These ceramic sculptures are known as Torito de Pucara.  In order to honor Mother Earth,  these are placed on the roof of a new house when the home is first blessed and this causes the economic well-being of the family living there.  These small ceramic bulls represent happiness, wealth and fertility. The water jugs can also represent fertility.

Out of Cusco we climbed to an elevation of 11,200 feet before heading into the Valley of the Incas.  The crops here are mostly potatoes.

Children at the road side posing for pictures (and donations).

"How much longer do we need to be here mom?"

The hills are covered with terraces which are still in use.

A stairway into the heavens.

The Willkanuta River in the Sacred Valley is a headwater to the Amazon River

Tamara and my sister, Janet.

The village of Ollantaytambo, an Inca archaeological site.

This tiny town is maintained much as it was at the time of the Incas.

Watch towers on the hill overlooking the town.

Ollantaytambo

We visited a typical home where guinea pigs had the run of the house.  These are a food supply.  I tried it at dinner  and it tasted like rabbit.

A loft where the kids slept.

The family alter.  The skulls are literally their ancestors.

Tam and Janet

Entertainment before dinner.

This guy was on these stilts for over 30 minutes!

On the approach into Ollantaytombo from our hotel we saw these pods on the side of the mountain.  Apparently people climb up to them and then zip-line across the valley.   Didn't see the zip line but we were in a moving bus.

The site at Ollantaytombo.   It is believed to have been a temple to the sun God.

You have to admire the Incas for their skill in building these structures.

Looking down at the town of Ollantaytombo

The building on the side of the mountain were used to store food.

These were built high up the mountain to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and the winds.

Janet and Tom, a real joy traveling with them.

Our train to Machu Piccchu