Altitude Sickness. It’s real.

And it’s easily explained by what Kayla now calls “Hannah’s Episode…”

My alarm was set Saturday night for 7am Sunday morning and for some reason I woke up at 1:15am and begin to panic that we were late so I woke up Kayla. She quickly brought me back to reality and I embarrassingly said “oh, okay,” and went to the bathroom. Note to self: body freaks out when you go from laying down sleeping to full-blown-standing-up-panic. So what happened? Well, in the bathroom, I suddenly got very hot and nauseous. Next thing I knew, I woke up on the floor after passing out, only finding a lovely bruise/bump on my forehead as evidence to what had happened. Luckily, Kayla (queen of Google searches), helped me to conclude it was only mild altitude sickness and she allowed me to go back to bed (after I assured her my brain was, in fact, not swelling) Phew! Don’t fret, 100% back to normal in the morning! Hence… “Hannah’s Episode.”

Beyond that, still having a BLAST! We woke up at 7am yesterday and went to breakfast. Then went on a 4 hour walking tour of Cusco! So beautiful. Our tour guide took us all around to different parts of the city as well as inside an amazingly beautiful temple. We learned the difference between a llama and an alpaca and how symbolic the Incans were with their rocks. However, we’ve come up with some interpretations of our own! We explored all day and had some wonderful bonding time as a group. I also found a Starbucks which made me one happy chica! Only downside of the day: they put alpaca on my plate at dinner. As adventurous as I am trying to be with trying new foods, the alpaca will have to wait a little longer.

Today, however, has been my favorite day yet! We went to a place called Saqsaywaman (everyone calls it sexywoman) which is the former capital of the Incan Empire. Wow. So breathtaking. (Literally since there is about 0% oxygen in the air and you climb about 1,000 stairs up a mountain). Kelly pointed out that the view was “so saqsay.” My favorite part was the built in slides going down part of the mountain. The Incans were my kind of people!

Tonight we are heading out to watch some Peruvian dancers before dinner. As for now? We are embracing the culture and grabbing some siesta time. Tomorrow, we pack our backpacks and leave first thing in the morning for 2 and a half days to visit Aguas Calientes, the Sacred Valley, and MACHU PICCHU!!!!

Beyond excited.

Summary: I am having an absolute blast, the culture is incredible and so are the Peruvian people, and most importantly, God is great and has been great for all of time! As amazing as the Incan Empire is, nothing compares to His artwork and creation of these mountains and the pieces of Himself that he put into His people all over the world! We can only stand in awe.

Buenas Tardes!

H

La Plaza de Armas 

La Catedral

I spy with my little eye... :)

The best slide in the whole world!

What do you think J? ;)

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