Cuzco, Peru

First entry by MVC :). Before heading to Cuzco we went to Nazca for the day. We took a bus from Ica to Nazca which dropped us off at a viewing tower where we would be able to see the Nazca Lines...the ones we saw from the tower were most likely fake jajajaja...The Nazca Lines are huge designs that one needs to see from an airplane to fully appreciate.

 Nazca was a quaint town. We ate lunch, we walked around the plaza, and witnessed a beauty pageant for Miss Nazca:

 We took an 11pm bus from Nazca to Cuzco and arrived exhausted from the crazy 16 hour drive on a super windy and somewhat dangerous road. The driver of this double decker bus had no fear. We drove through the night and tried to sleep as much as possible, but Owen was sick (stomach issues) and I got car sick for the first time in my life. In the morning we stopped off at a little bus stop to eat, and then continued for another 5 hours. 

Although the ride was tiring, it was worth it because Cuzco is so beautiful! We are staying in a hostel called El Mirador del Inka, which is on a hill above the San Blas area of Cuzco. The view is amazing:

 First day we got here we reserved our 3 day trip to Machu Picchu, which we will take this Mon-Wed, and we have decided that we will go camping in the Sacred Valley once we return from Machu Picchu, where we hope to soak in the hot springs. After that we head to Puno (Lake Titicaca). 

Yesterday we walked around Cuzco. We found a cute bakery with tasty pasteries and coffee, and took some photos out the window:

Then we went to the Plaza de Armas and into nearby stores to look at their amazing art.

 We also went to San Pedro Market which was surprisingly very clean and nice. 

I think Owen´s highlight of the day was finding the gas tank for his stove, which we have been searching for since Lima. He also bought a knife he wanted. Luckily the weather held up for us the whole day. 

We also realized yesterday that we will need a Visa to get into Bolivia, opps. So we got on it and have gotten all documents in order to get the visa upon entering Bolivia. (Thanks Jason for helping :))

This morning it poured for about 3 hours straight, but we threw on our raingear and trekked in the rain to eat lunch and get Owen a passport photo for the Bolivian Visa. Since it's our anniversary today, we are going to splerge and get massages and go out to a nice dinner. :) We have an exciting week ahead of us, and will keep you all updated. Until then Ciao Amigos!!! 

P.S. - Owen has become addicted to the Settlers of Catan App on his iPod...its very annoying... And he dropped it earlier so now there is a crack :( maybe ill finish the job on the iPod to prevent future catan-ing.

Also there's a pool table here, but the pockets are absurdly too small so it's damn near impossible to make a shot!