As many of you may already know by now, my lovely mother just arrived into Cusco yesterday morning! After much anticipation and waiting, we were thrilled to see one another. Unfortunately, her luggage did not make it with her right away, but I am glad to have her here. First things first, we went to a local café and got some coffees and breakfast breads. After enjoying our little meal, we walked to the historical center of Cusco and introduced my mother to the grandeur that is the Plaza de Armas. We hung out for a while, then decided to join in on a free walking tour of Cusco.
I was pleasantly surprised at the walking tour. The tour guide, Eric, was energetic, informative, and very friendly. He regaled us with legends and stories of Cusco, including that Tupac Amaru (the namesake of the legendary rap artist). We walked around the Plaza de Armas, up to San Blas, and back down again. Eric recommended quite a few restaurants, cafés, and bars for us to visit, and also took us to a Luthier, or music instrument makers shop. The Luthier was very neat and included a musical presentation by the instrument maker himself. Eric also gave us some tips on how to get into famous sights, like the Catedral del Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, for free. We finished the tour at a local bar and were all treated to free pisco sours (famous peruvian cocktail) and got to learn how they are made.
After the tour, we decided to grab lunch at El Paisa, a restaurant recommended to me by my friend Nate. The restaurant itself was huge, like an airplane hanger, and specialized in food al norteño and ceviche. When we got their, the place was pretty packed but we were able to find a table. There was also live entertainment happening on a big stage which included music and dancing. We ordered some tamales and papas a la huancaina for a starter and then got a big plate of ceviche to share. It was a good meal, and we both enjoyed to entertainment (except for the lackluster bongo player).
Later on, we returned to the hotel so that Dena could take a short nap before going out again at night. We walked around the plaza some more, all lit up by lights at this time of night, and just got accustomed to Cusco's crazy streets. We nearly went into a local bar, but the presence of cigarette smoke made mom not want to go inside. We decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel room once more.
Today, we woke up early to eat breakfast, and mom called the airport to see if her bag had been located yet. They told her it had, and promised to bring it by our hotel in 30 minutes. However, after an hour or so of waiting the bag had still not shown up. Growing tired and frustrated of waiting, Dena called the airport again and learned the apparently the driver had gotten lost on the way (not sure how that happens in your own city). I myself had promised to meet my friend Juan, who had just gotten back from Machu Picchu, at the San Pedro market. I decided to go ahead and planned to meet mom at the plaza around 1:30.
It was good to see my Venezuelan friends Juan again, and to hear all about his time at Machu Picchu. We grabbed a bite to eat at the market, which happened to be all outdoors because they were cleaning the complex. Then, he returned me Simon's tent that I had loaned him and we said goodbye again as we went our separate ways.
When I went to the Plaza de Armas at 1:30, my mom was no where in sight. I waited around until it started to rain (about 20 minutes) then went back to the hotel to see if she was there, still waiting for the suitcase. When I got back, mom was not to be found but her luggage had apparently made it back. Shortly after, I got a call from her wondering where I was. I asked her the same. Apparently, we had been on opposite ends of the Plaza and could not see one another due to the large fountain with and Inca emperor on top. I headed back there to meet up with her.
Mom, in a moment of weakness, needed a good cup of coffee to fight off her headache so I begrudgingly went with her to the overpriced Starbucks on the square. After getting Starbucks, we went to the local supermarket, Orion, to pick up some insta-coffee so that such an occurrence would not have to happen again. At Orion we also picked up some coca hard candies and Quinoa cookies (we must really be in Peru). Right about this time, we both had grown hungry so we decided to grab lunch. I took her to a local favorite of mine and the locals, La Chomba. It a neat little restaurant tucked away from the tourists that draws an almost homogenous crowd of peruvians. For lunch, we ordered two frutilladas (chicha with strawberry juice), mote con queso (corn with cheese), and Lechón, or slow cooked pig with a side of tamale and potatoes. The meal was delicious and the portions were huge, so much so that we were both stuffed by the end and could not finish all of our mote con queso. The best part is, the whole meal only cost 35 soles with tip, or about 13 US dollars. You can really eat like royalty here in Peru for next to nothing!
Right now, we are both back in the hotel room relaxing while journaling/blogging. Our plans are to buy the tourist ticket that gets you into lots of sights in and around Cusco and spend our time visiting them. Tomorrow is forecasted to be a rainy day, so we might spend the day indoors at museums and such. Our end-goal is, of course, to make it to Machu Picchu, wonder of the world and the second one that we will have visited together (the first being Petra).
Look forward for more exciting blog posts and more picture uploads to Facebook! Until then, Chao!
I was pleasantly surprised at the walking tour. The tour guide, Eric, was energetic, informative, and very friendly. He regaled us with legends and stories of Cusco, including that Tupac Amaru (the namesake of the legendary rap artist). We walked around the Plaza de Armas, up to San Blas, and back down again. Eric recommended quite a few restaurants, cafés, and bars for us to visit, and also took us to a Luthier, or music instrument makers shop. The Luthier was very neat and included a musical presentation by the instrument maker himself. Eric also gave us some tips on how to get into famous sights, like the Catedral del Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, for free. We finished the tour at a local bar and were all treated to free pisco sours (famous peruvian cocktail) and got to learn how they are made.
After the tour, we decided to grab lunch at El Paisa, a restaurant recommended to me by my friend Nate. The restaurant itself was huge, like an airplane hanger, and specialized in food al norteño and ceviche. When we got their, the place was pretty packed but we were able to find a table. There was also live entertainment happening on a big stage which included music and dancing. We ordered some tamales and papas a la huancaina for a starter and then got a big plate of ceviche to share. It was a good meal, and we both enjoyed to entertainment (except for the lackluster bongo player).
Later on, we returned to the hotel so that Dena could take a short nap before going out again at night. We walked around the plaza some more, all lit up by lights at this time of night, and just got accustomed to Cusco's crazy streets. We nearly went into a local bar, but the presence of cigarette smoke made mom not want to go inside. We decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel room once more.
Today, we woke up early to eat breakfast, and mom called the airport to see if her bag had been located yet. They told her it had, and promised to bring it by our hotel in 30 minutes. However, after an hour or so of waiting the bag had still not shown up. Growing tired and frustrated of waiting, Dena called the airport again and learned the apparently the driver had gotten lost on the way (not sure how that happens in your own city). I myself had promised to meet my friend Juan, who had just gotten back from Machu Picchu, at the San Pedro market. I decided to go ahead and planned to meet mom at the plaza around 1:30.
It was good to see my Venezuelan friends Juan again, and to hear all about his time at Machu Picchu. We grabbed a bite to eat at the market, which happened to be all outdoors because they were cleaning the complex. Then, he returned me Simon's tent that I had loaned him and we said goodbye again as we went our separate ways.
When I went to the Plaza de Armas at 1:30, my mom was no where in sight. I waited around until it started to rain (about 20 minutes) then went back to the hotel to see if she was there, still waiting for the suitcase. When I got back, mom was not to be found but her luggage had apparently made it back. Shortly after, I got a call from her wondering where I was. I asked her the same. Apparently, we had been on opposite ends of the Plaza and could not see one another due to the large fountain with and Inca emperor on top. I headed back there to meet up with her.
Mom, in a moment of weakness, needed a good cup of coffee to fight off her headache so I begrudgingly went with her to the overpriced Starbucks on the square. After getting Starbucks, we went to the local supermarket, Orion, to pick up some insta-coffee so that such an occurrence would not have to happen again. At Orion we also picked up some coca hard candies and Quinoa cookies (we must really be in Peru). Right about this time, we both had grown hungry so we decided to grab lunch. I took her to a local favorite of mine and the locals, La Chomba. It a neat little restaurant tucked away from the tourists that draws an almost homogenous crowd of peruvians. For lunch, we ordered two frutilladas (chicha with strawberry juice), mote con queso (corn with cheese), and Lechón, or slow cooked pig with a side of tamale and potatoes. The meal was delicious and the portions were huge, so much so that we were both stuffed by the end and could not finish all of our mote con queso. The best part is, the whole meal only cost 35 soles with tip, or about 13 US dollars. You can really eat like royalty here in Peru for next to nothing!
Right now, we are both back in the hotel room relaxing while journaling/blogging. Our plans are to buy the tourist ticket that gets you into lots of sights in and around Cusco and spend our time visiting them. Tomorrow is forecasted to be a rainy day, so we might spend the day indoors at museums and such. Our end-goal is, of course, to make it to Machu Picchu, wonder of the world and the second one that we will have visited together (the first being Petra).
Look forward for more exciting blog posts and more picture uploads to Facebook! Until then, Chao!
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