PERU

 I was pretty nervous heading into this trip because we had to test negative to board the plane. Luckily we all did! But when we got to the airport we realized our test didn't say the words PCR. So after many phone calls, and some editing we did on our phones, we boarded the plane. The crew was Gavin and the girls again. Sarah, Anna, and Heather joined us. On the plane, we had to wear a double face mask. Boy were they Nazis about that. Luckily a few days before we flew they got rid of the face shield. It was a long journey. I think we flew from LA to Lima.. Long long flight. 

We landed in Lima after a 9-hour flight. We met Carlos at the Uber pick up who gave us a wonderful tour of Lima. We learned to never hold our phones visible for people to see at a red light, or we would get a smashed window and a stolen phone. 60% of Lima is unsafe if we were to walk around at any time we would die. We went to a part of Lima that was 10% percent safe, to eat the most amazing ceviche on the coast. Hands down the best ceviche ever. Lima has 11 million people living here. Lima was a dirty crowded city. The majority of the houses were not finished and you could see right through the windows. We went during winter and I was cold in my coat. I couldn't imagine living outside in the filth. It makes me so grateful for all the many blessings that I have. 

Carlos was willing to stop at the temple for us so we could get a picture of it. He said that was the only place he would stop. The temple sure did shine with beauty for all to see in the city. 

Our next stop was Cusco. We had a quick flight over the mountain. Our plane had a hard time landing because of a fire nearby... But we made it! Our Airbnb came with airport pick up so that was great! It is much higher in elevation than Hawaii. We enjoyed our first night walking around the city eating and shopping!

This was right outside our Airbnb. Cusco is just so beautiful. That night for dinner we enjoyed the traditional salchipapas that weren't that good and chicken and rice. We did however love the Chicha Morado. This is seriously one of the best jucies ever!

The next day we started early for our day trek on the Inca Trail. We had no idea what to expect but we were all for whatever was coming. We left our Airbnb around 3:45 am. We rode in a bus on a very bumpy road to the train station  There we were bombarded with the sweetest Peruvian ladies. They were selling all sorts of warm clothing. I bought some cute gloves and an earwarmer. We hopped on a train that was going to take us to the start of the Inca trail where we were going to hike to Machu Picchu. On the train, we all fell asleep and were woken up by a man shaking us telling us to grab our stuff because it was time to hike. I was so tired I couldn't even keep my eyes open. In my head, I was thinking there is no way I was going to be able to hike. We quickly scrambled for our things and jumped off the train. When I finally got myself to my senses I saw we were in these lush mountains with fresh rain falling. It was so dreamy. Our tour guide was Jorge and he was the best guide for us. We greeted him with a fish punch. #covidsafe. I guess when we were scrambling off the train Heather's water tipped over and the whole thing spilled on the ground.. 

Jorge kept saying things like "very easy" and "short and steep" he was the best. The twins speak Spanish so they were communicating with him that way. He has done this trial so many times. He said he could do the whole thing in like 2 hours. We took breaks along the way to look at the ancient Incan cities and beautiful mountains. He told us stories and it was honestly so magical. We lucked out with the weather because it was a little overcast. Which helped it not be so hot. I learned a little bit about the history of this beautiful place. I am amazed at how these people lived. It was just a magical day for all of us. We hiked for a couple of hours till we got to the Sun Gate. From there we could see Machu Picchu. It was so beautiful. There were no words to describe what it was like seeing a place I'd seen picture of for so long.

The mountains in the Andes are huge. Like 17,000 feet. The tops were snow caped with lush greenery at the bottom. We called Gavin Peruvian Moses because of his awesome poncho he found in Cusco. He looked like he belonged there.

 The Sun gate was the original path into Machu Picchu until the train was built. We had to push up one last hill till we got to the top. Once there we could see Machu Picchu and mountains. It was so beautiful! We stopped here to enjoy our lunch We couldn't believe how much rice and chicken they gave us.. Seriously so much. 

I mean look at these views? I can't believe this place is real. 

After our hike, we headed to Aguas Calientes. Where we had the most amazing quinoa soup and avocado dish. We shopped around at the markets and got sweaters to wear the next day up Machu Picchu. Gavin fell in love with the Alpaca blankets and bought 2! Good thing we weren't hiking back. 

The next morning we got up bright and early to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. We were the first ones inside which means we had the whole place to ourselves. The sunrise was amazing. We listened to Jorge tell us stories about the people who used to live here, how it was built, and who discovered it. As he was talking to us Llamas came right up. One of my favorite parts was learning about the different parts of the city and what each room was used for. One of the rooms was built to let a woman live in. This woman was to be raised only to be sacrificed. She was only let out of the room on the summer solstice each year. I couldn't imagine living a life in a room like this. There was also a stone that was carved that matched the mountain range behind Machu Picchu. The Incans built this rock as direction as they made their way around the neighboring mountains. One of my favorites was also the mail carrier. The messenger would run from city to city with this staff over his shoulder. The staff was full of different types of knots on the ropes. Each of the knots meant something. I thought that was awesome! 

This was a place of high royalty. Jorge was the. best and begged the security guard to let us into the Sunroom. I guess it has been closed because of covid but Jorge told the man we came from America and it should be open. Thank goodness for him because we were able to walk around the Sunroom. Everything here is just beautiful.

What a very sacred special place. I can see how this city is one of the seven wonders of the world.

 After we hung out in the town below were we went to some hot springs, ate gunne pig for the first time and dined and dashed by accident.

On our way back from Machu Picchu we had to take several bus's and trains. When we arrived at our last stop our tour guide told us to look for a guy holding my name. As soon as we walked out of the station there were tons of taxi cab drives yelling chica over here, chica I give you ride good deal, etc. We were so overwhelmed we were just trying to get through when we saw a tiny Peruvian man holding a sign that MALLERIE. Thank the Heavens. 

The next day I and Gav got up bright and early again for another tour. This was the Alpaca Llama trek experience in the Andes mountains. Honestly, this was the highlight of the trip. We had no idea what to expect but when we got out of the car and saw the tiny baby alpacas my heart melted. They were the sweetest things in the whole wide world. We couldn't stop looking at them or getting pictures of them. We were walking our own alpacas in the Andes mountains. It was amazing.

The couple that gave the tour were the sweetest people ever. The wife didn't speak any English but was just a doll. She made us homemade empanadas and tea. We took a break while Llamas ate so we could enjoy the view and sweet food. 

At one point Gavin's alpaca started running. The tour guide did not like.. he started yelling at him and chasing him. The point of the alpaca trip is to have a bonding experience with the alpacas and relax. It's like a mediation and therapy. 

See what I mean? We could not get enough pictures. Our tour guide was the sweetest. His wife made us the best empanadas and food. We ate corn, cheese, grapes, coca tea, and avocado and chatted with them during a picnic in the Andes. After the couple brought us to their home where we learned how to make alpaca! Gavin purchased his 3rd alpaca blanket.

The babies were our favorite ones. Katarina, Lunareho, and Chesca.

It was the hardest thing to say goodbye to these alpacas. We had the best time walking with them. At the end of the trek we had lunch in the mountains. The view and food were amazing with the alpacas near by. We were dying...  The wife somehow carried everything on her back including a boiling tea kettle with warm water. Gavins Alpacas' name was Inti and he was a little crazy at times. I looked back and saw Inti running and Gavin getting pulled behind. I had Panchito and she was so cute and chill. We were a great match.

After our tour, we met up with the girls in the city where we hiked to the Christo Blanco up on the hill. We ended the night with Papa Johns pizza. Who knew ordering a pizza was so hard in Peru? Gavin was a champ and ran a mile to pick it up.

The next day we got up at 4:30 am to head to the lake. We took an insane windy road for hours. We thought we were going to crush the hike because we were only the young ones. But I just about lost a lung. 

Is this not beautiful or what? We were definitely some of the last people up the mountain. We had no idea how much the elevation would affect us. Lake Humantay sits at about 13,600 ft. We were an easy bunch to spot because we were the only blond-haired people there. We had no idea who our guide was but he always found us.

Our last stop was Rainbow Mountain. We were pretty excited about this one because it was going to be the highest elevation point we had ever been to. If you don't want to hike it you can rent a mule. The locals run up and down the mountain all day with their mules to make money.

Some of the people were running up the mountain 3 or 4 times a day with their mules. Gavin and I chose to walk all the way up. While the twins and Heather sat on Mules. We ended up beating the mule because it was so tired. How sad... 

Wow, this trail was packed. It was like Disneyland. Hundreds and hundreds of people. Rainbow Moutain is also called the colored mountain or Vinicunca. It used to be covered in snow but since the snow has melted sediment of minerals throughout the area gives the mountain turquoise, lavendar, gold, and other colors giving it that rainbow look. 

Peru was hands down one of the best places I have ever visited. I will never forget the kindness they showed me. The beautiful mountains, tiny towns in the middle of nowhere. And the cute kids I saw running around outside. Peru you won't be forgotten!