Inca Trail Day 4 - Machu Picchu and Back to Civilization (and a Jacuzzi Tub)

We slept I until 5:00am today.  Breakfast at the hostel turned out to be one cup of bad coffee, a small glass of some sort of fruit juice that we couldn’t identify, and a little basket of rolls with butter and jam.  Not what we’ve become accustomed to on this trip, but there are literally no other options. We eat quickly and meet our guides in the lobby at 6:00am to jump back on a bus to go back up to Mach Picchu for our in-depth tour.  Alvin took us around the site explaining several important areas and more recent history related to government corruption (it happens in more than a than the U.S.!) and how some high-ranking politicians are likely funneling tourism money somewhere instead of it going to the people in the area where Machu Picchu is located.  




[Photos above:  Machu Picchu]


After the tour, we went back down for a final group meal and, after our train out of town was delayed for a hour, we finally boarded.  From there it was an uneventful train ride back to my old home base of Ollantaytambo where we got a bus to Cusco.  We stopped for snacks since there was no time for dinner, and I got Pringles and Oreos.  Elliott, the machine, got a protein bar and a banana.  I guess that partially explains why he’s the most fit person in our group despite being 62 and I’m finishing middle of the pack even though I’m 15 years younger than him.  After seeing what he got (we sat next to each other on the bus), I was too embarrassed to eat my Oreos, so I saved them for later.  Back in my hotel, I was able to take a proper shower and have a long soak in the jacuzzi tub!  And then I ate my Oreos.


It’s been fun, but I’m kind of excited to be by myself for a bit. This has been a lot of constant contact with other people.  Tomorrow, I fly to Lima for the last couple of days before it’s back to reality.




[Photos above:  Check out this crazy looking dog.  I’ve seen a few dogs like this, and I thought they had mange or something.  Turns out this is on purpose.  It’s hairless and looks like it has a toupee!  Someone said it’s the Peruvian national dog, but I don’t know what breed it is.]


Daily step count:  An easy 14,175 (lots of bus and train time)

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