My Adventures in Cusco

I found that I really liked Cusco - the vibe, the city, the people - which worked out well because the whole Machu Picchu trip required me to spend a bit of time in Cusco figuring things out. I spent quite a bit of time with the Argentines shopping, exploring the city, eating and going out. I did eat at McDonalds which was quite tasty (better than in the US but same as BsAs). One of the nights we went out to a little french resturant in the barrio (neighborhood) of San Blas - kinda like San Telmo in BsAs. After we went out to a bar called 7 Angelitos (seven little angles). The owner was argentine (as were quite a few of the other drinkers when we arrived) and he made the most excellent mojitos. I don´t think I´ve ever had one as tasty as the ones he made. A bit later there was a punk/ska/rock band that played which ended up being really good. They played a good mix of covers (from US, Latin America and Europe) as well as their own stuff. Turned out to be a pretty big night out but it was so so fun.

The next day I went bungee jumping (not the best idea when you´re hung over but I survived). It was a place about 15 minutes outside Cusco. Basically they strapped my ankles into the bungee and also used attatchements around my waist and shoulders. Then I climbed into a yellow box cage thing and got hoisted about 105 meteres into the air. Going up I felt ok, just a little nervous. But to actually jump you have to walk out onto this little plank and then dive off. Ahhh for me it was way scarier than jumping out of a plane. I was kinda dissapointed tho cuz after the terrifying dive its just a short fall, a violent jerk and a little bit of bouncing around. But it was fun and exciting and I am glad I did it. Unfortunatly on the bumpy cab ride back to town my tummy was really unhappy with my drinking, eating and physical activities (but I kept it under control).

Other interesting things in Cusco were the market and the parades. The central market in Cusco was a lot like the one in Sucre. Fruit, veggies, meat, cheese, bread, sweets, furniture, meals and artisan things. For one meal I went there to try the Peruvian dish ceviche which is rice and salad and some kind of raw fish with lemon juice. Have to say I wasnt a big fan of it but maybe it would have been beter on the coast. Guess I will have to give it another go when I am in Lima. Also, I got to see a ton of parades. I cant remember the reasons for all of them but the best one I saw on my last day in Cusco. It was a celebration for the 100 year aniversary of a school and it proceeded from the school, around the Plaza Armanda and on to somewhere else. The best part was that all the little kids were dressed up and participating. There were older kids playing drums and other musical insturments as well as little adroable children dressed up in traditional dress dancing around with teachers trying to keep them focused on the parade. I loved it! Seriously tho, Bolivian and Peruvian babies and little kids are some of the cutest I think I have seen.

From Cusco I headed to the most famous place in Peru, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

Cusco, Peru

From Copacabana I bussed it with the Argentines to Cusco, Peru. First we took a small run-down bus from Bolivia, crossed the border (easiest border crossing I´ve experienced) then arrived in Puno, Peru about 3 hours later. Here we had a small break and then boarded a large normal long distance bus for the rest of the trip to Cusco. I decided that I really don´t like long bus trips during the day because they tend to be more uncomfortable and I feel like I´m wasting a lot of time. And night busses are great cuz I just watch a movie, taking a sleeping pill and then wake up in the next place. Plus I save money not paying for sleeping accomodations that night. Anyways, we got to Cusco in the evening and checked into a hostel called The Point, another larger party hostel (but this time I picked it). The hostel was really nice with a big screen tv, bar, outside area with hamnocks, amazing showers and comfortable beds. The first night we got dinner at a nicer resturant and even though it was a bit pricy it was worth it for the delicious tuna melt I had.

Cusco at night is absolutely beautiful. The main Plaza is called Plaza Armada and is surrounded by nice boutiques squished inbetween these massive anciant churches. The churches are very impressive and at night are lit up beautifully. In the center of the plaza is a grassy area with a big fountian, benches, flowers and lots of Cusco flags (they are striped with a bunch of colors - kind of like the gay pride flags). In addition to the botiques there are also a bunch of resturants and tourist offices. And each one has at least one person out front trying to convince you to come in and try this plate or take that trip. Also, there are a ton of ladies trying to sell massages and pedicures. Of course they are targeting the mainly English speaking tourists so its pretty funny how they use broken English to sell stuff. Ok maybe I shouldn´t laugh but wait til you hear an impression of them. Haha.

The rest of Cusco was similar to Sucre, lots of Spanish architecture, cobble stone streets and hills in every direction. The weird thing tho was the massive amount of tourists. Almost everyone comes to Peru to see Machu Picchu and almost everyone stays in Cusco before or after Machu Picchu. Especially around the main plaza it felt like there were as many tourists as locals. I noticed that there were two types of tourists. The young tourist about 20-30, traveling alone or in a group of 3 or 5, dressed in trekking shoes, striped pajama pants (purchased in Cusco) or jeans and a sweater made of Alpaca (plus maybe a hat of Alpaca or a bright/bag purse thing. Then there is the old tourist. Always white (mostly European) dressed in trekking shoes, kaki pants, neutral colored t-shirt, kaki safari vest, large hi-tech camera, walking stick and safari hat or ball cap. Always in large groups and generally with a guide. Part of me found it funny but the other part of me was really weirded out cuz I´ve never seen so many tourists in one place - let alone so many tourists that stick out as much as in Cusco. Of course, I must add that I definitely fit into the first category myself unfortunatly.