Last Day of Ausangate Trek

 I kind of feel like the day before was the last day of the trek, and this was just the follow up day. We did hike for a little ways (I just checked and it said 3.7 miles, Azulcocha - Pacchanta), but it didn't feel like trekking somehow.

The highlight was the hot springs, but they were very South American. In particular, the changing rooms which we had to pay extra to use and then were wet and muddy and the doors to the changing stalls were broken halfway, so you could either use the one that had no covering on the top half, or no covering on the bottom half of the door. Good times.

And the pools were good. They had different ones that were different temperatures.

We enjoyed watching these two little locals wander around and play together. We also talked to another tourist couple that came. They were from Russia, but lived in Canada. They had lived in Australia but ended up not working out. Brett asked them what they do, and the guy said, "I'm a data scientist (or analyzer or something? can't remember the exact word)." and Brett said, "So, Facebook?" and the guy looked sheepish and was like, "yeah." I actually really love talking to some other backpackers sometimes.

Then they came and got us and said we should watch them set up the traditional Pachamanca lunch.  They first built a little igloo of rocks and started a fire under it. After the fire had burned for a time, they broke the igloo and moved the rocks over for a minute.

Then Navy and Orrin volunteered to help wrap some of the meat in oiled paper. This was our only taste of cuy (guinea pig). It looks like Navy is holding a small dog. hahaha

So they put the meat in, 

then potatoes, 

(these two local ladies were watching the whole process too. It was pretty entertaining--all the guys were trying to tell them the right way to do things, so it was fun)

then they layered on some of the hot rocks, some more veggies, and more rocks.

Then they put grass stalks all over it.

And then a tarp, and then they shoveled dirt all over it.

Then they said, come back in an hour for dinner. Look how cute Jethro is. I'm so grateful we could all do this together! It already feels sooo long ago!

One of the guys put this little cross on the top. It was very cute.

We wandered around the tiny village (look at this lady by her house, and her pig and washing and motorcyce). Some of the kids bought a few little trinkets from the ladies--I think Talmage got a sling.

And this was Tomas' home where we ate.

Then-- the uncovering of the food.

It was truly delicious. I just ate a whole lot of chicken and potatoes with that yellow sauce you see. It was soooo good. I kind of tried a little of the alpaca, but it was really tough and took some determination to bite off, so I didn't feel inclined to eat much. Also I didn't try the cuy, but everyone said it was okay. Hazel loved the alpaca and was like a wild dog tearing it off the bone with her teeth. (Like Fantastic Mr. Fox eating his meal haha).

Look at that claw!

Hazel made this great labeled photo for me of everything we ate (only she said she's embarrassed because she labeled the sauce as Huacatay when it's actually called Huancaina).

After we stuffed ourselves silly we got our things and got in the van and drove home. But first I took this picture of Navy with two local girls. And I wasn't even the one who set this up! One of their dad's was taking this picture, and Ethne came in and got me so I hurried and ran and took a picture too.