Peru- Let the Journey Begin!

We're back at it again! This time Barrett and I are headed to Peru. Our trip is going to be twelve nights; two nights in 6 different places. Here's a run-down of our itinerary:
1. Ollantaytambo/Sacred Valley
2. Aguas Calietes/Macchu Picchu
3. Cuzco
4. Yanque/Colca Canyon
5. Arequipa
6. Lima
*Bonus: Los Angelos for my cousin Amber's wedding.

Barrett sitting with all our luggage

This trip presented some challenges. For me, the main one has been what to pack. It's technically winter there, but since it's so close to the equator, the main variable for weather is the elevation. The temperatures we'll be seeing range from 30s to 50s at nights and mornings to 50s and 70s in the day.Basically my strategy is layers. This trip is a mixture of cities and some intense hiking, so let's hope our bodies hold up at the high altitude (Cuzco's the highest at 11,152 feet or 3,399 meters)!
Since it was really my brother who first got us hooked on the idea of going to Peru, he wants us to bury a time capsule near Macchu Picchu for him to come back and get when he finally gets there. At our very first security check in Port Columbus we were pulled aside and had our luggage looked through because they saw something suspicous. They were very perplexed by a glass bottle duct taped closed with a note, harmonica and carabeener inside. I then had to explain the idea to the TSA guy who did not seem to buy it. He then put the jar through the x-ray machine again before letting us on our way. Barrett also had to get a pat down. Clearly we have "criminal" written all over us.

7's time capsule

So we flew from Columbus to Miami and then took an overnight flight to Lima. From Lima, we caught another flight to Cuzco. From Cuzco, we took a taxi to Ollantaytambo.
Needless to say, we're a mix of incredibly excited and exhausted.

Flying over the Andes Mountains