A review of Sunday, June 13, 2010

Almost everything costs money around tourist areas. I took a picture of two Andean boys (perhaps brothers) and their pet goat, and that cost me one sole each (about $0.40 each), but I did not mind paying. Maybe this is how the boys’ family pays for their schooling.

Almost everything costs money around tourist areas. I took a picture of two Andean boys (perhaps brothers) and their pet goat, and that cost me one sole each (about $0.40 each), but I did not mind paying. Maybe this is how the boys’ family pays for their schooling.

Lori, Rafael (our tour guide) and I found a small church down the street from the Pisac market for mass. It was perfect for me because it was children’s mass.

Lori, Rafael (our tour guide) and I found a small church down the street from the Pisac market for Mass. It was perfect for me because it was children’s Mass.

The majority of the congregation was children, but there was also a nun and three senior citizens. I have a big place in my heart for children and the elderly.

The majority of the congregation was children, but there was also a nun and three senior citizens. I have a big place in my heart for children and the elderly.

The three senior citizen women were physically weak and fragile. They could barely walk, and they were very skinny. All three had matching blue and back blankets that they used as covers for the cold.

The three senior citizen women were physically weak and fragile. They could barely walk, and they were very skinny. All three had matching blue and black blankets that they used as covers for the cold.

After mass, Rafael, Lori and I followed the nun and children to the “Comedor San Kilian,” St. Kilian church center and dining hall. Children of poorer families are able to go to Sunday school, confirmation class and eat here. This made my day!

After mass, Rafael, Lori and I followed the nun and children to the “Comedor San Kilian,” St. Kilian church center and dining hall. Children of poorer families are able to go to Sunday school, confirmation class and eat here. This made my day!

We ate a quick lunch on our own as soon as we arrived in Ollantaythambo at Pachacamac Pizzeria. I had “spaghetti napoleon,” which tasted like regular spaghetti, but with fresh sauce, parsley and mushrooms. We had to eat our food in 15 minutes.

We ate a quick lunch on our own as soon as we arrived in Ollantaythambo at Pachacamac Pizzeria. I had “spaghetti napoleon,” which tasted like regular spaghetti, but with fresh sauce, parsley and mushrooms. We had to eat our food in 15 minutes.

After quickly inhaling our food, we met up with the rest of OU Journey to Latin America members to hike up the Ollantaytambo ruins, the second ruins of the Incans.

After quickly inhaling our food, we met up with the rest of OU Journey to Latin America members to hike up the Ollantaytambo ruins, the second ruins of the Incans.

Saúl told us this area was considered the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” because there are glaciers at top of the mountains. The glaciers provide water, a source necessary for all life.

Saúl told us this area was considered the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” because there are glaciers at top of the mountains. The glaciers provide water, a source necessary for all life.


We stayed the night at the Apu Lodge, owned by a sweet family with two precious girls, and had class surrounded by ruins and Inca history.

We stayed the night at the Apu Lodge, owned by a sweet family with two precious girls, and had class surrounded by ruins and Inca history.


I apologize for the 5-day hiatus due to lack of WiFi. I won’t be able to upload photos on the blog for a while because the WiFi at our current hotel does not allow it–just visualize with me until then. Please be patient as I attempt to catch up on blogging. 🙂

We have helpers for the Cuzco area: Rafael, a man in his 40s who goes with us everywhere for four days, and Saúl, 28-year-old tour guide. Rafael was so helpful in finding Mass and guiding us around the market. Saúl is a descendent of the Incas, born in Ollantaythambo, so he knows a lot about the Inca ruins. He is very passionate about the history and speaks English well. He’s also in very good shape from all his experiences, so it’s a fun challenge to keep up with him.

Lori, Rafael (our tour guide) and I found a small church down the street from the Pisac market for Mass. It was perfect for me because it was children’s Mass. The majority of the congregation was children, but there was also a nun and three senior citizens. I have a big place in my heart for children and the elderly.

The children were so happy to be in church, and they were singing and clapping. This Mass and church compared to the Mass and church of last week’s in Larcomar is completely different. Today’s Mass was lively, and I felt a sense of community. I saw many smiling faces, and everyone hugged for the sign of the peace. One boy hugged Lori and me. No one reached out to me at the mass in Larcomar, and hardly anyone shook hands.

The three senior citizen women were physically weak and fragile. They could barely walk, and they were very skinny. All three had matching blue and black blankets that they used as covers for the cold. Although they could barely move, they walked to Mass. I don’t know how far they walked to attend Mass, but they inspired me with their dedication to their faith.

After Mass, Rafael, Lori and I followed the nun and children to the “Comedor San Kilian,” St. Kilian church center and dining hall. Children of poorer families are able to go to Sunday school, confirmation class and eat here. This made my day!

I later walked around the famous Pisac Sunday market and bought souvenirs for family and friends. I bought six headbands for sorority sisters, a sweater and a dress made from Andean knitting (it even came with free hair ties), two fabric art pieces, a painting, two notepads with embossed leather covers and six postcards. I spent 113 soles, about $40.

Because I travel a lot, I know some natives try to take advantage of tourists by selling goods at much higher prices. For example, the original price of the leather notebook was 12 soles, but the woman was willing to sell me TWO for 10 soles at the end.

Almost everything costs money around tourist areas. I took a picture of two Andean boys (perhaps brothers) and their pet goat, and that cost me one sole each (about $0.40 each). Maybe this is how the boys’ family pays for their schooling. Even using the restroom costs money, but that’s how the owners make their money. After all, how do they pay for the water costs if they do not charge customers?

Many children were helping their parents at the market since it’s the weekend. A boy about the age of eight was running the restroom station alone. A 13-year-old girl sold clothes to me. We had a conversation in Spanish, and she told me she helps her mom. I never saw her mother.

We rode on the bus for about 1.5 hours from Pisac to Ollantaythambo. It was a bumpy ride, but it was nice to have time to journal and reflect on these amazing experiences. I have yet to soak this all in.

I’m still adjusting to the altitude change, but I’m no longer having trouble breathing. I have pressure in my head that causes a constant headache though.

It’s colder around these areas compared to Lima, so I have a running nose, sore throat and chapped lips. We ate a quick lunch on our own as soon as we arrived in Ollantaythambo. We ran into Saúl who suggested the Pachacamac Pizzeria. About 11 girls ate here, and I had “spaghetti napoleon,” which tasted like regular spaghetti, but with fresh sauce, parsley and mushrooms. We had to eat our food in 15 minutes.

After quickly inhaling our food, we met up with the rest of OU Journey to Latin America members to hike up the Ollantaytambo ruins, the second ruins of the Incans. Saúl guided us through this, and I felt very informed since this is his heritage and town.

Saúl told us this area was considered the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” because there are glaciers at top of the mountains. The glaciers provide water, a source necessary for all life. We also saw the “Temple of the Sun” and important storage houses. There is a face carved on the mountain next to the storage houses, built high up to keep things cool. How in the world was this face carved?

After the hike, Kim and I walked around the town and went inside the market. I wrote a few postcards until class.

We discussed Inca culture and watched a video of Machu Picchu produced by the History Channel. The video was very interesting and informative. This made us all very excited for Machu Picchu!

Yes, we have class on the go in hotels, lodges, wherever.

Ollantaythambo town has dark, narrow and uneven walkways lined with drainage and canine feces…it’s a challenge to walk around town!

After class, we had a Peruvian-style dinner buffet at Tawa Chaqui, across from the 
Ollantaythambo ancient ruins. It was delicious!

Skinny jeans are stylish…but not with hiking boots. We are all stylin’ in our hiking gear and backpacks!

We stayed the night at the Apu Lodge, owned by a sweet family with two precious girls, and having class surrounded by ruins and Inca history.

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