Cusco

We are currently in Cusco and it's so beautiful!  It's an ancient town with giant cathedrals and cobble-stoned streets surrounded by mountains.  It's really enchanting.  The internet at our hotel isn't so enchanting, so it's taking forever for my pictures to download.  I'll post as soon as I can, for a teaser you can check Aaron's Facebook.

We arrived yesterday around noon and had a driver waiting to take us to the hotel.  The driver was with a guide, Winnie, who told us about the town and everything of interest we were driving by.  She also told us about what would happen on our tour through Machu Picchu and suggestions of things to do while in Cusco.  Nicest lady ever!  We napped and then went to dinner and bar-hopped a bit (I stuck to water).
Today we're getting a late start and exploring the town.  Alpaca is a big thing here, so we're going to an alpaca factory to get some goods.  We're also going to go inside an Inca museum and a couple of the cathedrals.  We asked Winnie about local food and she told us to try cuy (guinea pig!), so tonight that's what we're doing.  It could be looked at as cruel, I guess, but the locals eat it regularly, so who are we to judge?  We're pretty much down to try anything, not to be daring, but simply to get a feel for local life.  Don't worry, I draw the line at like polar bear or elephant.  I don't do endangered.

A little info about Cusco:  It's an hour flight from Lima and it's over 11,000 ft above sea level.  It's probably the highest up I've ever been and it's really taking a toll on my body.  The rules of high altitude:  You can easily get dehydrated and lightheaded, so LOTS of water is a must.  You also digest slower here, so not eating anything too heavy is important (as least while your body is getting used to the altitude).  It's also important to take it easy, no working out or rushing around because you can get dizzy pretty easily.  I've been taking my altitude pills and they're definitely helping.  Aaron, on the other hand, doesn't get altitude sickness, so he's just fine.
Cusco is still about 4.5 hours from Machu Picchu, so tomorrow we will take a train (4 hours) and then a bus (30 min) to get there.  We will get to explore with a guide for an hour and on our own for another hour before heading back.  We'll be in transit for a total of 8 hours, just to see Machu Picchu for 2.  I know it sounds crazy because it's SO expensive and SO out of the way, but it's a bucket-list thing for me, so I'm down.  Even if I had to try to hike it, I would.  They could bury my body on the Inca Trail and I'd be happy.  Aaron could honestly care less, but he's a good boyfriend, so he humors me.
Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude (something like 7,800 ft. above sea level), so that'll be a nice change.  You can also hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail and in our travels we've actually met a few people that have.  It takes DAYS and it's probably torture, so we opted to take the train (DUH!).  I would have to be insane to try to hike it, I can barely walk down the street up here without getting winded.  Altitude is no joke, guys!
Since Cusco and Machu Picchu are way up there, the weather here is FREEZING in the morning and at night!  It was teeth-chattering-ly cold last night, even with jeans and my super warm jacket.  During the day, it's still jacket weather, but much less tortuous.  We're not complaining after the heat we experienced in Jaco, but it's just such a contrast that it's really a strange feeling.  Aaron's really loving it though.  Cold is his friend.

I'm still uploading, so I'll hopefully have something to post later tonight (no promises, we have a lot to see today).  I can't believe April is over already, it almost been 2 months since we left home (March 2).  Crazy.