Quite the day in Aguas Calientes

So after the gorgeous 4 hour train ride (Ryan slept through most of it though I was able to wake him up to see the crazy rapids of the huge river here), we´re here in Aguas Calientes with the rest of the gringos going to Machu Picchu.

From an internet cafe midafternoon, I spotted a sign that said Mexican Food. I really should have known better, but I was really excited. Ryan and went there and ordered a quesadilla with chicken and a chicken enchilada. Talk about a knife to the heart when the waitress brought out two burrito looking things filled with EXACTLY the same chicken and vegetables in red sauce mix. She tried to explain that they were different (though they tasted and looked EXACTLY the same, ok), but even so we were a little hung up on the fact that we ordered two DIFFERENT things and received the same things on our plates -- regardless of what it was. The chef then came out and explained that they were very different things (mine had avocado on top..this obviously makes an enchilada) and the explanation for Ryan´s was that ´algunas personas les gusta la quesadilla sin queso´ (some people like quesadillas without cheese). We couldn´t help but laugh at this as QUESO means cheese and what we ordered was a QUESadilla. Talk about lost in translation or false advertisement on their part. We talked to the waitress after and explained that they need to change the food or change the menu for other tourists who would not have been as nice as we were...she said it happens all the time and people walk out and she was glad that we spoke spanish and someone finally told the chef.

After getting an 80 dollar room overlooking the raging river for 40 dollars, we decided to head to the market (Peru is seriously the coolest place to buy neat gifts and souvenirs). Here, we then caused another commotion when I attempted to buy a necklace for this awesome pendant I bought. After a starting price of 40 soles, Ryan and I talked a lady down to 20 soles. We still weren´t willing to give in as another vendor had the exact same thing and was willing to sell it for 15. Ryan and I are jerks and never take the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th price really and we started to walk away. The lady then gave in and said we could have it for 10 soles...I bought it. Apparently this was against the colluding rules of the market as the other vendor thought we bought it for 8 soles and started freaking out and telling every other vendor in the market. As we were leaving, the lady that sold us the necklace asked me to tell some other ladies in spanish that I hadn´t bought it for ten. She should have just told me to say 15 because I said 10 and then had to back track to cover for her. It was kind of funny to get a clear indication of how those markets work, but I felt bad for the lady.

It´s about Super Bowl time and we found a place to watch it...I just really wish I could have mountains of american chips and dip to go with it. Peruvian food is super bland and it makes me sad...not that chips and dip is some culinary masterpiece, but I´m just sayin.