---

Well I survived the 20.5hr bus journey, the first 15 were ok. Thankfully the scenery on the last 5.5hrs made up for the turns and twists and the not so great road surface...needless to say I survived and I am looking forward to walking for a couple of days before having to venture onto another bus.

Checked in to the hostal I will be meeting my trekking group tomorrow evening to save moving my gear around. The owner recommended I catch a couple of hours sleep before venturing out to help with the acclimatisation....very wise words indeed.

Only mild altitude symptoms: sore head, dry cough and feeling thirsty. The coca tea is definitely helping as well as the nurofen.

Having stuck to vegetarian meals over the past couple of days I decided to bite the bullet and have guinea pig tonight...it was fatty like duck and tasted like a greek dish called "kokoretsi" so I enjoyed it. Next on the menu will be alpaca I will give that a go when I get back from the trek on the 5th June.

Cusco looks nice, but very touristy! Where in Lima no one was in your face insisting you buy their goods, here it is another story....since the moment I ventured out I have been constantly asked to either eat in their cafe / restaurant or buy one of the many items they are selling.....plus everything is at least 4 times the price of Lima!

I am not sure I will be sticking around other than for a couple of days....will need to find somewhere quieter and less commercial.

---