Monday, September 30, 2019

Day 12: Cusco

Cusco is a very lively city with really narrow streets. I'm loving the little boutique hotel I'm staying at. Here's a view from the hotel terrace.


The hotel is next to the government music school.  When I'm out in the courtyard I can hear students practicing.  It's pretty cool.


This street is on my way up to the hotel from the main plaza.  It's 3 short blocks.  Very convenient, but very steep.


On the way out to Saqsaywaman ruins we came across a procession with the carrying of the virgin. They have so many virgins here, not sure which one it was.


Saqsaywaman was the place of the last battle between the Incas and Spanish.  It was two complementary pyramids with very tall zig-zag walls.  They were three deep. 


We hiked up to the top.



All of the stones for this place were moved from a limestone quarry 8 miles away.


This guy was at the exit to the parking lot.  My first alpaca.


We then went to the Santo Domingo convent.  It (like so many buildings in Cusco) was built on Inca temples or buildings.  The stone work (with no mortar) is amazing.



We then went to the Cusco Cathedral.


This is a great example of the Cusco School (of art).  The Spanish taught the Inca to paint and they always put something local into the paintings.  Here's the last super with a guinea pig in the center.


I walked down to the main plaza and ate at Limo--a Japanese/Peruvian restaurant.  The food was awesome and so were the views of the plaza.





Another great day!






Day 14: Cooking Class and Leaving Cusco

Today is my last day in Peru.  It has been a wonderful trip.  I started at the San Pedro Market today.  The design was from Eifel in France....