Trip to Cusco Ruins and Pisac . . .

Its been awhile since we've had a chance to write. Here's an update on our adventures from last weekend.

On Saturday, we headed out to the ruins surrounding Cusco (Saqsaywaman, Tambomanchay, Q'engo, and Salamboca). We were unsuccessful in finding the bus stop, so we ended up taking a cab the 5 miles outside of town costing us $6. There are 3 types of transportation in Cusco - taxi (2-3 Soles or $.75 - $1 for anywhere in the city, bus, or Collectivo). Collectivo is basically a 7 passenger van, which is a mix between a taxi and a bus. Basically, they stuff as many people in to the van - the more people stuffed in the less you have to pay. Unfortunately, they use children as young 7 to collect money, because they take up less room.

Here's a few pictures of the ruins and the view looking down at Cusco. A few weeks ago, they just discovered an additional irrigation system in the Saqsaywaman ruin.

On Sunday, we headed to Pisac. The trip cost 2 Soles ($.75) for us to travel by bus with 46 of our closest Peruvian friends. The bus was only suppose to seat 22 people. Forty-five minutes later and one small girl throwing up, we arrived at Pisac. The trip took us into the Sacred Valley, which was incredible. Because we were slightly cramped, I was unable to take any pictures. Pisac has one of the best markets in Peru and incredible ruins at the top of Inti Watin Mountain. The hike was steep and took about 4 hours and we took a unique approach to the mountain. When we reached the peak, we realized that there was actually a road that went to the top and that most people take a taxi up and then traverse down. Well, we did the exact opposite hiking the 4 hour trail up and then taking a taxi down. Anyways, even if we did it backwards, it was well worth it and we really can't complain as we bumped into multiple locals that live in the hillside including women carrying children and supplies on their back. Everyone of them raced past us.

The Incans used an intricate terraced agricultural system, which allowed them to irrigate and also plant different crops on each level depending on the elevation and shade.

Here's a few pictures from the hike. In total, the Pisac ruins including the irrigation system is larger than Macchupicchu.







By the way, all facts that we write are completely based on heresay from speaking with the locals and none has been corroborated. Honestly, it doesn't seem like anyone really knows much about the Incans since they never wrote anything down.

We didn't end up buying much at the market. However, we did give this boy $.60 for the picture.


By mistake, we ripped the 100 Nuevo Soles that we did bring. In Peru, a slight tear or ink spot in money renders the money useless because of the fear of counterfeiting. Luckily, a Canadian friend that we met the day before bought us dinner and we were able to hide the tear and cash it in at supermarket, so we had enough money to head back to Pisac.