Aguas Calientes

In Aguas Calientes--the small town with access to Machu Picchu--we had reservations for two beds in a four-bed shared room at the Pirwa Hostel. They failed to meet us and the train station as they had promised, and I believe it was because of that they gave us our own two-bed room with private bathroom with hot water showers for the reservation price. We were super psyched at first, but reality set in when we realized that the bathroom had no ventilation and had not been cleaned in weeks or months. The room smelled like a hockey locker room and the bathroom walls had so much mold on them I thought it would come alive and eat us in our sleep. Pirwa: not recommended.

Side note: If you are out to eat in Peru and you get a bill with tax listed, DO NOT PAY! It is a "tourist tax" and is just an attempt take you for a few bucks. We learned the hard way.

But not to be down, it was an awesome piece of the trip. And the pedestrian only cobble street city was cool to stroll around in while waiting to see Machu Picchu or waiting for the train out.

Pics: View from our hostel room window; Pickle on the bridge from Aguas to the train station; Main Street, Aguas Calientes.