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During Natalie and Brad's visit over Christmas break from BYU, we were able to take time away from our assignment to see some of Peru with them. Since our assignment is primarily humanitarian and we work with government agencies and numerous non-governmental organizations (NGO), we were informed that they are not in their offices during the Christmas holiday so we would be unable to do much with our projects and that would be a great time to have family visit.
Photos:
We arranged with a tour guide (Betho Rojas) to visit Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. He picked us up at the airport and we had him or another English-speaking guide throughout our time in the Inca heartland. They are all descendants of the Quechua people and speak that language as their mother tongue. Quechua was the language of the Inca Empire and the name of the people. In reality, there was only one "Inca" at a time; Inca was the title given to the leader of the empire and his people were the Quechua. They eagerly shared their knowledge and insights into their cultural heritage.
*Huge carved stone walls at a religious site near Cuzco. Large stone has twelve sides (which is symbolic in Inca culture) and all the stones fit without mortar to keep them in place.
*Salinas de Maras.
We experienced demonstrations of their weaving techniques and the tools and (natural) materials they used to dye their beautiful woven items. We were introduced to some of their agricultural heritage (most interesting to Rob, the Master Gardener) and impressed by their skill in stonework--huge stone blocks carved and interlocked to withstand earthquakes and last for millennia.
An interesting side trip as we entered the Sacred Valley was a visit to a salt "mine" that has been in use for over 2,000 years and predates the Quechua (Inca) civilization. The Andes were once part of an ocean and as they were lifted up into mountains over thousands of years, there was salt remaining that is now found deep underground. The highly salty water emerges at a spring and the flow is directed into an intricate system of tiny channels constructed so that the water runs gradually down onto the several hundred ancient terraced ponds where the sun evaporates the water leaving salt of various qualities that are harvested and sold.
Machu Picchu
*Overlooking Machu Picchu with Natalie and Brad.
*Waynapicchu Mountain.
*A beautiful flower seen along the trail up Waynapicchu Mountain.
*A "Nat's-eye" view of Rob coming down from the summit of Waynapicchu.
*Papa a la huancaína, a traditional Peruvian favorite. We've had it before, but never with a face!
The road ends at Ollantatambo where we transferred to the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the mountain where Machu Picchu is located and where we spent the night. We left our hotel in Aguas Calientes at 6:00 a.m. for the bus ride up the hill (1,300 feet of elevation gain from Aguas Calientes) to the Machu Picchu ruins. (There were a few people who chose to walk up to Machu Picchu from the base of the mountain.) We entered the city just as the sun was striking the steep mountainside of Waynapicchu that serves as a backdrop to this beautiful citadel. Our guide took us throughout the area explaining much to provide context for this wondrous place. After a few hours with him we were left to ourselves to explore and await our 10:00 a.m. entry time for Waynapicchu.
Waynapicchu Mountain rises another 1,000 feet above the ruins at Machu Picchu and called to us (Mary thinks it was saying "You guys have got to be crazy!") to climb it. Our guide had obtained tickets to permit us to climb it. Only 400 people are allowed up each day, divided into two entry times. We had to sign in, show ID, and proceed up the trail, composed in many places of steps carved into the solid rock of the mountainside or built with stone. The views were breathtaking and not soon to be forgotten. And yes, it was steep.
The final ascent to the summit was through a cave/tunnel that required us to crouch to get through it and climb the stone steps at the end. The descent was tricky because of the steepness of the terrain, the narrowness of the way, and the small steps that would barely accommodate a foot faced sideways on the tread. Carefully and patiently are the best way to follow this path. Somewhat reminiscent of the "strait and narrow way" (Matt 7:14) that leads to eternal life.
As Rob exited the Waynapicchu area he had a conversation with the people who were checking people into and out of the Waynapicchu trail. They asked about our mission assignment after they saw his missionary tag and wondered where we served. When he shared some of what our humanitarian assignment involved, (clean drinking water, wheelchairs, neonatal resuscitation, food production, vision, schools, maternal health, emergency response) they had a number of questions and asked for more detail. As we finished our conversation they expressed gratitude for the work we were doing in Peru to help their people in the many challenges they face.
When we returned to Cuzco, Betho took us on a walking tour around Cuzco and we saw some amazing things we know we'd not have found on our own. He left us on our own for a few hours to have lunch and explore. We returned to the Plaza de Armas (main city square) where artisans from throughout the province came to sell their wares the afternoon of Christmas Eve and it seemed the whole city was there to make their last-minute Christmas gift purchases.
Elder Brian
A major highlight of our week was being able to talk via Skype with our son, Brian, who is serving a full-time mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil. As you can see from the photos, he was filled with the Christmas Spirit and we had a wonderful hour talking with him of our many shared missionary experiences. It is a blessing to be serving concurrently with him. We actually feel kind of close since we are both in South America and the countries we live in share a border. :-)
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We are truly grateful, especially during this Christmas season, to be serving as missionaries. We are most grateful for the fact that our Heavenly Father sent His Son to teach us the way to return to Him, to pay the price for our sins, to open the grave that we might have Eternal Life if we will but come unto Him.
Brian and his companion made this Christmas video to bring cheer to all of their friends this year. Type in this link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XogSK6WTsO0&feature=youtu.be
Hi Rob, this is Cathy (Wrathall) Rappleye. Just saw this post. When we went down to Peru to visit my sister, Cindy and her husband when they were serving in Cuzco, my husband and I visited Macchu Picchu and we hiked Waynapicchu too. It was amazing! The work you are doing sounds wonderful and amazingly rewarding. My husband and I are finishing this week an inner-city mission in Salt Lake City. We served in the Oxbow County Jail helping felons transition back into society and hopefully never to return to jail.
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