The Place: Roughly 3300m above sea level in the south of Peru, the town of Cusco is home to the Incas who still work the fields, herd the llamas and alpachas and speak their native tounge "Quechua".
Some features: The old town has many steep cobblestoned streets with steps leading high up to different parts of the town.
Stumbled upon a festival celebrating 'La virgin del Carmin' the day after its day of independence. Was told this is not the virgin Mary but catholic and relevent only to Carmin near Cusco. Banners and ornate icons of the virgin were being carried above the heads of the locals.
Stumbled upon festival no.2 the next day. This was a well organised celebration of independence day which involved military marches, shots being fired, flags being raised, political speeches and marching bands (many, both young and old).
Walked to the top of one hill to stand by the 12m statue of Cristo Blanco.
Took a horse ride to see some inca ruins close by. Included Puca Pucara, Saksayhuamen (sexy women heh heh) and a Quechuan temple of water.
Strange observation: The old quechuan women here are teeny and, wearing top hats and puffy skirts, carry large loads from their fields into city centre. No idea how these women of about sixty descend the hills on foot into the city and then return up the hundreds of steep steps again after their wares have been sold.
No comments:
Post a Comment