DAY 6

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Today we went to explore the weekend Pisac market. Pisac Sunday market we are told is something worth experiencing and only 30kms from Cusco. We catch a local bus and head of for Pisac, the scenery along the way is awe inspiring. Short walk from the bus stop is the market, one cannot miss it as it is such a hub of activity. We walk on the cobbled street towards the market and encounter trader sitting along the steps on the cobbled street, enjoying the clean crisp air and the glorious sunny day.

On Sundays only, campesinos from surrounding villages set up a barter market, or mercado de treque, which is an ancient Peruvian custom and an interesting example of the informal economies upon which highlanders depend. Quechuan-speaking Indians sit behind huge piles of potatoes, carrots, herbs, and other vegetables in one corner of the square. They sell these products to buy essentials (salt, sugar, kerosene, matches, medicines) but also trade to acquire other foods, such as oranges from the Quillabamba Valley.

The colours (in the indian clothing, handicrafts, shawls) bright as they are do not seem out of place. Anshu and I did a walk around and explored the market at leisure. Then we just sat on the side like the locals and watched the people for ages, was quite fascinating. We decided to try out the local special for lunch, so went and sat at the most crowded food stall, full of locals and pointed at whatever the person next to us was having (bit risky but definately worth it). The meal turned out to be a delicious soup with lots of local veges and chicken. Simple yet tasty.

Then we did more sitting and people watching. Until late afternoon and then we caught the bus back to Cusco.

This was one of Anshu's favourite days, she really seemed to enjoy just absorbing the culture and the people. The lines on the faces of the old women and men spoke volumes of the harsh climate they live in, yet they were all so haappy looking.

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Photos

View of Picas market
With Anshu in the foreground.

The market
and the trader with their produce.

The Locals
wandering another and selecting what to buy

The traders
organising the stalls

The activity
of trading starts for the day

Playful Child
playing with a local fruit

Anshu finds a friend
to sit and people watch with.

Trading done
time to go home

More traders
waiting fro that elusive business

Gossip time
in the market

Cusco by night
Too beautiful for words

Cusco street by night
like walking down the lanes from some ancient book.

Plaza Mayor by night
Serene