Cuzco was truly a dream. The city is completely beautiful and the people are very genuine and sweet. We were able to sleep in for a while which was nice, it was the opposite from our Europe trip in which we only had one day off in Lucerne, and the rest was us rushing and always on the go. Once we woke up, we got dressed and went downstairs to be greeted kindly by the front staff. A cute older man ushered us to the front, modest dining area. I would sit in this dining area over any of the premier restaurants in Houston. Just like our room, this dining area had little wooden framed windows all around giving us another beautiful panoramic view of the city. Our waiter was about 5 feet tall, kindly asked us what we would like to drink and I ordered coca leaf tea. Coca leaves are most familiar in the United States as the main ingredient to make cocaine, hence the name. However, here in CuZco, it is used to help the natives deal with the high altitude, which is about 11,000 feet above sea level. As you can imagine this is not something most of us are accustomed to, especially since you are constantly walking up and down the gorgeous rolling hills. Luckily, my cousin had been to Peru and was able to prscribe us elevation pills. We never had to feel the effects of the altitude, but nonetheless I felt the need to order Coca tea. William on the other hand ordered cafe con leche and let me tell you, that was some good coffee. I tried all the French cappuccinos and coffees in Paris and Seattle, but no, this my friends, is really good coffee. I had forgotten that South America produces 70% of the world's coffee, but the stuff William gets at home is not anything like this. Neither is the "South American" free trade coffee beans we get from whole foods, or central market. Ok, the point is they had really good coffee.
The sweet old man brought out fresh breakfast which included scrambled eggs, an oat cereal, and fresh bread and some sort of berry jam that was really good. We had a filling meal and we would need it for the fun filled day ahead of us. We started out by going to Saqsaywaman-pronounced "sexy woman" hehehe. We were with a group of four other people and one of the guys from Seattle joked that when he got in, a taxi driver asked him if he wanted to go to Saqsaywaman and he responded, "It's a little earlier for that, I just want some coffee, but thanks!" This made me laugh. I would have been so confused if someone asked me that.
Saqsaywaman was breathtaking. We took a 30 minute bus ride up the hill and saw the town of Cuszco become smaller and smaller. The little orange rooftops were so cute. We saw tons of Cedar trees and drove past the Blanco Christo. When we arrived, there was a beautiful open, green field with llamas and alpacas roaming and eating. The ruins were spectacular. Maria Elena explained how these have survived and how the stones were moved up there. We were amazed to see the large pieces of rocks that were carefully selected and pieced together to make temples, terraces and shrines. I still don't understand how the Incan did all of this without machines, wheels, elevation medication, shoes, and mortar. They literally would use up to 2000 people per rock (to lift and move)and strategically place them together where they fit. These people were little, mathematical geniuses. They also used the idea of "male" and "female" parts to grid the stones together. Either way, it was quite amazing to see. Saqsaywaman also had breathtaking views of the city. I loved it.
As if the views from Saqsaywaman weren't enough, we then left to go see the water temple, Tambomachay. These temple ruins were built near glaciers. The Inca used their mathematical skills to create aqueducts that carried glacier water through the temple and to the other temples in Cuszco. I can't even start to figure out how they could create this intricate system. Tambomachay was very peaceful and the river running through it was clear and refreshing. There were donkeys and sheep roaming and the native children that live in the area were running through the green fields and playing. It was really lovely.
After this we made our way to some of the Spanish churches, which were also beautiful. Cuzco was really one of the best places I've visited. I can't wait to return to this city.
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