February 16, 2008

  • Iguacu Falls... will post photos of these amazing falls when we get back.  We visited both the Brazillian and Argentinian sides in 2 days.

    Finally we venture into spanish speaking territory!  I became pretty comfortable pretty fast in Peru.  They speak spanish... a language I actually know and can use to get by!  I always think that I forget all my spanish, but just as in Mexico City when I need to use it, it all comes rushing back. 

    Cusco in Peru
    Man, did this city kick our friggin arses.  Being situated high high in the Andes Mountains, the altitude makes it extremely hard to breathe and gives you pounding headaches.  The secret is to chew on coca leaves or drink coca tea.  We were assured this wouldn't show up on any drug tests... lol.  Cusco is definitely a party city and in the day time, it's a site to see as well as at night when all the lights are lit up.  I love this city so much, but cannot be on this high altitude much longer... haha.  Also, coming from Brazil which is very hot, we were surprised to show up in Cusco freezing!  Quito, our next stop, is going to be a shocking change again going back to heat since it is right on the equator.

    Machu Picchu
    We took a train to Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley last night so that we could take a bus to catch the sunrise up at Machu Picchu.  These ruins are amazing.  It is pocketed in between mountains high above the clouds.  You really feel like you are in some abandon city up in the heavens.  Either that or you feel like you are in a chinese movie like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon... lol.  But in all honesty, it is so unreal and we could not believe we were there.  Seeing Machu Picchu in photos and in person gives you a totally different feeling, somewhat spiritual.  Wish I could show pictures of it now.