After I was done with the paperwork in Lima, I decided to escape the city and treat myself to one of the most memorable adventures of my life - my birthday gift to myself :) I had to see famous Machu Picchu with my own eyes! To get to Machu Picchu, you first fly to Cusco - a small town high up in the mountains. When we were approaching the airport, I could not believe my eyes - those mountains are so breathtakingly beautiful! You do feel like in a completely different country. If Lima was humid, sunny and hot (it is summer in Peru right now), Cusco met us with chilly wind, grey skies and drizzle. My heart was racing and breathing was hard - the change of altitude really hit me, I felt nauseous and weak in legs. And I consider myself pretty healthy and I do not skip my cardio, so be prepared if you ever go there - it might take you awhile to catch your breath. It is recommended to spend one night in Cusco before heading to Machu Picchu, so your body can get used to the altitude and you do not faint up in the mountains. But I didn't have any extra time to stay in Cusco. I had a couple of hours in town before I was heading to Machu Picchu, I walked around the main square, had breakfast and felt much better, the air was so fresh and crispy. To get to my hotel at Machu Picchu, I had to drive an hour and a half in a car and then take a train. I did not expect to see so much beauty along the way, wow - the adventure really starts with this road - it was just so incredibly powerful, I wanted to cry.As we were getting closer to the train station, it started to rain and there was something so magical about this - mountain road, the rain drops running down the windows, fresh air and the sound of mountain river.We got to the train station right in time and I felt like I was a part of Harry Potter movie - those trains are so adorable! The roofs have the glass windows, so you can enjoy the view to the fullest from all the angles. You are running along a mountain river through majestic mountains, covered in lush green vegetation, see the waterfalls, birds and feel something inside, such an inexplicable feeling of gratefulness and the sense of wonder that is filling up your whole body. It was the best train ride of my life!Two hours later (that flew by in a moment with so much beauty around), we arrived to Machu Picchu. It was pouring! This little village along the train station is basically the collection of hostels, hotels, restaurants and gift shops. It is safe to walk around and you will hear so many languages!!! Love, love this kind of places when the borders do not exist and people from all over the world come together to wonder at the beauty of our planet. I checked into my hotel that was right on the edge of the river roaring through the mountains. Was an absolutely amazing feeling to go down to the restaurant, open the window, feel the fresh wind and water on your face, while drinking hot chocolate.I had all afternoon to myself, I just walked around, smiled to people and could not stop repeating inside of myself "Thank you"!

To be continued... See you tomorrow!!

Peruvian Week. Cusco.

Peruvian Week. Sol Alpaca.

Peruvian Week. MATE.