Happy Birthday to Me

Up this morning to pack and eat breakfast before the slow and hot train trip up from M.P. to Cusco at 11,152 feet. No wonder that altitude laid me low. M.P. was a veritable breeze at 9,000 feet. We leave the rain and board our deliciously cool bus at Ollantaytambo and arrive after 1 1/2 hours at Sacsaywuman which Angel has helpfully named Sexy Woman for us Anglos. It´s a fabulous spiritual celebratory area consisting of a huge flat field built for viewing pageants, round hills (symbolizing butterflies) and 3 terraced areas comprised of monster granite boulders. It´s Incan and is estimated to have been 50 years in construction. The lower terrace has the highest walls (much olbiterated by the Spanish) with the heaviest boulder at over 100 tons. And how did an ancient people obtain such a boulder and then move it into position? A marvel for you. Back in the bus, Gus, to Cusco proper with lunch on the town´s main square followed by a tour of the main catherdral. No hats, no photos, please, and no name, it´s simply called the Basilica Cathedral. It is insanely huge and literally the most elaborate and ornate place of worship I´ve ever seen. Apparently, the Spaniards built a large number of churches in Cusco, . The better to conquer and since the country is almost completely Catholic, they did a good job. We land at our hotel, all spent, and rest until dinner. Ron is unwell, but rises from the ashes to attend our farewell dinner. Yet another round of fine dining. When dessert is served, the lights go off and I am presented a birthday cake followed by a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday". Gereat way to end our time in the Sacred Valley.