Well, I can honestly that I'm quite happy being back in the old Inca capital. It is perhaps one of my favorite cities that I've ever been in, despite its very touristy nature. It has some real charm, with it's colonial buildings and cathedrals built over the old Inca houses. In fact, they recently excavated one of the streets near the Plaza de Armas and rediscovered an old Inca aqueduct, which they used to move water out of the city. This city is filled to the brim with cultural and historical heritage, as well as travelers from all corners of the Earth. The people that live here are also very special in comparison to other Peruvians, all though some can be quite pushy salespeople.
On Sunday, I visited with Nate and his cusqeñian wife, Kerly, and hung out with them for a bit. We first went to the San Pedro market and ate some wonderfully delicious lechon, or slow, clay oven cooked pig, with tamales. Next, I went with them to pick up supplies for Nate's upcoming expedition starting the following day (that guy never quits the mountains). Lastly, I returned back to their apartment with them, and Nate gave me advice for good restaurants and hotels to go to and stay at in Cusco. I thanked them both warmly, and wished Nathan good luck in the mountains.
Next, I decided to head down into the Sacred Valley to visit some of my other acquaintances I had made my last time here. My first stop was Urubamba: I took a tuktuk up to go visit my buddy Jack. When I go to the place he was staying he was no where to be found, so I decided to walk back down towards town. As I was walking, a car passed by that just so happened to be transporting Jack and his girlfriend. They both hopped out and were very surprised and pleased to see me. As it turns out, they were heading back to Austin, Texas, the following day, so I had caught them both in the nick of time. After catching up a bit, we said our goodbyes and planned on meeting up again States' side. Before departing, Jack gave me his key to Llama Pack that he had been holding on to for a while and asked me if I could return it to Coqui for him. I accepted the task gladly and walked my way over to the hostel. When I arrived, I let myself in but discovered that there was no one around. No matter though, I'll visit Coqui, Alejandra, Borja, and the llamas another day.
After Urubamba, I went to Ollantaytambo to go see my friend Elder. Due to the one lane road that led into the town, there was a huge traffic jam, so I got out and walked to rest of the way. When I arrived to the camping spot, Elder was not to be found, nor was he at the Gonzo Bar. I decided to head back because it was beginning to get dark, but I know I'll return later.
By the time I got back to Cusco, my friends from the Huaraz hostel were beginning to worry about me. While I was gone, they had cooked up some crêpes and sold them on the streets, making a nice bit of profit. The following day, they decided to make their way to Machu Picchu, so I let them borrow the tent that Simon had let me borrow, and we said we'd see each other at the end of the week when they returned.
Yesterday I went around and checked out the hotels that Nate had recommended to me. After a bit of investigating, I decided upon one called Hospedaje Turistico Recoleta. It's a nice place that is not too expensive, and 15 minutes away from the center which means calmer environment. The staff and manager, Javier, were nice and I made reservations for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, as well as organizing an airport pick-up for my mom on Saturday morning.
Well, only 3 and a half more days until she gets here! In the meantime, I'm going to relax and explore the city some more.
Talk to you all later when mi madre arrives!
Chao!
On Sunday, I visited with Nate and his cusqeñian wife, Kerly, and hung out with them for a bit. We first went to the San Pedro market and ate some wonderfully delicious lechon, or slow, clay oven cooked pig, with tamales. Next, I went with them to pick up supplies for Nate's upcoming expedition starting the following day (that guy never quits the mountains). Lastly, I returned back to their apartment with them, and Nate gave me advice for good restaurants and hotels to go to and stay at in Cusco. I thanked them both warmly, and wished Nathan good luck in the mountains.
Next, I decided to head down into the Sacred Valley to visit some of my other acquaintances I had made my last time here. My first stop was Urubamba: I took a tuktuk up to go visit my buddy Jack. When I go to the place he was staying he was no where to be found, so I decided to walk back down towards town. As I was walking, a car passed by that just so happened to be transporting Jack and his girlfriend. They both hopped out and were very surprised and pleased to see me. As it turns out, they were heading back to Austin, Texas, the following day, so I had caught them both in the nick of time. After catching up a bit, we said our goodbyes and planned on meeting up again States' side. Before departing, Jack gave me his key to Llama Pack that he had been holding on to for a while and asked me if I could return it to Coqui for him. I accepted the task gladly and walked my way over to the hostel. When I arrived, I let myself in but discovered that there was no one around. No matter though, I'll visit Coqui, Alejandra, Borja, and the llamas another day.
After Urubamba, I went to Ollantaytambo to go see my friend Elder. Due to the one lane road that led into the town, there was a huge traffic jam, so I got out and walked to rest of the way. When I arrived to the camping spot, Elder was not to be found, nor was he at the Gonzo Bar. I decided to head back because it was beginning to get dark, but I know I'll return later.
By the time I got back to Cusco, my friends from the Huaraz hostel were beginning to worry about me. While I was gone, they had cooked up some crêpes and sold them on the streets, making a nice bit of profit. The following day, they decided to make their way to Machu Picchu, so I let them borrow the tent that Simon had let me borrow, and we said we'd see each other at the end of the week when they returned.
Yesterday I went around and checked out the hotels that Nate had recommended to me. After a bit of investigating, I decided upon one called Hospedaje Turistico Recoleta. It's a nice place that is not too expensive, and 15 minutes away from the center which means calmer environment. The staff and manager, Javier, were nice and I made reservations for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, as well as organizing an airport pick-up for my mom on Saturday morning.
Well, only 3 and a half more days until she gets here! In the meantime, I'm going to relax and explore the city some more.
Talk to you all later when mi madre arrives!
Chao!
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