Security at last in Machu Picchu

When finally settled in the new hotel, I asked the front desk clerk to help me call our tour contact.  She said, "oh no, wait until the morning."  Problem -- we were supposed to meet up with our tour group at 6 a.m. to begin the trip.  Since the tour officials didn't meet us at the airport, we were not provided with any information on where or when to meet.It was to be given to us when they met us.  If we can't catch up with our tour in the morning, I'm outta here. Heading back to the airport and home.  Chalking this up to an expensive lesson learned.

Although the desk clerk wouldn't help me, I figured out how to use the phone and call the number.  I reached Allissa. -- "oh Ms. Inman," she explained in her chirpy voice. "We have been looking for you." She gave me all the details we needed and agreed to pick us up at 5:30 a.m.  After she spoke with the clerk who explained exactly where we were, the plans were set. 

Not believing that this was actually going to work out as planned, I refused to sleep fore the remaining 3 hours.  Stayed dressed; laid on top of my bed, and read a book. Sleep is vastly overrated when kidnapping is still on your mind.

At 5:40 a.m., late enough for an inkling of worry to set in, she arrived, and we were off.  All is well.  And we began a 10 day adventure of hiking, seeing ancient ruins and the ultimate in the last few days of the trip, Machu Picchu.

Here is one of my photos of Machu Picchu.  The views were stellar. This was early morning as the foggy mist was rising off the mountain.