Cusco...the altitude hits!!!

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I loved Cusco as soon as we landed - there was an Incan band playing, dressed in thir bright coloured attire (despite being a little cheesy) I felt rather overwhelmed that I was finally here away from the more westernised parts of south america and ready to do the Inka Trek....what I had been looking forward to for soooo long!!

I dont think Cusco loved me........they say be warned and respect the altitude sickness....hmm....I had no other option...was ill for two days...my new best friend was the bathroom - was even tempted to sleep in there!! I think I must have set a new record for the shortest amount of time for something to go through you, I dared to have a sip of water and was in the bathroom within 20 seconds hee!!Even the Coca leaves didnt seem to help!!

We have been staying in a great hostel called Loki - brilliant place, full of english, irish, americans and ozzys (not so cultured on the south american side but a good laugh!!). The only downfall is that the hostel is at the top of about 200 steps...not the easiest ascent at altitude, I have never been so out of breath, my poor little heart nearly jumps out of my throat every time I climb the hill, its so hard that I even tripped up the last step last time I climbed it...much to the amusement of the security guard outside the hostel....and yes I went red!!

We chilled for a few days before heading off to do the Inka Trail on 13th March. We did a city tour and then a tour of Sacred Valley which was brilliant - gave us a taste of what the hiking might be like on the Inka Trail and we were taken around some gorgeous mountains and up to 4200 metres, it was amazing, beautiful green mountains, waterfalls, inkan corn fields and snowcapped mountains in the distance. We managed to squeeze in a few markets along the way too!!

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Photos

Sacsaywuman
we love dteh rocks almost as much as the tour guide ...hee

Comments

[ben]

hairy pits
hope thats not you crowd surfing in the bar on st paddy's day shane.. (!) x