day 8 - aguas calientes

Our last day was quiet.

After we finished with our trek, we had lunch with our group and then went back to the hostel in Aguas Calientes. We took a shower, and was asleep by 5:00pm. We didn't get up until early the next morning.

After some broken-spanish negotiations, I was able to secure early tickets back to Cuzco earlier than we had planned. While we waited for our train, we took some pictures of Aguas Calientes.

Before I end with Peru, I will say that this trip took it out of me. I was frightened by the Inca Trail. There were many times on the trail when I wanted to quit. I knew I was afraid of the trail, and knew that I had to face it to face my own fears. You have to face your fears to know yourself. You have to challenge yourself to find strengths you didn't know you had, and you have to learn to trust them.

There was always a little light that told me I could do it. I listened. With Snoopy's encouragement, I climbed mountains. I climbed mountains with my best friend.

day 7 - machu picchu

The day! It was the day we were to finally reach our destination! This morning, we all woke up and had breakfast together and made our way to the first control stop. The control point opened at 5:30, so we waited there starting at 4:45am. Snoopy and I relaxed on our packs, next to the rest of our group. I was so excited to finally see it, the city in the clouds! 

The first peek at the mountains through the brush. The sun would come up around 5:00am, so we could see the mountain tops 

After passed our checkpoint and got our stamp of approval, it was like a mad dash! We had about 1 hour gradual climb to the sun gate, then we had 1 hour downhill to the city. I hate the climb, and was crying to Snoopy "No more up!" - the guide just laughed now. It was almost done! 

We reached the sun gate after about an hour, but we couldn't see the views of Machu Picchu because of the mist and clouds. We waited a while in hopes that the sun would break up the mist, but we didn't get our first glimpse here. 

That is our group there, waiting on the terrace for the mist to break up. Everyone wanted to see beyond the clouds at the lost city. 

Snoopy took pictures of the sun gate while we waited.  

We started moving after a while so we could get to Machu Picchu before the bus loads of tourists. When we reached Intipata, a ruin along the way, the clouds started breaking up and we could see the mountains again!

who is that?!?! 

expert on the Inca stones right there.

AND THEN WE SAW IT!!  

The clouds started rolling away, and we could see it! The city started emerging from the clouds! 

everyone in our group was thrilled! (the bald guy was not in our group!) 

Snoopy took one hell of a picture! Kudos! 

around the city.

before the big crowds! 

I wonder who lobbied for this picture? 

A llama was perched on each terrace. It was pretty amusing

Where sacrifices were made! 

Llama on parade