Wednesday 1st April

We have to check out by 9:30 so we get up and sort and pack our stuff for the inca trail. We are only allowed 2.5kg as we are hiring sleeping bags and mattresses. Also to go in the bag equalling 6kg.
After breakfast we go for a walk to buy ponchos. We see lots of small backpacks also. We buy ponchos and sun hats and wander around the shops. I don't know how the shops survive with everyone selling the same stuff right next door to each other. I see a nice leather bag I like and some polar-fleece liner tights that look very warm. We return to the hotel and sit in the sunny foyer. I help a team member reduce the stuff she's taking so she isn't carry 8kg herself! About 1pm the bus arrives to the plaza so we have to walk down with out duffle bags. One the way out we need Leonardo again who shows us his paintings. They are lovely. We tell him to come back on Monday as we are leaving now.
The bus takes us 1.5 hours into Ollantaitambo. It's a cute little village/town. Our hostel is interesting. Lots of fruit trees growing in the court yard, and toilet paper is not to be flushed...

Once we check in our CEO takes us on a walk up the hill to ruins of inca food storage houses. We have a great view of area. Once we come down we sit and ppl watch. Very interesting. There are lots of dogs wandering around and a lot of them are quite cute. It's a shame there is no management plan for them! We return to the hostel and are going for dinner at 7pm. We catch up with our writing and relax. Tomorrow we have to leave at 8am to start the inca trail.
Dinner is nice, but takes ages to come. Mal has a nice burrito with falafel. On our walk back to the hostel we buy hard sugar candy they recommend to help keep moist while hiking. Then bed!