Machu Picchu!

I had heard so much about Machu Picchu that I assumed I would be underwhelmed when I finally visited--boy, was I wrong! It was my third trip to Cusco and this time I finally made it all the way to Machu Picchu with my friend Karen who was visiting from the States. It felt surreal, like a different world. Aside from the fact that you are walking in and around ancient Incan ruins, Machu Picchu is set high up into the clouds so you almost think you're in heaven. Since only one of the original Seven Wonders of the World still exists, they are holding a world-wide online vote to elect the "New 7 Wonders". Click HERE to cast your vote (for Machu Picchu!).

Pachamanca!

Somehow I managed to not have had a pachamanca meal until we got to Marias. This was quite an accomplishment, because Quechua make pachamanca every chance they get. This pachamanca was in celebration of Amador's birthday. While you can order pachamanca at some restaurants, and recreos (like outdoor community centers) will serve it to you on Sundays, the best pachamanca is made out in nature by friends and family.

First, find a big open space to cook and eat, and then dig a whole in the ground. Start a fire and heat up rocks until they are are really, really hot. Meanwhile you slaughter and marinate a pig. (I'll spare you the picture, but it was pretty impressive.)




Then you remove the rocks, and pile potatoes into the hole-->






Layer hot rocks on top of those and layer more rocks over anything else you want to add: sweet potatoes, yucca, big fat beans still in their pod, and humitas, the sweet, tamale-like corn "cake" repacked into corn husks.












Next, layers of straw, cardboard(!) and dirt are piled over the food:





















Then everybody hangs out for an hour or two while the whole thing cooks. Jan brought a Women of the Bible workbook and everyone enjoyed coloring and reading the stories. I loved playing with the kids. Some of us took a nap after all that labor.










Finally it's time to unpack the layers of rocks and food and dig in! It was all really good, and the pig had a really nice flavor, but I ate too many humitas to eat much of anything else!















I liked how someone's sheep wandered up the hill to sneak a few bites.






I was blessed for my first pachamanca to be with such a wonderful family. I am really grateful for their hospitality and the fun we had together. We had a perfect view from our little hilltop as we laughed, sang, and ate together. Check out the traditional Quechua style I've got going on!