The Town of Cusco  

After spending the night at the Lima airport waiting for our 5:30 am flight to Cusco we were ready see the town we had heard so much about. We managed to get enough sleep on airport benches to keep us going for the day. The weather, at 11,000 feet elevation, was very nice and turned hot in the early afternoon which made walking around the town very enjoyable. The main plaza was surrounded by a Cathedral, another large church, as well as many shops and restaurants. After taking care of the final arrangements for the Inca Trail trek (paying for it) we started getting down to business – shopping. The town is full of nice restaurants, sporting stores and shops selling Alpaca wool made into everything: sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, etc., etc. The prices and quality were both great and we had a lot of fun looking, bartering and buying.

We had 2 days in Cusco to acclimate to the high altitude before the trek and enjoyed the relaxing time. The Peruvians were so nice, polite, and helpful. We had some excellent meals that included an Alpaca meat dish. It was actually very good. Ginny Pig is another favorite meal of Peruvians, but we ‘couldn’t go there’. It is served whole and cooked with the head still on so you have to pick this little guy apart.

Rested and ready, the day had come to ‘climb a mountain or three’. This day started at 4 am and the details of the trek are in "Our Grueling 4 Day Trek" article. It was an amazing, exhilarating, and an incredibly tiring experience but we wouldn’t have missed it. Not to say we can’t wait to do it again. Maybe in our next life!!

After the trek we returned to Cusco for another couple of days of R & R. And it was well needed and deserved. The legs were still tender and walking up and down the stairs in town still hurt the bones a little. By the second day we were back to the shopping markets. There is always something else to buy or someone to buy for. For those who love great prices, shopping and bartering, this town is a shopper’s paradise.

Well, this great world adventure is coming to an end. It is time to head back to the U.S. of A. The memories will stay with us for the rest of our lives and we are anxious to share many of the stores with friends and family. Next stop on our way back to Seattle will be in New Jersey to visit Pat’s parents and attend the graduation of a nephew from Annapolis and maybe a day in New York City. Back to ‘reality’ is only a couple of weeks away but what a ride it has been.

Where’s Pat and Mike??