Traveling With Kids

Since I am alone in the hotel room (Pat and the kids are at a Cusco Futbol game), I have a little time to do some contemplative writing. So, here’s my topic: Why would we choose to travel with the kids? Many people we know ask us this. My question is Why Not???? It is so fun to look at places through the eyes of our growing kids. It is also cool to be able to show them places that they have studied and learned about first hand – not just in books! Also, all the places we choose to go are places that I want to see, and NOW, not when the kids are gone and we are retired. I hope Alex and Rachel will take their own kids traveling as much as they can. Traveling changes people, for the better I think. When we travel, far away, or to see our families, it becomes apparent how little we actually need from our house. We don’t need a lot of clothing, the kids don’t need toys (electronic ones included). We don’t even need TV!!!! We just need a sense of humor (things DO go wrong), a sense of adventure and above all flexibility. It also shows us how tiring all the organized activities like sports, classes, lessons and meetings can be. I love the freedom from “scheduling”. Maybe that’s why once we finish a trip, no matter how big or little, I start planning another. See, the question really should be – “Why not travel with the kids?”

Cusco

Sunday 8-17-2008
Today we left the Sol y Luna for Cusco. En route we visited the Pisaq market, where we were all given 10 Soles to get a White Elephant gift for our going away lunch tomorrow. It was pretty fun to go through the market and try to get deals. I got a backpack, Pat got a mask, Rachel got an Inka Cola shirt and Alex actually found a white elephant! I can’t wait to see what everyone else found. After Pisaq we went to an Alpaca / Llama farm and weaving coop. Everyone was able to feed and pet the animals. Once we were done there, we headed to Cusco for lunch and to check into our new hotel – Casa Andina. It is nice, but not as nice as the Sol y Luna.
This afternoon, Pat, Alex and Rachel went to a Cusco futbol game. Cusco won! They came back to the hotel thrilled to death. Yeah, Peruvian Soccer!

We’ve had a lot of fun getting to know our fellow travelers better. 2 of the moms are so much like me! They are very concerned with making sure their kids are “aware”. By that I guess I mean making sure the kids know what is real and what matters. Not electronics and not stuff. They too live in affluent areas, and feel a clash with the values of many of the people they live near. I love when I meet people like me!!! Helps me know I’m not totally “out there”. I can’t believe we leave for home in 2 days!

For pictures en route as well as the llama farm, click here: August 17, 2008

Machu Picchu

Saturday 8-16-2008
Today was our day to go to Machu Picchu. We left the hotel at around 8AM, to catch the Peru Rail. The only way up to Machu Picchu is by train or Inca Trail. Pat would like to walk the Inca Trail some day. As it takes 3 days, I’m not sure that I would go along! After exiting the train, we had to take a ½ hour bus ride up the side of the mountain to actually get to Machu Picchu’s entrance. Many hairpin turns and very narrow. It was really scary!
The first view of Machu Picchu was amazing. Pictures and books do not do it justice. We had sunny, beautiful weather. The llamas walked right up to us. In fact, close enough that one spit on my camera! After lunch, the kids and I wandered around the ruins, while Pat did a hike up to the Sun Gate with the strongest people in our tour group. It was a long day but worth it.

- Machu Picchu Pictures

Maras & Moray

Friday 8-15-2008
Today was amazing. First we went to Moray – an Incan Agricultural Experiment site. The place was fascinating. Alex really loved it. Here’s a link for more info. After lunch we went to Maras – Incan salt pans. Rachel loved this place – she collected some salt rocks to bring home. The Incans were scientific geniuses. (An aside – the bus trip up to the salt pans was frightening! We drove on the same roads of which many less safe tour groups just disappear over the edge – seriously! Thank you Mouse, for safety standards!)
We had a lot of fun with the tour group today. The kids are completely entertained. Alex is in a boy posse with a total of 4 guys. What do they do??? Play cards! Same games as at CCS. Rachel hangs out with Amanda, the only other little girl on the tour. It is actually really nice to have someone else (our tour guides) keep track of where the kids are. Last night they even entertained all the kids with dinner and a movie while the adults had dinner. I have learned a lot about the Disney tour philosophy today as well. They are very concerned with making sure the locals are taken care of. Our river raft guides were part of a local coop. Our hotel is ecologically responsible – even serving only organic and local food. After each of our meals, the extra food is given to the local kids for lunch. We have been able to see many things which we would not have seen if I myself arranged the trip. So, this whole thing is turning out great!

Lots more pictures here - Maras y Moray

More Random Peru Info

Here's some more info:

- We cannot drink the tap water in Peru - only bottled. We have even been told to brush our teeth with bottled water! I keep forgetting and end up rinsing my tooth brush in the sink. So far no problemas.

-Milk is not refrigerated in Peru grocery stores (good thing we don’t drink the stuff). Neither is yogurt. We did buy some of that drinkable yogurt, thinking that and bananas could be our bus trip breakfast. Well, of course we did not eat anything on the bus, so our unopened yogurt is still sitting here. Frankly, I’m a little worried about drinking it.

- Dogs are everywhere, especially in Villa El Salvador and the more rural towns. Rachel has counted 348 as of the Puno nightmare bus ride. (End of trip update - 517 dogs)

- Peruvians in the Andes really eat Guinea Pigs - "Cuy". During one of the bus tour stops, there was a mock up of a traditional Andean kitchen and there were a bunch of the cute little guys running all around!

Ollantay

(Seriously!!! You'd think we were going down a Class 5.)







Today we woke up and headed directly for river rafting on the Urubamba River! It was alot of fun - even though it was generally pretty slow. It was hot though. I can tell that we are on an "American" tour. For safety, we had to be bundled from head to toe. Wet suits, jackets, life jackets and helmets. We're more safe here then when we kayak at home on Rattlesnake Lake! After rafting, we headed to the town of Ollantay and took a tour of some amazing Incan ruins - Ollyantaytambo. A terraced citadel and ceremonial temple. I have lots of pictures. I guess I'll have to post them once I get home.

The Tour Begins!!!!

Feeling better at the Sonesta Posada

Wednesday 8/13/2008

Today we woke up and everyone was alot better, although Rachel still had a bloody nose. We got her oxygen, and then went to breakfast. We were able to walk around the old Monastery - it is so pretty and peaceful. Rachel and I talked to an Andean woman weaving. It takes her 2 months to weave a cloth that is about 2 feet by 5 feet. She and her family raise the Alpaca, spin the wool, dye the wool with plants or Cocinella, and weave the cloth. Of course I bought one! We were almost wishing we could stay at the Monastery during our "Tour" part of this Peru Adventure. We took a cab to the Sol y Luna, however, and changed our mind. The place is spectacular! I wish this blog site would let me easily post pictures, but it continually logs me out when I try. We met our Disney guides after taking a swim. They seem very nice. Tonight dinner is a traditional Pachamanca - should be fun!


Sol y Luna Pictures - click here!

Pachamanca update
So - a Panchamanca is basically a Wilderness Awareness-ish style dinner. They heated rocks on a grate over a fire pit for several hours. Once heated they threw the rocks in a pit along with potatoes, alpaca, pork, chicken and lamb; added some platanos and fava beans and some sauce. Covered everything with alfalfa, then wet bags for steam, then dirt. It was ready in 45 minutes and very good. While we waited to eat, we were entertained by a traditional “show”. Peruvian music and traditional dancers representing the Gods of Sun, Moon, Lightning, Earth. It was very entertaining until the God of Abundance came out. This was a character dressed up and carrying a beat up truck, a house and worst of all, an American Dollar! I was pretty appalled. After all, this is what I was worried about with Disney – the whole over-materialistic thing. I’m not sure why they would promote the worship of the almighty dollar!

And now, I feel the need to justify my shopping experiences, as discussed throughout my other posts! So far we have been good in Peru. Pat, as usual, has purchased nothing. The kids each were given a budget of $50 to spend how they liked during our 2 weeks – souvenirs, treats, etc. They also had the opportunity to convert some of their own allowance and gift budget money into Soles and spend accordingly. So far they have been very good, and actually have purchased mostly gifts for others rather than for themselves. I did spring for my fabulous sweater, but I’m including that in my clothing budget, esp since I have worn it every day! (It does not smell – and even got a little wash when my Aqua Con Gas exploded on me during the bus ride). As for souvenirs, I have so far spent under $100 and actually feel good about it, because it has all been to the Andean craftspeople. Knowing how little they actually make during the year and how they rely on this income, I’m okay with helping support them. Especially since all my stuff is gifts as well (except my weaving). I don’t like a lot of “stuff” in my house.
Well, all that being said, I’ll continue to keep an open mind about the tour. We met our fellow travelers last night and they are nice. I like our tour guides - Alejandra and Chris. Just please don’t “Disney” everything out!!!!!!