Cusco to Santiago

Hey everyone! It is Hallye and I am sorry for not keeping up with the blog. I am just having too much fun. Our trip has been everything that I could have hoped for so far. Katie and I visited Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley last weekend. We arrived the Machu Picchu Pueblo, Aguas Calientes, by train the night before our visit to the ruins. It was pouring rain and when we woke up the next morning at four thirty it was still pouring. We had to arrive at the ruins early enough to obtain a ticket to climb Waynapicchu (the mountain that you see behind the ruins in pictures). When we passed through the admission gate at Machu Picchu, I was so excited to be there! I was looking around and trying to see the wonderful stonework around me when I tripped, fell and sprained by ankle! But the sprained ankle did not dim my experience of the ruins. We went on a guided tour of the ruins, climbed Waynapicchu (which had incredible, but also mostly clouded views of the ruins below) and took some great photos.

We loved Cusco (and the wonderful people we met there) but as always were ready to move on. Katie and I went searching for a bus ticket to Arequipa, Peru but quickly decided that we rather continue on to Chile. So we hopped on a bus to the border and we were in Iquique, Chile the next day. We quickly noticed differences between Chile and the other countries (Peru and Ecuador) that we have visited. The roads are better (as well as the drivers...they actually believe in letting pedestrians have the right of way), the language is spoken quicker and with more slang and there are more rules and regulatons. What I mean by rules and regulations is, for example, we had to pass through a checkpoint on our bus where they semi-searched our bags, there are signs telling people to turn on their car lights when its dark, we get receits back with our purchases, there are no passing signs next to dangerous spots on the road....These were all things that Peru and Ecuador lacked. BUT Chile is a more expensive than the last two countries. I guess that is what we trade for first world-ness.

We are in Santiago, Chile now and loving it. The weather is perfect (sunny, not too warm, not too cold), there are beautiful parks and plazas and the people are very friendly. I will try to be better about writing on the blog. I must go now because I believe there are some Brazilians waiting for the computer (which is why this blog post might sound a bit scattered!). I miss everyone at home and please let us know of any thoughts you have on our trip with comments! Love, Hallye