We started out in the morning being picked up by Maria Elena, our tour guide for the next few days. Religion is huge part of life in Cuzco. Not because everyone is constantly praying, but because it has shaped the beautiful city that Cuzco has become. Maria Elena, herself is a Catholic Quechuan, but gives great insight into the fusion culture of Cuzco explaining that Catholicism in Cuzco is different from anywhere else in that it combines superstitions from the Incan beliefs, natural Paganism, and what we all know as Catholicism. It is truly a beautiful combination and it was nice/refreshing to see cultures from opposite ends of the spectrum, come together. Gives me hope for our future. However, as mushy and sweet as this sounds, it didn't come without the Incas overcoming great adversity.
The conquistadors (that as a 4th grade social studies teacher who realizes how much crap is written in those textbooks that glorify the greed of these conquistadores) were not people that Peruvians look up to. In their reality, the conquistadors represent the stripping of their culture and way of life. Even though now many of the people of Cuzco accept Catholocism as their faith, they still resent the Spanish for shoving their beliefs down their throats. Hm... I can't imagine that being offensive...This information was very interesting to me and she went into great detail that would take me forever to go into. You're probably wondering why I am explaining all of this. Everything in the Incan history and the ruins we explored today was connected to the Spanish conquistadors. We visited multiple ruins that showcased the Incas' mathematical genius, their ingenuity, and their incomparable creativity that the Spanish were unable to match. Where Spanish churches crumbled and had to be rebuilt due to earthquakes, the Incan ruins (those that weren't destroyed by the Spanish) still stand with a strong foundation, without using the mortar and cement the Spanish used in their constructions. We ended the tour in a stunning church that showed thousands of pounds of gold encrusted crosses, altars, religious statues...really breathtaking beauty and were surprised (others were surprised, but I knew exactly why she ended the tour in this cathedral) to find out that this stunning institute of purity, morality, and holiness...would not be, had the Spanish so kindly, not have melted the gold off of every single Incan temple in Cuzco over the course of 6 months. I have a feeling that it will be a really long time until Cuzco turns into yet another money making, corporate run city, like it's friend Lima. When that time comes, the people of Cuzco will be smarter and will rely on the memories of their past and their roots to stand tall against the seemingly powerful and strong influences of Greed.
On a happier note, Cuzco is absolutely breathtaking, but I felt that in order to appreciate all that is Cuzco, one must understand its complicated history. Out of all the places I've been to, Cuzco is one of the only places I would live in. The people are so happy, have no complaints and welcome you in with open arms. They smile at you, speak in a very romantic, sweet way towards one another, and remind me that it is so important to slow down and smell the roses. Also, this city is now very near and dear to my heart because I met my first alpaca friend. He/she was so cute! I am in love (with both alpacas and this city).
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