As I watch the rail line snake its way high into the Andes, I come to a realization: although the Peruvian landscape is surely awe-inspiring, the greatest treasure of this land is its children. Their beaming faces seem to greet my family wherever we go, from the shores of Amazon tributaries to the rugged Peruvian highlands. It’s amazing how a child’s smile can make your altitude sickness seem less severe (well, at least a little bit). In their shining eyes, I see the humble tradition of the Incas, the influence of the Conquistadors and the desire to preserve their people’s heritage through wondrous creations.

All aboard!