Cusco was a lot of fun. It’s located at over 11,000 feet and even after over two weeks in the area, we still felt out of breath at times. The kids got to hang out with their Virginia buddies which was a relief for them after being around only their parents for the last six months. Cusco was founded in 1100 A.D. and as Thomas put it: “It’s not a modern city”. Lots of great old buildings to see though. Some of the original Incan walls are still visible. Lots of shops and restaurants too. We (all of us) also took Spanish lessons at a really great school in Cusco. We took a trip through the Sacred Valley and got to see more Inca-era ruins. One of the most interesting things we saw were the “Salt Mines”. At the salt mines there is a small salt water spring that comes out of a mountain – hundreds of miles from the ocean! The water is caught in basins and allowed to evaporate, then the local families that own the basins collect the salt. It has been in operation for more than 800 years. The movie of the kids licking their hands/fingers is after they dipped their hands in the salty spring water. We’re in Lima now and are heading to Buenos Aires, Argentina in two days.