Aug. 21-24 - Cusco: Pretty much the main tourist town of Peru today, Cusco was in the heart and was the hub of the Inca Empire. Evidence of this is all over. The streets continue to display massive Inca stone walls and cobblestone streets. The area is littered with Inca ruins. For more on the Inca civilization history connect to the following website. The city itself is the oldest, continually inhabited city in the Americas.

We arrived in Cusco on the 21st in the evening. The bus ride from Puno to Cusco was only eventful in the fact that we thought we were getting an upgraded bus. It actually had semi reclining seats with leg rests, was clean, and had a bathroom! (although the price was really good so we should have known). This illusion kept with us for the first 3 of the 7 hours on the bus. After that point more locals joined us AND their animals. So we were joined in our back row of the bus (5 seats total) by 3 adults, 2 children and 3 lambs. Thankfully both the animals and children were really well behaved and yes i actually got to hold one of the lambs which was only 2 days old.

Our first day in the city was pretty much getting acquainted to our surroundings and taking advantage of outstanding food. Our breakfast was literally some of the best food we have EVER had (see picture of the menu). Prices remain cheaper than in the US but are really expensive compared to the rest of the country.

The city´s plaza is beautiful, with colonial churches outlining 2 of the 4 sides of the square. We are staying in the San Blas neighborhood which is up the hill from the main square. To get there is about a 5 minute walk through narrow cobblestone streets and as mentioned above, past Inca stone walls. This is the art district, so the walk is broken up by numerous opportunities to window shop in stores selling numerous artistic goods ( i.e. paintings, llama wool clothing, other crafts).

On a day trip we decided to travel to the town of Pisac in the Sacred Valley. This town in known for its craft markets and for an Inca ruin that lies about a 60 minute hike straight up over looking the town. The day started practicing our haggling skills over hand weaved blankets and mantas. This is a photo example of the blanket that maybe one day I will learn how to tie and safely carry a baby on my back), a purse, and a Argentina jersey for Mike.

After a couple hours we were thoroughly sick of shopping, so we started the hike up to the Inca Ruins. Meant to be training for our upcoming Inca trek to Machu Picchu, it was a delightful hike that provided spectacular views of the valley. The ruins themselves were larger and more sprawled than we thought, and so spent some time looking around. Pictures won´t do the area justice, as part of the ambiance was hearing the music of a wood flute carried up on the wind, being played far below.

July 31st
Welcome to Peru!

August 2nd
Hello Pisco!

August 3rd
Islas de Ballestas

August 5th
Arequipa

August 6th - 8th
Cayon del Colca

August 10th
Puno

August 11th
Lake Titicaca

August 21st - 24th
Cusco and Pisac

August 25th - 30th
Hiking to Machu Picchu

Summary of Peru and Bolivia