Machu Picchu

Buenos Dias! As I mentioned before, today was our big outing to Machu Picchu. Our guide was an informative fellow, and also the current record holder for "World´s Longest Nosehair." Seriously, I think I saw small children beckoning for help, from up there.

Anyhoodle, we managed to take in all the scenic beauty without making ourselves into too big a fool -- even if Bean did ask if the ancient Incans communicated by banging two conch shells together. I may have been quiet, but I am sure my fanny pack and plastic poncho spoke volumes. By the way, in case you´re wondering how to make a good home sauna, just stand out in the rain for a few minutes, put on a poncho, and wait for the sun to come out. If you´re in Machu Picchu, that will only take about 30 seconds.

In this, the rainy season, visitors can´t even see to the very tops of the mountains, as they are all hidden by a white mist. This doesn´t take away from the spectacular view though, as the ancient city spreads out in front of you like every postcard you´ve ever seen of the place. Built over 200 years, and abandoned in 1532, Machu Picchu wasn´t re-discovered until 1911, by Professor Hiram Bingham. It´s amazing to think that such a commentary on primitive civilization was only discovered accidentally -- Bingham was actually looking for a different lost city about 50 km away. I guess lost cities are a sole a dozen around here!