Cusco

Tuesday, 31 March

Cusco

Went back to the lovely alpaca shop this morning and this time the urge to splurge overcame us. Spent the morning checking out the local shops as we won't get the chance again.

This afternoon was the Cusco city tour. I now know that the locals spell Cusco with an "s". It was very fortunate that the girl on the hotel desk sent us back to get our coats before we were picked up. This morning was sunny and warm. The afternoon was not!

Our first stop was the cathedral. A huge amount of gilding and many many paintings, which were used to convert the Quechua people (aka Incas). When we came out the rain had begun and the temperature had dropped, so hooray for our coats.

From the cathedral square we walked to Qorikancha, once Inca temple of the sun and looted for its gold and silver by the Spanish, who then pulled most of it down and built a convent on top. The Inca structure is remarkable for its ability to withstand earthquakes, while the Spanish bits have had to be rebuilt a number of times.

We then left Cusco and headed up to four archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman - huge blocks of stone set like a jigsaw, Pukapucara - which I can't remember at all, Tambomachay - known for its aqueducts with clear running water, and Qenqo- with an underground sacrificial altar.

 

By the time we were dropped back near the town square we were absolutely exhausted and pretty damn cold. We grabbed a bite in a pasta restaurant and staggered back to the hotel to pack a few items in our backpacks for the next couple of days. We will leave our cases here in Cusco. It's an early start tomorrow.

 

 

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