Today we are on an all day bus trip from Cusco to Puno. We stopped at andahuachillas. The church there is amazing with many frescos and paintings by local artists, also gold leaf all around the paintings. There is a painting of Pacha Mama, Mother Mary. As I was leaving I saw a little snake carved in a rock on the steps. Stopped at Raqchi, an Incan city with remnants of the walls and water system. It has an astronomical area where the god Wiracancha was wor...

Today Shana and I are bumming around Aguascalientes, taking it easy and shopping at the market. Getting some good deals, some not so good, but everything way cheaper than in USA. Blew most of my Nuevo Soles on souvenirs for my family. I love the textiles here, especially the hats and the tapestries. Having some fun today, mostly a relaxing day. Will eat and take train 4 hrs back to Cusco.

I went to Machu Picchu today. It was overwhelming how huge it is and how much is preserved. The Spanish never went there so it is one of the few ruins that has not been torn apart. We went to all the places open to the public on our three person tour. It is difficult to describe how it feels to be there- the place is full of energy. People hold their hands out to the astronomical square stone for the energy from the quartz. There are 20 llamas cutting the g...

Took bus through Sacred Valley to Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a huge ruin with terraces from Incan times. Then we stayed in Yucay at a Spanish monastery.

Flew into Cuzco (Qosco) today. Went on the city tour through the cathedral. Went to Korikancha the original temple, only one wall left. We are staying right on the Plaza mayor which still has the original inca walls in some places. Had some altitude sickness but was doing okay. Went on a tour of Sacsawaman and Tambomachay. Saw water flowing through aqueducts which have been there since Incan times. Went to a place where there are remains of the Puma statue and a...