Canadian Adventure July 4-5

After 3 long years away (thanks,  Covid) we're back on the road again. We're off to the Canadian Rockies to see a part of this continent. As usual, we're with Odyssey's Unlimited, a top tour company. Our original tour guide was scrubbed due to Covid 2 days before our departure,  and a new lady was obtained.

We started from National Airport (the ONLY name for that airport) a bit late but in enough time to make our connection in Toronto for Calgary. We hooked up with another Odyssey couple, recognized by the tags on their carry ons. Negotiating Canadian entry wasn't exactly easy, but doable. Once in Calgary, we were deposited at our Hyatt for the evening. Because we were on a tour, they didn't accept my Hyatt number.

It should be noted that, except for on the plane, about 5% of people are wearing masks. 

The usual welcome lecture from the tour guide and introductions all around. Nice bunch from California to the Carolinas.  A few Philly connections, also, which I didn't expect. No talk of politics (yet) but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

On the bus Tuesday morning for the drive through Alberta to work our way to the border to Montana for Glacier National Park. Alberta is mostly flatland here, as it works its way to the foothills of the Rockies. Leftover from the great interior Seaway during the Cretaceous period. There are a few natural history buffs on the trip, so it should be fun. The main crop grown here is canola with its bright yellow flowers.

Then we got to the border and the fun begins.

Everybody had to get out of the bus to present out passports and have pictures taken. The problem was our Canadian tour guide  (remember, she was a late substitute) didn't have proper American work papers, as they had expired during the pandemic. So they put her off the bus in the middle of nowhere. Now all we have is our driver, Miles. We are all shocked. We continue on to our hotel in Saint Mary, and the hotel manager gets us checked in. Lots of discussions as to what to do. Ann and I are not worried, as we know Odyssey's will move Heaven and Earth to make this right. Others who are on their first trip aren't so sure...

A bunch of emails and phone calls to the emergency number prove us correct. Miles knows the drill, and we'll get to the Park tomorrow. An American guide should arrive soon. Ann is the point person with Odyssey's,  and I'm the assistant to keep everyone informed. We <think> things are under control. Fingers crossed!

The group in front of the stones

Sexy Woman

Day 6 Cusco

Started the day at the "Sexy Woman", or Sacsayhuaman, a hill overlooking the city.  There were Inca walls there are typical construction with massive rocks precisely fitted to each other. The exact use for this is still a mystery, but today it was being used for a parade and show by young kids in native garb doing dancing.  The view of the city was spectacular, but climbing a hill at 12,000 feet is a bit more difficult (!!) than at 9,000. I am getting aa bit more acclimated, so I wasn't huffing quite so much.
We came down into the city main square to the cathedrals.  First was more parading by army types and kids.  Once we got into the cathedral, we were greeted by lots of silver and gold.  The pictures and figurines were Catholic, but not quite.  When the Catillians got here, as I have mentiond before, they merged traditional Catholicism with the native rituals.  The paintings of Mary looked more like mountains, and Jesus was covered with a skirt. But the best was their depiction of the Last Supper with the main course being Cuy, or Guinnea Pig.  There was also a huge silver chalise that is paraded out each year, with a silver clad car to drive it.
We split up for the Odysseys' home hospitality, which has been a pat of every trip.  We went to have lunch in th home of a local person.  Our host just happened to work for the local tour company, but she was most gracious, introfucing us to her retired judge husband, 2 of her grandchildren and Avram, her 2 year old great grandson.
Lunch was salad, roasted cuy(yes, I ate it this time - tasted like chicken), quinoa soup, chicken, rice, potatoes, and the purple custard ,  Mazamorra Morada, made from purple corn.  Delish.
Afternoon was "on our own" and we walked to the big local market.  Bought some chocolates.
Dinner at Limo, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant.  We had cerviche, sashimi and fried rice with shrimp.
I will try to post pictures here, but Gmail or Blogger or my Samsung tablet is resisting.  Chek Facebook.  Sigh.
Tomorrow is a drive to Puno on Lake Titicaca.  There may or may not be much to rreport.

Machu Picchu

Day 5 Machu Picchu, Day 2

Despite the cuy disaster of last night, I slept soundly.  It was raining most of the night, but just cloudy when we awoke.  We again took the bus up the mountain (you should see those turns!) and got to the site relatively early.  We first took the 400,000 steps up (well, it seemed like that many) to the top of the "agricultural" side, where the peons stayed and worked.  The views from herre were spectacular, especially as the sun came out.  The temperatures rose, and we started peeling clothing.  More stories of the Incas and their civilization and how they enslaved others to do the work.  Building this place and carrying all the stones must have taken a LOT of planning and back breaking work.
We saw the irrigation system, where people lived and pooped, and where they "hooked up".  There was a large stone in the area where the girls and guys would congregate that was cut in an unusual shape.  It was thought to be cut to mirror the shap of the nearby mountain, but a researcher discovered it really was in the shape of a distant glacier (the source of water and life).
We saw the "Temple of the Condor" which was 2 outcroppings of rocks that were shaped like condor wings, and even carved to show feathers.  There were archeologic findings of ceremonies there with sacrifices of llamas.  No, the Incas had no human sacrifice.  There were caves where skeletons had been found, probably of venerated leaders.
By noontime, we were all pooped, and headed down the mountain. We had lunch at the restaurant of our hotel, which was nestled between some train tracks!
We gathered our belongings and went too the train station to return to Ollantaytambo, where we caught our bus for the trip to Cusco, now at 11,500 feet.  I feel a little dizzy, but not much.  Dinner was on our own, so we walked around the corner from our hotel (part of the Marriot chain) to get pizza.  Very good, and not filling.
Tomorrow, more of Cusco.

Ann's fish

Cuyo

Not my favorite

Almost Clear

Stephen Rockower, MD
President, MedChi 2016-17
Sent by my Moto Android phone

Getting better

First View in fog

Machu Picchu Express

Day 4 Friday the 13th at Machu Picchu

Up early to catch the train to the town of Machu Picchu.  We were going across the Andes and travelling from the dry west to the tropical east.  You could see the vegetation changing, with more trees and more green all around.  We got to the town then had to walk to the bus station and wait in the line to join the crowds.  Up up and up the winding roads to the entrance.  Of course, just as we got there, the heavans let loose with a rain storm.  But push on we must, whether we couls see anything or not.  Just don't slip on the wet rocks!
Machu Picchu is divided into 2 sections, a "royal" side and an "agricultural" side.  We explored the royal side today; we'll do the other side in the morning.
The Incas worshipped the sun, and at the very top, there was a very accurate astonomical room that had a window pointing directly at the sun as it rises on the summer solstice.  They had architectural devices to ensure this was accurate, and shadows alligned perfectly.  The top had the typical perfect stone masonry of the Incas, along with the trapezoidal windows typical of the Incas.
As we continued to explore, the rain slowed and the fog lifted somewhat.  The valley, the mountains, and the fog were magical.
Dinner at our hotel with a choice of Cuyo,  I had to do it.  It came out almost like a flat sausage-like consistancy with aglaze on 1 side.  I took a few bites but didn't really like it.  Ann had baked halibut which she enjoyed better.

Cuyos pic

Day 3 More Sacred Valley

Interesting day.  We left the hotel and went into the valley to the town of Ollantaytambo, nestled deep in the valley.  In town we visited a family raising cuyo, or guinnea pigs.  They were cute, but destined to be someone's meal.  In the hut werre traditional objects, including the skulls of ancestors.
The main sight was the Fortress.  The Incas built the Fortress with 2 purposes: One, a temple to the Sun (The Giver of all Life), and two, defense from the Spanish (technically, the Castillians).  380 steps up to the top.  We were all huffing and puffing(especially at 9000 feet), but made it for some spectacular views.  Fascinating engineering getting the 40 ton blocks of granite up the hill!  As in Lima, the seams between the stones were perfect.  Eventually the Spanish won anyway, and killed most of the Incas, but this persists.  Tomorrow to Machu Picchu, so we get more.
Lunch was unreal.  First, it was at a beautiful restaurant (pix to follow).  We had course after course after course.  Salad, corn , beef heart skewers (nobody ate it but me, and I only ate one - "You don't have to like it but you do have to taste it"), fish, sweet potatoes, chicken, pork, and then dessert.  Topped off by a dancing horse show.  Stuffed to the gills.
After lunch we ascended again to a village at the yop of the mountain (12,000 feet) to see native crafts.  I felt it as we got out of the bus, the same drunk feeling from the day before.  Needless to say, I didn't hear much of the presentation, but it involved spinning and weaving and dyeing of the alpaca wool.  Of course, then the bazaar to buy things.  The biggest hit was 3 year old  Arianna, dressed in traditional dress, and playing with everybody.

Our guide Sergio and Cuyo

Ann Shopping in Pisaq

Sacred Valley

Entering Cusco