I am writing from Cusco, Peru where we are staying for several days. This city is a charming blend of Incan, Quechua and colonial Spanish legacy with a sprinkling of new age healers and incredibly talented artists thrown in for good measure. Here is one of the streets with the original Incan foundations upon which much of the downtown part of the city was rebuilt by the Spaniards. It is truly amazing how closely & perfectly these massive stone blocks fit together.
The bull duo (you can just see them on the roof on the photo above) sits on many roofs throughout Cusco. Here is a close-up of 2 of these rather endearing characters, purchased at the market for 3 soles ($1). I am not sure yet exactly what I will do with them back in Canada.... any ideas let me know! A little good luck would not be a bad thing now, would it?
Of course, a trip to Cusco would not be complete without a (very costly) sidetrip to Machu Picchu.... would it? Yes, we went! And here is the proof, our official family photo.
As magical and sacred as ever.
Actually, it was my second trip to Machu Picchu. I was there almost 10 years ago, and interestingly, had a very different experience this time around.
Whereas last time I was scaling the local mountains as fast as I could - in particular, Huayna Picchu and Putacusi, this time, when we first arrived the whole of Machu Picchu was shrouded in thick rain cloud so much so that we could not see where we were. So this visit, my focus was on the small and close. . . things like rock, insects, little animals, birds and plants which also make up part of the place.
I like to think of it this way - that last time I had an experience of the realm of the condor and this time, I perhaps experienced more of the realm of the serpent, the realm of rock and the earth that holds us up. (Andean cosmology comprises the realm of the condor, puma and serpent).
On our way back to Cusco, we stopped off at Ollantaytambo and visited the ruins there, right on the edge of town.
Steve was particularly interested by the massive and perfectly cut / positioned slab of stone at the Temple of the Sun at these ruins. How did it get up there onto the mountain and how was it so perfectly positioned without incurring any damage? Many such mysteries circle around these interesting Incan and pre-Incan ruins scattered through South American.
Ollantaytambo is interesting because people still live in the Inca buildings and use the Inca streets and waterways.
The campesino culture is still strong in this area.
Let's hope it stays that way.
We are hanging out in the funky San Blas part of town which is really very charming with its very (narrow & steep) pedestrian-oriented streets. Not too many automobiles way up here where we are which makes for a peaceful and restful stay. We are living in a Peruvian household - they rent out some rooms to tourists here, and I love our room. Here is a photo taken out the window while sitting on my bed. A room with a view. I love it! For sure I can see why this area attracts so many artistic people.
The bull duo (you can just see them on the roof on the photo above) sits on many roofs throughout Cusco. Here is a close-up of 2 of these rather endearing characters, purchased at the market for 3 soles ($1). I am not sure yet exactly what I will do with them back in Canada.... any ideas let me know! A little good luck would not be a bad thing now, would it?
Of course, a trip to Cusco would not be complete without a (very costly) sidetrip to Machu Picchu.... would it? Yes, we went! And here is the proof, our official family photo.
As magical and sacred as ever.
Actually, it was my second trip to Machu Picchu. I was there almost 10 years ago, and interestingly, had a very different experience this time around.
Whereas last time I was scaling the local mountains as fast as I could - in particular, Huayna Picchu and Putacusi, this time, when we first arrived the whole of Machu Picchu was shrouded in thick rain cloud so much so that we could not see where we were. So this visit, my focus was on the small and close. . . things like rock, insects, little animals, birds and plants which also make up part of the place.
I like to think of it this way - that last time I had an experience of the realm of the condor and this time, I perhaps experienced more of the realm of the serpent, the realm of rock and the earth that holds us up. (Andean cosmology comprises the realm of the condor, puma and serpent).
On our way back to Cusco, we stopped off at Ollantaytambo and visited the ruins there, right on the edge of town.
Steve was particularly interested by the massive and perfectly cut / positioned slab of stone at the Temple of the Sun at these ruins. How did it get up there onto the mountain and how was it so perfectly positioned without incurring any damage? Many such mysteries circle around these interesting Incan and pre-Incan ruins scattered through South American.
Ollantaytambo is interesting because people still live in the Inca buildings and use the Inca streets and waterways.
The campesino culture is still strong in this area.
Let's hope it stays that way.
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