Back from Machu Picchu and the Jungle and back in the states in about a week!!!

I just returned from the jungle at about 1pm today and am back in Cusco. I have not updated my blog in a really long time and a lot has happened since I was last on. On the 9th of July took the train to Aguas Calientes which is the city nearest to Machu Picchu. The train ride is about four hours from Cusco and is absolutely amazing. We spent the first day hanging around the city and then on the 10th we went to Machu Picchu on the earliest bus which was at 5:30am (3:30am) in California and made it to the actual Machu Picchu at about sunrise. It is probably the most overwhelming place I have ever been to. You go right around the corner and up a staircase and you overlook the entire ruins which are incredibly expansive. I will upload some pictures here in a bit. We also climbed up Wayna Picchu which is the mountain right next to Machu Picchu which is basically one gigantic staircase going up the side of a mountain. It was an awesome hike and then you are just standing on the top and all around you are mountains and Machu Picchu. Then after returning to Cusco we went to the jungle on the 11th through the 15th. After flying to Puerto Maldonado which is the city that is right next to the jungle, which also turned out to be one of my favorite cities in Peru so far, we contracted our guide named Omar who took us about two hours up the Madre de Dios River to the entrance of the Tamopata reserve. We then walked another hour to the lodge we were staying at. We did a whole bunch of hikes and tours including a boat ride during the evening when all of the caimans were out, caimans are like small crocodiles. Our guide then caught two of them and let us hold them. The safety of that move could be questioned but it was quite fun. We then flew back to Cusco today and are getting ready to possibly go to the coast tomorrow...still not sure. Then I will be in Cusco for a couple days and then back to the States. I am sorry to those who wanted me to call them from the top of Machu Picchu. I did not have access to phones and this last week has been crazy running around the city. This is seriously the first time I have had time to sit down and use communication services in a couple weeks. I miss you all and I cannot wait to catch up when I get back in the states in about a week. I will arrive at SFO on the 24th at about 11:30am. I cannot wait. Also, Happy Birthday to my dad and my Uncle Paul.

Out of Chijnaya/Going to Machu Picchu

After six weeks of volunteering in the community of Chijnaya the rest of the volunteers and I have left the community and said our final goodbyes to our families. We left a day early due to the fact that strikes in the altiplano began to paralize the roads leading out of Chijnaya and toward places like Puno and Cusco, something you may have all read about, I heard it was in the U.S. news. Besides for being a nuisance for travelling the strikes have not harmed us in anyway and we are all safely in the city of Cusco. Outside of the cities, and even in the cities, frustration with the government of Alan García is great so the strikes may not diminish for a while. However, in Cusco the only strike we have to worry about is that of the teachers who are striking against new laws affecting their job security. I keep getting more and more stories to tell, however, I will save them for when I return on July 23-24. I am leaving Cusco on the 9th to take a train to Machu Picchu, where I will be for the 9th and the 10th, something I am really excited about. I know some of you are expecting a call from the top of Machu Picchu, I am still working on the logistics of it all. After that I might be flying to the jungle and staying for a few days to see what a jungle is like. Peru is an amazing country because you have amazing coastlines, some of the largest mountains in the world, and then a jungle. Its geography is absolutely incredible. Then I am going to Arequipa, hopefully seeing the coast and Colca Canyon. Then back to Cusco for a couple days and then I will be going back home. I had an incredibly rewarding experience in Chijnaya and will tell you all about it soon. For now since I am short on time. I am doing excellent, am in great health, and am extremely safe. Also, do not forget to root for Peru in Copa América. They play Argentina on Sunday. Finally, Happy Birthday to Christine!!!