Could that actually be him in Peru? Before we could continue on to Machu Picchu we were required to listen to a pitch on the Peruvian version of the stimulus package by an Obama helper. Actually he was trying to sell us some oil paintings...similar to the type that are sold art the Holiday Inn Starving Artist Shows. He swore he painted them. Funny how they looked just like the paintings being sold in Cuscoe.
The elections have had an interesting impact on the trip. Initially the locals genuinely wanted to talk to a US citizen about the election results and the new president. By February the locals, that make a living off tourist, added “what do you think of Obama?” to “where are you from my friend?”. …the global impact of the Obama phenom spreads....
You can take a four hour train ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu followed by a 20 minute bus ride to the park entrance and then another 20 to 30 minute walk before you actually see the “Postcard” view of Machu Picchu. What a production.
We found there were some options. We opted to ride our motorcycles closer and stay at a town called Ollantaytambo. The train from Ollantaytambo reduces the tiresome four hour ride from Cusco. An additional advantage is riding the motorcycles through and area called the Sacred Valley, named because of the numerous other Inca ruins in the area and the Inca Trail. There is an option to ride closer to a town called Santa Teresa, but it involves finding a place to store the motorcycles, cabs, local buses and a walk along an active train track. The Ollantaytambo option was a lot simpler but cost more.
My friend welcomed us to Ollantaytambo, even though we could barely pronounce the name of the town.
In Ollantaytambo we stayed at the KB Tambo Hostel that had a place to store the motorcycles while we the one day tour of Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo is a very small Peruvian village that is adopting itself well as a tourist destination. In addition to Machu Picchu, it offers a jumping off point for mountain bike, horseback and treking tours. The town has its own ruins that are visible from the hostel.
This seems to be a typical dress of the local men.
While sitting at the village plaza taking in the sights, this little tike adopted me. He walked up and just stared at me and the candied peanuts I was munching on. Of course I had to share some with him and that made him linger even more. Cute guy.
You have heard the story about how to get the monkey off your back. Apparently this little mutt hasn't. This couple wandered around the square along with the little tike and the guys in colorful outfits. A lot to digest when you are just trying to sit around and relax at a local plaza so far from home.
This is a part of the Ollantaytambo ruins. It looks like some type of mythical shrine to the Inca Gods, but in reality it was simple mountain store house for the harvest. You can see how far it is up the mountain by going back to the picture of the kid and looking on the lefthand side of the picture.
The town had an interesting water management system from the mountain steams.
OK back to the objective of getting to Machu Picchu. We wait for the train to pick us up at Ollantaytambo. While waiting, I realized I was not the only one with a stupid looking hat on to block the sun. The locals must think we tourist are fairely odd looking with a peculiar range of hat habits.
My contribution to entertaining the locals.
Finally the train shows up. We board it and are off to Aguas Calientes the little city at the base of Machu Picchu. The train ride is one and a half hours through a valley with a raging river.
We finally arrive in Aguas Calientes. The kindest thing I can say about the town is that it does not live up to the Machu Picchu hype. It does look like the Peruvian government is trying to clean up the town a little to make it more befitting of the entry point to the famous park.
Next stop Machu Picchu.
You have heard the story about how to get the monkey off your back. Apparently this little mutt hasn't. This couple wandered around the square along with the little tike and the guys in colorful outfits. A lot to digest when you are just trying to sit around and relax at a local plaza so far from home.
This is a part of the Ollantaytambo ruins. It looks like some type of mythical shrine to the Inca Gods, but in reality it was simple mountain store house for the harvest. You can see how far it is up the mountain by going back to the picture of the kid and looking on the lefthand side of the picture.
The town had an interesting water management system from the mountain steams.
OK back to the objective of getting to Machu Picchu. We wait for the train to pick us up at Ollantaytambo. While waiting, I realized I was not the only one with a stupid looking hat on to block the sun. The locals must think we tourist are fairely odd looking with a peculiar range of hat habits.
My contribution to entertaining the locals.
We finally arrive in Aguas Calientes. The kindest thing I can say about the town is that it does not live up to the Machu Picchu hype. It does look like the Peruvian government is trying to clean up the town a little to make it more befitting of the entry point to the famous park.
Next stop Machu Picchu.
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