Día 16: Travel to Aguas Calientes!

¡¡Hola Familias!!

Today we woke up at 6:30, like normal, for our last morning with the homestays. After breakfast, we walked together to Don Tomás's house for the goodbye ceremony. We took lots of pictures, hugged lots of times, and shed a few tears. We gathered in a circle, when Doña Gladys, the wonderful mother who facilitated all of our meals at the house, presented us all with small painted pots as a gift so that we always remember Zurite. We all thanked her profusely for her hospitality and promised that we would never forget them or the town. Then, Johannes gifted us all custom mugs with pictures of Zurite and Machu Picchu, telling us that every time we had a drink, we will remember them. After many tears, hugs, and goodbyes, we bid Zurite farewell and embarked on our bus ride to the train station in Ollantaytambo. When we arrived, Kurt, Daniel, Nilesh, and Sam needed to use the restroom, which costed money. We didn't have any cash on had, so we tried bargaining our way into not paying by offered the lady one of the cheeses we made in Zurite a few days ago. She accepted and we enjoyed our free bathroom. The train ride was bumpy but relatively chill, and we arrived in Aguas Calientes in around an hour and a half. Once checking into the hotel, Chris and Beth revealed that we were going for a swim in a nearby hot spring that was a short walk away. We spent a refreshing two hours there, switching between the cold and hot pools. After, we returned to the hotel for an hour to change, shower, and prepare for dinner. Dinner was delicious, and those who wanted to were able to go for a walk in the market after. Now we're off to bed, excited for our tour of Machu Picchu tomorrow!!

We love ya loads,
Sam and Daniel

Group photo at goodbye ceremony

¡Con mamás!

Ana & Mimi with their mom Maribel

Katelynne & Aylou with their mom Ruti

Murohn & Ellie with their mom Paula

Daniel & Sam with their family, Tía María and Melanie

Nilesh & Evan with Saturnina and Hugo and their granddaughter

Jonah & Matt with their mom Nieves

Audrey & Bella with their family, Marilyn and Luciana

On the way to Aguas Calientes!

 

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