Monday, July 9, 2012

The Sacred Valley

 Last weekend we took a quick trip to Cuzco and stayed in the Sacred Valley for a couple days. Let me just tell you how amazing the hotel was that we stayed in, it was right on the river, indoor pool, great food our own butler with our room and amazing views!!! Chris has been traveling so much lately that sometimes it is easier if we go somewhere when he is home so there are no distractions. This is not our first time to Cuzco, but it was so relaxing this time since we were not trying to jam in all the tourist stuff. You need to come for a visit so we can go again!!!!!
 We arranged to take a horse back ride through the valley with the boys and they were so excited. When we got to the ranch Zander talked our guide into lending them these hats for our ride. The guide was wearing one so the boys of course thought they should have one as well. Luckily he was a good sport and found 2 for Brock and Zander.

 Ready mom lets go!!!!!!!
 Brock on his horse!!! I think he was a little nervous to ride alone.
 Brock and Z! Zander was not scared at all to ride alone, in fact he loved it when his horse would go fast!
 Chris and Cooper, yes mommy got to ride alone, and it was wonderful.
 All of us an hour into our ride! The valley is so beautiful we could have rode for hours.
 Sacred Valley.
 Its turtle time! Two blocks from our hotel is the studio of a famous artist named Pablo Seminario, so we decided to ring his bell and see his work. He had monkeys, llamas, birds, and of course turtles. The boys loved playing with the animals while mommy and daddy looked at the beautiful artwork!!!
 We even got lucky and he was in his upstairs studio working and invited us up to see what he was working on. What a nice man and what amazing art he has in his studio. He has art in museums in Chicago and has spoken at the smithsonian as well. He talked to us about his vision and how he builds his art with the clay right from the mountains in the Valley. It was such an honor to meet him, and for the boys to meet him as well.
 So how could we not buy something??? Well we couldn't. We bought this piece that he calls the tree that was born square.  The tree is in his book, and it is a one of a kind. He does not do replicas, so we thought it would be fun to get the book and have him sign it. Here is the page out of the book!!!! Our first piece of art, it was so much fun.
 Cooper and I outside of the hotel.
 Brock warming up by the fireplace.
 Our room had a gigantic whirlpool tub so the boys decided to try it out!!!!
Zander checking out the birds and Pablo Seminarios shop.