Seeing the grounds sculpted into incredible rounded steps is one of the greatest wonders of ancient sites.  There is no question that the Incas had the greatest minds for architecture.  Pisac, one of the most significant Inca ruins and the first site that I visited, not only has flights of beautifully sculpted stairs adding to the harmony of the land, but also buildings made of stones.  Pisac has been a very important regional capital since the 10th and 11th century and, in fact, it is possible that the town was first a military post to guard against dangers.  However, over time, it has become a sacred place, specifically a ceremonial and residential center.

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People are still living surrounding these Inca ruins.  In fact, I went to a market nearby where there was a bounty of Peruvian specialties, including jewelry, musical instruments, scarves, purses, and many more.  I just cannot get over the prices!  They’re such a steal!  I bought two necklaces, one made of stones and the other made of seeds from the rainforest, for S./ 40 which is about US$ 14.  Unreal!  As always, what I also love about going to markets is that I can negotiate!  For instance, I saw this adorable wool hat that I loved that I would seriously use in the winter.  I asked the vendor how much it cost, and she showed me on her calculator, S./ 75.  I said to her that I will think about it and go look elsewhere.  Then she said, “No! No!” and then she marks it down to S./70.  I said, “Yo voy pensier.”  Because I knew that she was going to gamble with me, I just kept saying that I’m going to think about it and go elsewhere so that I can negotiate even further!  Eventually, I got it down to S./ 50!  Good deal!

What’s also fascinating about visiting this market and even throughout the Sacred Valley, is that I had the opportunity to see a population of Peruvians living in the countryside, the ones who wear clothing more like the Incas. Women wearing skirts and scarves.  People using big blankets to carry their infants or items.  It was just very cool to be part of an exotic world!  I honestly felt as if I was traveling back in time!

Afterwards, I visited Ollaytaytambo.  The first thing I saw was an enormous flight of stairs going up to the top of the mountains.  I sure did climb up a hundred of uneven steps to the top to see the whole new world above me.  What I was seeing is a village where people are still living by the Inca ruins.  I learned that these residents are still maintaining the traditional ancient Incas life.  For instance, they are still tilling the fields with foot plows and weaving clothes and accessories.  As usual, many of them are still wearing traditional Inca garments.

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What I truly wonder is why the indigenous people of Peru, who look very much like the Native Americans in North America as they both originated from the Bering Strait, were still able to maintain their population as the majority of the country in spite of being conquered by the Spanish, whereas the European decedents took over the population of the US and Canada?  I will have to do some research on that!