2006 French Holiday (with the UK extention)

This June 8-14, I went on a little adventure to France. It was a cross country journey (although the country is the size of Texas, so much shorter then my drive from CA to NY). Here is the Story of my adventure.



Day 1: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Wednesday night I left Boston on a red-eye, arriving bright and early in Paris at 7AM. As I exited customs, Vinny was there waiting for me and the start of our French adventure. We took the bus to the RER station; the RER to the subway; the subway to Gare d'Lyon; the TGV from Paris to Geneva; a cab to the car rental spot; then our rental car to Les Houches, in the Chamonix Valley and our Chalet. All this because I requested seeing Big Mountains. And I got my Big Mountains, Mount Blanc, the biggest one in Europe.

Our Chalet was a beautiful building, covered with flowers. It was nice to finally get to a place where I could shower and change out of the clothes I had been in for way to many hours, but it was also the beginning of the sneezes - allergies haunted the entire trip.



We wandered into town, seeing a little bit of Chamonix and eating a yummy French dinner. The nights are so very long in France, and in the evening the mountain is still quite beautiful.



Day 2: Mount Blanc and Switzerland

After we woke up, it was time for French breakfast, which means hot chocolate, bread with jam, and yogurt, a very yummy way to start the day. After eating, we headed out to the gondola and went up to the top of Aiguille Midi, to see the mountains up close. It was chilly and beautiful! At the lower site, I explored, playing in the snow and climbing rocks, before we headed down to town and lunch.



In the afternoon, we took a drive to Switzerland, where the hills are alive, with the sound of cow bells! In the ongoing contest of farms and cemeteries, Vinny claimed the most melodious group of cows, mooing and ringing. We went through winding tunnels and up small roads that lead to even smaller villages.



We also took a short hike down to the Mysterious Gorges, walking down the side of a mountain side through the woods and flowers.



After the Swiss adventure, we headed back to Chamonix for dinner. I had Raclette, which is just an awesome cheese dish and then pear sorbet for dessert.

Day 3: Travel to Fleurieux: The Family

In the morning, it was time for another French breakfast before our drive on the Autoroute to Lyon. The autoroute has great signs telling you about the places you are driving by, from rivers and gorges to castles and nunneries. We drove through the city of Lyon, giving me a glimpse of where Vinny was born, before heading out to the countryside town of Fleurieux, where Vinny's grandmother, aunt, and cousins live. After an afternoon nap, we visited his grandmother, then went on a sightseeing tour of the Beaujolais with his aunt and uncle. Then it was time for dinner. I do not know when I have eaten so much. Big yummy salad, great bread, and then quenelle . After stuffing ourselves on this Lyonnais specialty, it was time for the cheese course. The food is endless in a French dinner. After dinner, Vinny, his cousin, and I went for a walk around town, and there was a random outdoor movie in the park by his mom's elementary school, so we sat out and watched, as our stomachs began to digest.



Day 4: Travel to the Dordogne Valley

After sleeping in late (our bodies were probably still digesting all the food), we headed out on the real cross country portion of our trip, across two large national parks, to the Dordogne Valley. Instead of staying on the Autoroute, at Egletons we exited, and with limited maps, wandered down the valley, through little roads to Argentat, and then eventually to Autoire, and my friend Sarah's Manoir d'Autoire.



Once in Autoire, it turns out there was a Pétanque boules tournament taking place. After watching the game, we returned to Sarah's to eat and dance. In the big room, music played and we drank wine and danced until late in the night.



Day 6: Dordogne Valley Adventures

Then next day we headed out for some local touring, through all the picturesque and idyllic villages. We ended up at the little local beach in Floirac, alone on the Dordogne river. The water was cold but refreshing as we frolicked for the morning.



In the afternoon, we hiked to a beautiful waterfall, and then had a real adventure, going up the hillside (see the picture, rather straight up) and then visiting the Chateau des Anglais, overlooking Autoire. Then we proceeded to take many wrong turns, and took several hours to climb to the top of the ridge and then find the correct loop down to town.



Day 7: Travel to Paris via Rocamadour and Brive

Tuesday morning, headed out to Rocamadour, a historic pilgrimage site, before driving up to the big town of Brive.





In Brive, we returned the car and took the train to Paris. Once in Paris, it was the night of the France/Switzerland World Cup game, which we watched in a smoky bar before getting yummy Breton style food (think buckwheat crepes and cider) for dinner.

Day 8: Leave France - the random UK extension - Oxford

Our vacation had come to an end, and Vinny left at the bright hour of 6AM, as I started my work day. I went to Gare d'Nord and took the EuroStar to London. From London I headed out to Oxford to visit a friend from Princeton (Dr. Yang He) who is a fellow at Merton College.



Day 9: Oxford and Bedford

In the morning I toured historic Oxford, seeing the oldest continuous use library, the table where Lord of the Rings was inspired, and enjoying a great college city. I then took the bus to Bedford, where I would be working.



Day 10: Come HOME!

And finally my adventure and extension were over. After a morning of work, a lovely lunch in a country pub, and train and tube rides, I was at the airport, and on my way home to Boston.

More pictures of my adventure can be found here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AC22FB2C168&cb=PW

Karna's India Adventure

Spring 2006 (April 10-21) found me on an adventure to India! First I went down to Hyderabad for a little work, then fly up to Kolkata for my friend Ian's wedding. It was a wonderful trip to the sub-continent. Here is a brief summary in words and pictures of the adventure.



Day One: Leave Boston

I started out for India at 6:30 PM, when Joy gave me a ride to the airport. Turns out Boston Logan does not have a very swanky international terminal, it was rather sad really, dark, empty, and cold. But, after 2 hours of waiting (because I did get there 2 hours ahead of time), I headed out on British Airways to London.

It was an long red-eye flight, I read a book, watched a movie, and then tried to sleep, with some irritated grumbling from the woman in the seat behind me. After some relaxation I finally fell asleep, and the good karma police were nice enough to give me 3 seats across on my next leg, so that was good. We arrived in London at 8 AM!

Day 2: London Airport

I spent 8 hours in the London Airport. At least this international terminal had a lot of fun stuff, with shops, bookstores, food, and a quiet room. I read a book in the quite room looking out the window at planes and a dreary overcast and raining day. While walking around, several times I got to pass by the armed (with big automatic weapons) security people. I don't think guns in airports are such a good idea. At 3 o'clock, I was off again on the BA flight to Kolkata. We had dinner, I read a book, then watched Nanny McPhee, before sleeping. On this leg, I had 3 seats across - so much ROOM, it was wonderful to sleep until breakfast, I then watched the Narnia movie while eating. At 5 AM we arrived in Kolkata.

Day 3: Kolkata to Hyderabad

After arriving in Kolkata, I looked up and on the plane was the sister, niece, and mother of Appy Nandi, one of my friends in NY from Princeton! How crazy. I talked with the family (who was also visiting for a wedding, although a different one), while going through customs. After customs, I walked outside (at 5AM it was light out, soupy, and 100 degrees) to the Domestic terminal, then sat around until my 10AM flight to Hyderabad. This airport had guards with very old looking rifles, and when you go through security women have their own line, so we can be patted down with the wand under a tent - to protect us from men's eyes, I guess. I napped a bit on the plane and ate really good Indian food, and arrived in Hyderabd at 1 PM. My driver met me (and was I think surprised by a woman, my name in India is male) and took me to the hotel. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing work and sleeping. Turns out all that travel took a lot out of me.



Day 4: Hyderabad

This morning I got up and headed into the office. I felt like I was in a sci-fi novel, going to the Cyber Pearl in Hi-Tec City in Cyberabad. The names were crazy, the buildings were huge, and everyone was doing technology. I spent the day in the IBM office, meeting the teams, and then after a day of work, went out with the manager, saw the new IBM site, and then went shopping for pearls. Hyderabad is also known as Pearl City, and is the place in India to get pearls.

After the outings of the day it was time for dinner. I had a traditional local dinner, which began with a dish I will call Fire Water with a hint of Lemon. This was really Lemongrass Lentil Rasam, but it felt like drinking fire. OH MY GOD it was hot. Then I had, Hyderabadi murgh biryani, the local biryani, a rice dish, before finishing the meal with Khubani Ka Meetha - sweet and syrupy apricots, which were almost as painfully sweet as the soup was fiery.

Day 5: Hyderabad



I got up in the morning, not feeling very good (something from the nights dinner disagreed with me), but after a light breakfast began my tourist tour of Hyderabad. I started at the Golconda Fort, hiring a guide and doing a walk around the fort. The fort offered great views of the area, and a history lesson of India. Continuing my history tour, I went to the Salar Jung Museum, and saw the Nizams' Jewellery - an amazing display of gems - huge blobs of diamonds and emerards. The Nizams definitely had some money. My driver then took me by Charminar, before returning to the hotel to rest by the pool until my flight to Kolkata.



The flight to Kolkata was full and easy, and I arrived without much trouble around 7PM. I then took a cab to Hiland Park (where my friend Ian lives). Approaching Hiland Park, an older India man knocked on the door and asked - "Are you Karna?" when I said yes, he turned the cab around and said, we are going to my house. He also then explained he was Ian's future father in law. We then went to his home, where Ian and his family were gathered to eat dinner with the Mitra family. I had some home cooked Bengali food, before we (Ian, his brother Kim, and I) headed back to Hiland Park for the night. Meeting us at Hiland Park were Jason, Arthur and Kimmy, who had just arrived from California.

Day 6: Kolkata

After waking up, we went down to the street for breakfast - Indian style French toast and chai - SO YUMMY.



I went shopping for Sari's with the girls, while Ian waited for Gidion, the wedding photographer, and a friend of his from school. I found two beautiful Sari's. Then more shopping for gold and the men.



We then went to the Tolly Club for a Bengali New Year (not just Easter weekend, it was also Bengali New Year) celebration and dinner. Then it was back to Hiland Park, and the arrival of the final out of town pair, Martin and Susmita.

Day 7: Kolkata

Easter Sunday was mainly a quite day at the house. We went shopping at Big Bazzar for the Henna Party, and I got my hair washed in a local promotion. We relaxed and got to catch up/know one another.

That night was the Henna Party, where all the women's hands were decorated, and the men needed to feed us. It was fun.









Sleeping with the henna on my hands, not so much fun.

Day 8: Kolkata

On Monday, we ventured forth, taking a bus to the subway. The subway was nice and clean, and then we exited to the craziness of New Market. After a lunch in a local shop, we went shopping, and I got gifts at the India Government cottage Industries shop. Then went for a fancy tea break with Martin and Susmita.



We then all met up with Ian's family for a final batchlor dinner at the very COLD fancy restaurant in the Park Street area. After dinner, we headed home to Hiland Park.

Day 9: Kolkata

All but the groom were up early at Hiland Park, as the day of wedding activities was beginning. First, we headed to Tolly Club, to create gift baskets for all of Maureen's family. A car full of gifts was created, and then taken over to her house by Kim, Torbin (the brothers) and Kimmy.



I went with Sasmita and Martin to get Martin an outfit and pick up my Sari tops. I now had new outfits for both events. Upon our return to the Tolly Club, Maureen's family came over with gifts for Ian's family (including their outfits for the night).

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting ready. I had my hair and nails done, and then got dressed in my peach sari. Ian got ready, in his "groom's outfit" and then was picked up by a car decorated in flowers - beautiful. He and his brothers headed off and then the rest of the group followed.

The ceremony involved Ian receiving blessings in his family circle, and then Maureen receiving blessings.



Ian was then taken to the roof, where 2 huge tents (with fans and chandeliers) were set up for further ceremony. He did a ceremony with a priest in the tent, then went outside and Maureen was carried around him several times, and then they went back inside for more hours of ceremony - at least now they were together. It was long, and during the ceremony her dad came by to remind us to go to the other tent for food. Once the ceremony was over, Ian got to spend the night with her whole family were supposed to keep the couple up all night long!

I had a room at the Tollygunge "Tolly" Club for the night, and I returned for a much needed nights sleep.

Day 10: Kolkata

In the morning, I got up and had a bit of pampering with an Ayurvedic massage. After that relaxation, it was back to the Groom's parents room for the ceremonial arrival of the couple. Ian and Maureen arrived, and were blessed by Ian's parents, and she was now given over to his house. Finally, they could rest.

For the rest of us, the afternoon was filled with golf and swimming, and then getting ready for the big reception night. I had my hair done again - this time "up" and had help with the draping of my sari in a formal draping. I wore my pearls from Hyderabad with the outfit and they were wonderful.



Everyone said I looked regal. I felt like a princess. Then there was final preparation for the reception. Not everything went quite as smoothly as we would have liked, but eventually the room was beautiful, and everyone could come in to meet the new couple. The couple also signed the registry and exchanged rings. I got to be the gift auntie, and sit and receive gifts. This was a fun way to see everyone.



At the end, the new whole family gathered in all their brilliant color to celebrate the new couple.



At the end of the evening, we decorated Ian and Maureen's bed with flowers and said goodbye to the finally married couple.

Day 11: Kolkata

For my last day in Kolkata, I hired a car for the day - the 10 seater was great, because the whole group could fit into the car and we didn't need to breath the fumes from the road (the way you do with cabs). One of Maureen's friends Ateyee (?) had offered to be our guide/fellow explorer, and so with her Bengali language skills and a good driver, 9 of us were able to explore.

First we drove through the colonial part of town, seeing the big buildings and fields. Victoria Memorial is a beautiful building. Then we headed out to north Kolkata, over the old Howrah bridge, to Belur Math. As we explored the temple and temple grounds, we felt probably the most peaceful of anywhere in Kolkata. It was so nice to escape the hustle and bustle of town. We also at lunch at the temple, the free meal offered to any and all. Everyone sat on mats and at off of banana leave plates. We had rice, dahl, vege curry, then a serving of mango chutney and rice pudding. Very good food.



Next we walked a few blocks to the ferry stop, and we took the ferry (very small boat) to the Dakshineswar Temple, a Kali temple. It was closed, but still beautiful to look at from the outside. Our driver met us there and took us to Botanical Gardens, Shibpur - home of the oldest (and biggest) Banyan tree. It was nice to explore the gardens.



Then it was back to the Tolly club. We were all exhaused. I took a nap then got a massage, before heading out to dinner with the group, then to Hiland Park for the night.

Day 11: Travel Home

At 5AM, Kim and I got up and took a taxi to the airport. The taxi was filled with mosquitoes. The last of my bites. We checked in, and then waited for the plane. I was able to change seats with someone, so we could sit together on the way home. Most of the flight was spent sleeping, reminiscing, and watching movies. Upon arrival in London, we got to wait in Long security lines, then we got some food and candy, and waited for my flight.



I said goodbye to Kim, then boarded my flight for home. I arrived in Boston around 7PM. Home. Much to my surprise, Vinny was in the airport to great me and take me home!

More Photos from India

Move to Boston

I NOW LIVE IN BOSTON!

On Feb. 7th, I moved out of my apartment in Dobbs Ferry, NY and on Feb. 8th (my sister's birthday) I moved into the new home in Brookline, MA.

Here are some pictures of the new place:

The Building (I live just above a post office)




















My Room (yes, similar to every other room of mine)

My Office (fancy fancy, but I am not actually there a lot)

It was a good move, helped greatly by Phoebe Shen, who was able to help me get rid of 36 cubic feet of stuff. Goodwill now has a lot of my old clothes, housewares, and camping gear, and I now have a closet where I can find things. I was also able to settle in before the big snow storm. While it is still cold in Boston, is also a lot of fun to explore.

I look forward to many of wonderful visitors to the Boston Area.

2005 Year in Review

Happy New Year!

My big news for 2006 is that I am moving! Yes, it was less then a year ago that I moved to the New York area, but now IBM is moving me to Boston.

2005 was a spectacular year, with many great trips and stories.

I had an amazing drive cross country with Vinny, taking me from California to New York, via exciting places like the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, and the Smokey Mountain National Park, along with random sites like the gravesite of Billy the Kid and a big crater. Move Blog

Once in New York, I settled into the new apartment (which reminded me of my college dorm building), and explored the Hudson River Towns, with bike rides, walks along the Croton Aqueduct Trail, and train adventures into the city to see museums, parks, and friends.

In the spring, I made many trips back to California, for Ally's baby shower, Stephanie's wedding, Olivia's birth, and Mel and Mom's surgeries. The big adventure was the Wildflower Triathlon with Lora and Cat. This was an amazing race, with beautiful wildflowers and just a good adventure. I always had confidence that I could complete it, but it was still very nice to run across the finish line.

Memorial weekend I headed back to Princeton for my 9th reunion with my good friends Phoebe, Charleton, and their daughter Natalie - who were celebrating their 10th reunion. This was good practice for me, seeing as I will be in charge of Food and Beverages at my 10th reunion. Memorial Monday, I went to a cool Memorial Day event honoring my great grandfather Kenneth Whiting, who died during WWII, at his hometown high school, in Larchmont, NY. I got to see his memorial stone in his church and home site. It was a nice piece of history. Pictures from the weekend are here: Memorial Pictures

During the summer, there were no trips to California, but many around the region, as I joined the RedRum co-ed ultimate team, and went to tournaments in Albany, Boston, Cape Code, Connecticut Beach, and Rhode Island. It was wonderful to be a part of such a fun and friendly ultimate team again.

My other summer sport was softball, and except for breaking someone’s hand, it was great fun. I also participated in the NY tradition of going to a Yankees game!

My one stateside summer trip, was to Chicago, visit a college friend Geoff and experiencing the “scene” there and discovering that great city.

In August I went to Peru. I loved hiking in the Andes along the Inca Trail to get to Machu Pichu, it was a beautiful and energizing experience. Peru Blog



During the fall, as I saw the leaves change color, and did “fall activities” like apple picking and Princeton football games, with Kelli and Matt. I went up to Boston for my 31st birthday with Phoebe, and drove back with Vinny as he came to entertain me for a week, at the end of which Aunt Sherry visited.

I flew back to the Bay Area in September for Julia's Baby Shower and to LA in October, for Halloween and to see Tracy's new baby Sage. These were needed breaks from a very wet October in New York. I was back in the Bay Area again for Thanksgiving week, seeing Julia's new baby Caleb, going to Rob and Gail's wedding, and gathering with the whole family for Thanksgiving at Mom's house. It was great to have the Dahlberg, Taylors, and Nisewaners all gathered together.

Once I returned to New York, winter stormed in with a big snow storm the first weekend in December, as I was looking at a place to live in Brookline, and then another big one, just as I flew off to London for a long weekend of fun. Lauren and Jacob were amazing hosts, showing me that popping over to London for a winter weekend is an excellent thing to do.

I headed home for the Christmas holiday weekend and a family gathering at Aunt Sherry’s home, before flying off to Kauai with Megan. Beaches, hiking, helicopter rides - paradise is a wonderful place in the middle of winter.
My Mom and Bob visited in January, just as I finalized my move to Brookline. What an amazing year!

I hope you all also had a great 2005 and that we all have an amazing 2006!

Karna's Peru Adventure

In August had a wonderful adventure in Peru. This was my treat to myself for moving to the East Coast. I went with a group of Princeton Alums in a Global Adrenaline, no one I really knew before the trip, but still a good (mostly techie) group.

Day 1: Lima

The adventure begins. My Lan Peru flight arrived at 7AM in Lima, and a driver was waiting to take me and another traveler (Julian) to the Lima Hotel. Lima is a huge old city. We arrived at the hotel and I took a nap. At 10, I met up with other travelers, Jason and Barabra, Laura, and Will. Will then led us on an adventure in Lima, as we hired a driver and explored the city. We headed to the beach, then to the National Museum, then back to the hotel, where we were joined by Lauren and Dan for dinner by a ruin.

Day 2: Cuzco


We woke up early (4AM) and went to the airport to fly to Cuzco. During the night, Brian, Conor, Liz, Brett, Brad, and Andy had arrived. Lan Peru safely took us to Cuzco, where we were at 11,000 feet and began a tour of several ruins, such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, and Tambo Machay. We then checked into the hotel, and after a much needed lunch, headed out into Cuzco to see the Santo Domingo church which was built over the Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral. I left the tour early to go sleep - the altitude and little buggies were not treating me very well. After a nap, I went to orientation, where I met Matt (he had been delayed several times, missed connections, and traveled for 40 hours to join us.) I left orientation early - feeling very sick, but as a bonus, they gave me oxygen! I deliriously packed for the trail, and went to sleep, randomly waking up at 3 am feeling well again.

Day 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas

Up early we had breakfast then headed out to the bus. As we headed out to the Sacred Valley, the scenery was very dry - like California in the summer, although this is Peru's winter. We stopped to take scenic pictures, explored more ruins, and then lunched. After a late lunch we went to a ceramic shop (of Pablo Seminario - http://www.ceramicaseminario.com/) and I bought a stool - it is so cool - Will was my inspiration after he bought one. I was feeling much better. After checking into a hotel in Ollantaytambo, we headed out for
dinner. The next day the trail adventure would begin.

Day 4: Ollantaytambo and First Day on Trail


After waking, we explored Ollantaytambo, a town/ruin, where the houses are still the Inca made houses (many filled with Guinea Pig - a local food treat), next to the ruins of Inca site. It turns out all Inca sites have three things - town, religion, and agriculture - these amazing terraces. We had a great study leader Vince Lee '60 - an expert on Peru/Incas (http://www.blissnet.com/~sixpacmanco/). He would tell us about the architecture, the life of the Incas and then back up his stories with a Nova Special he worked on, or original text from the Spanish settlers. I really had not realized how recent the Inca's were - 1400s - or the extent of Andean culture before them. After exploring Ollantaytambo, we headed out onto the trail. It was an easy walk to our lunch site under the trees, and the first of many meals with Potatoes - the Andean gift to the world. We probably only tried 10 of the 300 cultivated varieties, but that was good enough. After lunch it was a few hours to our camp site - little huts for our tents in a more permanent camp location with a view of Mt. Veronica. That night, after dinner we played Celebrity - it was especially fun watching the guys charade some of the name.

Day 5: Second Day on Trail


We woke up early for opening ceremony with our porters. They all came from the same village of porters that server Hiram Bingam when he "discovered" Machu Picchu. Dressed in their "local" hats and orange wool, they were introduced to us. It was one porter’s first trip, although many had been hiking the trail for over 20 years. We headed out along the Urubamba River, and then after checking in at the official station, we headed up hill. We saw many Inca ruins, and some still in ruined form, like Llactapata. After lunch, we hiked past the village of Huayllabamba, and detoured from the Inca trail to spend the night next to the Inca ruin of Paucarcancha, which is between two rivers. This camp sight had even more beautiful views then the one before, which was the start of a trend! I went up and explored Paucarcancha ruins with Vince, before dinner, and then an early night.

Day 6: Third Day on Trail

This was the very tough day. After an easy hike back to the trail, the brutal uphill from 10,000 feet to 13,800 and Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwanusqa) began. I just kept climbing and climbing. It was slow long and hard. I wanted to cry. Then we had lunch. After some invigorating food, with the company of Jason and Conor I reached the pass. Hooray! We took pictures at the pass and then headed down some steep stairs to our campsite at Pacamayu - this beautiful overlook of a valley - the dry vegetation was gone, and now we were in a much more lush land. After dinner, I just fell asleep - exhausted from the climb.

Day 7: Fourth Day on Trail


This was the most fun day - with something of a clime to the Runkuraqay Pass at 13,000 feet, and then an "Inca Flat" walk through ruins like Sayacmarca, a nice lunch and then to our campsite at Phuyupatamarca ("The Place Among the Clouds"). It was a beautiful campsite up in the mountains, and for once we all had energy - jumping around, playing games, and after tea, fitting 11 people into my tent to play a drinking game without drinks (which we still had trouble with - we blamed it on the altitude). After dinner and more chatting, we went to bed early - the valley was covered in fog, but if it cleared during the night we would wake up for sunrise.

Day 8: Last Day on Trail

The fog cleared and we were woken for sunrise - it was beautiful - the sun lighting mountains in the distance, then peeking through the mountains. After this, we had breakfast, and then a tipping ceremony with the Porters. Everyone left out stuff the did not want (my headlamp that irritated me, some gloves...) and the porters were all given money by us ($40 - the same they were paid for carrying the 25 kilos a day) and got to pick something from the stuff pile. Usually they go in order of seniority, but this time, the new porter got to go first, and he got my headlamp. After this we were off, and it was ALL downhill. Oh my - so hard on the knees.


We stopped at Winay Wayna to learn more about the Incas, and then after lunch we walked through Inta Punku (Gate of the Sun) and could finally see Machu Picchu - we had made it. Walking down to Machu Picchu I got an amazing number of bug bites. I was tired, but happy. We took the bus down the switchbacks to Aguas Calientes, for our hotel. After getting clean - showers are wonderful things, I wandered about getting postcards and a clean shirt (Inca Kola Shirt). Then it was a dinner, before heading to bed. Sometime during my evening in Aguas Calientes, I lost my digital camera. Not good. But I had taken out a 512 card, so as you can see there are still lots of pictures, AND I still had my regular camera.

Day 9: Machu Picchu


Up early for sunrise at Machu Picchu, and then a trek straight up to climb Wayna Picchu - it really was straight up - very exhausting, but exhilarating to make it to the top and look back tat the Gate of the Sun - where I had entered this valley the day before. Then it was back down to Machu Picchu, for more descriptions of this hidden treasure. After lunch, I just sat out on a terrace and looked out - I really was in paradise. In the late afternoon we headed back to town, and caught the train back to Cuzco. It was a beautiful ride along the river to town.

Day 10: Lima


We got up early and flew from Cuzco to Lima. Another painless Lan Peru flight. After arriving in Lima, we set about on an exploration - first food, then the old city center - older then anything in the United States, and then the Larco museum. After that it was to the airport. We were all tired as we checked into flights and then waited until late in the night to head home. As I entered my flight it was like winning the lottery - I was upgraded to business class (so random) and so the adventure ended on yet another high note.

Pictures: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=A553BD2BE14&cb=PW

Article in the Princeton Alumni Weekly