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Published: June 16th 2017
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Geo: -13.52, -71.99
It's street after street of indigenous women sitting on sidewalks with a bag or two of fruits or herbs--some on display--some tucked under their wide skirts. They sit there rain or shine, sometimes so wrapped in plastic sheets all you see is their hat brims.
They live in surrounding pueblos and don't leave for home until after 5 at night, so every afternoon when the rains come they're the most pitiful sight.
It's streets so steep and narrow cars aren't allowed, surrounded by walls 500 years old and made of stones carved to fit so exactly they don't need mortar --they're so commonplace here as to be their normal.
The whole area--from Machu Pichu to Cusco--is like being in a living museum.
It's eye jolting traditional clothing set against tall grey stone walls. And it's wonderful food.
We planned on four days to get over the altitude sickness and I'm afraid it's going to take all of that. Every morning I'm so sick--didn't even get out of bed yesterday until noon, but today I was up and out of the hotel before 8. Then by 10 I'm practically throwing up in the street I'm so nauseated.
When we're climbing these
Ladies selling vegetables from their gardens
The ladies live in surrounding pueblos and come to the city to sell their vegetables. Guess this one didn't like me much... steep hills, every three steps I've got my head between my knees trying not to upchuck. I had no idea it would affect me like this. Bob, who can sleep through anything, can't hardly sleep at all here. It just affects everyone differently.
But each afternoon I'm feeling more like myself and we head out to roam the city.
The city thrives on tourism and it's all based on the amazing Inca culture. Before 1916 when Hyram Bingham "rediscovered" Machu Pichu, Cusco was just a sleepy colonial city.
Now it's the most visited in the world.
This is the jumping off point to some of the most astounding stuff ever. And boy does it attract hustlers. It's like running a gauntlet to walk down some of these streets, you're so swamped by sellers of everything.
We love looking through the artwork of these art students here though, and actually bought some from a lady who approached us today. But of course as soon as you do, your surrounded by eager artists with their work handy--would you like to see my paintings Mrs? Looking is free they chant.
Then there's the Inca king you can pose with and the ladies in bright native clothing
Ladies line the streets with their wares
You see the word "cuy" on that sign. That's guinea pig. Guide books make a big deal out of the fact that they're eaten here, but they're very expensive and people we've talked to say they don't taste like much. So we haven't tried them. walking llamas with ear tassels--all for your photography pleasure.
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becky
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Do you ever get adjusted to the altitude? How high are you?