6th September & 7th September

Today is MACHU PICHU Day !!!!! Left Urumbamba and drove to Ollanta train station to board the Expedition Train which will take us past fields with crops growing.Wonderful views of mountains that are starting to have their tops iced with snow.The glass domes on train roof give ample opportunity for some top shots.We travel alongside the Urumbamba River where any flat area beside it is used for crops.Lots of glimpses of farmers and their animals going about everyday tasks.All in the colourful clothes the women wear. The train winds through misty peaks & begins to give us an indication how high we are going.Arrived at the town of Machu Pichu and transferred to a bus for a very hairy,winding road to take us up to the entrance.It was a very hot,sunny day so lots of sunscreen and drinking water essential. The only downside was the amount of people here to do the climb.Thousands!! It was a Sunday so there were lots of locals as well as us outsiders. I started off full of bravado and only got about 100 metres when ready to back out and give up..The height worried me but Terry and the wonderful guide Oscar were right there beside me with a steady hand and words of encouragement to help me reach the top..I am forever grateful.To have missed this experience would have haunted me forever.. Back to Cusco.We have a free day today and decided not to do any optional tours.A decision to walk up to the plaza went bad when I started to feel ill so back to the hotel and bed for me.Terry went for a walk around town and got his shoes polished for 1 sol.By the time he got back I felt better so we walked a little way to where he had seen a great little restaurant and had a really yummy pizza and a pisco sour. All of a sudden there was a lot of noise and music happening outside in the street..It was a parade!The like of which we hadn't seen before.Thousands of children and adults dressed in so many different costumes as well as cars all decorated.All this happening in the middle of the road with drivers & taxis & buses all pushing their way through the middle of the parade!! Utter chaos with every driver's hand on the horn!! So funny but we were holding our breath waiting for an accident.