Cusco and Machu Picchu

So finally made it out of Arequipa! Took a bus to Cusco where a Quechua woman got on and was chopping meat to sell...only in South America. Saw the sights in Cusco for a couple of days and then booked my trek to Machu Picchu. I decided to do a 2 day, 1 night tour because of time constraints and my foot. So the first morning took a van/shuttle bus for 7 hours to the Hidroelectrica Station outside of Aguas Calientes (the town where Machu Picchu is). We hiked or almost 3 hours in the rain until we reached our hostel at Aguas Calientes. Woke up at 4 AM the next morning and hiked up to Machu Pichhu for almost 2 hours. Got there in time for the sunrise. It was incredible! Walked around Machu Picchu for a few hours and made the trek back down to Aguas Calientes. I met a German friend, Eduard, and we didn't realize we were on the 12:30 train back to the Hidroelectrica Station. Long story short, our train left, we couldn't get on the next one, so we had to hike the 3 hours to the Hidroelectrica Station...as you can only walk or take the train. Long story short....got to the station...our bus left us. We are now 7 hours away from Cusco with no way back. So me and Eduard...angry and tired...hitchhiked with a man the whole way. We told him we didn't have much money, but in true South American fashion, the man pulled up to an ATM in Cusco and made us pay him. Annoying but at least we made it back. Spent the night in Cusco and went back to Arequipa for a day. I didn't leave, however, without trying both alpaca and....cuy. Alpaca was really good.....cuy....not so much. Took one bite and couldn't take anymore. If you don't know what it is...google it. It's a delicacy in Peru. After Arequipa I went on to Nasca for the lines and Huacachina...the desert oasis for sandboarding.

Shot of Plaza de Armas in Arequipa.

Me in front of the fountain in Cusco.

Cusco at night.

On the trail to Aguas Calientes.

Eduard my German friend! Obviously excited about the rainy hike...

Coming into Aguas Calientes.

Hiking up the Incan trail at 6 AM to Machu Picchu.

Made it!

Sunrise at Machu Picchu...notice the mist!

Another shot of the sunrise.

There I am!

Me and Eduard!

Mountains that Machu Picchu is settled in.

You just can't take a bad picture!

Edwin (my Colombian friend), me, and Eduard.

Mother and baby llama.

Some more ruins...

So incredible!

Walking down from the ruins back from Aguas Calientes..amazing view!

Cuy....can you guess what it is?