The dizzy heights of Cuzco

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So day 3 kicked off with a flight from Lima to Cuzco. And what a flight, an hour of looking out the window at the Andes. The view was just amazing. The taller mountains were covered in snow at the top and you would not believe where some people live, there are settlements in the middle of nowhere right in the mountains. cant quite imagine what life like that would be like, pretty dull i guess.

I was first off the plane when we got here courtesy of a front row seat, so the first thing i done was bomb it to the baggage reclaim before the queues. this, as it turns out, wasn´t the brightest idea. you really do notice the lack of oxygen up here, so the rest of the day has involved wandering round at a snails pace. although the altitude isn´t causing me too much of a problem, if you over exert yourself you do regret it.

cuzco is a wonderful town, full of old buildings etc and lots of nice parks to sit in and watch the world go by. when i got off the plane they said it was 17 degrees here today, but boy was the sun powerful. being an additional two miles closer to the sun really makes a difference. the good news, i´m starting to get a tan. there are lots of people here who try and sell you clothing, pictures, pots etc and even more people who want to offer you a massage. whats the big deal with massages up here?! you do get some of the old women fully dressed in the typical inca clothing, but these are purely for photo opportunities and most people dress normally. the dressed up woman all have the little sheep tucked under their armpits too, which i found rather amusing.

i didn´t think i would find an internet connection tonight so not brought the camera to upload pictures, but it really is weird and wonderful being up in the mountains. i have come out to get some food and all the mountains surrounding the town are lit up where people live up them, truely is a great sight.

i have my inca train briefing tomorrow lunch time, where i will finally meet my fellow trekkers. there is going to be 16 of us in total. looking forward to meeting them as its starting to get a bit lonely eating on my own all the time. i think this is the problem of being in a hotel to start with, you don´t get to meet people like you would do if you stayed in a hostel.

still not fully adjusted to the time difference. its just turned 7 here and i am desperate to go to sleep. quick dinner and an early night one thinks.

right i´m signing off as i´m in an interent cafe and no idea how much this is costing me!! my next blog will be after the inca trail, so look forward to some amazing photos.

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Comments

[Mum]

Has John visited and given those women their sheep??? Or has one of them lost one which found itself on your Dad's shoulder?