Inca Trail Day 1

Sunday 6/16 (Haru/Harry)

Today we began climbing the Inca trail. Although we were somewhat acclimated to the sudden altitude change introduced in Cusco, we were shortly out of breath as soon as the path intensified. Originally frightened by the looming challenge of the overhyped Inca trail, we were immediately relieved after hearing blind people had completed the hike. As day 1 of the hike continued, we witnessed people thrice our size attempting to complete the arduous journey. As lunch commenced after a seeming eternity, we were greeted by a surprisingly well-thought meal which fueled us for the challenges to come. Entertained by Cesar and Gustavo’s cordial vibes and entertaining jokes, and inspired by the strength and charisma of Ms. Hamilton or more affectionately known as Hamdog, we successfully conquered Day 1 of many days to come.

Ready to start the journey!

The Andes surrounding us every step we took were an amazing reminder to stop and enjoy the view.

Day 5- Community

After a pleasant breakfast at the hotel, we took a bus an hour into the valley to a small village, Willoc, where we spent time with the locals. First, in the home of one of the community members associated with our team, we were graciously allowed to wear prepared traditional garments the community had hand woven. After the latter, we watched and participated in a ceremonial dance and enjoyed different activities such as soccer and volleyball.

To honor our previous donations and gifts, the people prepared a special lunch with seasoned chicken, alpaca, and a variety of potatoes. Unlike normal food preparations, the group was shown how to cook food Inca-Style, by burying the food in the dirt surrounded by hot rocks heated by a fire and covered by numerous tarps to hold the heat in. After around an hour of cooking, the group ate the food. According to many group members, the food was very good. 

After lunch, the group took a short walk across the beautiful Andean Mountains towards the village school, where the school supplies were handed off. The group then participated in more activities like soccer and volleyball with some of the students.

                                                            Our welcome to the Willoc community.

                       Our Poly group wearing the traditional clothing they make.

 

 They showed us how they make the dye for the wool and how they do the weaving for the garments they wear. The process is extremely labor intensive but the final product is beautiful.                                                                     
            

         Everyone feasted on a delicious meal cooked in an underground oven in the Inca tradition.

       We tried several varieties of potatoes, peruvian corn, alpaca, chicken, vegetables, avocados, fava          beans and pineapple. They even roasted a cuy for us!                                                                         

Day 4- The Sacred Valley

This morning we left our hotel in Cusco and drove to Ollantaytambo. On the way, we visited a llama farm, where we got to feed and pet the llamas and alpacas as well as learn about how Peruvian textiles are made. Afterwards, we stopped in a town called Pisac and went to the market. We went to a store where we learned how to tell the difference between real silver jewelry vs. fake silver and also recognize real alpaca fur from synthetic. For lunch, we had an all you can eat buffet. Outside the restaurant, we were able to access the Urubamba River, where we skipped stones. Also, there were llamas outside the restaurant, but everyone was scared they would spit on us because they kept staring us down. Finally, when we arrived in Ollantaytambo. The streets in Ollantaytambo still have the old Inca irrigation system, which used to collect water from the mountains that the people could use. We went to the ruins of Inca terraces as well. Back then, the terraces used to lead to the sun temple, which was the most important religious structure. However, the Incas never finished building the temple, because the Spanish invaded. Another interesting thing we learned was that the face of the very first European explorer to visit the site is carved into the mountain side. Contrary to popular belief, there were many other European explorers that visited South America before Columbus. In this case,  a viking visited the town and taught the Inca people how to build and farm so they carved the mountain side in his likeness to commemorate him. We are very excited to see what's in store tomorrow!
Milo Woods

                                                              Milo feeding the alpacas

                                                            Maya feeding the llamas

                                            Henry feeding the llama in Lady and the Tramp style.

                                                Harry feeding the friendly llamas

                                             Our first sighting of the SacredValley

Maya, Audrey and Elia jumping for joy.

                                      The group, ready to climb Ollantaytambo.

                         History lesson of Ollantaytambo, a thousand times better at the actual site.

                   The group at the Unfinished Wall of the Six Monoliths at the Sun Temple.

                                        Harry turned 18 today. Happy Birthday, Harry!

Playing volleyball in the square after dinner was great fun!

Day 3- Decapitated Pigs and Chocolate

To start off the day, the group walked to the main open-air market of Cusco where we were explored the variety of foods local Cusqueños eat. Roaming past all the stalls varying from cow mouth, to pig head, to different coffee beans... A great contrast to the American perception of a market. As a result of the Guillain-Barre alert, the group was recommended to not consume or buy anything besides the coffee and the incredible local chocolate.

After visiting the market full of impulse buys many of the group members fell victim to, the group walked to the Choco-Museo, a chocolate museum where the group briefly learned the history of chocolate, the different types throughout South America, and then went on to the not-so-easy task making our own chocolate. After around a half hour of crushing cocoa beans and mixing in other ingredients such as sugar and milk, the group hand crafted our own chocolates with molds and toppings to fuel our climb to Machu Picchu. 

We finished the day at the hotel where we had the pleasure of meeting with Amaru Estrada, an esteemed master craftsman. He explained to us the history of his family then proceeded to give us the reasoning behind the composition of his work. He graciously offered us each a cup that we had the opportunity to polish up. 

Thibeaux Hirsh/ Henry Slan

Stopped to say hi to the llamas on our way to the mercado.

At the market, trying to take it all in.

En el mercado San Pedro

Great view from the balcony of the Choco-museo

Grinding cacao beans after roasting, to turn into a paste in a mortar with pestle- it took a lot of muscle power- the smell in the chocolate workshop was a reminder that the hard work would pay off.

Madelena and Molly, grand prize winners. Chocolatiers in the making.

No caption needed 

The cuy (guinea pig) has been considered a delicacy in Andean cuisine for over 5,000 years. Formerly enjoyed only by the Incan Nobility, is now saved for special occasions.

 Lunch was delicious. No wonder why Peru has been recognized as one of the world's best culinary destinations. The biodiverstiy of the country and the cultural heritage of Peru make for a rich and diverse cuisine.

                                                                                   Cool boys in Peru

Day 2- Cusco Tour

The first site we visited today was Sacsayhuaman, a religious center of the Inca Empire. It sits on a mountain over Cuzco, which was built in the shape of a puma. Sacsayhuaman, meaning zig-zag puma, is the head, and it is built of zig-zagged stones to represent the god of thunder. While there, some of the group walked through a pitch-dark tunnel that had been used to carry water, and we had incredible views of the city, the mountains, and a native polylepis tree grove housing rufus-collared sparrows.

In the afternoon, we made our way down to a couple museums which exhibited Peruvian and Machu Picchu history. Each museum's architecture gave it a unique and special feel. Although we walked for a long time, the culture and rich history of Peru energized us throughout the day. One of the most incredible building was the cathedral in the main square. Along with being enormous, the attention to detail stunned us all. Finally, we viewed the dance competition. This colorful scene displayed many high schoolers competing for the top place. Overall, today was eventful and tiring! Hopefully we will have as much fun this week.
By Molly Hill and Elia Min

The group at Sacsayhuaman.

View of the Square from our lunch spot.

Alpaca saltada- Traditional peruvian dish.

Tunnel we went through. It was pitch dark, no flashlights allowed, then we saw this light at the end.

Incredible Inca strucure at Sacsayhuaman, Built during the government of Inca Pachacutec in the XV century. It is believed that a group of over twenty thousand men extracted the stones from nearby quarries and moved them up to the hills of the city of Cusco tying them with ropes on the sides and using a kind of wheel with logs underneath. The Incas were amazing engineers.

Our guide Cesar giving us a tour of the history of the site.

Dinner and dance show. 

Day 1 in Peru!

Plane Ride

After months of anticipation, the Poly crew was finally heading to Peru! The nervous and excited feelings could not be avoided because most of us were traveling internationally without our parents for the first time. The plane ride to Lima was quite lengthy and mostly consisted of eating and sleeping. On the other hand, the plane ride to Cusco was definitely magnificent. As we flew above the clouds, the Andes Mountains slowly peaked through the layers of fluff and clearly into our view. It was so amazing to see the endless field of vast mountains. Mother Earth captured the glorious, snow-capped peaks to the lush, green mountain ranges. This flight was definitely a scenic one!

Lima

Our first stop was at Lima, the capital of Peru, where we had an 8 hour layover until our connecting flight to Cusco. To pass the time, Gustavo took us to the central plaza of Lima where the governmental buildings are held. There, we were able to watch the changing of the guards and take lots of pictures! Next, we walked a few blocks to an old cathedral and went down into the catacombs. We saw real human bones and skulls arranged in eery patterns all throughout the tunnels. After witnessing all bones, the only logical place to go from there was lunch. We had a delicious lunch of chicken and fries.

By Elia Min, Audrey Cho, and Maya Kenny

Everyone is excited to board this bus to go explore Lima before our flight to Cusco later today.

Local police wanted to take a picture with Haru.

Audrey, Elia and Maya with School girls in the city center in Lima.

At LAX Before Departure

Gianni: We got through security with a few minor hiccups and have no made it to the boarding area. We have around an hour before departure, so we have time to get food and some other things before we leave America. I'm very excited, but also not looking forward to the eight-our layover in Lima. My stomach is starting to rumble, so I will head off to eat something.