Cusco and Sacsayhuamán

Ovder the Andes once again and more spectacular views of the Cordillera from aloft as we headed for Cusco! We arrived in Cuzco from Lima via the wonderfuly named Cia. de Aviación Faucett. (Named for its founder, an American aviation entrepreneur.) A surprise upon deplaning was the number of photographers present. Had there been a celebrity on board? Wait, they were taking pictures of all the passengers! Later I saw the photos displayed in a shop in town. Turns out the were taking souvenier photos of everyone's arrival. Unlike later cruise photos, I didn't get those.

Everyone advised that you must take it easy the first day in Cusco, adjust to the 3500 m alititude and all. OK, we followed this advice, went the hotel, stretched out, relaxed, and acclimated to the extent possible.

By afternoon, it was time to go out and see the Sacsayhuamán Incan site above Cusco. Sacsayhuamán is impressive for its intricate stone block construction. The fortress-like walls are long, all built of finely hewn stone blocks. The walls are immense. The people in the accompanying photos have to be seen in comparison with the size of the walls. It's said the round-corner blocks fit together so perfectly a slip of paper can't be inserted between them. After the Conquest, the Spanish took many of the blocks for the construction of Cusco, and they can still be seen in the foundations of colonial buldings.

At Sacsayhuamán we encouterd llamas for the first time. They were tended by Quechua descendants of the Incas, all attired in coloful traditonal garb--a photo op if ever there was one! Returning to Cusco, we saw the Cathedral and walked the narrow colonial streets.

There was a folkloric dance program in the evening.