Another weekend slips by…
Once again a whole group of us volleys ventured up to the higher altitudes and city life of Cusco. This time it was another Aussies bday, so fun times were ahead. Driving into Cusco at night is magical… first we must go through the Sacred Valley, meandering through little villages until we finally get out of the valley, where after the bus drags itself up one last mountain, the views of Cusco city are spread out before us. Apparently the city is built to the shape of a puma, but for now all I can see is endless lights sprawling up the mountain, every flatish ledge or valley filled up. Breath still slightly compromised I am glad we begin to descend into the calley of Cusco, altitude of around 3400 metres.
The first task upon arrival is to find a hostel. A group of about 15 of us wander through the streets of Cusco, narrow, steep cobbled little adventures. We find a hostel right near the plaza, 15 soles each per night, (about $5 aus). Next stop, dinner. We find a little restaurant, we are the only table yet we take up most of the room. The menu? Alpaca steak of course. Together with soup, salad, dessert and drinks again i find myself only 15 soles less. How is this even possible???
Well fed and with a bed to sleep in at the end of the night, or as it turns out, that morning, we are ready to go out. Clubbing in Peru is a very different experience to anythign at Adelaide or elsewhere. For us gringos, there is no question of lining up or even paying. Different people fight for us, trying to drag us into their club. We are showered in free drink vouchers and dont know where to start….
We head to a local club, which plays a nice mix of salsa and other local stuff, as well as the old popular oldie in the mix as well. Lots of dancing, and yes, my salsa is actually progressing (Gabey you’d be proud!!!). After that it is INKATEAM… packed impossibly full with backpackers and the odd peruvian who was allowed inside. It is interesting to go out with such a large group of people, but more so a group of people who dont really know each other, how they usually are, and most importantly there are never any of those usual dramas, breakdowns, etc etc that usually come hand in hand with the consumption of alcohol. We danced the night away and found ourselves walking out of the club, treading lightly as our poor feet had quite the work out, in the early hours of the morning when the sun had already risen. Oops.
Trying to sleep was painful, crappy hotel beds, no pillows, and worst of all, someone starting some construction work on the hostel at 8am. Could they seriously be any meaner?? Cusco during the day is much different. The plaza so crowded with tourists and everyone else trying to cater for the tourists. It makes me realise how much I love quiet little Calca. The morning disappears in a haze, breakfast, fruit salad and fresh juice hardly appreciated by any of us. We decide that horseriding as planned was not an option. We wander the streets, I enquire about malaria tablets for my jungle trip in 3 weeks… we sit on a bench and laugh at tourists… and then decide we are getting nowhere and its time to catch the bus back.
Bus trips are always painful as such, cramped, smelly, bumpy and slow. This trip was no different and I was glad to finally be home. Coming back from Cusco and the horrible bed situation always makes me feel so at home… clean bed, pillow, lots of blankets. Sleep is always brilliant after such nights and I get to appreciate what level of accomodation I do have here.
Sunday began brilliantly. The roster was killed the day before, so I could finally sleep in. Comfortable and warm it was difficult to want to do anything else. The brilliant clear blue andean sky convinced me however, so off I went to enjoy some fresh juice (papaya, banana, piña, mango and orange) with my dear danish girl Sidsil. It was happy hour and we got 2 for the price of one, however we only foudn this out after we ordered two juices, and suddenly two more appeared. Oops. We quickly had to recruit some thirsty friends to help us out. The total cost? About $2 aus.
We decided to go to Ollayantytambo (still cannot say it, yet alone spell it) to experience some more Inca ruins and another town nestled into the valley. A 1.5 hour bus trip and I find myself again in the most picturesque little village, overpowered by mountains at all angles and watched over by the majestic ruins atop. There are ruins on both sides, so we tackle the ones that require no entry fee first. Climbing up was much easier than expected, yet still short of breath we arrived up the top. Oh the views!!! Each angle postcard perfect, I remind myself of my mother as I take a photo of each.
Lunch is a bit rushed, we go to the markets and stock up with an avocado, mango, some bread, bananas and mandarins each. Fresh fruit is amazing here, and it is sooooo easy to forget all they say about how dangerous it all is ( please note mum, all the fruit mentioned above CAN be peeled.. so no, dont panic yet).
We then wandered into the main ruins, usually a ticket if about 30 dollars is required, yet we just walked through the gate. Not complaining we begin to climb up the ancient inca steps. It is amazing to imagine the history of this place, the battles that were both won and lost, and all those who were worshiped up above in the temple de Sol (temple of the sun. huffing up the steps, I imagine the Inca warriors who ran up these stairs with comparable ease…. I imagine even further and marvel at those who actually carved away at the mountain, and even more so at those who apparently transported these rocks from a quarry about 6km down the valley. Such incredible faith and devotion, to their culture and religion, I still cannot really comprehend it.
Tired we take the bus back to Calca, and here I am, sitting in the little internet cafe while the little boy next to me is cranking out Barbie Girl and Candyman (Aqua) at incredible volume. Such a clash of cultures!!!
Of to work again tomorrow, and so another weekend is gone. I am planning on going to Machu Pichu next weekend, and then not soon after going to Iquitos, JUNGLE, AMAZON JUNGLE….. it doesnt feel real at all. Everything is going wonderfully here, meeting such a good group of people, and truly loving every moment of my time here.
Goodnight for now, thinking of you all.
xxx
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