Cusco

¡Hola!

Cusco is wonderful, despite all the foreigners. And it seems so odd to see so many non-Peruvian faces on the street after having spent four weeks in Ayacucho where every foreign face was a surprise.

Tourism has served the city well. The buildings and streets are well maintained. This morning I visited an area that doesn´t see much tourism and the contrast in the state of the infrastructure was great.

I arrived yesterday morning after an uneventful trip. In the afternoon I took a tour of several Incan ruins located within a 45 minute drive outside of Cusco in the mountains -- Sacsayhuaman, Quenka, Puca Pucara (I think) and a third place whose name I can´t recall at the moment. All were amazing as ruins. You can only imagine how they were in their original state when the Incas used them. The Incas were skilled craftsman and builders, especially when you consider the rudimentary tools they used. Many of these structures would probably still remain in tact had the Spaniards not destroyed them. The remaining structures that have survived for 500 years, still function.

This morning I visited one Incan ruin and one pre-Incan ruin (the Wari who preceded the Incas) that are located outside of Cuzco. Most travelers don´t have the time to visit these sites, and so the sites are tourist free and tranquil. They are part of the Andean country side. And I´ll say it again: The Andes are f***ing amazing. I can´t get enough of their beauty.

My tour guide was excellent. Arturo knew so much history about the area and the Incas. He explained everything in Spanish, and I understood it all!

Tomorrow I go to Macchu Picchu. I´m so glad I cancel my four day Inca Trail hike. While I love these mountains, my body just can´t cope. I´ve been living in the mountains at over 10k feet ASL for the last nine weeks and my breathing STILL hasn´t adapted. It´s so frustrating. Walking four days to Macchu Picchu would be hell for me. So, I will take the train tomorrow and meet the tour guide at the gate the following day. I´ll still get to see the splendor of Macchu Picchu without the agony and stress.

Cheers,
Stacey