Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman is a walled complex on the northern outskirts of the city of Cusco, Peru, the former capital of the Inca Empire. The complex has many Inkan constructions made of large polished dry stone walls, each boulder carefully cut to fit together tightly without mortar.

I went here on my fourth day (Aug 3rd) in Cusco. I left my hostal and went to the Plaza de Armas. It was a warm day and I sat at a bench in the Plaza to roll up my pant legs. I was there 30 seconds before a shoe shiner took my feet to polish my boots. I didn't even have time to refuse. His son also a shoe shiner came to sit by me on the bench as well. He did a great job and all, but he was asking for 100 nuevo soles, about $40. I kept telling him I didn't have one hundred but only fifty soles, $20. He left to find someone that spoke English to further explain what I already knew what was being asked... Carlos then came over and told me the price. At this point I was quite pressured. I folded and paid the 50 soles. I got ripped off, haha but that was the first and last time. 

After he finished Carlos, the student of tourism and an amateur artist decided to follow me to Sacsayhuaman as a guide. I was willing to talk with him as we headed North. He had his paintings with him and knew he would ask me at some point to buy, but he was a good guide for my venture to the Inkan military outpost. He taught me some Spanish and I helped him with his English.

Below Is the site of Sacsayhauman an area of rituals to the sun and an administrative area of the Inkas.

Puca Pukara-literally meaning the "red fort", it was amazing to see the construction of the ancient  military outpost.

The Inka had a huge underground cavern system 

 Peruvian country side just outside of the ruins

A birds eye view of the Plaza de Armas.

 Site of the three fountains down by where the tourists are. The engineering is phenomenal.

 Qosqo from Sacsayhuaman

They as well performed sacrificial rituals to please the Gods, this is where many perished for the sake of the religious beliefs.

 Where the Inka practiced rituals to sun in the huge open area.

 This is an anchor rock which was held in high esteem as part of a symbol of solidification of the structure

Volcanic rock...slide

 My Guia, Marcos

Overlooking Qosqo

 Touristicos!

The structures are overwhelmingly modern by design style, complex, and unfathomable in imagining their creation

Me sliding down a volcanic rock outcropping WEEEEEE!!!!

Machu Picchu

So I made it to Machu Picchu and it was amazingly grand. I arrived by train to Aguas Caliente on the 6th of August. I soon realized that once I had arrived that I would need more time and decided to stay the night at the Super tramp hostal there. I met a Parisian  there at the hostal and we decided to make the trek up to Machu Picchu the next day. We woke up at 4:30am to get started and the owner of the hostal fried some eggs. 

Over 2000 visitors trek to see Machu Picchu a day, but I believe only 10% actually hike all the way to the top. Buses are constantly going up and down the mountain taking tourists. I feel you truly miss something though if you do not walk through the selva (jungles) to reach the enchanting city. 

CUZCO/CUSCO/QUSQUO

I am now in the Land the Inca called the navel of the world. This is a tremendous place. I arrived this afternoon. I took the bus from Lima which took 22 hours but was entirely worth the scenery. Currently I am sitting in the Pariwana hostel which is two blocks away from the Plaza de Armas. I hope to be able to go rock climbing tomorrow but so far am the only one who has signed up. There is a lot to do and see luckily I have 8 days to do so.

I am doing well though I have to say... Peruvian food is delicious but for a gringo stomach it takes about a day for the waters to calm

Hope all is well Below are some more photos along my journey.  Chao,