Cuzco, travel diary

 

Cuzco

Arequipa by what has brought us up to Cuzco, was to be a journey of seven hours but we are magically transformed into twelve. We spent an entire day on the bus, doing a crazy path that led us first in the city of Puno and only later in the evening to Cuzco. Fortunately, here too there was a kind gentleman who was waiting for us at the station and from there led us directly at the hotel. A hotel among other very nice, a turn Casona by XXL-wide walls. In this hotel does not missing anything from towels to breakfast included, cable TV with free internet connection and even a good stove to heat the house. Once in the room quite late, we hurried out to find a restaurant open, but unfortunately we had to settle for a hot chocolate.
Went to bed early enough, we have also woken up early to go to visit the city. As usual we proceed directly to the city center where we have accepted a huge main square, which overlooks the majestic cathedral. We were told that Cuzco was a really fascinating and you have to admit that they were right. This is a country built on the ruins of an ancient Inca city in the whole historical center of the base buildings are still made up of these ruins. Really seems to make a leap back in history and in some ways, in particular, the impression is to live in another era. Precisely for this reason we decided to spend in this town a little 'more time than the previous destinations: definitely time well spent!
The first day, we were given a taste of what the city could offer, wandering through the streets of the center and plan the remaining days of our stay in this ancient Inca residence. The time has definitely flown under your feet and let no one say it was already time to go into a hotel. Made a quick shower and clothes all point to combat the increasingly low temperatures, we left in search of rest and we have found in a small restaurant near the central square which offered a menu very interesting tour. Characteristic of a po 'all restaurants in Cuzco is the presence of a warm fireplace to wood that also has the function to heat the room, lets you make a good pizza, we did not lose time and have been proven! A belly full we returned to our room and after some 'sound television sealed us into a deep sleep.

The following day, cheered by a hearty breakfast cooked by ourselves, we have reported to the city center where we saw pass before our eyes a sort of old tram wheeled, fully restored and running, used as a vehicle for a national tour. No one was we made repeated twice, and we jumped at it, because we felt the best way to get a global view of the city. Just like the tour done in Lima, in this case, the tram has freed us from the narrow roads that cut the city, passing through the main square in buildings and focusing more significant, up to climb into one of the vehicles that surround the city, where its peak is located in the Christ Blanco, an imposing statue is very similar (although much reduced) to the Christ in Rio de Janeiro (which some 'go and see for yourself !!!). The tour lasted just over an hour and has brought us back in front of the cathedral, where we had to turn him. It seemed made to mail, dismantled in front of the cathedral, we decided that was the right time to visit. Arrived at the entrance we found ourselves in front of the ticket. The alternatives that we had had two or just buy the ticket of entry to the cathedral or a ticket that few "soles" more would have enabled us to visit three different places. Obviously we chose the second option that allowed us to enter, as well as in the cathedral, including the City Museum and the picturesque little church of San Blas, located in a typical neighborhood. This fact we were already inside the cathedral to start our visit. Define immense and magnificent would certainly be too little. Unbalanced and we could say that it is the most beautiful and interesting church ever encountered so far in our journey ... and terms of comparison we have really a lot! It is perhaps useless to dwell on descriptions that would certainly not justice, not least because of the common tourists as we do not have enough knowledge to be able to do. One thing is certain ... even for an absolute beginner and novice art history, the feeling that you enter in the sight of this magnitude is inescapable: exciting!
We left it was already evening and she was coming with the cold: it was time to go back to our room to warm up a little and rest from daily toil, after the usual shower and the usual dinner in a restaurant: a certainty!

By the next day we had to completely take advantage of our ticket purchased the day before. We have therefore directed above all towards an area of the city that we had struck during the city tour, focusing nell'immancabile market to taste the local cheese. After that, with full bellies we did head for the district of San Blas. We have been directed towards the church, unless of course dell'immenso great cathedral, but no less interesting, then go for a stroll among the tiny, colorful streets that characterize the district. Returning from San Blas, we dwelt in the museum for a brief visit. Perhaps most interesting of the museum, rather than its content, is the structure of the building itself, built over an ancient Inca palace, partially destroyed and restored by the Spanish conquerors. Also this day was concluded and after the usual routine we direct preparation for dinner, then trying to go to bed because the next grant was provided for a mini trip to Pisaq, a village about an hour from Cuzco, famous for its ruins, but especially for its Sunday market.

That made the early morning we were heading for a small station vans specialized course in Cuzco-Pisaq and turn first to the provisions we began our hike. Once arrived in the place we immediately realized that Pisaq fully deserves the reputation it enjoys. This market is very lively, full of women dressed in many colors, all engaged in the sale and exchange of products. We shot for a long time among the many stalls selling local products especially at very reasonable prices. We take so much left from that marketplace, that without realizing it was already too late to go and visit the ruins ... patience, it will be for another time!
Ripigliato a van we returned to Cuzco for a hot shower and to prepare the backpacks ...

Exact prepare the backpacks because the next day we started at a time the city magic: Machu Picchu!