The Machu Picchu Blues (sort of)

Hello family and friends!
Following a ten hour night bus from Arequipa, we made it to Cusco early Sunday morning in the middle of a heavy rain storm. Til that point, we hadn´t encountered any adverse weather of any kind, so this was our first chance to show off our cool new ponchos. However, it was also a drastic reminder that we were entering the Peruvian highlands in the middle of the rainy season, a time of year that often proves frustrating for backpackers, as 5+ hour bus delays are a common occurrence. We spent the majority of the day on Sunday shopping around for different treks to the sacred Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, only to learn that the heavy rains had rendered all available paths unpassable without serious risk. So, much to the dismay of Garreth and I, we decided to opt for the bus/train method instead, though we have promised ourselves to make up for it with a long trek somewhere in Bolivia (rainforrest probably). After a morning of haggling and bargain hunting, we finally found a young tour operator named Alfredo who booked our tour for $130 a person. Success, we would be leaving the next morning at 9am... or so we thought. Evidently the rains of the last few days had been unusually intense, the heaviest the region has seen in over 20 years. Mudslides wiped out train tracks, roads, farms, and homes, forcing the Peruvian president to declare this entire area in a state of emergency. As I write this, almost 2,000 people are stuck in the small town of Aguas Calientes(nearest Machu Picchu) with limited food, water, and lodging. Had our tour left a day earlier, we would be a part of this group, anxiously awaiting helicopter evacuation. Sadly, we may have to miss MP, though I am thankful to report that we are safe in Cusco and entirely out of harms way. Provided we experience some relatively dry weather today and tomorrow, there is hope that methods of transportation to MP will be fixed by Friday. All we can do is wait and see...
Now, for the good news. We LOVE Cusco. It is known as the archaeological capital of the Americas, and for good reason. The incredibly rich history, combined with the timeless feel of the winding cobblestone alleys, makes this city one of my all-time favorites, and definitely my favorite thusfar in South America. Needless to say, we are not bored. The adventure continues full steam ahead, with or without Machu Picchu. If we miss it, so be it, that´s the way the cookie crumbles. Our spirits are high, our souls fulfilled, and we are completely safe. Life could not be better, love you all.