thought of way #1, your right, and if you thought of way #2, you are also right.
The last two days have been amazing. We have been touring around Cusco, seeing all that there is to see, with the exception of Machu Picchu. But with the photos you are about to encounter, you will understand my phrase..."WHO NEEDS MACHU PICCHU?" Although it would have been amazing to see, I am quite contented with the sights and ruins that we did see. Everything was beautiful, and the weather was unbeatable. Seriously. We couldn't have asked for better.
We made quite a few stops. We visited Qorikancha, which is an ancient Inkan temple that the Spanish built over. It still has remnents of Inkan walls and rooms. It was very interesting, but our tour guide got a little long winded and I got distracted.
Then we visited Saqsayhuaman, which is pronounced much like "sexy woman" The natives, and tourists all call it that because the rocks have many angles and curves. We smiled each time our guide said it, which was close to 1000.
We made quite a few stops. We visited Qorikancha, which is an ancient Inkan temple that the Spanish built over. It still has remnents of Inkan walls and rooms. It was very interesting, but our tour guide got a little long winded and I got distracted.Then we visited Saqsayhuaman, which is pronounced much like "sexy woman" The natives, and tourists all call it that because the rocks have many angles and curves. We smiled each time our guide said it, which was close to 1000.These are sliding rocks. A few of us climbed to the top and then slid down.
Each stop had a bit of hiking to do. So we only did these two on the first day, but it was a lot to see. Saqsayhuaman had a couple parts to it so that took us a good 3 or 4 hours to see. When we arrived to our hotel, the power was out. They said it had been out since 6 am. We didn't know what to do as it was only 7 pm, and there was no power, no water, no anything. All we had was one tiny candle in our room. So we went and combined in Lynley and Kristi's rooms and partied it up until the power finally came back on about an hour later. 
Today we went to the Inkan ruins at Pisac, which was very cool. You can still see rooms and fountains that are original. It was quite a hike to get to, but well worth it. It was really cool to see.
Then we made our way to Ollantaytambo. Here we saw the Inkan god, Wiraqocha, carved into the mountain side. The Inkans thought that if they carved his face into the wall he would watch over them and protect them. 
Yes, we did climb all these stairs...and a whole lot more too!!
The sights we saw were amazing. I loved every minute of it. There are so many beautiful things to see and do. The hiking is incredible, once you learn how to breathe at 13,000 feet. Your heart starts beating quite fast, especially going up hill. But it is totally worth it. All I can think to say is Beautiful.
And this kiss is for Dan, the best man in the world! Love you babe!
And this kiss is for Dan, the best man in the world! Love you babe!
After the conference, we hit up the market across the street for a little shopping. It was fun. Hard because I can only make out about 1/4 of what they are saying to me, but so far so good. 
We all went out tonight as a group to celebrate my birthday, and another girl's birthday. It was really fun. We went to this place called "The Inka Wall" it actually had part of the real Inkan wall from way back when. It was pretty cool. They had traditional music and dancing which was fun. They even sang to me!!
Then, they invited a few people from our group to go up and dance with them, and I naturally got chosen. It was fun, but I have to admit that I felt like a fool. I was just trying to mimik the one I was dancing with, but I am sure did not do a great job at it.
Tomorrow we are going sight seeing. It should be very cool, and then the next day will be the Sacred Valley. I think it should be very neat. I am excited.
The drive to the village was absolutely georgeous. I have never seen such beautiful scenery. Everything was so green. The road that we were driving on very rarely has cars on it, as the people of the village do not own any sort of transportation. They walk the 3ish hours to the nearest city if they need anything. In face, many of the children walk to school 2 hours in the morning, and then 3 hours to get home, every single day.
The kids were a little bit apprehensive of us when we first arrived. They didn't quite know what to do with a bunch of white people. I don't know if they have ever seen "our kind" before. We brought some toys with us, some balls, jumpropes, bubbles, and candy. They loved candy. After a bit they warmed up to us a little, but their little brows were always a little bit furrowed.
It was nice to be able to get out and work with the people. I was very grateful to be able to serve and play and love on the little ones. Towards the end of the day, when the older kids got out of school, we played a little game of soccer, which is always fun. Of course the kids are amazing, and could beat every single one of us. 
It was a lot of fun and over all a very nice day. It is always so humbling to see the circumstances that these people live in on a day to day basis. I am always amazed at the happiness and joy they can find in the simplicity, yet hardships of their lives. What an awesome thing to live in such a beautiful place, so untouched by the outside world.