Machu Picchu day! We woke up at 4am because the first 400 who want to, get stamped to go up Huayna Picchu. (images: http://www.google.com/images?q=huayna+picchu&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=AWp0TNaJM8H-8AbAyKD2CA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDwQsAQwAw&biw=1920&bih=983 )We got stamped 385 and 386, talk about cutting it close. No sense doing that, when we have traveled so far for this, but if you are deliriously tired then you can't enjoy the hike. I would advise waking up earlier. Anyhow, we got into Machu Picchu at 6:30, and we went the opposite direction than the signs advise (they herd people in ruins in clockwise fashion, we went counter clockwise). It was so neat being alone. Those Incas were so incredibly industrious. Their rock work is incredible. I'll post some pictures on facebook some time soon (ha ha). We went on the hike to the Inca bridge, along a trail with cliffy action (that's what Paul calls it). This is scarier for Paul than me, so this actually helped prep him for Huayna Picchu. Later we did Huanya Picchu, which is basically hiking up a bunch of Incan steps. The steps start broad (about 4 ft across) but end up 1-1.5 feet across by the top. There are ropes to hold onto, but no ropes or rails for the most part to prevent you from falling down the face. It was so awesome, but there were alot of people on the mountain. When you get to the top there is an incredible view of Machu Picchu and the Andean mountains in general. The mountains are just so much more steep than the rockies. The rockies are downright stubby looking now. There is a back hike to the temple of the moon ruins after you get to the top of Huayna Picchu. I convinced Paul to do it, though I read that there are treacherous parts. This ended up being the riskiest "hiking" I have ever done. There is one part you step down backwards, is 12 inches across, and you are HANGING by the rope that's there to hold onto, then you go straight to a ladder that's at 80 degrees without a landing between these two parts. This part was scary for me, but Paul almost spiraled into a panic attack. I coached him through it and he held it together, much to his credit. He conquered some demons, but he was very close to falling and cracking open his head. Later there were other steep steps and one other longer ladder, held together by rusty nails and wire, but it was sturdy enough (besides turning back meant doing that super scary part in reverse). We had rubbery legs and were delirious by the time we were done with the hike. The great thing is Paul and I get WAY more hilarious when we are delirious (or at least we seem to be). So we had a great time. And this was the best part of Machu Picchu by far. Took the first class train back to Cusco, including 8-10 course meal (depending on how you count it). It was great except we were both super stinky on a train where everyone else seemed to either 1) have not gone to Machu Picchu that day, 2) got a shower after, 3) or just didn't do Machu Picchu the athletic way like us :D | 