Ollantaytambo

We choose to take the train to Agua Calentes from Ottantaytambo. Ths makes the train ride considerablycheaper. Ottantaytambo is an intersting town. We took a tour of the Ottantaytambo Archeological site. Like Machu Picchu the cost was a high $23USD unlike the $6.50 price ourtourist guide claimed. Actaually most prices seemed to be about double of what ourguides claimed. $40 for a tour guide of Machu Picchu instead of $20.

This is a blurry picture of an alter in a house in Ollantaytambo. To the right of the alter are three baby lamas that have been sacrificed for good luck. Above the alter just under the flower vase are the skulls of 3 ansestors of the family who still watch over and protect the household.

Our guide for Ottantaytambo worked for tips and while we did end up tipping him $40 he gaveus an excellent tour of the houses and fountains of Ollantaytambo as well as a tour ofthe historic old town and the guard house and sore house ruines on the other side of town.
The thing that was most impressive about Ollantaytambo is the quallity of construction.They moved massive stone blocks from around 7 miles away and across a fast flowing river, These blocks were carved to interlock with each other perfectly. The phrase "they don't build them like that anytome" came to mind again an again.

This site was quite interesting and while the setting is not as spectacular as Machu Picchu it is actually built better, and with a good guide, was more interesting than Machu Pichu.
Our night in the youth hostel was quite intersting as there where multiple long power outages.We choose to have an early dinner at the Youth Hostle Restaurant. Part was though dinnerthe power went out and the kitchen was forced to finish cooking by candle light and we finished dining by candle light and made our with by candlelight across the courtyard and back to our rooms.

The power came on later fot long enough for us to take showers and get tucked into bed. We left on the train for Agua Calentes yearly the next morning and in the dark. The kitchen staff was nice enough to prepare us scrambled eggs for breakfast by candlelight at 5:20am.