Machu Picchu!

I'm a little behind on my blogging....but that is because I'M STILL IN PERU! I extended my plane ticket and will be here until August 1....yes :-) Anyway, to catch you all up...the other weekend Jonny and I took a trip to Machu Picchu and it was absolutely amazing.

In order to get to Machu Picchu you either have to take a 2-4 day trek, or you can take an hour and a half train ride - we definitely took the train. We arrived at the base of MP on Saturday night and then woke up at 5am the next day so that we could get there and watch the sun rise over the ruins. The minute that we walked into Machu Picchu, I was struck into silence by beauty, complexness and amazing energy that surrounds the ruins. I feel like I have been to a lot of different ruins before, but Machu Picchu is unlike any other. Not only are the ruins amazing, but the mountains that surround MP are absolutely breath taking and add so much to the entire experience.....

Jonny and I at about 6:30 am at the Machu Picchu....

The llamas.....

Sunrise....

Oh hey!

We hiked to the top of Waynu Picchu and I felt like we were at the top of the world....

Then we hiked down to this Incan cave...and the hike had some pretty intense ladders...

We got to the cave which was full of ruins and was amazing....

Then we hiked back up to the top of Machu Picchu and took what Jonny calls "The money shot picture"

After the full day of hiking and climbing and adventuring, we were totally exhausted. We got back on our train and completely passed out until we arrived back in Urubamba. Being here was absolutely amazing and is probably up there with one of the top 5 days of my life thus far. For any of you who haven't made it here before, you should definitely put it on your bucket list...it's worth it.

Thoughts on returning home...

So every time that I go abroad, I always get in country and then never want to leave. I've become really good at extending my plane tickets, and this time in Peru is no different. I love it and want to stay. I am having so much fun here. Now that I am out of Lima and living in Urubamba, I am loving it. I love that there is no TV or Internet at the house, I love that I wake up in the mornings and walk outside to beautiful mountains in the backyard, I love the dirt roads and how tranquilo this part of Peru is. It fits with me, this small town, relaxed feel. And up until two days ago, I was completely set on coming home to the United States on July 11 - which is when my plane ticket is. But now that the 11th is just around the corner, I am getting nervous because I don't feel like I have enough time left. I have all of these amazing towns and ruins in the Sacred Valley to experience. I need more time with Jonny. And I'm loving my job here - going out on projects, working with the Peruvian/American staff, having group dinners, making friends with staff, etc. I want more of that and I am not quite ready to leave. But then the thing is, I love summer in Minnesota and I haven't been home in a really long time. I know that my parents really want me to come home, and that my cousins and friends are excited to see me. And there is a part of me that feels like I need to be there, to be centered, to be with my family, to just be home. Currently I am feeling pulled in both directions and I don't know which one I will chose. I haven't even spoken to Jonny about this yet, as he has been in San Francisco all week for work (gross right? The Jefes (bosses) sent him to San Fran in the middle of our lovecation! What??!!) Anyway, it's been fine and I have actually enjoyed having some quite time to myself. I've played guitar, made new friends, had quiet breakfasts and snuggled lots with Ollie, that sweet dog of his. However, I can't wait for him to come back to me tomorrow, as we head to Machu Picchu tomorrow night so that we can get up early and watch the sunrise over the ruins....yup....should be amazing :-) I'll post pictures....

Anyway, at this point I have no idea when I'll be home. My thought is that almost everyone who is reading this in MN is pulling for July 11th, and there is a good chance that I'll still be home then....but there is also this other part of me that just wants to extend that ticket one more time....Vamos a ver... Here are some pics...

Me and Jonny in Lima.

We went to this super cool bar, that had these awesome bottles....

Back in Urubamba. The red door is the entrance to our office. Look at those mountains! Can you see why I am in love with working here? Hello!

Out on a project with some of our volunteers. Every year we have an annual river clean-up day, and this year we ended up picking up 40 bags of trash - most of which were plastic bags. Don't use plastic bags folks - they are killing our environment! Get reusable bags!!