Ollaytantambo

The fortress ruins


The amazing mortar-less construction by the Incans. These walls have been through multiple earthquakes without damage.



After I pried my nails out of the taxi door handle, we checked into the hotel and got to explore Ollantaytambo. I really didn't expect much of this tiny town, because it's just a quick stopover for anyone headed to hike Macchu Piccu, but it was gorgeous!

They have their own set of ruins, which we explored with a funny guide we met at the entrance. From the start of the trip, my goal was to hire a guide at every possible place, to learn about the sites, of course, but also to be our designated photo taker. This proves to be much easier than asking a random person who inevitably cuts your child or your forehead out of the photo.

Just the walk up the first set of stairs at such a high altitude was much tougher than it looked. We were exhausted by the end of the 2-hour hike. Because Teague wasn't feeling 100%, and because Sean is a sucker, he ended up carrying Mr. Teague on his shoulders for almost the entire tour.
The shopping--they sold anything from bug spray to fertility statues.


Exploring the little town meant a ride in the moto taxi, which, with the traffic we probably could have walked faster, and an hour in the tiny bazaar, where people came out of the woodwork to sell you anything and everything. Because there is not much money in those areas, I almost felt bad paying the inexpensive prices they requested for their items, so instead, I bought more. If you receive a knitted llama or pan flute for Christmas from us, you'll know why...

Since arriving in Peru, we had not seen even one tourist with a child; travelers were either newly married types, backpacking students or retirees. This made Teague a little bit of a novelty among the Peruvians, who aren't used to seeing foreign little kids, or anyone with light colored hair and light eyes. We got used to lots of people coming up and making a fuss, and tons of girls doing the universal high-pitched "muy lindo, muy lindo" squeal when they saw him. (They also do this in Buenos Aires.) In this town, however, we had an unusually large number of paparazzi. At one point, as we were eating lunch at an outdoor cafe, 4 teens came over and asked to take Teague's photo. Each one wanted a turn, and then they were gone. Apparently, they headed back to their ginormous tour bus, where they told every girl on the bus about Mr. Teague. So a few minutes later, a whole bus full of girls lined up to take pictures with Teague. He wasn't game for it, even when one of the girls bought a popsicle for him, so they stood around and squealed for a few minutes and were off.




Note the last line on the sign. Guinea pig is a common delicacy in these parts. We did not partake.


Views on the ride from Cusco.


The reoccurring llama theme, here on the "keep off the grass" fences.