johnsunter.com >> adventures - world >> americas >> cusco 2
I visit Cusco in Peru, and see some of the ruins in the nearby areas (2/2).
Having hooked up with the girls, we decide to continue exploring.
We head out of the square, and through the back streets and squares, to the place referred to by the locals as "up the hill".
Although the City is created on the ground in the shape of a Puma, its contours are more of a stadium or bowl shape.
I guess somebody has to walk up these stairs, each evening after work.
I am glad its not me !.
I found a small park, and photographed the Town and buildings bellow through the tree's.
These 2 fine ladies pose in traditional dress with Llamas.
They only wanted about 50p, to be photographed and I thought it was well worth it.
Back at ground level, we wander out of the square to the place where the local villagers live etc.
The woman in red is performing a local custom. To see it more closely, click here.
I had seen a sign like this before in Nepal.
Some of the marketing techniques, used by local dentists, really are rather sinister.
In the end though, I was walking around with girls, and it wasn't going to be long before we visited some kind of shop.
Between us, we bought most of the shop, from this friendly and helpful woman.
Ashima tries on this Alpaca wool jumper.
That isn't a twinkle in her eye, she is wearing a money belt.
Although our guide didn't know much about the town/nightlife around Cusco, my friend Amanda had been there 6 weeks before, and had all the inside info (she had actually been staying in the same hotel as we were).
We wander down this alleyway (which I was able to photograph, as my new camera has adjustable shutter speeds).
Amanda had recommended Jacks, "up the hill".
Everyone came with me, and we had dinner there.
I really liked the place, and wished I could have visited it again.
There was another restaurant called Fallen Angel, that I really wish I had visited.
The following day, we drive out, and visit Olantay tambo.
Right next to the modern town, that sells walking sticks and mars bars, is the site of this ancient ruin.
The shape is said to resemble a llama.
It was my first sight of classical Inca terraces (apart from a scene in Halo 2).
They are used for farming.
The Sun temple.
Like many of the other ruins in the area, the enormous rocks, are so well carved, that its impossible to slide a piece of paper in between the joins.
The stone used to build this temple came from high up a mountain on the other side of the Urubambo river.
It would be a feat just to move this rock, let alone, carve and position it to withstand earthquakes.
Having seen the temple, we see a path that leads along a mountain side, right out of Indian Jones
The mountain in the background, contains a sort of warehouse carved into the rocks, Petra style.
Apparently the temperature and humidity there are perfect for storing grain.
