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.