With time needed pre and post Machu Picchu I ended up with plenty of time in Cusco. Most of the places were in the surrounding Sacred Valley, so Pia, Johannes, Gwen and I became tourists.
Cusco itself is quite pretty, with a beautiful main square and churches on two sides. Unlike most of Central America it wasn’t free to get into these churches. $10! I had seen enough churches to justify not visiting them…until I snuck into Sunday morning mass pretending to be a church goer…
(The main Cathedral at night)
(Looking down one of the main streets)
(Cusco’s main square)
With many ruins around the area, my little legs got a workout at altitude! While the ruins were pretty amazing, it was hard to really think they were too amazing after seeing Machu Picchu.
(Herding llama)
Still, we visited the remains of a terraced farm which was built in a circular design, with the temperature varying by 15 degrees from the centre to the top.
We climbed the ruins at Ollantaytambo where many people start their Inca Trek. The town itself is cute and is in a beautiful valley.
(Traditional weaving)
(Visiting the local salt mines)
Plus, I watched parades. Every Sunday Cusco hosts a parade to instill community spirit and a sense of pride in the town. Local groups and businesses gather to march through town.
(The kindy kids mucking around before the parade)
And finally a few snap of things you may see around town….
(Guinea Pig is a local specialty…I couldn’t bring myself to try it)
(Want a photo with a sheep or llama? Easy! Couldn’t get a shot of the llama lady who walks her llama through town)
