Cuzco... llegamos!

We made it to cuzco, in what can only be described as a typical Latin American travel experience. We arrive at the airport at 730 am for a flight at 9 30. Boarding starts at 845. We wait in the boarding area and 845 rolls around and nothing. 9, still the same. Finally just aftert 930 they put us on a BUS and shuttle us to the plane in what looks like a military base (i.e. miliarty choppers and fighter jets). We sit on the plane for another 30 mins or so and finally take off at 1030- no mention of any delay at all.

I think this picture is horrible quality but this is the view of the Cuzco region from the plane. It is so beautiful here! Sprawling hills and small streets lined with cute shops, alpaca wool everything and the occasional live alpaca hanging out with a woman dressed in traditional Incan clothing (of course peddaling for money to take a picture with she and the baby slung on her back which is CLEARLY not hers!).

We depart on our trek tomorrow and we couldnt be more excited. We are at 10,000 feet here in Cuzco and I can definitely feel it. Bottles of water and chocolate bars have been saving me, as well as brief stops to sit on the plaza stairs. We got our sleeping bags and trekking poles rented and we head out tomorrow morning at 530 am and will be back April 10th in the evening. If you are curious about my itinerary and want to follow my trip here it is. 

Our hostel is so beautiful and we are atop a big hill with expansive views of the rolling hills around us. It almost feels like the Marin Headlands (plus an additional 10,000 feet of course!). Our highest spot will be at 15,000 feet. Just bought a camel back so I can slurp on water the whole way up. I also have been sipping on Coca Leaf tea which is basically an ancient drink that provides energy and helps with the altitude. It tastes like leaves.. not like herbs, but like leaves. Almost like bay leaves? It´s pretty good and with honey I´ll take it.  I think it derives from the same plant as cocaine, I need to brush up on my incan drug history. ha. 

I will be without updates for 5 days so bare with me as I make the trek up and down. Updates to come on April 11th. 

MISS YOU ALL! write to me too :)

xoxo