Written by Mary - 4/3/22 - Peru!

Peru has been magical! Family dinners, breakfasts and lunch, sweet Peruvian friends and small talk, the tropical and mountain dichotomy, the high altitude air and sea level ocean air. Peru was only 12 days and one destination but each stop along the way was a trip in itself! Lima was exciting with the Peruvian fútbol team qualifying for the world cup and the presidents impeachment. Cusco as immediately beautiful as the smaller town’s quaint charm captivated us. We felt like true travelers at 11k feet but were immensely soiled by the JW Marriott - possibly the nicest hotel we’ve stayed in EVER. The staff would do ANYTHING for you while you sit in a king/queen throne in a 120 year old convento! Then Aguascalientes was a mix of both the excitement and charm as we were surprised by a bus driver strike/demonstration and our bus was canceled and we had to hire a driver (wonderful David who we met the day before at the airport and toured us around) to leave at 4am to skirt the strike/demonstration, to make our train and travel through the luscious Rain Forrest along the Amazon river on train to land in the sweetest Pueblo with a small community and bed and breakfasts. Machu Picchu was all worth it! The surrounding mountains of the ruins made the entire venture worth it. I’d never seen mountains like these! So steep and jagged! The Incan ruins in addition were a total bonus. We could not believe they had been there 600 years. It’s a musicale they’re still standing. Our tour guide Marilu was a sweet addition - patient with the kids and explaining in a kid version that was interesting to them. The second day lucy and I hike Huayna Picchu the 8k foot mountain that sits behind the village citadel. It was surprisingly easy for us and we loved the one on one time! The return home reminded us of allll the difficult steps it had taken us to get so far as we rewound our journey. 12 days felt a perfect timing for us this trip as after time, south America’s charm fades and can begin to hinder your rose colored glasses. Sacred valley, thank you for checking our bucket list as we venture thru mother earths (or as Peruvians call her - Pacha Mama’s) playground ☺️