Exploring Inca Ruins around Cusco

Within 24 hours of landing in Peru, Jasmine, Appy, and I had flown across the country to Cusco, located in the “Sacred Valley” where Machu Picchu and many of the magnificent Incan ruins are located. Jet lagged and still adjusting to the drastic elevation change–Cusco is located 11,150 feet above sea level–we were winded by the walk up three flights of stairs to our room in our hostel. But the best way to fight jet lag is to keep to your normal sleep schedule, which means no sleeping during daylight hours. (I’m a mean travel companion).

We explored at least five Incan sites in Cusco and the surrounding small towns during our visit. With the help of our driver, Miguel, and fueled by the Peruvian diet of potatoes and fish, we were able to see the ancient Inca capital and their temples and tombs. We also tried pisco sours for the first time, the national drink made of pisco liquor, lime juice, and egg white!

Lunch in Lima

During our ten-day trip to Peru, we didn’t spend much time in the capital because we wanted to explore so many other parts of the country. But we had a day in Lima to enjoy world-famous food, visit the windy beaches, and stroll through the colonial town plazas.

Although we were only in our hostel for one night, our host was so friendly and generous that we wished we had stayed with him longer. Angelo at B&B Tradiciones Hostel gave us excellent suggestions for what to do and eat during our brief stay. The lunch we shared in Lima was my favorite meal in Peru.

Arroz negro con conchas – squid ink rice with scallops

Uros Islands

One of the most unusual parts of our trip to Peru was our homestay on the Uros Islands, a group of eighty floating, man-made islands constructed out of reeds. The Uros people lived in the middle of Lake Titicaca, where they could defend their homes from the Incans. Each island is anchored in place with a rock, but when the rock is rolled off the island, it can float anywhere in Lake Titicaca, which expands into both Peru and Bolivia.

When I first stepped onto the island, I felt the reeds bounce underneath my feet. It was definitely an unsettling feeling knowing I was not on firm land, but on what is essentially a giant raft. Our host father reassured us that the reeds are piled on three or four feet thick, so there is no danger of falling through!