Qosq'o

Cusco is charming.  Well, I guess I stayed in the glamorus and inviting (tourist) area of this growing city.  It once was the heart of the ancient Inca Empire.  Qosq'o (naval of the earth) is how it was pronounced by the Quechuan people (Inca was the king, Quechua were the people of the Incan Empire.)  The Spanish didn't bother attempting the true pronunciation of the civilization that they were busy slaughtering.  Hence, we all say Cusco.

Sitting at 9,300 feet, surrounded by lush rolling hills it is easy to understand why the location choice was made 900 years ago.  Upon exiting the plane, I see a full blown old school nun and, well, I take it as another sign :)

The sun is bright and with one day on the itinerary in Cusco proper, I get serious- and start shopping (someone has to support all the local  artisans work.  Knitted alpaca gear, brightly colored prints, heavily textured paintings, eccentric jewelry, woven textiles, etc are sitting on tables set up every ten feet.  A small market in the center plaza is crammed with vendors who, somehow, fit their whole family AND all their goods in a 6x4 foot space.  This same market sells all sorts of eatable "goodies" that would make anyone but the true Peruvian very very sick.

I focus on the alpaca knit theme personally, with the addition of a few painted cards and two pairs of earrings (purely as a business investment, total tax write off- teehee- oops. no tax jokes in the middle of April, sorry dad!)  Alpaca, I learn later, only are shaved for their wool every 3 years, and with a pair of hand knit mittens going at the rate of approx. $5... I have strong doubts on the purity of the wool!  Fortunately, I bought them purely because they are really really cute. 

The town has a collision of drastically different architectural styles.  The ancient stone walls and cobblestone streets that were hand built during the Incan Empire rests underneath the conquest of Spanish colonial-style cathedrals and multi-story buildings.  A strong dichotomy is also prevalent in the people who are filling all the narrow alleyways and wide central streets.  The ancient mysticism is what is bringing so many tourists to the Sacred Valley and tourism is what is bringing so many mountain farmers out of their fields and into the bartering world.  You will see everythings from gaggles of European girls in cute outfits, to hippies juggling bean bags, to women in traditional garb next to their llama (requesting money in exchange for photos.)  It is quite the eccentric sight, although over all a very positive place.

Our meeting is at 7 p.m.  My eye lids are heavy, but lighten up as Javier begins to explain the next five days to the eight of us in the room.  His English is perfect.  His passion is prevalent.  And no much excites me more than the idea of spending the next handful of days in the Peruvian Andes.  Cheers for the adventures to come :)

cio

p.s.- still trying to add photos... proving difficult, but will happen soon!