60 or so shabby faces descended on the hotel near the start line in San Jeronimo this morning and began decorating their chariots. Several teams decided to skip the training in favour a trip to Machu Picchu which left them somewhat shocked when they finally had a go. As our six taxis got furred a split team headed into town for some last minute esssentials. The local market stalls were most amused by our best attempts at Spanish. However, whilst most teams had opted for self decoration, one of the late arrivals turned up in a taxi packed full of a complete mototaxi body kit that she had purchased up north and convinced a passing van driver to carry to St Jeronimo. We still haven't decided whether this is cheating, or a truly heroic effort. Answers on a postcard. Today also played host to a non-existent football match against the locals and a non-existent time trial competition. Anyone see a pattern forming here? Later that night we were given a little bag of goodies including a Vuvuzela to annoy the crap out of South America with. The locals held a party in the main square for us that night with a band, food, beers and lots of dancing. The highlight was definitely the fireworks display though. At your average Brit display you watch rockets get launched several hundred feet into the air and everyone oohs and aahs whilst munching on toffee apples. Not in Peru though, oh no. In Peru a fireworks display is the ultimate man test. The first four parts of the display entailed a dude in a Poncho, who can only be described as Nails, holding a 20' high pole topped by a large collection of explosive, combustible material, most of which rained down onto his burning hair. When he had finally had enough he crowds gobsmacked faces were drawn to a huge bamboo tower which promptly erupted in a cacophony of light and sound for the next ten minutes. And then it was off to bed to prepare for the big day.