Hi guys,

Thought I would write you a proper message as I was a bit rushed last time. My tours that I booked for the wednesday were cancelled because of a strike in Cusco in which everything shut down, it was a political one and also about the price of petrol. It was quite peaceful, I sat in the main square watching the parade of people with flags, an old man called Oscar came and sat next to me and was explaining it, he was really nice and new so much of the world it was good to talk to him.

On thursday I did a tour of the city and visited Qorikancha which is the base of a colonial church and convent of santo domingo. One of the richest temples in the Inca Empire. Then I went to a place called Saqsaywaman most of the tour guides say its called sexy woman but really means satisfied falcon. It was a castle of one of the Inca sons who became king after killing his brother. I have to say there was a woman on the tour that looked the spit of the wicked witch of the west all you needed to do was paint her dace green and she could of been in the wizard of oz!

On Friday I woke early to catch the train to Machupicchu, the train journey was really good, we got blankets and a little breakfast, although I thought it odd when the train started to go backwards, apparently it has to back track four times to be able to swap rail lines to get up the mountain. at the top is a small town called Aguas Calientes. It is a bit of a tourist trap but it has every reason to be. Walking into Machupicchu is breath taking, seeing the mountain with the ruins infront of it was breathtaking, with shear drops on either side, it is really very big. I had a chance to meet up with the tour group doing the inca trail on the saturday and got to visit it again,the group said the trip was very strenuos but they were very fast and the first group up. Am relieved that I didnt do it as I didnt have the energy.

Yesterday I did a sacred valley tour to Pisac, Urubamba,Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, which had a number of inca ruins showing how they build cities and the women showed us how they make wool and clothing which lead to me buying my silly hat which I love!! Hee hee!!

Off to Santiago today, just waiting in cusco for my flights. It makes a change to be feeling healthy and being able to pick your own food. I havent lost the travel bug in fact I think the list of places I want to visit has got alot longer but I wont be going alone to them! Pete will be coming too!!

Anyway I think there is a festival outside as there is loads of music so I am going to investigate. Hope all are ok.

Love lots...Me xx