Tipon and Chicharrones

Scott makes friends wherever he goes. This lady was from the north of Peru and super friendly. 

We seem to choose ruins over the city and museums because of fewer crowds and the countryside is just so nice in Peru. This is Tipon Ruins, 1 hour south of Cusco for a $1 bus fare (I just love the local buses!).

We followed this Inca irrigation ditch way up the mountain, then got lost in overgrown terraces and ruins (and so many prickers!). 

My arm and Scott's ankle.

Eventually we found these Pukara Ruins, just starting to be renovated. From here we followed a dirt path partway down the mountain until amazingly we found a car going down the many miles back to town (we paid him 6 bucks to take us down,
then to the next town for the special Chicharrones we keep hearing about. Each region or even town, has their specialties.)

Pork skins

Spearmint salad with the Chicharrones

Gido, the very nice owner of the restaurant.

Peeling potatoes

Stopping at the mall right near our

apartment just for a peek. This ice cream was just like frosty boy on the ice - so so.

We got all sorts of looks from people because we were wearing shorts. I haven't seen one local in shorts, in fact most people wear layers of sweaters. It's been in the 70s and sunny every afternoon but it is fall here and nights are cold.

Couple little tidbits:

The huge swaths of grass at ruins are mowed with weed-wackers not lawnmowers. Wonder why?

A lot of people have several teeth outlined in gold. Decoration or dental work?

We witnessed a fascinating superman presto-change-O yesterday where a bunch of traditionally clad women holding baby goats for tourist pictures ran past us to a school, and instantly dropped the goats, dropped all the colorful skirts and blouses, and underneath they had on regular street clothes. They appeared to be waiting for their kids to come out from school and go home. I admired them :)

I forgot to mention that Scott rescued a Giant Patagonian hummingbird at our last hotel. It had flown inside and it let Scott gently pick it up and set it free outside. I got goosebumps and the hotel manager hugged Scott, she was so impressed.