Blogs from Cusco, Peru, South America - page 432

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South America » Peru » Cusco » Inca Trail June 15th 2005

Day 1 Oh Man! Am I out of shape!!! I got my butt kicked on the trail and it´s only day one! The slopes are steep and the adaptation to the altitude is worse than I though it would be. Andre is coming down with a bad cold and has huge blisters on his feet. Tomorow doesn´t look any easier...better go to bed! ... read more

South America » Peru » Cusco » Cusco June 15th 2005

- FOOD: Rip off in the restaurants surrounding the plaza. - AREA: So full of their official flags which are rainbow coloured it feels like a gay pride is going on. Very touristy and the prices reflect that. Big plaza with huge cathedral. The area of San Blas has narrow cobbled streets and is nicer to stay in. - PEOPLE: Lots in traditional dress, but only for the tourists sake. Selling everything you could (and couldn't) want. - WEATHER: Typical Andean, high altitude - hot in day, freezing at night. Wed 15th June: The bus arrived in Cuzco (Inca meaning 'belly button of the earth') early - a first but a pain as it was only 4am. Thank god the hostel I went to had space. Got a room to myself with a double bed and ... read more

South America » Peru » Cusco » Cusco June 13th 2005

Hello again! We´re in Cusco, Peru. Otherwise known as the Gringo Capital of South America. This place is overrun with tourists. People from all over congregating here in this one South American city. Why? To visit lots of Inca ruins, of course. The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, ruins within spitting distance of town. In just over a week it'll be even crazier for Inti Raymi (June 24th). As it is, one can´t walk around without being bombarded by people selling everything including: water, water bottle holders, finger-puppets, alpaca sweaters and hats, postcards, water color paintings, film, batteries, tours, books, restaurant services, photo opportunities, shoe-shine, etc. You name it, someone on the street is probably selling it. Walking around town is an obstacle course trying to avoid all the salesmen. We have been trying to enjoy the ... read more
Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru
Qorincancha ( Temple of the Sun)
Pisac Market

South America » Peru » Cusco » Cusco June 13th 2005

Today we met our group and took our flight to Cusco. We didn´t do much and just tried to recuperate some sleep from the last few days. Cusco is very beautiful, very old.... read more

South America » Peru » Cusco » Cusco June 12th 2005

Well, the overnight bus from Arequipa was bloody awful! We chose the cheapest bus. 12 hrs and 20 sols, about 4gbp. Yes, they did play crappy dubbed films, this time it was Freddy vrs Jason. Rubbish. I also think we were the only gringos on board. there were loads of well prepared peruvians all wrapped up in blankets and shawls and heres emma boarding a 12hr overnight bus that goes to an altitude of about 3000m and therefore a temperature of about 0 degrees wearing a cheap football shirt, denim jacket and minidisc player. I froze my ass off, (there was ice on the insides of the windows) but at least i could drown out the crappy dubbed film! we stopped somewhere random at about 2am and i pleaded with the driver to let me into ... read more

South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu June 8th 2005

Yea! Finally some pics of my trip to Peru and Bolivia. The program ends 4 weeks from this coming saturday, so things are getting pretty sad around here and busy...with finals coming up! That of course DOESNT stop the students from having their, pretty much, weekly protests! Im glad Im graduating cause it would be depressing going back to college in the states where classes are never cancelled for days at a time because of protests! ps..there will be 2 new listings. this one is for Peru (lima, cuzco and aguas calientes) and Machu Picchu. The next is for Lake Titicaca and Bolivia.... read more
San Pedro
Peruvian Boy
Peruvian Children

South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley June 2nd 2005

The city of Cuzco, Pisaq, Sacsayhuaman (Sexy Woman), Some photos from my days spent in and around the Cuzco area. June is Inca month and there have been some good parties here in Cuzco. It´s impossible to walk the streets at night without getting dragged (literally and physically dragged) into one of the many fine watering holes. It´s even worse if your with celebrity like Chuck Norris!! SALUD!! ... read more
Cuzco
Cuzco street
Cuzco

South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley June 1st 2005

So from Arequipa to Cuzco. Another bus journey where the bus companies swear blind it will take 8 hours when your guide book says 12. So 12 it is. The bus actually broke down in Juliaca for an hour after which the driver drove like a maniac around these winding roads to make it in 12 hours. Not very reassuring when the local newspaper is all about a bus having overturned with 67 passengers and numerous deaths had incurred..... Arrived in Cuzco tired and fed up to be accosted by people offering accommodation. This is not such an unusual sight in South America. It is just these were very persistent with a woman grabbing hold of Jessica after I had politely told her No Gracias 3 times. Little was I to know that this would be ... read more
Sexy Woman
Ollaytantambo
Machu Picchu

South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu May 21st 2005

Absolutley Spectacular 8 day hike from Cachora to Machu Picchu, passing through another important Incan site called Choquequirao. 6 gringos, 1 guide, 2 cooks, 5 mules, 1 horseman, 1 horsemans son, and 1 SHEEP HEAD!! Es Bueno!! Day 1 Cachora to Raqrama. Day 2 Raqrama to Choquequirao. Day 3 Choquequirao to Maizal. Day 4 Maizal to Yanama. Day 5 Yanama to Tatora. Day 6 Tatora to Playa. Day 7 Playa to Puente Ruinas. Day 8 Machu Picchu.... read more
Yo
Me, Cory, Brandon, John
Good Views

South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu May 14th 2005

To actually get to Machu Picchu involves getting there by bus, which is not at all like our TTC (LOL), and a train. We travelled by night so we didn{t see alot of scenery until our return to Cuzco. Once we arrived in Urumbamba, we took a taxi to Ollaytantambo and arrived at 3:00pm. Our train didn't leave until 8:00pm so we had plenty of time to take in the sites. Steve and I decided to have a quick beverage and get our bearings, then we noticed the stream of big tourist buses coming in. Our hearts sank, as we knew we would have to share the Ollanytantambo Ruins with the numerous tourists. The tourists go through the site at a much faster rate, so we eventually had the place to ourselves. As you will see ... read more
Ollaytantambo Ruins at Night
Ollaytantambo Market
Steve and Barb at Macchu Picchu




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