No protests, now Parades in Cusco

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Day 6 - Friday

Our favorite travel activities was on the agenda today, the local market. Where all of Cusco goes to buy their meat, vegetables, spices, and all of their other needs. It’s basically their version of a supermarket just under one big roof outside. So on our trek there, we were looking forward to getting some pictures of the Plaza de Armas today now that the protest was over and the crowds would be gone…oh no, there is now a 2 day festival going on. Today’s event was what seemed like a traditional Peruvian dance competition between schools/towns/??? We hung around to get a few pics before heading the market.

The market was enjoyable as always for Matt to take pics of all of the meat sitting out everywhere, interesting vegetables, spices, etc… They had a “special” section which was filled with all of the more interesting choices like tongues, heads, innards, fetuses, etc…I was able to pic up some handmade wooden spoons for cooking for only $1 each! Matt’s big purchase was shelled sugar snap peas in a big bag. We guessed this was actually about $10 worth of peas back home…here only 1 soles (0.35). Matt was literally in heaven and went back to get another bag after devouring one. Outside we bought some fresh pork rinds (the one food I’m embarrassed to say I like) and more toasted corn.

We stopped for lunch at a restaurant owned by a famous Peruvian chef…there are 3 locations in Peru and apparently one now in San Francisco. We were unfortunately really disappointed as all restaurants way overcook their meat here…it’s quite annoying actually as we have ordered some pretty yummy meat dishes only to find them tough and not that great. So far Peru will not go down in our food memory book.

We took a short nap and headed back to Plaza de Armas to try to get some dusk/night pics but the festival was still in full swing so it was difficult. They literally danced all day! We actually had a decent dinner based on Trip Advisor reviews in a restaurant called the Inka Grill right on the plaza. Matt ordered Alpaca with quinoa (his new favorite thing thanks to here) and the Alpaca was cooked a little better this time. So far our best meal and they had live music, which made it a nice dining experience!

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Photos

Ask Erin about this picture
more specifically that piece of terra cotta

Pork Rinds
and they were good

Food?
I saw a lady pulling weeds and her pile looked just like this but without the stuff on top

Cheese, Roe, and something else
Most vendors just carry one type of food, this was a weird combo

Comments

[Tom Lyle]

pork rinds
I get those all the time...original, non spicy Markets are always fun, whether they be meat, veggies, fish or flowers.....

[Tom and Sue]

Your market talk was interesting. No way! I won't eat pork rinds.