wow we have moved faster than the internet

So we send our apologies first. We have been having a hard time finding a good internet connecton. Anyway that being said. WOW!!!!! This place is amazing. Every turn is wonderful new adventure. We hit the ground running and haven´t stopped. On the third, we did the Sacred Valley. The trip travelled up out of Cusco in to Pisac on to Urumbamba and ended in Ollentaytambo. We were the only gringos on our tour and my spanish was put to the test as neither eric nor i could understand the guide´s english. We waited there in Ollentaytambo for about three hours for the train to Aguas Calientes. Coco leaves, some pisco, good conversation and a starry night passed the time. Yes we found the southern cross. Aguas calientes is very touristy, as it is the jumping off point for Machu Picchu. We had to pay $7 for a hostel, unbelievable haha. We got up at six and hiked 8kms up to Machu Picchu. Fairly grueling but not too bad. The Sun was just breaking over the mountains when we reached the entrance. We climbed in to the terraced corner and watched the mist blankets slowly slide off of the sleepy ruins. Absolutely amazing!!!!! Just the view, lush green mountains, mist rising with the morning sun, crystal blue sky, and the roaring river below. It truly was breath taking. We sat and wrote and slept for a couple of hours and then headed back down. This morning we woke up five to catch the train back to Ollentaytambo and then a collectivo (a small communal bus) to Ollentaytambo and then another back to Cusco just in time to catch the 12 o´clcock bus to puno. Here is a map to give you an idea. We just arrived about an hour ago. That ride alone was spectacular. The highest we were was around 3900 meters. And we cruised incredible valleys surrounded by golden amber colored mountains, colorados no? Again incredible blue sky but this time with this golden peaks below. Our lunch to us on the bus, guess what potatoes. That´s right we have eaten potatoes for 3 days straight and they are delicious. Sorry Jim we haven´t quite figured out which ones we are eating, but they are the delicious!!!! Then we moved through the dark afternoon to the shores of lake titicaca. Pheww!!! that´s alot to say. Anyway, generally we have noted wonderful butterflies, of which Eric knows a hand full. Beautiful wildflowers in the low more lush areas. However, most of the trip has been in the deserty landscapes. Very barren, few notable plants or animals unless you count llamas and alpaca. Guess what John there is TROUT everywhere. Next to potatoes I think its the regional dish of southern peru. Anyway, we promise to be better so that we don´t have to give long narratives. We send our love. Don´t worry we are loving every minute!!!!!