Cuzco, Part Dos

Time to finish up Cuzco, so we can get to the main event (hiking).

The Plaza de Armas is located at the heart of the city.....and heart of the puma (remember, the city was originally built in this sacred animal's shape).  During Inca time, the square was called the Huaycaypata (sound it out, folks) and was double its size now.

You can see in the right corner of the photo the rainbow flag flying, which represents the four quarters of the Inca empire (not to be confused with the gay pride flag).

The Plaza de Armas with one of the churches in the background.  Note: PDub holding our travel bible.

Gorgeous, if I don't say so myself.

The Plaza by day....Can you tell those people are tourists?

A colonial archway which leads from the Plaza San Francisco to the church and convent of Santa Clara.  For us, it led to the market.

The Cuzco market was unlike any other I had been to.  I wasn't getting poked and prodded to buy something that I may have looked at for too long, and I could work with them (in my awesome Spanish) on the price.  Instead of junky souvenirs, we passed anything from flowers to food to alpaca clothing.....not clothing for your alpaca, but clothing made from alpaca....Duh.  My ill, fellow travelers weren't too excited to see the skinned cow hanging from the ceiling or to smell the cooking soups the locals were devouring.  Therefore, we purchased our alpaca sweaters, power walked through the food, and got the heck out of dodge.  (*Thank you K for letting me access your pictures!)

Alpaca this, alpaca that.  I'll take two please.

I wanted to tear right into this bread.*

Spice up your life.*

Queso?  That just might be my favorite table.  Maybe we should've asked her to say "cheese."*

Maize.....remember, they produce over 500 types of corn.*

Flowers....from a fish eye point of view.*

Qorikancha, built in the mid-15th century, was once an Inca temple with walls of gold (700 solid sheets weighing in at 2kg each), alters of gold, llamas of gold, and a sun of gold.  The Incas loved their gold.  They believed it to be given to them from the sun god, Inti; therefore, gold was not used as a form of currency or wealth but instead a sacred representation of their beliefs.  Within months of the arrival of the Spaniards, the golden treasures were looted and melted down to bricks.  Now, Qorikancha lays in ruins at the base of the church and convent of Santo Domingo.  Thank you, colonialism.

What remains of Qorikancha on the left and the platforms below with the church on the right.

The interior of Qorikancha with some goodlookin' individuals.

A portion of what the golden walls would've looked like if the flippin' Spanish would've stayed at home.....or maybe acted like civilized guests.  I mean, when I visit someone's house, I don't rip stuff off the walls.  Etiquette, my friends, etiquette.

The view from Qorikancha.  Evidently, the mummified incas (kings) would be set out on these terraces to enjoy the sun.

The Inca Museum was definitely a requirement if you wanted to learn anything about this great empire and its people.  After this visit, we then became Inca fact throwers for the rest of our trip.  Warning, here comes an Inca fact.......just kidding.

Warrior cries?  Warrior flutes?  Warrior feathers?

When traveling with the Dubs, you are always sure to eat good food and drink great bebidas (is that still redundant?).

On the rooftop of Marcelo Batata for drinks and dinner.

At Paddy Flaherty's, that claims to be the highest Irish pub in the world, toasting to none other than "diarrhea."  Too much information?  Probably so, but acclimation is a.....ahem, excuse me.....amazing.

A Decade of Valentine's Days

     One decade ago today, PDub and I had our first date.  At the age of 16, I was officially dating an older man (only by one year), and that first date couldn't have been more perfect!  The shaggy-haired, blonde boy picked me up in his green 1996 Gran Prix, took me to his house where we proceeded to watch A Few Good Men; he then gave me a dozen red roses (what what!), and returned me home.

     From that day on, I have had a best friend by my side to hold me when I cry, to laugh when I laugh (most of the time), to stand his ground when I am wrong, to have crazy adventures with, and to pass each day together side-by-side.  We have struggled through divorces, final exams, long-distance, and bad food, and we have celebrated through graduations, weddings, vacations, and good food.  Time hasn't been more real than when I am with him.  During those moments, we truly live life to its fullest and only regret the ticking clock that will end our time together one day.  Life is brief but love is forever.  Thank you for giving me the greatest gift, PDub!

I am living my happily ever after......

See the pyramids along the Nile

Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle

Just remember darling all the while

You belong to me

See the market place in old Algier

Send me photographs and souvenirs

Just remember when a dream appears

You belong to me

I'd be so alone without you

Maybe you'd be lonesome too and blue

Fly the ocean in a silver plane

See the jungle when it's wet with rain

Just remember till you're home again

You belong to me

I'd be so alone without you

Maybe you'd be lonesome too and blue

Fly the ocean in a silver plane

See the jungle when it's wet with rain

Just remember till you're home again

You belong to me

Cuzco--The Bellybutton City

Two children of the sun, Manco Capac and Mama Occlo Huaco, who were both brother and sister and husband and wife, were sent by the sun god, Inti, from Lake Titicaca to find a new place of residence.  With them, they took a golden staff, tapac-yauri, which was destined to effortlessly sink into the earth at their new home; this new residence happened to be Cuzco, Peru.

     Cuzco became known as the navel of the world, and subsequently, the site closest to mother nature.  In the 13th century, this city, which sat at the center of the Tawantinsuyu (the four regions), was designated as the capital of the Inca Empire, the largest empire of pre-Columbian history.  It is still considered the historical capital of Peru (Lima is of course the actual capital).  Not only is Cuzco the gateway to mother nature, but also, at 11,200ft, it is the gateway to one of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.

The Twantinsuyu with Cusco at the center.

Like other cities in the Inca Empire, Cuzco was shaped into one of the sacred animals, a puma.

Two children of small-town USA, PDub and JDub, who were not brother or sister (thank the lord) but husband and wife, were sent by the adventure god, Good-Times, from Washington D.C. to find a new place to wander.  With them, they took magical hiking boots (already broken in), which were destined to find them adventure.  They ended up in a bellybutton.

     It was recommended to spend at least three days in this bellybutton of a city to fully acclimate to the altitude before hiking.  The first couple of days were rough!  There's nothing like a huffing and puffing tourist who has to stop every block to catch her breath.....and wants to do a 26 mile hike up to Machu Picchu.  Thankfully, our first evening only included a planetarium visit and dinner.

Cuzco from our hostel.

Our hostel was on the side of a mountain where the sidewalk changed from flat to hilled to staired.  Just breath......or not, because you can't at 11,200ft!

     The Cuzco Planetarium was the perfect chance to learn about the southern hemisphere skies (completely different from what we see in the northern hemisphere) and specifically Inca astronomy.  The Incas lived as one with nature and utilized the skies for guidance in things such as travel and agriculture.  They named all the formations (like we have the little and big dipper) both light and dark.  Even some of the streets in Cuzco are aligned with certain formations.  No Google maps (with a blue dot) for the Incas; they had the skiz-ies.

Some amigos who joined in our sky learning.

Inca translation of the Milky Way.

     After the planetarium, we headed for some grub at the Uchu Steakhouse.  Did you know that the Incas have engineered nearly 80% of the world's seeds?  With their microclimates, use of the sun and time of year, and various elevations, the Incas learned to engineer and grow some tastebud-tickling food.  They have over 3,000 kinds of potatoes, 500 types of maize, and 10 colors of quinoa.  Bring on the tots, corn, and super grain!!....por favor.

Our group at Uchu Steakhouse

I got to eat alpaca for the first time.....and it was pretty darn good.

Based with potato followed by avocado and quinoa and topped with a flower.

Plaza de Armas.....The main square by night.  AND, we can't forget Jesus lighting up the skies in the top left.  The Incas didn't have a name for that guy.

Lima, Peru--Short and Sweet

     Our time in Lima, Peru was limited to only a couple of days (and that included a wedding), so I was faced with time limitations when it came to experiencing the city.  I therefore narrowed my to-do list: one, hanging out by the pool; two, eating (duh); three, drinking a pisco sour; and four, salsa dancing.  No worries, I successfully completed all missions.

In case you were a little geographically ignorant, the orange country happens to be Peru.

     Not even 24 hours before our departure to Lima, PDub flew in from a 2-week business trip in Singapore.  Therefore, our Lima itinerary was based around relaxation and recovery.  Thankfully, our hotel had a rooftop pool with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

The closure of a relaxing day.

PDub and two other groomsmen.

Loved this heated, infinity pool.

     As you are well-aware, the Dubs never go any place without getting a good meal (or 3).  According to my handy-dandy Lonely Planet guidebook for Peru, El Enano was the perfect sandwich place, and that it was.  Additionally, like other Peruvian hole-in-the-walls, it had freshly-made juice options.  Of course, we took advantage of this.

I'm not sure why these two guys kept following us....and ruining all of our pictures. 

Jugo?

     Lima is the birthplace of the Pisco Sour, a drink composed of the Peruvian Pisco liquor, Key lime juice, syrup, ice, egg whites, and Angostura bitters.  How could one visit Lima without trying this signature drink?  Well, not me.  Although it's not my top drink of choice, it was refreshing and made me feel like I experienced this city a little better.

Getting my pisco on.

     Latin America is a world of unique music and dancing.  In Lima, we stumbled upon the Jazz Zone, a Lonely Planet recommendation (go figure) where the cover was next to nothing, drinks good, and entertainment unforgettable.  After enjoying our time there, we made a night of it by hitting up another Peruvian place (and joining the bride and groom).  Nights in Peru start late and run into the wee hours of the morning so beauty sleep was never an option.

Some serious salsa music!

This guy is a national champion in salsa dancing.  Who knew?

Relaxing before the wedding day.

     Thankfully Lima wasn't the highlight of the trip.  That was soon to come!

A Peruvian Wedding

     The fog was thick over the city of Lima, making it nearly impossible to see the building across the street.  The air was stagnant and heavy with humidity.  Within minutes and only slightly more inland, the wind cooled the air and parted the fog as if a whole new beginning was occurring, and indeed, it was.  A young couple took the next step in their relationship called marriage (or "mawwiage" from The Princess Bride).

     Evens Tyrone, who you've met through our various vacations, married his beautiful bride last week in Lima, Peru, and the Dubs were there to witness the event.  Although I'm not sure if it was legit because the ceremony was in Spanish (not fluent).  I can only infer by the passing of the rings, the kiss-the-bride, etc. that it was.

The elegant church and aisle the bride walked down.

Chilling before the ceremony.

Now do something cool.

Okay, cooler.

Uno couple

Dos couple

Tres couple

Father and bride.

The bride and her family are from Peru, so giving her away to Evens Tyrone (and America) was more meaningful than most give-aways.

I'm guessing the priest just told them to kiss, but I'm not for certain.

Sheer bliss.

The reception was outdoors, and the most unique one I've been to.  Loved it!

First dance.

SPARKLE!

Aren't these two sweet?

Stilts and wedding gear, everyone needs it.

Groomsmen sporting their gear....and of course the suspenders and crumberbuns (it's how you know which way to put them on.....and now I can't say it correctly).