I met up with two friends in Cusco this last weekend: Ryan Thomas (we grew up down the street from each other) and Earl Sullivan (same Jr. High and High School). A complete psych-out weekend ensued for two reasons: 1) It was a psych-out to see Ryan and Earl, both of whom I see maybe once a year, and to see them in Peru of all places. 2) We played a lot of psych-out baseball; the game where you name off people from jr. high and high school that you absolutely have not thought of in at least 4 or 5 years. It's amazing how many names a people you can remember if you actually try. For example, Kenny Gagnon---PSYCH OUT! YOu get the idea.
We spent one night in Cusco...ate food, drank some beer, played darts, walked around, etc. A good time. The next day we bought a train ticket to Aguas Calientes--a small town right by Macchu Picchu. It is about 2 hrs from my home in Urubamba. We took the bus back to Urubamba, played psych-out baseball, took a bus to Ullataytambo, took a break from baseball, got the train to Aguas Calientes, found a hostel for $5, ate pizza, talked about things (with some occasional psych-outs as the popped into our heads).
The next morning we got up at 5 to catch the bus up to Machu Picchu. Also, there were hundreds of other people who did the same thing--people from all over the world. It's supposed to be the "off" season for tourism, which makes me wonder what the "heavy" season is like. I posted a couple pics of it. Machu Picchu is in what they call the "high jungle". Its jungly for sure, but it's lower than the Sacred Valley where I live. Anyway, we hiked this peak called Wayna Picchu in the morning which gives great views of Machu Picchu. It was sunny and actually really hot at times, but it was great. We spent about 6-7hours there and then went back to Aguas Calientes and then Urubamba. Ryan and Earl stayed in my room that night. Psych-out baseball was obviously played well into the night. The took off the next day for northern Peru and then Ecuador and then Costa Rica and then Mexico and then home. Those frickers.
It was a great mid-way refresher for myself. I have about 4 weeks left and then I'm back to Washington--where it snows, rains and is cold, but luckily where there is a starbucks just around the corner...or maybe two.
No, I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing people and being home. See you all soon.
