Sunday, 3/3. Train return from Machu Picchu. Clear skies. Beautiful view of towering mountains and a very angry river.

First stop was to Ollantaytambo, a ground level Incan establishment. At least it begins at ground level. There is climbing involved. Incas really liked steep steps. Trip Leader: “Nose to toes, huff and puff”. Indeed. Massive stones moved many miles to get to the spot. Incredible attention to detailed alignment of pieces. What makes the location extra special is that it was still under construction when the Spanish arrived and the building ceased, so a lot of the building techniques can be discerned. Extraordinary building techniques. Their grain storage was in buildings across the valley high up on the hill, so the grain dried faster. Incas were climbing fools.

Next was a fabulously diverse lunch buffet. I had alpaca stew; delicious. I’ve now had guinea pig, llama, and alpaca.

Today was a special celebration day of unspecified significance. But one ritual is splashing anyone and everyone with water. Twice we had to close the bus windows. Another ritual was dancing around a tree festooned with household goods. Today we saw the dancing, and the chopping of the tree. If your chop brings down the tree, you’re obligated to arrange next year’s celebration. Consequently, the chopping was tentative at best.

Lastly was another (!) weaving demonstration. If there is a country without a weaving legacy, let me know and I’ll visit. This demo was actually better than most, but I’m still tired of them.

The hotel in Cusco is very nice. I had dinner on my own of mac and cheese, which was supposed to be spicy. I suspect they saw who I was and left out the spice. Bland. Sent out laundry again. $9. Incredible.