Sunday -- Chincheros and Urubamba

  Sunday morning, many of us had the opportunity to attend Sacrament meeting at a chapel near downtown Cusco.  J. Lynn had had a bad night, so opted to stay at the hotel.  She missed the opportunity to play for the meeting, so they had to settle for me.  With two stakes in Cusco (and a second temple announced for Lima), I was struck by the fact that the Church really is world-wide!  Our leader translated the talks for us over our radios, and it was interesting to hear a sister missionary from Chile (if I'm remembering correctly) speak about the importance of family history and temple work.

  After church we left for Chincheros and Urubamba.  Saw some beautiful Andes peaks en route.
  In Chincheros, we were treated to a demonstration of how alpaca wool is cleaned, dyed and woven. The red dye comes from a parasite.  Put juice in it, and it turns more purple.  They washed the dirty alpaca hair in a juice that turned foamy, and it came out clean.  Then they dyed it.




We stopped by the market.  No shortage of food.

Heading on toward the valley

Loved the valley and the Andes peaks.

Some Inca work on the hillside above us.  Plus some cute kids fundraising for the family.

Had a lovely lunch at this place before heading into the valley to see the Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo.

A bit of ancient rock work.

 

Note the face carved in the mountain, as well as the dwellings to the right.  Larger version below.

Our guide

explaining the Inca rock work.

At the top.

After our visit there, we boarded the train to Aguas Calientes at the end of the valley below Machu Pichu.

Almost there.

The square at night.  Statue is of the Inca conqueror.