A Walk and a Float 2025: Salt Pools and Machu Picchu

11/25/10

(written by Christopher, typed by Mom)

In the morning, we had a great breakfast. After breakfast, we were driven to a town to start hiking. This hike was down-hill and about two miles. This hike was to the salt pools. In the giant cluster of salt pools there were 4000 of them. In the salt pools they collect salt. When the pool is completely white, they take the salt out of the pool to dry. When the salt is dry, they put the salt in bags. After seeing the pools, we walked to the van. On the way, we saw some horses on the path. We were driven to lunch which was a buffet. We were greeted in a funny way. “Hola! Hola! Hola!,” screamed the parrot. The parrot said two words and two sounds. Hola, hello, the sound of a horse, and a plain, obnoxious squeal. The food was great. After lunch, we were driven to our hotel in a very small town. This is one of the only towns that was almost untouched, made by the Inca’s. Two hours later, we had dinner. Dad and I shared a half Hawaiian, half sausage pizza. It was really good. We got back to the hotel, and had a good night’s sleep.

Salt Pools

"Brak! Hello! Hola!"

11/26/10

(written by Christopher, typed by Mom)

Early this morning we got on a train to go to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is one of the man-made seven wonders of the world. We arrived at Machu Picchu. The Incas built the town. When the Spanish arrived, they destroyed everything made by the Incas. However, they never knew about Machu Picchu. 97% of Machu Picchu is original. The buildings that aren’t very important have gaps between the rocks. The very important building have no gaps. One of the buildings was called The Temple of the Sun. The rocks had no gaps between them. The rocks also have no cement between them. How would they not come apart from each other? There are male and female rocks. Male rocks have cylinders coming out of them. Female rocks have cylindrical holes in them. When you put them together they are locked.

The whole town of Machu Picchu creates a shape. It looks like a condor. When you look at the mountains in the distance, you can turn your head. It looks like a face! At parts of the year the shadows make it look even more like a face.

Incas didn’t know hours, days, or even weeks. All they knew were seasons. They based the seasons on the Equinox and when the sun set and rose at the farthest point they go. After Machu Picchu we came to our hotel. Dad and I walked through the small town. We went to lots of shops. I got alpaca fur slippers. They were the softest item I had ever felt. We got back to the hotel. Next, we had dinner. I had chicken, noodles, pineapple, broccoli, and some mild peppers. It tasted great! We got back to the hotel and slept.