Ollantaytambo

This journey is just speeding along, and we will gradually be on the same page. Our time with the Aventouras gang, in real time, has just completed. We needed to finish a day early because of political turmoil in our current location. Today is the Peruvian presidential election, and the two candidates are polar opposites. There may be strikes, road blocks, and possibly a border closing in this, the Puno district that we find ourselves in. We're laying low today, making us a film, and adjusting to our brand new solo status. The others have been whisked to Arequipa to continue their trip (Amy and Bridget) or Lima to progress towards home. Tomorrow, with fingers crossed, you and I will safely find ourselves in Bolivia by mid-day.

If we back up slightly, you will remember that I left you prepared to raft the Urubamba river. YEAH! That film is now freshly completed and will be available for our enjoyment tomorrow. For today I thought we could revisit our brief time in Ollantaytambo, the ancient Incan crossroads of three valleys, and considered to be the first gateway into the Machu Picchu area. The fascinating Incas were master builders (as were the ancient Egyptians), and because they had no written language we are often mesmerized by how they achieved such magnificent structural achievements. Machu Picchu will enchant you in upcoming posts, as it does for all that visit. In Ollantaytambo, there are similar constructions, with terraces and portions of temples still intact. Building into the mountainside they have created structures that are virtually indestructible. After rafting all afternoon, we found time to explore these ancient sites, and connect with the undeniable energy of such a mysterious, powerful, and spiritual civilization.

Agricultural Terraces of Ollantaytambo

From the terraces, valley to the left

Fountain at the base of the ruins, found intact