Hola!

Today was a more relaxed day of travel.  I had the intention of going to Pisac, the neighboring town (33 km away from Cuzco) that is known for its textile market and ruins.  That didn’t happen.

I had breakfast at the hostel.  The tables are set up community style, so it’s helpful for making friends.  I talked with three other travelers: one woman from England, one woman from Ireland, and one man from New Zeland.  Each of us has entirely different traveling styles: I’m staying for two weeks; the others are staying for 1 year, 3 months and 5 weeks, respectively.  We are all traveling alone.  We do share something in common: everyone at home thinks we are nuts, and we’ve each met many, many other travelers with far more outrageous adventures than our own. I love that travel brings so many cultures together and makes the world seem so much smaller and possible to explore.

I wasn’t  sure where the bus stop to Pisac was, so I wanted to walk around the Plaza de Armas again before asking around. I walked down one street I hadn’t visited, and to my surprise and awe, in a courtyard off of the street were 2 llamas and three alpacas grazing the lawn and eating corn husks!!!!  Shriek!!!!!! I was so excited!  My first real Peruvian alpaca sighting!    

  After many pictures, I kept walking, still wondering how to find the right bus.  I heard music coming from a block over so I followed the sound.  It was a parade!  Happy day!  There were flutes and drums and men and women marching and dancing in traditional garb.  I asked an onlooker what it was all for.  Apparently, it’s to celebrate Labor Day.  I guess I wasn’t meant to go to Pisac today. 

 

   

   

When the parade was over, I decided to instead visit the ruins of Sacsaywaman, in Cuzco but up a steep mountain.  I got lost.  I found myself in the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas.  Here, there were many sma shops filled with knits and people sold their goods on the street.  I walked to the market to look around, and I again had chicken soup from a small lunch counter (2.5 Soles–that’s 80 cents!).  I tried talking to the three others eating, but I think they mostly spoke Quecha, or they thought I spoke gibberish.  I also bought a pomegranate for 1 Sole (35 cents). 

     

 I asked for directions to Sacsaywaman, but I clearly didn’t understand.  I climbed up, and up, and then realized that I was on the wrong mountain. 

 I climbed back down, found the correct mountain and climbed halfway up, then decided to abort the mission. My feet were hurting and I just wanted to sit down.  I found a park (Peru seems full of parks) and saw more Quecha women with alpacas. 

 I passed several trekking stores and I bought two nice trekking poles for $15.  Everyone has told me that they are necessary for the trail.

I found a restaurant, but either I ordered the wrong thing or they misundersrood, because I ended up getting salty chicken tenders and fries.  Sadly, this has been most most expensive meal!  

 I followed that up with a street vendor ice cream cone for 1 sole. 

 After dark, I will head back to the Plaza de Armas to see it illuminated and then I’ll go back to talk with Jaime (the waiter) over a chocolate filled pastry. 

 I miss you and I hope you are doing well,

Katie 🙂