We get picked up and driven for 3.5 hours to start the trek tomorrow. Last we heard it is just us and a 32 year old woman from England in our group. At Machu Picchu on day 5, Scott will climb Huayna Picchu and I will climb Machu Picchu mt on the other side (both overlook the ruins).
Cusco is a madhouse and it reaffirmed my ambivalence toward cities. We were constantly accosted by people wanting to sell massages, tours, meals, pictures with possibly drugged baby goats, and carved gourds and watercolors. One guy slapped my arm to get my attention and I felt my temper flair, even though I know they are just trying to make a living. Still, some bright aspects - peruanos don't generally smoke and begging isn't a thing here.
Scott and I walked a couple miles away from Plaza de Armas and no one bugged us, although the traffic was atrocious (fumes!) and the stray dogs always weigh on my heart. We saw some interesting things though:
Vendors painstakingly peeling and selling baggies of quail eggs with grimy fingers.
Walk in x-Ray and ultrasound kiosks.
People throwing big handfuls of trash right out of their apartment windows and from cars.
Toilet paper is sold on the street.
Neither cars nor people give way to anyone else on the street or on sidewalks, yet a taxi driver stopped to give a little girl a coin. People also have boxed us out and cut in front of us in line in grocery stores, especially in the Sacred Valley.
Taxis beep at you to indicate they are free.
All fascinating, but we are both ready for some trekking in the mountains. Back online in about 5 days...
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