Finally the Pictures

Well I finally went through my photos. Deleted some, put captions on others and tried to narrow it down...there are still a ton but hopefully you will enjoy them. If you are only interested in Machu Picchu photos they start about half way through. I tried to put notes explaining most of the photos.

Link to all of the photos from the trip:
https://picasaweb.google.com/mari.anzicek/SouthAmerica?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM6az4vo1_iatgE&feat=directlink

Final Thoughts/Reflections/Information I missed posting about on the Trip

1. Spanish
1. I relied too much on Bridget although she was great. I really should have spent more time learning some basic Spanish before I left. I learned quite a bit by the time I left but it would have made the whole trip a lot easier for me.
2. Transportation
1. You get used to hopping in cars quickly, using no seat belts and praying for your life rather frequently. There were only a few close calls but I think after awhile you get desensitized to it. I have really appreciated putting my seat belt on and being in control of the car since I have been back.
3. Using the Bathroom
1. It is like going to the bathroom anywhere else except you have to bring your own toilet paper, throw it away in the trash can and you don't often have a toilet seat. I only had to use a squatty toilet once. There were also a lot of rustic toilets which you had to dump water down to flush. Again there was nothing sweeter than walking into the bathroom in the Miami airport, sitting down without second guessing, having toilet paper provided for me and being able to flush with a push of a handle. Also, there was hand soap which is often lacking in bathrooms all over in Bolivia and Peru. Needless to say I used a lot of hand sanitizer while I was gone.
4. Companions
1. We were incredibly lucky and got partnered with some great companions on our tours. In the Salar, Colca Canyon Trek and our bicycle tour, we met people from all over the world traveling for varying lengths of time. We shared great stories, laughed until we cried and learned a lot about where everyone was from. I am confident in saying I feel comfortable visiting these folks in their hometown. 
5. The Incas
1. I am still so amazed by everything the Incas accomplished. My mom gave me the book "Turn Right at Machu Picchu" for Christmas. I just finished reading it and realized we missed so much in our visit. Don't get me wrong. We saw a lot but there is just so much there. If I ever go again, I would do one of the various Inca Trail hikes. Getting off the main trails is essential to seeing some of the other ruins...it also costs a lot though. We made the right decision for rainy season and who knows maybe I will get another chance in the future.
6. Preparation
1. I would have done a little more research ahead of time. We did a lot from the seat of our pants and luckily got to see so much. It helped that we were not traveling during the busy season so we didn't have to plan too far ahead of time. We also ran into lots of people who helped us out and friends who had traveled before who gave us some great advice. I just wish I would have read up on the Incas a little more. Now I am just appreciating it more after the fact.

Overall, it was great trip. I would travel with Bridget again in a second. We had an amazing time and saw and experienced so much. I am inspired to learn more Spanish and about the cultures we visited. I hope everyone gets a chance to travel. If not out of the country, then around our beautiful country as well.