Arrived in Cusco, the Incan capital, Sunday and spent the afternoon with a guide who took me around the city and to Incan ruins outside the city. Monday morning took the train to Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu. The train takes approximately 3.5 hours. You see a lot of villages and beautiful scenery along the way. It is a short bus ride from the town of Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. We arrived mid day and spent the entire afternoon at Machu Picchu. I had a guide who is a native Cuscoian so he was very knowledgeable as well as made the experience so special. I thought about how I would describe it to you, but I truly have no words. It is so spectacular and awe inspiring. It is such a blessing that Pizarro didn't find it when he conquered the Incas or it too would be destroyed. Considering it's the wet season, I am so blessed that I had the day I did. As you can see from the picture it was blue skies, sunny and warm. Thanks to Carlos for taking so many pictures of me throughout the day.

I got up the next morning and caught the first bus at 5>30am to go back up. The plan was to see the sun rise over the mountains to illuminate MP, however, as you can see from the second picture, the weather had other ideas. It was pouring rain, but I went up anyway and found some shelter along with a few others and waited it out. I actually enjoyed seeing it in the rain and low clouds. It made it seem even more magical than the day before. The weather did eventually break late morning and the rest of the day was beautiful. Arrived back in Cusco last night and went out with my guide and met some Irish travelers. Imagine that, I met some Irish. Going to explore Cusco the rest of the day and head to Pisac, which is an Incan community.

One more night in Cusco and then flying to Quito, Ecuador tomorrow morning. Will update again soon.