This was my hostel in Cusco the first night I arrived. Pretty spot and close to the airport - but not really walking distance to Plaza De Armas, which is the square where everything's happening. After one night here at Magic Cusco Hostel, I moved to The Luxe Cusco Hostel just off the square. Both were fantastic but both were COLD! The old buildings don't retain heat well and it's cold in June. Bring layers.
The buildings make you feel like you're stepping back in time.
Seemed there was always another festival or parade happening in the square
Check out those Guinea pigs! They make a popular Peruvian dish. I didn't try it...
Loved the markets. Fruits, spices, teas, and goods. Very strong smell of fish and meat, though....
I took a bus for a day tour of the Sacred Valley that made several stops through beautiful and historical sites: Ollantaytambo, Moray, Salinas, Iglesia Colonial de Chinchero...
I kept seeing paintings and illustrations all over walls and buildings. I found out they're for elections - basically their version of billboards/advertisements!
Our tour guide!
Florencia peeling potatoes. She asked me for a tip after I took her photo, as did just about everyone else in South America. Everybody wanted a tip for something. I'll never forget that about my visit.
Salt mines in the Sacred Valley! Nobody was allowed to walk down below, but you can see a couple people filming in the above photo. (They must have had permission because nobody said a word to them.) I wish I knew what they were working on so I could look it up now!
Of course...I loved the alpacas. Of course I had to tip people to borrow their alpacas for photo ops
Another parade!
Great live music by these two at a Cusco bar one night. I asked them what their names were so I could look them up online later because I enjoyed their music that much. They told me they had just met the day before, so they didn't have a name or any recordings together! I couldn't believe that. I'm facebook friends with them now and see they're still traveling together in Peru. Hopefully still making music as well.
Fresh-squeezed juices everywhere
People say you should have ceviche in Lima, which makes sense as it's seafood and Lima is on the coast. But my hostel owner suggested Sevicheria Don Pez Limon in Cusco and it was outstanding. One of my favorite South American meals. Seafood rice, fish sticks and fresh fish. Zesty and lime-y!
Traditional Peruvian breakfast. There's beef in there! It was delicious.
New friends. Great times.
