Sacsayhuamán
One day, we left our hotel in Cusco and walked up to some Inca ruins just out of town. The ruins are of a fortress and settlement called Sacsayhuamán. It is a huge area above Cusco, about 1,000 feet above the town. It was an important site for the Incas, a watchpoint for Cusco, the capital of the empire, and a place where families lived and crops were stored. Nowadays, it is a magnificent display of intricate masonry and planning that illustrates the advanced society that the Incas organized. Don’t be intimidated by the pronunciation of the site. Even when the local people talk about it, it sounds exactly like, Sexy Woman.
On our way up, we met a family from Lima, visiting their friend from Cusco. The friend from Cusco was Carlos, a high-school teacher who often brings his students to Sacsayhuamán. We spent the whole day with them, and Carlos was an excellent guide, as we not only walked through Sacsayhumán, but also three other archaeological sites nearby.
The stonework at Sacsayhuamán is precise and incredible. The rocks were brought from quarries miles away and shaped onsite to fit perfectly. The walls, the houses, the temples were all built like this.
Some of the heaviest stones weigh 300 tons. The Incas brought them up here without the use of wheels. How they manipulated them and sculpted them so perfectly is still a matter of hot conjecture among the archaeologists. 
We had a great time with Pilar and Roel and their three kids. We hope to visit them in Lima when we get there in June.
Carlos and Mike at Tambomachay
Pilar
Josue and Kiara had fun all day long
Roel, Moni, Carlos, Mike, Pilar
We took a bus to another site called Tambomachay. This place was used for rest and recreation and spiritual renewal. There are natural springs here that the Incas channeled through their buildings so that they flowed down into sacred baths. The Incas came here to bathe and relax. The precursors to our spas.
The water still flows down just like it did 700 years ago.
The trail leading to Tambomachay
The Andes are everywhere
Looking down on Cusco from 1000 feet up
Cusco was a thriving and organized city at least a couple of hundred years before Columbus set sail. Exploring the area around Cusco, with Inca and Pre-Inca architecture still standing, is a great way to gain perspective on the passing of time.
mikeandmonica 
WOW, awesome pics !!!!! such amazing architecture ! how did they build those big amazing structures….. 300 ton rocks without wheels ? etc. you guys look SO happy AND cute !!!!! wheeeeeeeeee ! hahahahahahaha ! just amazing!!!!
thanks for the blog/pics !!!! love you guys, Jan xxo
Hola! M+M What an amazing place built by an incredible society. You two look so good and must be in great shape! My reentry has been a bit slow. We are having some beautiful weather so that helps. Will email Love Map
Crowd pleasing pics and incredible monologue. You two should do a book when you get back! By the way, when you return, you’ll have new neighbors to the south of you. The two decided they needed a smaller place-they found something that works well for them and moved out this weekend, (31st). They will be missed, but they did say they want to come back for our Mill St Block Party’s! Hey Mike and Moni, I received your much anticipated postcard – 11 days in snail mail – not too bad, unless you’re deep into the immediacy of instant gratification. Sometimes I wish we could go back to a slower time-when anticipation is rewarded by the simplest of things; a picture card with the written words of two good friends. I miss you guys but I know you’re having a once in a lifetime adventure, so enjoy it big time! We’re having outrageous weather here this weekend …. 70 degrees! wheeee. Joni