Cusco Solo

Opening on a happy note, Sammy looks much better this morning. Mom and Dad not so much, as this wasn’t the most relaxing night. Doctor’s orders are to stay low key for another day, but I’m pretty sure that he didn’t mean me, so while the rest of crew takes it easy at the hotel, I decide to explore more of the city.

Wandering aimlessly, I manage to get some shots of a few of the great old buildings (of which there are far too many to count).

Beyond those, is a neighborhood called San Blas, where our guide book says the better art galleries are clustered. Curious what good Peruvian art looks like, I head off in that direction. I come up empty on anything that would pass for a gallery, but one of the many people trying to sell me “art from their school” shadows me for quite a long ways, pointing out interesting nuggets from time to time. One of these is apparently the most famous stone blocks in all of Cusco, unique because of the 12 corners that were carved into it to make it perfectly fit it’s spot in the wall.

Feeling indestructible, I get the crazy notion in my head to try and find a good place for some bird’s eye photos. Unfortunately, while it may be possible to delude myself that I’m not in horrible shape at sea level, 12,000 feet has an amazing way of exposing the truth. I feel like a 400 pound, 4 pack a day smoker climbing just a few flights of stairs to a platform that overlooks the city. The view is worthwhile, but any notion of continuing even higher is quickly discarded.

Returning to the hotel, I find both Sam and Angela back to normal. We spend a bit of time making reservations for our trip to Machu Picchu in a few days, and then head back out to find some dinner. It takes longer than planned, as one of us can’t stop looking at shoes/scarves/tapestries, but we eventually settle on a place, just as it begins to pour.

The other famous food in Peru (besides ceviche) is cuy. I’m not quite as stoked to try this one, but everyone agrees to give it a go if I order it, and 15 minutes later this handsome devil shows up.

Sammy goes with the drumstick…

At the end of the day, I’m not really sure what the attraction is. The fact that we are eating a rodent aside, it doesn’t taste particularly bad (although not particularly good either), but it has very little meat on it, so is like trying to make a meal out of an unladen swallow (African or European, doesn’t matter).

It is still pouring when we finish up dinner, so breaking out the plastic ponchos, we take the shortest path back to the hotel. No plans yet for tomorrow, but with everyone looking healthy again, it’s time to get into full tourist mode.