Making our way back to Cusco after Tambomachay
Annie's lunch
Common wiring method employed throughout Cusco
Abby demonstrating a sacrifice on an altar
Chris ordering a cerveza at a walk up shop
10 June 2014
Tambomachay ruins
Finding a ride
With the fiesta de nueve back at full strength, we set out beyond the environs of Cusco for the Tambomachay tour and spent our day exploring Incan ruins. We opted to hire a car to transport us to Tambomachay and then hike back to Cusco. The closest location for us to find a willing driver for our group took us through a very crowded, colorful part of town where one could purchase absolutely anything from small shops and street vendors. Seriously. ANYTHING. Beans, eggs, plastic purses, shoe inserts, shoe soles, chicken, pork (who needs refrigeration?), housewares, feminine items, fruit, socks, jello...A driver caught sight of our cute little troupe and indicated he could drive us. We were skeptical as he pulled up to the curb in a vehicle roughly the size of a Honda CRV, thinking he surely must not realize there are 9 of us but he continued nodding and saying, "Si, Si." He popped the trunk, produced 2 more seats and the adults were still thinking, "There's no way." But Karen pointed out, "Watch. The kids will make this work." Sure enough, before the adults had a chance to debate, the kids scrambled in and we did indeed stuff 9 crazy, happy humans into a 6 passenger vehicle. 
Fear not--Abby moved to the back
Tambomachay
The views are absolutely spectacular and it was refreshing to spend time in fresh air taking in breathtaking countryside. These ruins are examples of the Inca stonework--well known for stones fitting so well together (without mortar) and said to "dance" during an earthquake. It's amazing how perfectly the stones still fit and sit after hundreds of years.
Testing our ability to handle even greater altitude.
Stonework
Taking a short rest in a cave
Tomorrow, Wednesday, off to Machu Picchu.
Private car collecting us for a 4am start.
Wandering Cusco on the way to chifa
Pictures of some sites along the way to dinner last night. On the way home, we stopped at San Pedro square to watch a local dance troupe practicing, most likely, for an upcoming festival. Jackie desperately wanted to join in but they looked quite serious, even after their break with Pisco sours.
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