Chillin´ in Cusco

We arrived 6:00am in Cusco feeling exhasted after another long night bus! Since we had arrived a few days before our estimated date, or hostel had no room for us. We roamed around a bit and found a really cute hotel (hot showers, t.v and breakfast inc)

We realized that it is nice to be in one place for a while. In 2 weeks we really were able to get a good feeling of the city.
Since we had some extra days in Cusco, we decided to spend it taking private Spanish lessons. Thanks to our amazing teacher we were able to improve our Spanish a little. During our stay here in Cusco we also purchased a Billeto Touristico which enabled us to see all religious museums and cathedrals and also see the Sacred Valley. (located just outside the city) The cathedrals and museums were interesting to us... the art inside demonstrated the fusion between the Spanish (and their newly brought over religion) and the Incan´s (who´s religion was about mother earth). For example the "Last supper" was painted with a Guinea Pig in the middle of a round table, which was an example of how they tried to help the Incan´s understand their new religion.

Andrew´s "Iron belly" was put to the test... and let´s just say "it failed!" That´s what happened after he started to feel invincible from the South American jelly belly! So now I am not the only one with the stomach problems. But luckily at this point I think it is safe to say that both Andrew and I are fully recovered.

Sacred Valley Tour:
We decided to do a 1 day bus tour of the Sacred Valley. Our first stop was a large local market in Pisac, once a market where locals would go to trade goods... now a place for tourists to get any kind of knik knak imaginable. Of course Andrew and I bought a few items (knitted sweaters, socks and hats) We then went to Ollataytambo to see the Incan ruins. We were able to expore the area and climb to the top of the site. Later that evening our bus took us to another ruin site called Chinchiro, which was also very interesting.

We have thouroughly enjoyed the Cusco and all the amazing things it has to offer, from it´s beautiful cobble roads, Spanish lessons, museums, ruins and dependable cuisine, chatting with friends and fellow travellers. "Hi Michelle and Caspian" We will always remember this city and definately suggest people visit Cusco.

~Nicola

Click on picture below to see the album in Picasa.

Cusco, Peru & Sacred Valley