After spending the entire night and getting stir-crazy with exhaustion at the airport in Lima we flew out bright and early to Cusco - get this - it is the OLDEST continuously-habited city in the American continent! We took it seriously when we read we needed 2-3 days to acclimate to the 3200m altitude before heading out to the Incan Trail. (My last trip I had lost an entire day suffering from very bad altitude sickness. It was miserable and there was no way I was going to risk that again - much less in the middle of our hike where turning around was impossible.) That said, we made sure to drink TONS of the coca-leaf tea that is free at all hotels and helps fight against altitude sickness (yes, I can officially say I've tried drugs now). I actually liked it so much that I wanted to buy a box of it at the store and bring it back before reading the label that "Americans will be thrown in jail for bringing back even the tea since it is a Grade A drug". Okay okay, I got the picture...
I love Cusco. Not only is its architecture beautiful but it is most interestingly laid out in the shape of a Puma. The natives are very kind, always smiling, and extremely hospitable. It could be far more down-trodden and 'kichy' considering it's where most of the tourists go since it is the only airport to fly into on the way to Machu Pichu.
As with most Latino cities there is a central garden or square that is not only picturesque but is lovely to just enjoy un helado (ice cream) or meal in one of the 2nd-story patio restaurants overlooking the view. Patrick and I simply sat on the steps in front of an old, beautiful church on our first day and people-watched.
Now, yes: we admit to going to the Irish Pub or having very tasty pizza while there but we did it all after earning it after our day hikes to the ruins of Sachsyhuaman (pronounced similar to "sexy woman") located outside the city in the hillsides, visiting Barranca - where the very cool artisan shops are, or renting Peruvain horses (how could I NOT adore this man since he is an ex-horseman like myself??!!), and riding the hillsides.
One of the most interesting sights is seeing the native Quechuan indian people in their colorful garb with their Alpaca (llamas) in tow carusing the cobble-stone streets amidst the bustle of tourist hostels and taxis. A little bit of the old mixed with the new...
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