Planes trains and automobiles

Alright, so I've finally got a nice rainy weekend to get through this all, so my knitting blog is being hijacked for my trip to Peru updates. Don't worry there's some knitting intermingled throughout, but I've got some trip reports to write!

Photos for day 1

Day 1. Alright, there were no trains, but there were planes and automobiles. It all started at 4:30 in the morning, woke up, watered the plants and headed out to the airport an hour later. This was for my first flight to Miami (about 3hours) after arriving there I got to spend about 2 hours of my 10 hour layover (yes you heard me...10 hours) before my parents arrived. There was a little miscommunication but we met up alright, then after a long long time of just sitting in the airport, with nothing open, we flew out at Midnight to get to Lima, Peru. There we were whisked through customs and sent to wait again (this is now 4:30am) for our final flight to Cusco. At this point in time I have had little sleep on the planes and really just wanted to go to bed, but we arrive at Cusco at 10 and we're out and about walking around town by noon...so there´s no sleep for me. But before I get to Cusco, I have to tell you about one of the weirdest sights...picture two guys, with backpacks...out of each backpack is a pole with a monitor screen on it, facing the same direction as the guy. These guys walk up and down the place advertising the mini cooper...then for an added attraction you can play a racing game on the screen...as they stare at you? its kinda weird...but very entertaining. OKay, now in Cusco...starting with a fight into the Andes. Thankfully I was able to stay on the flight. I get to my seat, 5J which is an aisle seat, I get to the aisle seat and I see someone sitting in it, I say I believe that's my seat and we seem to get confused and I sit at the window (I'm thinking we traded) then another lady comes up...we all have seats 5J listed! AHH. Apparently the flight wasn't full because they just moved her over to a different section and all was well...phew.

Cusco is approximatly 10,700ft above sea level, and filled with people, its one of the longest lived in cities in the world. (My mom tells me that its a world heritage site) Its not a large city, not like Lima which we saw at the end of the trip, but its also not a small 3 house "town" like some of the places we went to during our walks. Let me digress a little and tell you about our approach into Cusco. This city is high up in the mountains and yet down in a little valley, so what do you do as a pilot? Bank super hard, skimming the rim of the valley and land on a short runway (awesome). We then got out, walked down some stairs right on the tarmac which is something I've always wanted to do. The airport is small, under construction and selling shots of oxygen for those travelers not used to moving around at such high altitudes. I almost wanted to get one just for the fun of it. We then got our luggage and went to find our guide. This was the last time I got to move my luggage on my own outside of the hotel room. On the one hand not having to carry everything is nice...but there are times when I just want my luggage with me you know? Did it get on the boat, no idea I could never be 100% sure it got off the bus or left the hotel since I never saw it, but oh well, this trip pampered everyone in many ways.

Once arriving at our hotel we had the afternoon to relax, have lunch, don't do anything strenuous as you enjoy the alitude. Oh and have Coca tea. That will help with the altitude, that and coca candy. (Later there were also Coca leaves, about the only thing missing was the powered stuff ;) ) At the hotel there was this older woman who was spinning yarn with a drop spindle and selling her wares in the courtyard. It was interesting to watch her work. Even though I have no spanish skills, it wouldn't have helped. Carlos (one of our guides) told me that the women wear different hats and that the hats mean different levels of "western education" (Of course there are tons of what I called "modern" people who looked like any other person, but there was a handful of people who were sticking to the older more traditional ways of life) This woman's hat told us that she had no western influence, and therefore wouldn't speek spanish anyway but Quechua. So needless to say the people I wanted to talk to in regards to knitting, and weaving...wasn't going to happen.

We met up with the rest of the group, and started our walk for the day, an evening walk through the town of Cusco. I know that this isn't a unique or rare thing, but not having them really in Seattle or Denver I noticed it. Everyplace had tons of street vendors. Not just shops that spilled out a bit, but little carts selling juice and snacks, or locals selling fresh pineapple. What was interesting here is that there were "Rent a cell phone" people who would sell you some minutes on a phone and you could call whomever you wanted. Being a newly claimed "Heritage Site" there are certian rules for building in Cusco. All roofs had to be made with the red titles. No thatch or corrigated metal, or american shingles could be used. I thought it looked really nice, but I'm sure it annoyed people. I have several pictures of dogs, honestly I wish I brought a counter with me. I had to have seen thousands of dogs walking around, laying in the sun, doing whatever. As my mom would say they were useless dogs. Didn't herd sheep, scare off birds...nope, just pets running around town. Each of the dogs in Cusco however were no strays, they just aren't allowed in the houses during the day, but are let in during the night time. The cats (which I only saw 2 or 3) apparently just stayed inside. (Probably hiding from all the dogs). The streets were mainly cobblestone but everything had a nice rustic feel.

Of course there are Incan walls which have been used to build some of the current buildings. There are also several churchs in Cusco, and these are the impressive. HUGE churches with more gold, silver and jewels in it than I've ever seen. To be honest, going through London and seeing the Crown Jewels...these weren't as impressive when compared to the churches here. The walk around town saw a mix of ancient and modern, Spanish and Incan. In additon to modern shops there were places selling more traditional stuff. There were also women who are dressed in all traditinal gear and often with Alpacas or llamas. You can take thier picture, or take a picture with them for just a sol or two. I did it once and got a picture with a baby alpaca. (See the hat she's wearing? She has some western influence)

That's most of day 1. At the end of it all I was exhausted. After dinner I had a huge headache (more from traveling less from altitude) and I took a long nap. Felt better afterwards and for the rest of the trip.