Cuzco
(DAY253 : Abancay - Cuzco : 145 miles)
(DAY254 - 257 : Cuzco)
After waking up with a runny nose, I took my sweet time to leave Abancay. When we hit the road, I was truly glad to not have pressed on yesterday. The 3 hour ride to Cuzco was one of the highlights of this trip, and that means spectacular with no ifs or buts. What a waste it would have been to cover it tired and in a hurry.
"Viva el Peru, glorioso". Welcome to Cuzco.
As for Cuzco... This is the place I'd been looking for since leaving Popayan. Yes, it's very touristy. Yes, cold beer or good coffee can still be elusive. And yes, Peru loves to rip off its visitors. But... Cuzco sure stands out way beyond the trivial, and owes that to her first founders, the Inka.
The Cuzco flag. (No, Inka weren't all gay, but the rainbow was sacred)
The folklore festival.
In Cuzco, there always seems to be an excuse to put a show on. If it's not to celebrate, it will be to protest. And if you can't wait for the next spectacle, you can always take a stroll in the market.
Built on top of the Inka capital, streets of the city are like a showcase for Inka's stonework expertise. Had conquistadors been able to resist the urge to build cathedrals on top of everything, the place might have looked as impressive as Machu Picchu today. On the other hand, they could have torn it all down and built another white washed plaza as well.
A famous rock with 12 precision cuts always blocks this street.
Indigenous women and their animalitos are a common sight at street corners.
On my first night in Cuzco, I paid the obligatory visit to Norton Rats Tavern on the main plaza to meet Jeff and sign my drunk name in his encyclopedia of motorcycle travelers who have stopped by before me. How can people chat about motorcycles for a whole night? That's exactly what we did and I have no idea how. But hey, we have a bike in common with the man, the Speed Triple. Let me tell you one thing about him: he's crazy. Crazy enough to ride an S3 from the US all the way down here!
After a couple of nights in a room that could barely fit a bed, I moved to La Casa Grande on Jeff's suggestion. It was comfortable, had a large courtyard for Katirga, and was only a block from the Rats. A comfortable room set me back about $20 a night, and that's not too bad for Cuzco. (La Casa Grande Hotel, Av. Santa Catalina Ruinas)
When I moved into my new place, there were already a few Argentinean bikers staying there. Once again, I were to meet some really nice guys, only to say goodbye in a matter of days. But I have a feeling it won't be too long till we drink together again.
A great night among friends.
Heading back to Argentina...
Cuzco is... Kind of hard to describe its charm with words or even photographs.
(DAY254 - 257 : Cuzco)
After waking up with a runny nose, I took my sweet time to leave Abancay. When we hit the road, I was truly glad to not have pressed on yesterday. The 3 hour ride to Cuzco was one of the highlights of this trip, and that means spectacular with no ifs or buts. What a waste it would have been to cover it tired and in a hurry.
"Viva el Peru, glorioso". Welcome to Cuzco.
As for Cuzco... This is the place I'd been looking for since leaving Popayan. Yes, it's very touristy. Yes, cold beer or good coffee can still be elusive. And yes, Peru loves to rip off its visitors. But... Cuzco sure stands out way beyond the trivial, and owes that to her first founders, the Inka.
The Cuzco flag. (No, Inka weren't all gay, but the rainbow was sacred)
The folklore festival.
In Cuzco, there always seems to be an excuse to put a show on. If it's not to celebrate, it will be to protest. And if you can't wait for the next spectacle, you can always take a stroll in the market.
Built on top of the Inka capital, streets of the city are like a showcase for Inka's stonework expertise. Had conquistadors been able to resist the urge to build cathedrals on top of everything, the place might have looked as impressive as Machu Picchu today. On the other hand, they could have torn it all down and built another white washed plaza as well.
A famous rock with 12 precision cuts always blocks this street.
Indigenous women and their animalitos are a common sight at street corners.
On my first night in Cuzco, I paid the obligatory visit to Norton Rats Tavern on the main plaza to meet Jeff and sign my drunk name in his encyclopedia of motorcycle travelers who have stopped by before me. How can people chat about motorcycles for a whole night? That's exactly what we did and I have no idea how. But hey, we have a bike in common with the man, the Speed Triple. Let me tell you one thing about him: he's crazy. Crazy enough to ride an S3 from the US all the way down here!
After a couple of nights in a room that could barely fit a bed, I moved to La Casa Grande on Jeff's suggestion. It was comfortable, had a large courtyard for Katirga, and was only a block from the Rats. A comfortable room set me back about $20 a night, and that's not too bad for Cuzco. (La Casa Grande Hotel, Av. Santa Catalina Ruinas)
When I moved into my new place, there were already a few Argentinean bikers staying there. Once again, I were to meet some really nice guys, only to say goodbye in a matter of days. But I have a feeling it won't be too long till we drink together again.
A great night among friends.
Heading back to Argentina...
Cuzco is... Kind of hard to describe its charm with words or even photographs.
posted by Serdar at
6:57 PM
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