Straight from the jungle to whooping it up with Portland friends. When we got back to Cusco we met up with the Reese and Corcoran families. In Urubamba we ran into the Cost family. So much fun to see familiar faces.

Today we celebrated the 4th of July Peruvian style, which is to say have a party on a day that means nothing to the entire population of this country. We started the day off by rafting with the Reese family. We floated by ruins between rapids. And yes, that’s Sharon in the drink.

Capped of the day with a BBQ at our friend’s house. They own an AirBnB and happen to have an American couple staying with them. The Corcoran family spent the day at Ollantaytambo while we rafted, but we all regrouped. Even Hugo joined us! The more the merrier. We had burgers, hot dogs, ribs, steak, potato salad, guacamole, and even managed to find some Budweiser beer. Not that any of us would be caught dead drinking Bud in Portland, but it seemed the appropriate ‘Merica thing to do.

No one partied too hard, because tomorrow morning (bright and early) we start hiking the Inca Trail. With this crowd, I’m sure there will be some stories.