We started the day by waking up in Calca, a small town in Southern Peru in the region of Cusco at 9,600 feet above sea level. We ate a breakfast of Peruvian avocado, eggs, local cheese and bread (pan huaro), and fresh orange juice. At 8:30 a.m. we met our bus at the town plaza to see our first Incan ruins. Our bus climbed a long, winding road to the Incan Pisac ruins in the Sacred Valley, where we got to witness surreal views of the farmlands and mountains. We learned about the farming terraces that the Incans constructed centuries ago without any modern equipment. This opportunity was a great way for us to take pictures and be one with nature.
Next we headed off to the town of Pisac. Here we got the chance to bargain with street vendors in the market and purchase souvenirs. After shopping we broke off into groups and tried various cuisines, like empanadas, in the town for lunch. Around 2:00 we headed back home to the hotel where we split off into groups to experience two different authentic Peruvian activities. One group explored the local market near the hotel and ate local ice cream while the other group indulged in silver ring making with a local silversmith. Then we switched activities and finally joined back together for a big game with beach balls in our hotel’s enclosed yard. After participating in these fun activities we had the chance to try a local delicacy: guinea pig. Last, we ended the day by eating Lomito Saltado, a Peruvian dish with beef tenderloin, prepared especially for us by a local chef.
Brandon & Drew
