Our busiest day yet began with a train ride to Ollaybambu minus George and Anthony's luggage...a roommate quarrel was avoided when our tour guide, Washington, called the hotel so they could send it on to us in a couple of days. The village of Ollaybamba sits below an ancient Incan fortress. 300 steps to the top according to Rachel. It was another majestic reminder of the Incas' engineering marvel and coopting of existing cultural groups. For lunch, many students had beef on a stick or wood-fired pizza in the main square. Coach King tried guinea pig even though we had just seen the cute animals inside the restoration of a historical home. Next, though not on the itinerary, we stopped at a 1500-year-old evaporative salt mine. Yet another arduous hike! Eighteen of the group made it to the spring-fed source and found a few treasures after navigating some extremely steep and narrow terrain. But wait-we weren't finished yet! Seminario, a famous Peruvian "contemporary traditional artist" demonstrated ancient and modern ceramic techniques and addressed the students about a museum-commission piece he was currently working on. Had to buy more water before heading back to the cottage hotel for dinner...tomorrow we will be digging for potatoes with historical implements and learning the weaving techniques of the Incas! Off to a well-deserved bed...
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