As we flew from Lima to Cusco the terrain changed drastically from an arid smoggy city to lush green mountain vistas encircling the city of adobe tile roofs. Mike met us at the airport and off we went in one of the thousands of small city cabs which run 6 or 7 abreast on a 4 lane highway zigging and zagging to miss the potholes. I held on for dear life! But no need to worry because the drivers don't want their cars dinged. Three or four Nuevo Sol (about $1.50) will take you anywhere in the city.
Mike, Debby Meghan and Helen live in a very nice third floor apartment. Climbing the stairs was my first indication of the 11,000 foot elevation in Cusco. It REALLY takes your breath away!! We had our first of many glasses of water and coca tea to acclimatize to the altitude.
Cusco, like all South American cities, is a city of plazas. Plaza de Armas is the center of the city. It is surrounded by The Cathedral (which was built atop the foundation of an Inca palace), Iglesia de La Campania, arcades and a b
eautiful fountain in the center. We visited the plaza several times and always stopped to buy warm tamales from a woman whose family has sold them in the same spot for over 50 years. Meghan and Helen enjoyed feeding the pigeons - buying food from the "little ole bird woman".
eautiful fountain in the center. We visited the plaza several times and always stopped to buy warm tamales from a woman whose family has sold them in the same spot for over 50 years. Meghan and Helen enjoyed feeding the pigeons - buying food from the "little ole bird woman". Since we were tourists and looked like tourists with our cameras, sun glasses, hats and backpacks we were approached by the many vendors on the street seeling everything from giant corn on the cob with cheese (a
great carbo snack), "local" artist's paintings, bead work, t-shirts, hats, decorated gourds, pan pipe CDs, etc., etc. "No, gracias... no, gracias ...well, maybe that one or this one..." I also encountered "The Green Man" - for one sol the advice I received was, "Each failure makes one smarter." True, True, True!!
great carbo snack), "local" artist's paintings, bead work, t-shirts, hats, decorated gourds, pan pipe CDs, etc., etc. "No, gracias... no, gracias ...well, maybe that one or this one..." I also encountered "The Green Man" - for one sol the advice I received was, "Each failure makes one smarter." True, True, True!!I loved walking the city streets of cobblestones, steep stairways, ancient Inca walls, VWBeetles, hustle & bustle of everyday life. I love being with the beautiful people of this engaging city in Peru.
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