Two Weeks in Peru and Bolivia

I can't say for certain why I felt so compelled to visit Machu Picchu. After all, going into this trip I knew very little history of the lost city of the Incas and even less about the people who once called it home. But, for whatever reason, it just kept calling me there. I suppose it's sort of like the Crosby Stills & Nash song, Southern Cross, which rejoices: "When you see the Southern Cross for the first time you understand now why you came this way." I decided to come this way in the middle of March, opting to take my chances toward the end of the region's rainy season. Just like anything else, this time of year has its pros and cons. On the positive side, there are considerably less tourists crawling over the ruins, the weather is a little warmer, and the mountainside is clean and green. In fact, the trail is actually closed throughout the entire month of February so repairs and upkeep can be done while the summer downpours give life to the flora and fauna. Prices during this part of the year are also discounted by most agencies, allowing some long-term travelers (who aren't strapped for time) to acquire great deals in Cuzco without pre-booking over the internet. Of course, the major drawback of hitting the trail in March is that it's wet. Very wet. Nevertheless, with only two weeks of travel away from work, I concentrated on the positives, visiting not only Machu Picchu, but also Lake Titicaca's Bolivian shore, Arequipa, and Lima. I hope that the information presented here will help others in their travels to understand why they came this way. (map: www.lonelyplanet.com)

Currency Exchange for Peruvian Soles and Bolivian Bolivianos:
$1 = S/. 3.25 = Bs 8.00
€1 = S/. 4.00 = Bs 9.60
£1 = S/. 5.80 = Bs 14.00

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