I just received an e-mail from TripAdvisor thanking me for the review I wrote last year for La Casa Del Conde, a tiny hotel in Pisac. The e-mail said that my review helped Casa Del Conde win a 2015 Readers’ Choice Award. I’m so pleased, because this is as good...
Peru
The kids in Cusco
I first met Exuar on a Friday night, when I was having dinner at the Niños Del Sol children’s home in Peru. He arrived late, after dinner, and the younger kids instantly gathered around him with guitars, begging for a lesson. I was impressed by his easy smile, and...
Ninos Del Sol Part Three: Meet the Adults
Continued from part Two On Sunday, I spent some time with Viviana, learning more about the history of the Center and all the people associated with it. I couldn’t wait to share their amazing stories with you! Viviana Dumas Viviana is a gorgeous woman, with a smile so radiant...
Niños Del Sol: Part Two, Shopping with the Kids
continued from Part One As most of you know, I have been able to collect donations from the folks back home to take the kids from the Niños Del Sol children’s home (formerly Casa De Milagros) shopping for new coats and shoes. Many of you gave, and a few...
Niños Del Sol: Part One, arriving in Calca
We FINALLY got to take the kids shopping for their new jackets and shoes! The director of the facility, Viviana, invited us to spend the weekend with her and her husband, Avishai, in the little town of Calca. Viviana is a native Peruvian, and Avishai grew up in a...
Halloween and Dia de los Muertos in Cusco
Last night, for Halloween, we filled a giant bag with candy and went to the Plaza de Armas. The Plaza was packed with families! All my pics are dark & blurry, so I’ll just share two to give you a feel for the event. We made our way through...
A few words about dysentery
Hi, everyone! Sorry I haven’t updated the blog in a while. I was laid up with dysentery for a week. I won’t bore you or gross you out with the details. I will just say these two things: 1) Wash your hands often while traveling. Especially after handling produce...
The Lares trek to Machu Picchu
The Lares Trek is different from the Inca Trail. It’s two days of hiking through valleys and high mountain passes, and includes more villages and native people (and llamas!). It’s also completely uncrowded and an absolutely beautiful way to get to know Peru. After two days of hiking and...
Tomorrow the trek begins!
Tomorrow at 6am, Craig and I begin our 4-day trek to Machu Picchu. We met our guide, Richard, today. We have a private group, just the two of us, which means more helpers than trekkers. Besides Richard, we’ll have a cook and a horseman on our trip. Yeesh, makes...
Pisac: an Incan adventure
This weekend, we visited the town of Pisac, known for a Sunday market (both arts and foods) that predates Incan times, and for nearby Incan ruins. Craig was treating me to this trip for my birthday, so we were able to spend more on lodging than we normally do....