"Sacred Valley" a Cusco Travel Page by laura4n8

"No gracious" ... that was the 1 million dollar phrase of my trip to Peru. I think all vendors zoned on my blonde hair thinking "tourist!" And I had to laugh at the standard script of the postcard boys: "The capitol of the United States is Washington, D.C., the president is George Bush." I would laugh and say "Very good" and decline their persistent offer of postcards. But my sister had a hard time resisting the yound girls in traditional garb holding a calf, baby pig or puppy. Her first time in a market was in Pisaq. Fortunately Adrian, our tour guide, was on hand to help her decline and to push her in the car when the vendors got a little to pushy for her soft heart.

The bus ride up to Machu Picchu only heightened my anticipation to see the Inca wonder. And when I walked in I was in awe. It was stunning and the day's weather only accentuated the ruin's beauty. We arrived about 11 a.m. and opted to walk through the ruins without a tour guide. But we got trapped between a couple of groups so we still had the opportunity to hear the details of the place. By 2 p.m. most tour groups had gone and so the ruins became even more peaceful and the sun became less harsh. I would suggest coming after noon if you only intend on stay a few hours at Machu Picchu. The crowds are gone and you can explore without being slowed down by clusters of tourists.