There I was, in Cusco, just a week ago. I felt lucky to have stumbled on a traditional Peruvian festival. Upon arriving to Ollantaytambo I discovered we were here just in time for their biggest celebration of the year. And tonight, when we returned to Ollanta after traveling to some hot springs, we learned that eight days after the aforementioned festival begins, there is another two day celebration, the octavo, to celebrate the celebration. Whew. I had no idea.
The hot springs were incredible. In order to get there we traveled up switchbacks in the Andes on a dirt highway for four hours with a river thousands of feet below and the side of the road inches away. Once we got there and soaked in the copper-infused springs, the carsickness and headaches from the altitude (10,200 feet) were worth it!
We all appreciated our "break" and it was great to have time together as a group. A chef cooked for us, we did yoga, slept in tents and ventured a bit on the Incan trail. Roughing it??
On the way down, we had to stop because a herd of Alpaca was in our way. We gave bread to the Quetchuan women who traveled with their babies on their backs in brightly-colored blankets. Pictures cant even describe the vivid images in my mind.
I was able to "talk" with Maximiliana today, a woman who only spoke Quetchua and whose hands could tell more stories than languages that exist. She sat next to the hot springs weaving a belt that would take another week to finish. The detail in the Alpaca wool she wove was incredible.
Now I am sipping on coca Matte. Adela mandates it after every meal.
1 comments:
Suz! SO Enjoying your posts! SO excited for the wonders of your days, and that you are SO GOOD at noticing each of the blessings. Dang, sweet moments that will be kept in the depths of your wonderful spirit.
We miss you, friend! LOVE to you!
love haakon, greta, papa shawn and mama j
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