And surviving both Dead Woman's Pass and the surrounding mountains.....
We arrived shortly after sunrise expecting to see the beautiful and amazing Machu Picchu---but instead saw mostly fog...
But we waited it out, and out of the fog emerged....
Yes, the ever-present lama!! Whohoo!! (One comment: "Do you think that this is heaven? But with Lamas?") Anyway, after the fog (finally!) moved, we saw it---one of the most incredible places in the world!!
The pictures don't really do the city justice, but it was unbelievable. As I said before, the Incas were nothing if not hardcore, and also in seriously good shape--they seemed to have a complete love affair with steep stairs. The lack of cathedrals means that the Spanish never found the 'lost city' - but sadly, the Incas only built it to have to leave shortly after they heard of the Spanish arrival. Regardless, I think it should be one of the 7 wonders of the new world--it's incredible! And before I forget, the lovely LauraK deserves a HUGE shout out for planning the entire trip, being awesome, and managing to completely gracefully walk the trail without ever breaking a sweat:
THANK YOU LAURA!!!!!
And, small shout out to my feet, for not giving up the ghost (Me: "How do they look?" LauraK "Umm, you look like you have been shackled.") I will spare everyone the pic I took for posterity!
And lest I forget, there IS a Save Tall Dave pic from Peru. And it was NOT AT ALL doctored. At all. Thanks Mom!!
So if you have a chance--go trek the Inca Trail! Just don't take American Airlines to get there!!
