Greetings from Macchu Pichu

So it is official, we have left our homestays. This is Chaps and I´d like to start with a correction. On my first blog post I called Jason, our guide, Robert. Red cheeks and a lot of good nature ribbing ensued but I´m taking this chance to apologize and clear up any confusion that might have existed about that.
So after we last blogged we spent Sunday in Ollantaytambo. We were hoping to climb the ruins there but instead we were treated to an interesting (awful) play about Ollantay and were denied the privilege of climbing up the ruins. In the afternoon we got to make some pottery which we had missed out on doing the day before. Then before departing for our last day away from civilization we stocked up on any and all necessary supplies.
The next morning we finished our work on the Chilca Guinea Pig Barn. We were able to completely finish all work on the walls and they are now about six feet high. That afternoon we had our going away party, called a Pancha Manca. We were treated to excellent food, pork and chicken, and got to say our thank yous to our host families, who were wonderful to us throughout our whole week there.
The next morning we awoke at 5 in the morning to catch the train to aguas calientes. It was an hour and a half train ride here all along the urubamba river. Yesterday afternoon we went on a hike to an orchid garden and waterfall and ate lunch on location by the waterfall. Then we returned to the hotel and our first hot shower in a week, EXCELLENT! Then we had dinner and went back for a restful night asleep away from the lowing of cattle and crowing of roosters.
Then we woke up this morning to go to Macchu Pichu. We hiked around all day and were all blown away by its beauty, although unimpressed by the bugs and heat. We did hike up to the sun gate and were greeted with a wonderful view of Macchu Pichu.
Now we are back in aguas calientes waiting for dinner and blogging. Tonight at 7 we leave to go to Urubamba and are looking forward to more Incan ruins tomorrow. We´re all looking forward to seeing you all soon and are doing well except for some minor bumps and bruises.

--Chaps--