Chad and Sofia walking down the aisle in La Compania churchTime to wrap up this travel journal, because it keeps me from posting other things! So, here we go, in a last effort:
Day 7 - April 28, 2007 - Sacsayhuaman and the Wedding!
Stomach problems all night long made sure I didn't get much sleep, but, on the bright side, I was able to read the entire chapter on the Inca civilization, their rise and fall, in my travel guide! So, I also learned about Sacsayhuaman, dubbed "Sexy Woman" by Americans, because that is how you pronounce it (kind of), which are maybe the most impressive Inca ruins I have seen, just outside of Cuzco (30 minute walk).
Marcus walks along one of the walls of SacsayhuamanIt is simply unimaginable how the Incas were able to piece together these giant walls. The largest stone stands 8.5 m high and weighs 361 tons; even so, these massive blocks curve into one another as if squashed together like clay!
The Incas did not use mortar. Nevertheless, the walls are immovable and have withstood the biggest earthquakes. More than once, Spanish edifices built on Inca ruins would be destroyed by nature's elements, leaving the fantastic Inca foundations unmoved. How they did it remains a mystery to this day...
For history buffs, this is how one Spanish historian described Sacsayhuaman:
"This was the greatest and most superb of the edifices that the Incas raised to demonstrate their majesty and power. Its greatness is incredible to those who have not seen it; and those who have seen it, and studied it with attention, will be led not alone to imagine, but to believe, that it was reared by enchantment - by demons, and not by men, because of the number and size of the stones placed in the three walls, which are rather cliffs than walls, and which it is impossible to believe were cut out of quarries, since the Indians had neither iron nor steel wherewith to extract or shape them. And how they were brought together is a thing equally wonderful, since the Indians had neither carts nor oxen nor ropes, wherewith to drag them by main force. Nor were there level road over which to transport them, but, on the contrary, steep mountains and abrupt declivities, to be overcome with the simple force of men. ... It passes the power of imagination to conceive how so many and so great stones could be so accurately fitted together as scarcely to admit the insertion of the point of a knife between them." Garcilaso de la Vega, Comentarios reales que tratan del origen de los Incas (1609)
Another highlight of our trip! We walked back to Cuzco center, had a sandwich for lunch in San Blas, and weighed our options for the afternoon. I decided to treat myself to an "Inka massage" (others had had one over the past few days and said it did wonders to their sore muscles) while Marcus kept busy at the Internet cafe. The massage did feel wonderful, even though it was more painful than relaxing, but it really helped loosen up my muscles.
Around 4 PM we got back to the hotel and got ready to attend Chad and Sofia's wedding ceremony at the beautiful Jesuits' church of La Compania at the Plaza de Armas (see picture).
The church looks spectacular on the inside.
The ceremony was held in Spanish and very traditional, but once the formal part was done, the festivities broke loose! Music, a street parade, fireworks. It was amazing! The whole town seemed to celebrate with us!
We made some movies that I will try to put on-line soon. Update: here they are:
The dinner was held at the church and convent of La Merced. Too bad my stomach didn't let me enjoy all the goodies as much as I would have liked! It was fun, though, we were entertained all night long by dancers, artists, singers, ... Definitely a wedding to remember!
The guys are smoking cigars outsideDay 8 - April 29, 2007 - Horseback riding around Cuzco
Last day in Peru. We slept in, had a lovely "hangover brunch" at Mi Manera, and then went horseback riding in the afternoon.
Oro was a real sweet horse!We visited Tambo Machay, aka Los Banos del Inca, an ancient place of water worship, which houses the "fountain of youth".
With McCall and Jen by the water fountainThe interesting thing about these water cascades is that no one knows where the water comes from! You would have to excavate the mountain to explore the fountain's source. It is the only natural drinking water in this area and the water level in the fountain's basin always stays the same, in dry or rain season. Another Inca mystery!
We also rode our horses to Puca Pucara, another Inca fort. Good thing I bought a Boleto Turistico (Visitor's Ticket) on our first day, because this ticket (70 soles) gives entrance to most of the archeological sites in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley.
It got dark soon and I was happy to get back safe into town. Inca paths are not to be underestimated, even for horses!
We met up with everyone else who was still in Cuzco (most wedding guests were leaving either this day or the day after) and had a cozy "last meal" in one of the typical restaurants on the Plaza de Armas. I had a local specialty, Alpaca ribs, and they tasted delicious!
After saying goodbye to everyone, we headed back to the hotel, for a short night and a loooong trip home the next day. But we made it! And it was worth it! Viva el Peru!
