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Tres Chicas!

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by: Sullivan Peraino
I started 2010 with a trip to Peru, Chile and Argentina with my two good friends Kelsey Quam and Cassie Meyer. We explored the Sacred Valley and southern deserts of Peru, the beaches of Chile, Buenos Aires and the mountain ranges of Patagonia. We did it all with no set plan, only a great sense of adventure and frequent encouragement for being three ladies on a journey through South America -- tres chicas, que bueno!
Arrival in Lima - the view from our room. Huaca Pucllana in Lima, you can walk here from downtown. A footprint left by a Lima worker -- from 200 AD!The Lima people built this temple to worship the Sea GoddessThe view from our apartment in CuscoCusco, PeruTraditional Cusqueña mother and babyMarket in Pisaq, PeruEl Catedral in Cusco, PeruSan Pedro fruit market in CuscoUrban sprawl in CuscoPisaq, PeruMaiz in the streets - Pisaq, PeruThe Sacred Valley - Pisaq, PeruBelow the Torreones ruins lies the Urubamba RiverLos Torreones--the first outpost we encountered.We made it to the top! Pisaq ruinsRuins at Pisaq, PeruPisaq, PeruPisaq, PeruPisaq, PeruCan't I have some luxury before I die?!Right next to the Cuy Mansion. Pisaq, Peru.Coricancha. Cusco, Peru.Ollantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruOllantaytambo, PeruThe train to Machu Picchu! Inca Rail.Aguas Calientes - at the base of Machu PicchuPachacutec and a hawk. Aguas Calientes, PeruThe flooded Urumbamba River. Aguas Calientes, PeruDon't get too close! Aguas Calientes, PeruOrchids!! Aguas Calientes, PeruIrrigation at Machu Picchu....or hot tub?A rainy day at Machu PicchuMachu PicchuA great place for a sacrifice. Machu PicchuMachu PicchuIt's cold and wet! Machu PicchuInto the mist -- Machu PicchuSmall Bear, 6 soles. Aguas Calientes, Peru.Valparaiso, ChileAscensors! Valparaiso, ChileViña del Mar, ChileChiloe Island, ChileChiloe Island, ChileKissing the toe for traveling luck! Punta Arenas, ChileOur first night in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Torres del Paine, ChileTorres del Paine, ChileTorres del Paine, ChileTorres del Paine, ChileWatch out for that rock! Torres del Paine, ChileCookin' up some dinner - Torres del Paine, ChileTorres del Paine, ChileOrquidea Porcelana - Torres del Paine, ChileIt's harder than you think to make a fire in Patagonia. Lago Nordenskjold, Torres del Paine, ChileTorres del Paine, ChileGlaciar Frances - watching avalanches!Torres del Paine, ChileThe forests of the Monte Alto Tree (beech) -Torres del PaineFairy slipper - Torres del Paine, ChileTorres del Paine, ChileA troop of Humboldt Penguins - ChileThe babies were pretty haggard! ChileHumboldt Penguins - ChileWe found a rodeo in El Calafate, Argentina. iGaucho real!Perito Moreno Glacier, ArgentinaPerito Moreno Glacier, ArgentinaGlaciers are cool! Perito Moreno Glacier, ArgentinaPerito Moreno Glacier, ArgentinaOur first night in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina. It was a very windy day in Patagonia! Los Glaciares NP, Arg.Mount Fitz Roy! Los Glaciares NP, Arg.Los Glaciares NP, ArgentinaThe hike up to Lago del Los Tres. Los Glaciares NP, Arg.View of Mt. Fitz Roy from Lago del los Tres, ArgentinaLago del los Tres, Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaEXPLORING! Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaWarhol Patagonia. Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaLago de los Tres - Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaMt. Fitz Roy, ArgentinaLago de Los Tres, Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaHiking up Rio Piedras Blancas, ArgentinaLos Glaciares NP ArgentinaFitz Roy Range, Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaViolet. Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaLos Glaciares NP ArgentinaLos Glaciares NP ArgentinaSan Telmo Sunday Market, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaParacas, PeruParacas, PeruWe stumbled upon a chef's party in Paracas, PeruMmm, Peruvian seafood is the best! Paracas, PeruMummy. Ica, PeruIca, PeruPre-Incan Rasta. Ica, PeruThe arid desert conditions preserve the textile's colorsMummy. Ica, PeruCosmetic head shaping. Ica, PeruBrain surgery! Ica, PeruScalpel for brain surgery. Ica, PeruDiaramma. Ica, PeruMummy. Ica, PeruWine tasting near Ica, Peru!Wine press. Ica, PeruCasks for pisco and wine. Ica, PeruGeorge the seal - he guards the pisco! Ica, PeruTasting pisco straight out of the cask. Ica, PeruIn the basement of the bodega -- don't pass out here! IcaHuacachina Oasis, PeruLucy and Ethel! Grape stomping at a winery in PeruStomping grapes for wine and pisco. Ica, PeruParacas, PeruBack home in Cusco, my first try at Lomo Saltado!PeruHiking to a village in the Andes Near Lares, PeruSacred Valley, PeruHiking to a remote village near Lares, PeruPotatos. Near Lares, Peru.The mountain-top hut where the family stays during shearing.Our host family for our days in the village. Peru.They butchered an Alpaca for our arrival, an incredible giftAndean reflection. Peru.PeruBaby Ana MariaHighland life. Peru.Shearing sheep. Peru.Maria is part of the Weaving Cooperative. Highland family. Peru.Incredible! Peru.PeruNow that's a goofy Alpaca! Hiking over the pass, Peru.A long way to the top! Peru.14,000 feet! We made it! Peru.They met us at the pass with textiles, now in my house!Spinning thread and smiles. Peru.Homestead at 14,000 feet. Peru.12-sided stone, Cusco, PeruCusco, PeruAusungate over our apartment. Cusco, Peru.Dinner. Cusco, Peru.