Cusco finally!
So, we finally made it to Cusco last night after a seemingly interminable 12 hour bus ride from La Paz.The bus smelled, the seats didn`t recline, and the driver never really stopped,so you can imagine how badly our legs needed streching!
Anyway, we kinda got tricked (we think) into going to a hotel that isn`t the greatest, but it is definitely doable, and it has hot hot hot water in the showers, which is nice considering that isn`t considered a “given” down here. We had run into this woman at the terminal–among billions of other hotel rep people–and she told us that she worked for the Hostal Suecia, the one we wanted to go to. We said alright, got in the taxi, and went to the hostal. Well, we were unloading our luggage on the street and she announces that the hostel is full, but she has a “highly recommended alternative” so we say ok, let`s go there. Well, we realized later that neither of us ever actually saw her go into the hostel, so we think she just used the name at the terminal to hook people (after all, it is a popular hostel that is in the guide books) and then lured us to her place….pretty sneaky, eh. Unfortunately, she is also an avid salesperson, so we continually have to dodge her “tour group” advances, and I am pretty convinced she was waiting for us this morning when we woke up. She was conveniently sitting in the lounge area by our door…Hmmmm, sneaky
Anyway, we went to Pisac today, a town located in the Sacred Valley, about 30 km. from Cusco. They have a sunday market, so we of course bought stuff. I got a really nice charcoal drawing of a little boy (sounds strange!) but I really like it, so I am excited to get it home and frame it. After the market, we took a taxi up to the ruins located at the top of the nearby mountain. It`s crazy–you hear so much about Macchu Picchu back home, but there are TONS of other ruins here. These today covered the entire mountain, and they have these terraces that are still in perfect condition after all these years….of course, I took way too many photos, so I will download some here when I get a chance
Came down, and caught a local combi back to Cusco. Very crowded, but it was interesting cause we listened to all the locals discuss the presidential election that was today. It seems the majority of the country is for Alan Garcia, but Cusco is a stronghold for Ollanta Humala, so their debate was, at least, colorful. From what we have gathered down here, Humala is similar to Evo Morales, the president just elected in Bolivia,and a lot of the farmers and indigenous would prefer Humala to follow in Morales`lead here in Peru….unfortunately for them, it looks like Garcia won today (last I heard), so as Steve just told me, “let`s just hope shit doesn`t hit the fan while we are here!” Couldn`t have said it better myself!
Going to head to Macchu Picchu in the next few days, so of course, will get pictures up as soon as I can….and for all of you that don`t know, it`s only like a week until Aaron comes down!!!
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