Cusco and Sacsayhuaman Ruins

Good-bye peaceful Sacred Valley

Hello busy Cusco!

Got to spend a few minutes with a fellow Antartican, the lovely Anna Moon.

More ruins. Sacsayhuaman (pronounced sexy woman) above Cusco. We walked up from town, an easy mile or so.

These stone couches are at almost every Inca sight. For some reason, it makes me respect the Inca all the more. Not only did they have a beautiful design sense with impeccable workmanship, but they also liked a nice place to sit and admire their accomplishments, apparently.

These glacial-polished stones were smooth as glass. 

Llamas grazing at the ruins. 

Cusco is a big city and it took us a little while to switch gears, especially because Scott has had a bout of stomach issues. I had a stomach ache a few days ago, but nothing more. It's tough to be scrupulous about food and water safety here because it all looks clean and good.

I think Scott is on the upswing now - thank you pepto bismol.

Our airbnb apartment is big, new, and modern, several miles from the tourist section of town, but taxis are everywhere and cost about $1 for a ride anywhere in town, so it's working out great. This morning though, we were unable to unlock the deadbolt on the apartment door and we were locked in for a while. I had to email the owner downstairs for help. Awkward, and a little disconcerting in case of a fire or something (there are no other egresses and we are 3 stories up). Building codes are very different here.

We went to a large supermarket, thinking it would be cheaper to make some of our own meals. Tropical fruits are dirt cheap, but things like ice cream are quite pricey - $8 quart! It is definitely cheaper to get the menu del dia at restaurants (3 course meal) than cook at home but we have a big kitchen here so we are doing both. Replicating tropical fruit smoothies at home has been such a treat! Giant papayas cost $1!

Met with our trekking agency about our upcoming 5 day hike Machu Picchu - getting excited! Tomorrow maybe some museums... 

Some challenges: always being asked to buy things here in Cusco and having to be quite firm with our "no gracias's".

No toilet paper in public restrooms usually and hotels are very skimpy about putting any out.

Dogs bark loudly throughout the night.

There are a gazillion tourists in Cusco.

Still, everything has been easy, safe, friendly, and cheap so far and we are enjoying ourselves thoroughly.