Aquas Caliente to Cuzco
Our alarm was set too early and we had plenty of time to enjoy the morning. We sat outside the train station and watched the clouds move across the mountains. I suggested we look for the OREO cookie symbol in the clouds. What the heck if some lady can find the Virgin Mary on a grilled cheese sandwich? No cookie symbols or Virgin Mary’s or Bloody Marys either. We did have a hummingbird visitor on the bush in front of us. The flowers were closed up in the rain but no matter. This guy stuck his peak right through the flower into the whatever it is they get the nectar from. Very resourceful. Like laproscopic surgery on a flower. The morning was peaceful and still and we had the bench to ourselves for almost two hours.
The train arrived to take us up river to Ollaytambo. We were in a Vista cruiser with expansive windows and glass ceilings. It is amazingly beautiful countryside.
The train staff put on a traditional Peruvian Dance in garb and then a fashion show of men’s and women’s Alpaca sweaters and shawls. They pitched them afterwards and they ran about $100 US each.
Our driver picked us up for the 1 hour and 20 minute drive to the Cusco airport. We had no choice as the train all the way back was sold out. It was pleasant and informative.
My only regret was Gringo Bill’s and four ugly American 20 somethings staying there. It was so damp that nothing dried and it got tacky the second day. In addition the place was extremely noisy. But the staff was warm and welcoming and did our laundry for 24 Sols (about $8).
These punk “know it alls” were just plain rude, pushy and entitled. When I was a kid, I was taught as a visitor, I am the guest in another country and should act that way. That pushy behavior reflects poorly on us as a nation. I felt bad for the desk clerk that took the unwarranted barrage of BS. They were as bad in the morning as breakfast was a few minutes late. Uncalled for junior and juniorette. You are not the king and queens of the world.
We are in travel mode on the 11th with Cuzco to Lima to Santiago Chile to Sao Paulo to Rio and then an overnight at the airport hotel before flying on to Iguazu Falls on the 13th.
The Computer
One reader seems to have hit the nail on the head, a loose connection. Mr Acer wil now turn on, run for ten to 20 minutes and then go to “the screen of blue death” Maybe in Rio I can find somebody with a suggestion.
