May 11th, 2018 - Taylor Jagiella


While traveling to Machu Picchu we made some stops along the way to explore Peru a little more in depth. Our first stop in Chinchero had a completely different feel from down town Cusco. The weaving shop really let me appreciate all the hard work and dedication the workers put in to creating purses, ponchos, jewelry, and much more. I never knew that they dyed their creations from local corn and different plants. The woman showed us that by using lemon juice and minerals it would change certain colors to be either brighter or darker. Being able to observe everything they do from their bare hands really made me appreciate the Peruvian culture so much more.



When we stepped into the elderly mans house in Chinchero I was amazed as to how he lived. He slept in a tiny room with only a bed, while the rest of his house was outside next to different animals. I was in awe to be able to experience first hand how differently some people live next to Americans. At first, I was so distracted with playing with the kittens that it took me at least ten minutes to look around and realize that we were in some persons house. Once I did, I couldn’t stop looking around and taking in the different lifestyle this man was living.



When we arrived to Ollantaytambo I automatically loved the town. I thought that the town was so unique. It was a small town but I felt like there was so much to explore for the short time I was there. When our tour guide brought us into the old Inca household to see how the Inca used to live, it was cool to actually walk around a house that was once inhabited by the Incas. When the tour guide was talking about the history of the Incas he shortly pointed out the real life human skulls sitting on the shelf. That was my favorite thing to see while touring the Inca house. I could not believe that they had real human skulls sitting on the shelf for everyone to see. It was definitely an experience to say the least.



All together the trip to Machu Picchu is long but with the stops along the way, it really made it enjoyable. I am super excited to see Machu Picchu and be able to take in the beauty of the mountain.


The group stopped at Chinchero to learn how local Peruvians weave purses, bags, etc. and discovered the natural plants and fiber they use for dyes.

We stopped to explore some Incan ruins. In the background you can see the terraces they created for farming. It was a beautiful area.

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